This is so absurd and so different from my experience here in Finland. What I know of, we don't have universities that are seen as "better" than others, and the uni is free for us. And lots of people here study for a job (vocational studies?) instead of going the academic path, and that is not seen as better or worse than anything else. Some maybe see it as a status-thing, but not to the extent it seems like you are talking about. The only one that put some "status" or something on going to uni was my grandmother, who was really happy that I had the opportunity to do what I wanted and choose what to do, as she never could study when she was young even if she wanted to.
as a 40 year old undergrad, i have to say that uni has been 10x harder in the current climate but one thing i have learned is that it doesn't matter what uni you go to as long as you are happy and studying what you want to do
Thank you for this video! Because of my Asian family, even though I’m in medical school, because it’s not a “prestigious university” they make me feel like crap. They always joke it’s not a real uni and that anyone could’ve gotten in. And the thing is, I DIDNT EVEN WANT TO DO MEDICINE IN THE FIRST PLACE! They told me to, and I’m still not good enough for them. This video just made me feel a bit better, so thank you
@@tracy3812 Why? I hope it's the book is actually super honest about how family can have awful effects on its members and not racist or anything of the like.
@@mewmew6158 Erma Bombeck wrote a lot of comedic books. She also wrote, “The Grass is always Greener Over the Septic Tank.” Her books are her quirky insights on American families in the 70s. Nothing mean or racist at all.
Hey, just wanna offer some moral support because med school is SO HARD! I’ve just dropped out and it’s definitely the best decision I’ve ever made. I’m very privileged in that I was never pressured into it (I really thought I wanted to be a doctor) and my parents, although they obviously didn’t love it, have accepted my decision to leave and are supporting me, so take anything I say with a huge pinch of salt. But, if you’re really not enjoying it I would love to give you all the encouragement I can to find any possible way to leave, even if that means finishing the degree but not entering foundation training (which is something lots of people do!). Also, if you’ve done 3 years you can get a BMedSci so you’ll still have a degree. Really feel for you, you’re in such a tough position but you’ll get through it no matter what you decide!
@@ellietacon1427 Hey thank you so much for this, I’m in 3rd year right now and I didn’t know about the degree thing so I’ll def look in to that. I’m pretty sure I’m going down the path of graduating and doing the training as of now though ‘cause I’m just too scared about what my family might say 😅 but again thank you!
I have been really struggling a lot with the whole "what I was told I was supposed to do vs. what I actually want to do" lately and it is really nice to listen to someone talk about it, thank you!
I'm still obsessed with the little Jamie plush in the background. Uni stresses me out, honestly just may skip it and go back when I want the business qualification
I made the mistake of only applying to universities where my friends were going at the end of highschool. When I was rejected I was afraid of being left behind and embarrassed for not being able to take a "conventional" path like everyone else. I spent the next 8 years going to an amazing community college, earning several degrees in the process, and then transferred to a four-year university (and graduated!). Allowing myself to take the time to develop confidence and refine my academic skills/interests really made a world's difference. Finding what works for you should always be the top priority!
Story Time! My parents (who are asian) wanted me to go to a university (American: college) instead of a college (American: community college). And my dad turned his nose up against the idea. So I applied solely to the prestigious Universities in my area for 1 course I wanted (theatre) and 2 courses my parents wanted me in (psychology). I did not get accepted to the course I wanted and had to pick between two universities that I cared very little for. I picked the university that was less prestigious as I was afraid of flunking out of the higher prestige one. I spent two years making good friends and had good experiences for the most part. But when a traumatic event hit my life I spiralled and near failed out of my program. After a huge mental breakdown I left the university and applied at a college for a program I was genuinely interested in (flight services: essentially becoming a flight attendant.) University (and most of high school) made me think I was an awful student. Barely skating by and handing assignments in half done and late. But being at this college for 2 years has shown me I’m a KICK ASS student when I care about what I’m doing. Being at the top of my class and graduating in a month. I highly agree with Shaaba, do not pick schools by prestige or because your parents think they know what’s best for you. You get to decide what’s best for you. And if you’re in a spot that is rough in school, I believe in you. You got this! TLDR: Left uni after 2 years found a college program where I’m excelling. It’s not always about the prestige and do what you think is best for you not necessarily what your parents demand of you.
i literally watched this doc TODAY and honestly i agree with everything you said shaaba also, may i add that i find it outrageous that in the us you have to pay for college ?? here in brazil the best unis are public and FREE and even the private ones are still not as expensive as the us
There is a really good YA book called Radio Silence by Alice Oseman that tackles this topic very well. One of the protagonists struggles with the expectations of their parents with them going to uni. Bonus (as with all Oseman books) is the diverse characters, so can only absolutely recommend
as a swiss person, i'm glad to say that the concept of 'prestigious universities' does not really (i only know two swiss higher education institutes that are truly considered prestigious) apply here. also, universities here are not selective (only medicine does have an entrance exam) and one is qualified through their high school graduation. this works because we do have apprenticeship that are considered really good options to learn trades. therefore, not that many people here actually want to attend university since you can get a good job otherwise. i'm so glad i didn't have to go through the whole application process and could just choose the program i wanted to major in minor in at my preferred university without having the chance of being denied or deferred. also, university here is partially funded by the state and the fees we have to pay are not actually that high. and with bologna 2020, it's still possible to go abroad for a semester or two without complications.
Heh, I just saw your comment - could have saved mine, in which I similarly wax rhapsodic over the Swiss apprenticeship system. And yes, I absolutely second how delightful it is to just pick whatever uni suits you best. You can even study any subject you like - although I probably wouldn't have lasted at ETH (our prestigious technical university), I absolutely could have tried despite having done Latin at school and not sciences/maths and without anyone caring about my grades as long as I'd passed my final highschool exams. :)
@Isa Tailor i mean i said that i know some prestigious institutes, namely eth. i am very aware that there is a lot of prestige attached to the education eth provides that goes well beyond the swiss border. many of my friends actually attend eth and in my experience, although it depends on the person, the prestige is not that prevalent anymore as to more you get used to it. what i meant to say in my initial comment is that in switzerland you don't have that whole application process consisting of standardized tests, grades, essays and interviews. in the case of eth, i believe that many people choose this institution partly because of the prestige attached to it, but those are usually not the ones that actually manage to graduate from eth since the passing rate is quite low. eth is not selective in the application process but more so later on.
That's a thing I'm kind of facing. I'm a law undergraduate. Totally my choice, it's a second degree, I'm happy about that, but in law there is a lot of pressure to go to a prestigious Uni for your master, and honestly sometimes I'm tempted. The idea of having X prestigious University on my CV and how proud my family would be is tempting, but then I remember I would learn a lot more practical stuff in some other less prestigious universities, have a lot less debts and probably have a greater time overall. It's just hard to let go of the pressure to be the best, go to the best schools, etc that society, others and you put on yourself. I'm also not ruling out talking a small formation to do a more manual job at some point in my life. I just never felt like it was an option before.
this type of thing is something that I've been staring dead in the face these last few weeks. Being raised poor it was drilled into me that if I work hard then I'll be able to go to whichever course I want. Soon into middle school that became whichever affordable course. Now after putting in the work to graduate high school a year early, being accepted to my dream program; I'm facing the cold hard truth that I was born into a place in life where as much as I want something, as much as I work for something, there's a chance that itll be predecided that I'm unable to do it. I really needed to hear this from someone outside myself to regain the motivation to keep trying for what I want; thank you shaaba
This is so true! I went to a school where the question wasn't 'are you going to uni' but 'which Russell group unis are you applying to' and where 10 Oxbridge acceptances was a normal year - I wish I had had this conversation with myself before going. Uni is wonderful for building friendships and learning about living on your own, but it's a lot to sign up for especially if you're not fully prepared.
I agree. I also think that part of the problem is related to how the work market chooses its employees. We live in a world that still looks at your university name to decide if you are worthy or not.
Same in Sweden. Although I'm not a citizen (but still an EU-one), university here is free AND you can ask for student grant - which is not so much but better than nothing, it helps pay the rent :)
@@ChakramxKeyblade yes Germany has student loans for rent etc. as well (the buerocracy is a pain though). And tuition fees are the same for international students - even not EU (but not many English bachelor programmes are available)
I wish the cost was at least reasonable in the U.S 😞 If it were free I'd probably be much further on track to be perfectly honest as dealing with financial aid is a pain in the ass And half the time I pay for shitty teachers who want you to teach yourself Unless it's specifically art related where they have to draw and help you
This was actually really helpful for me as lately I’ve been struggling on where I want to attend college in the US. There definitely is a ton of pressure to attend schools in the top 25 even though a lot of the time you just can’t afford them, so it was really reassuring to hear this!
I wish more people felt ok taking time after leaving school to figure out what they actually want out of life instead of feeling pressured into going to university right away. I did psychology at a Russell Group uni and a solid 40%+ of the people I graduated with never had any intention of doing anything related to the degree in their careers, they just felt like they needed a degree in *something* and our uni "looks good on a resume". They effectively wasted 3 years learning stuff they'll never use when they could have spent that time earning money or working towards a career they actually cared about. Not only did most of them have a miserable time but to be honest listening to them complaining about how boring/difficult everything was made the rest of us who were actually excited about the course pretty miserable too. It's such a waste of everyone's time and money to pressure young people into committing to a degree straight away like that, especially since all it really does is artificially inflate the qualifications most entry‐level jobs look for (like how supermarkets in cities will often list a university degree as a requirement just to filter out some applicants)
Couldn't agree with you more Shaaba! Growing up my parents told us that as long as we ended up in jobs we loved that's all that mattered to them. My sister went to uni and became a teacher (loves it), I went to uni to become a nurse (failed) now very happy working as a teaching assistant/nursery nurse and my brother never went to uni and has been a bus driver for nearly 20 years which he absolutely loves.
i'm belgian & ever since i got into uni i've been thinking the same thing; yes, it is overrated. & the current events have made it so that more & more students all over the world, not just in belgium, are beginning to understand that most of us went to uni, prestigious or not, bc of pressure. a student posted anonymously on a belgian uni's facebook page about their struggles & regrets on getting into uni. do not get into uni unless you've got a plan involving a study field you are *in love* with. even if it takes years to find out what it looks like to you. it'll save you money & energy along the way. plus, when working jobs, you acquire experience, which most uni students do not get. don't make the mistake i did.
& thank you for making a video about this, shaaba. i don't think it's a coincidence i've been seeing more & more students talk about their experiences with college. this crisis really forced all the ugly issues to come out.
thanks for this. i just started medical school and ever since i decided, it’s been so hard. get to uni, all of that, all the pressure is just >ridiculous
I'm so sorry you're in this position, medical school is really really tough. I hope you know that there are people out there who will really love & value you regardless of 'how well you're doing' at uni - the most important thing is who you are as a person. Feel free to rant here if you need it, it's okay to let your feelings out!
OK so essay incoming hahaha. As an Oxford graduate, whose parents both went to Oxford (not that this is a long-standing family tradition btw - it started with my parents and ended with me, brothers all went to other universities!), hard agree. You have to pick the course and the place that's right for you! I loved my time at Oxford but I'm a white, straight, cisgender, middle-class woman with no physical or mental health problems and I was doing a languages degree (i.e. not something HIDEOUSLY STRESSFUL, except maybe when it came to the final exams oof) so I think I was coming at it on one of the easier "settings"... One thing I will say about it is if you do decide to go be prepared for the pressure of going from being at or near the top of your class at school to being a small fish in a VERY BIG intellectual pond (it was a big culture shock for me!!). Oh, and financially, I was relying on student loans and overdraft ALL THE WAY (Mum was a teacher and Dad was self-employed and I have 3 younger brothers, so we weren't exactly rolling in it) - and this was at a time when top-up fees didn't exist. University is expensive! I'm paying off the last instalment of my student loan this month - started paying it back, um...nearly 20 years ago?!?
For me, uni is essential. I'm living on social security income as my only income. The cost of the housing market is so damn high. Without uni, I'd still be stuck living with my parents in hell. It has to be uni because there's a major flaw in the cis-tem, not enough rental assistance, and at uni, my rent is lord in with tuition and shit. I have to take classes to stay here.
Thank you so much for this video! I am graduating high school this year and currently in the heat of college decision stress, so this was exactly what I needed to hear.
i have JUST gotten into uni and booked my accommodation, after being rejected from my first choice because it was so "prestigious" and being pressured in every decision i've made. i can now finally say i'm doing what i want, for the right reasons. thank you so much for making this video
As someone who's graduating high school this year (north American school system), this is very helpful. Right now I'm considering taking a gap year. But yes, this is so so helpful and it's a helpful reminder for me, and a good thing for everyone who doesn't know this yet to learn. Thank you for making this video.
Only thing i'd have to add is broaden your scope. I chose subjects based on what most of my classmates were talking about, thinking that's all i'd have access to. Also, because my parents didn't think i'd want anything else since i didn't even have the idea to go and look elsewhere. But yeah, try to look at everything that is possible, not just what you think you want or can access.
I live in the US and I wish there was less push for university education and more for on the job education - internships, apprenticeships, maybe with some courses on the side at a community college. I’m going to have 6 years of higher education and still need 3 years of on the job experience after that education to be considered properly employable. And soo much of what I learned in undergrad was busy work 😑
That whole, "you do it because it's expected of you" thing is so real. I'm married and EVERYONE is asking WHEN we're having kids. Not IF, but WHEN. As if the fact that we're not having any is not even an option. It's just expected of us.
Honestly, I’m stunned that university is so expensive in the UK. In 1984, I started at a “prestigious” 🤢 school in Newport, Rhode Island. Dreadful. In 1996, I graduated from a state school. Can’t figure out the finances for a Masters.
That was really interesting ! I am curently on my 3rd year of the most prestigeous university in France I'd say, and I really hate it. The system in different there, education is really unexpensive (about 170 euros a year) but I think what you are saying still applies, the "prestige" thing is pretty bad. I'd like to study in a practical way but it is less valued in our society so I am currently studying in a very theoretical way and I retain nothing from it therefore making me miserable and feeling like I am worthless. Practical courses exist but being less valued by my teachers and surrounding, I was never directed toward those. I'll change that next year if I can. Because I am smart and capable, and I don't deserve to feel like crap. We are not all cut out of the same wood.
Thank you! I am going into my second semester in April and I genuinely don't think if my major, or even uni, is for me. Thankfully, I have a very supportive family that helps me a lot with figuring all these things out. For now, it may be the uni I'm attending, may be the fact I double-major from the beginning or the reason I want to do something in my major but maybe not over five years studying at uni. I don't know yet but, as you explained, university was always the plan. To fail three exams in my first semester definitely didn't help with my self-confidence and I genuinely do not know where my path will take me but I know that I have a system that will catch me if I fall which sadly not everyone has.
smaller universities need much more credit, my family always pressured me to go to RMIT or Monash, everyone at my school seemed to be going to the top 8 uni's, but I'm at Western Sydney, which is just as good, even better. A school that cares about your wellbeing is better than one that is presigious
Hello princess hair, hello educational content, hello kindness and empathy, brilliant. Always brightens my day when you upload :) Also. I am 32, and went to trade school. When I was 17, I was TERRIFED of university because I am not an academic person and find focusing on school work challenging. I wish I could have had this video then, and am so glad that 17 year olds have it now.
Watching this video I'm so glad I went to uni in a country where even if its not free, its affordable and there are government scholarships. Also, there is not a big pressure to choose which uni to go to, most people choose to go to the one nearest their home town.
Something I really like about Switzerland is that we have a very solid apprenticeship system in place. If I remember correctly, 70% of people choose that instead of university, and depending on their choice of profession (apprenticeships range from traditional trades to vocational business schools) they're way more secure than university grads. And if you do want to go to university (and your grades were good enough to get you through college/high school - everyone else leaves after year 9 to start their apprenticeships) it's only a few hundred bucks a year (plus books, of course) with the possibility to get stipends quite easily. Of course Covid has made things more difficult for everyone, but especially for school leavers looking for apprenticeships.
I live in Canada. I went to a private catholic high school. University was definitely the expected next step. My high school has a note somewhere on their website or in their admission literature talking about the percentage of graduates that go on to University. It's a statistic that they are proud of. I ended up failing out of university after 2 years. I took some time off, and ended up going to college (in Canada college is more hands on/trades education) for early childhood education.
Besides "doing what you want to do" there's more you should do (breathing, paying taxes, paying bills), but I totally agree that going to (a certain) university isn't one of the things you should be doing if that's not the path you want to follow. I'm feeling blessed to be from a family where being happy about your life is seen as more important than your diploma and job, but I'm also aware that not everybody is in the lucky position where their family makes them feel like there even is a choice.
I often wonder was my "dream to go to scad" conjured up because everyone wants me to live in a dorm letting my family live vicariously through me and crap like that, because I've never been thrilled by the idea I just panicked and chose a school Or would it just be fine at some point to finish my degrees at FSCJ because I already go there and there are decent teachers confirmed to be there (I'm going to college for art btw ) Idk I've had both parties in my ear of it's still an expensive but amazing school And toxic people I don't talk to anymore who said it was a joke who don't know what they were talking about 80% of the time
As someone who attends a 'Founding Russell Group' university I can tell you that they are ALL ABOUT the prestige. Course content and institutional engagement/ awareness actually suffers because they feel that they don't have to bother. It doesn't matter to them if they don't react to racist incidents etc because their 'prestige' will still get them funding and students. Sometimes these universities do actually offer good courses but I would advise that you choose an institution that allows you flexibility in subject matter (like the American elective system). And if a 'lesser' college offers you the course that you want - TAKE IT. Life is short and if you're making the choice to expand your mind (and debt), then I hope you can find one that works for you. Also - ALWAYS take a gap year before making decisions about attending university. Please. It's so worth it. And by gap year I don't just mean that 'Gap Ya' video from 10 years ago...
On the student debt in the UK, one of my main piece of advice to UK students is actually not to worry about it too much. I was really stressed about it, but you don't start repaying it until you earn over around £26.5k and then it's 9% of the income over that. That means you only ever start paying it when you can afford it, and as it's written off after 30 years, most people will never repay it (especially if you take a career break or go part time). It won't get passed onto your family or partner either. I mean don't get me wrong, I was very against fees going up and I would much rather not have it, but I don't think it should be the deciding factor in whether you go to university as in my experience, in reality it's not caused me any financial stress.
I love to learn. Always have. I was the kid that hung out in the library. But when I became an adult I realized really quickly that if you don't have a degree businesses won't pay you much and that it makes your life harder. I am in my 50's and have been continuously trying to go to school to finish up. Always thought my intelligence was my best asset but life just wanted me to smile & be pretty. I feel safe and seen when I'm learning. The "real" world is harsh and unfriendly. Go to school, whatever school you want and learn something you have passion in. And even if it something someone says you "can't make a living doing that" do it anyway. Huggs.
this was everything i didnt know i needed to know now that im looking into options to get a masters (Msc) in other country (UK, spain, USA) considering how freaking expensive is (how hard is to get an scholarship in my country) and all the requiriments to just apply... that is driving me nuts with anxiety even tough i know that i want to take a couple years to work full time and save as much as posible to help pay my expenses while getting my masters (even if i just spend 5 and a half years getting my bachelor degree in engineering, and even if i have to live in a park and eat once a day when/ if i enter a posgraduate program)... anyway im going to go sulk in my corner and hope all of you are having an awesome time
I went to Chester University because it did the course I wanted to do. I got into 'better' Universities, but the course wasn't as tailored to what I was interested in. It was hard, getting no financial help and having multiple disabilities that I was receiving no management or treatment for. But I still loved it, the only time I've ever loved education, and left with a BSc (hons) in Animal Behaviour. I would LOVE to do a masters or PhD, I would love it so much, but just isn't possible for me anymore for multiple reasons. I am still the first and only person in my family to go to university. Its also important to note the degree has allowed me to get the job I'm currently in, but I got chosen over a candidate who has a PhD. It's not simply the level of education that gets you the job, it's who you are
In case some people arent able to go to uni or don't want too I didn't go to uni I missed out on the social bit but then I am ahead of my friends in different things at the age of 24 I have a car and enough money to put a deposit for a house...... and got to privately transition
I’m in Yr 12 at the moment, barely even feel like I’ve done this year, (between self isolations and the lockdowns I’ve been in person for about 10 weeks and never full time), and will now be choosing unis without even seeing them or knowing what my tutor who’s meant to help me apply looks like, I’ve never seen his face! I’m am very stressed, we aren’t even allowed to book a careers advice appointment because of covid! *external screaming*
YES! I have been telling everyone I can that they don't have to follow the college road map because it isn't a guarantee of anything and just costs a lot of money
I’m starting university this year and this video has been incredibly helpful, calming, uplifting and enjoyable. Thank you so much for making my day and keep up the good work☀️
Yeah I went to uni because everyone around me wanted me too. I wasn't stable enough to do either so now I have debt and a piece of paper I can't use for a foundation course I couldn't complete because the 3rd year was triple the price.
I totally agree and had a similar experience, both school and parents expected that I would go to uni so I did. And I would choose to do it again for the life experience and freedom of moving out of my parent’s house but I have only ever had jobs that I could have done without a degree and people I know who didn’t go to uni were (and still are) further along in their careers (also in accountancy) than me. If you want to do something that requires a degree then absolutely go to uni, if you don’t need a degree or don’t know what you want to do then it’s fine not to go (no matter what parents etc. say) and go later in life when you’ll probably do more work and less partying anyway. 😂 just sharing because I wish someone had told me that rather than feeling like it was the only option.
did one year of community college. took asl, learned the basics of the language, took humanities, learned some stuff that led to me learning about the realities of the world and changing a lot about my views, took english, learned more about how messed up the prison system (and especially juvie) is, took math, learned i am not a college person lol. no regrets!!! i learned what i needed to know and started working closer to full time the next year! i would've graduated this year if i'd gone that route but instead i have an established job that i love. do what's right for you!!! (also that math prof SUCKED)
As a current university of Essex student, I love it so much! It was my first choice the whole time I applied because it actually offers a course I want to do (sociology with human rights). I rejected my offers from Russel Group universities to go there, and I have absolutely no regrets. I mean, I'm still first year and it's all been in Covid times, but it has been the best choice I could make. It might not be the most prestigious, but it was the best choice for me. Once I was able to convince my dad that it was a good university they have been so encouraging. It was mostly my friends who found it wierd that I turned down Russell Group unis. But I'm just so happy with where I am, despite being up late now writing a really hard essay 😂😂😂
Trueeeeeee. As an asian I’ve been growing up in a culture of oxbridge is the best is the best is the best, and even though i know that they DO do the best course in what i want to do, but its not the only option, and university isn’t necessarily the only way to get there. But if I dont get into the course i really really want to i know that the impact it will have on my self esteem is enormous, and purely because of the messaging I’ve been fed since a child, with siblings achieve in high, and parents wanting the best etc etc
From the US. I am still in my undergrad, 7 years on, but I pay for classes out of pocket semester to semester. Every single one of my friends took out 50-70,000 dollars worth of student loans. They called me crazy, that I would regret not just plowing through classes and having fun and partying. I work 2-3 jobs at any given time but honestly I wouldn’t change a thing, it makes me really appreciate the luxury of upper education.
I'm an illustration degree dropout... I lasted 6 months maybe. Landed an apprenticeship when I left and could have done pretty well if I actually liked doing art as a career lol Also ur hair looks rly nice!
I can relate to all you're sayin, being Asian and having undergone this process last year for my undergrad with the jee, truly the pressure and all shit sucks especially when you r forcibly made one of the main roles on the stage of others life and competing with some 1M students for 20K seats. I didnt get into IIT/ sort of "free seat". Yup, it sucks for that moment when people comment but luckily nothing's reached my heart till now, dunno y?! 😊
I do wonder if social media has some benefits, though. I picked my undergrad based on a visit where of course the school was really selling itself. If I'd been able to find people who went there online and ask questions, I'd know that the foreign language classes (my major) were actually TERRIBLE and might've dodged that bullet! I'm at peace with it now, but I can see two sides to the coin. Also might've just known ABOUT a lot of majors that I learned existed too late, because I'd never heard of things like sociology or social work or public health.
wha i will say is make sure whatever uni you choose, make sure they have a good wellbeing and support team and that you can access the support you may need easily. my wellbeing team at USW are amazing and i would be lost without them
also this video was helpful for me to recognise how i've had privilege in getting to this point i.e. my school offering me support, getting into the school in the first place, so again thank you
I'm blessed enough that my parents aren't concerned if I go to college or not, but the curse is that they feel that way because they never went. However I want to pursue a career where you need a Masters at least and the issue arises that we just don't have the money! I thought I'd be attending a 2-year community college at most, and now we're lost!
At the end of the day you can only choose for your own life no one should be able to dictate what is right for you. Don't do things for others or to brag about what you've done. Don't do things for the Instagram photos do them because you want to. If you want to share that joy on instagram go ahead but don't do it purely because you think other people will like it or expect it or will be proud of you do what you want to do
I want to be a freelance graphic designer and small business owner, with a 'main' job as like a store employee for some guaranteed income when I grow up. All I need is a portfolio for the first thing, decent art skills for the second, and I mean- highschool kids (aka my age right now) do the third thing so surely that says something. My parents (my mum especially) want me to go to uni, and a good one at that, anyway. But for what? To pursue my dream job, all I need is a portfolio, which I already have at the ripe old age of 14, and will only expand on in the future. My interests beside graphics are video games, english/literature, and history, all of which I can do outside of school. I already have affordable living arrangements 4+ years in advance. I already know 100% that I don't need university to achieve my dream life, and it's frustrating how I must go anyway in order to not be abandoned by my mum. And the social aspects: I already have a timetable for my free time and good management of how long I should do each for. I have Autism, AvPD, and Selective Mutism (coming from Social Anxiety), aswell. This means that no matter how hard I try, I just am not able to go to parties or confront people. The way I've learnt to handle my social anxiety so far isn't through school. It's through my part-time job, and everyday communication with my own family and friends. For me, everyday life is a social lesson, and my family fails to see that I don't need university in order to grow socially Uni just seems like a waste of time and money for me. It might not be for other people, but I already have my life planned out, and that plan doesn't need university. In my life plan, uni will just get in the way of what I actually want to do. Sorry for the rant lol.
What about community college? I am from the states and it is really common, at least where I've grown up after graduating from high school students went to community college before they transferred to University. Saves you a lot more money to get almost the same education you would at a University and saves you the money to take different courses to figure out what you want to do as far as the degree you want to pursue. That's what I did and saved me so much money. Even if you don't go to University community college is valuable to take any type of class to learn new skills.
I like this. I told my nephews that a bachelor's degree just teaches you how to think. Like you'll think more scientifically or logically or artistically. A bachelor's isn't going to teach you everything you need to know about that degree, it just gives you the language for that degree.
As a mature age students, the longer i'm there the more i see its just a hungry business thats all about privilege and discrimination; race, location, mental health etc. It's sad but it's true.
Same! When I looked to go to uni, I took a short program to see what it was like, but after I did not want to pay that exaggerated price for not so good quality courses another time. I am learning more useful knowledge now in the company I work for, they are very good and open to teach for the tasks you want.
I've stopped caring about the prestigious universities and now my main consideration is trans inclusivity because i don't want to have to possibly face transphobia. would dampen the point of going wouldn't it? and I'm not even sure what i want to do anymore.
Whilst I completely agree with the messages about uni not being for everyone (I started my degree at 27), not needing a degree for many jobs, and picking a uni based on the course rather than the name/prestige if you DO decide to go, I just wanted to say as an oxford student that I think you've misrepresented the oxbridge experience a bit here and I'd hate for someone to be discouraged from applying as a result. There are of course a lot of privately educated, privileged white boys there, but I've personally not encountered that many of them and I've met people from all sorts of backgrounds! I'm northern and state school educated, and I received extra financial aid from the uni and my own college on top of my student loans. They are doing a lot of work to try to encourage people from other backgrounds to apply - the only reason there aren't more non-privately educated, non-white people is because they get told they aren't the 'oxbridge type' and don't apply in the first place. I'm not at all discounting your experience of QMUL and I'm aware I have white privilege, I just do access work for my college and really want to see more people apply so that these stereotypes about everyone being rich and white will change. Having said all that, 100% agree that degrees are a bit meaningless now bc everyone has one haha
The irony here is that people are going to take your views more seriously because you have a degree and post-grad degree. I totally agree about university, but if I tried to explain that people would probably see it as a belief I hold because I wasn't capable of getting a degree - like I'm trying to prove that I don't need tertiary education. As someone with chronic mental illnesses I was simply not able to endure the stress and pressure of full-time studies. And if you're choosing a place or degree because of what someone else wants, that's a really, REALLY bad idea.
In my uneducated opinion University is over rated unless you specifically need it for your intended career. If it's just a degree for the sake of it, then sack it off and get a job. You do you!
![Being ‘the disabled one’ in university [CC]](/img/n.gif)
This is so absurd and so different from my experience here in Finland. What I know of, we don't have universities that are seen as "better" than others, and the uni is free for us. And lots of people here study for a job (vocational studies?) instead of going the academic path, and that is not seen as better or worse than anything else. Some maybe see it as a status-thing, but not to the extent it seems like you are talking about.
The only one that put some "status" or something on going to uni was my grandmother, who was really happy that I had the opportunity to do what I wanted and choose what to do, as she never could study when she was young even if she wanted to.
I hope everyone's week is going well, you all are valid and cared about.
Tk and same to you 💖
thank you angel
You’re not prickly at all. That is a kind thought! Have a great week & keep doing what you do.
*cough* make this the top comment *cough*
Oh you gorgeous person xx Right back atcha 😘
as a 40 year old undergrad, i have to say that uni has been 10x harder in the current climate but one thing i have learned is that it doesn't matter what uni you go to as long as you are happy and studying what you want to do
100% true! Any school is great if you put in the work.
@@tracy3812 absolutely. you get out what you put in
@@wonderqueerTT especially when you’re working your way through & not relying on Mom & Dad.
@@tracy3812 agreed, i understand that my parents are not in my life so i do understand x
Thank you for this video! Because of my Asian family, even though I’m in medical school, because it’s not a “prestigious university” they make me feel like crap. They always joke it’s not a real uni and that anyone could’ve gotten in. And the thing is, I DIDNT EVEN WANT TO DO MEDICINE IN THE FIRST PLACE! They told me to, and I’m still not good enough for them. This video just made me feel a bit better, so thank you
Erma Bombeck wrote a book, “Family the Ties that Bind & Gag.” Many a truth are said in jest. Certainly, Cancel Culture (in the US) would ban the book.
@@tracy3812 Why? I hope it's the book is actually super honest about how family can have awful effects on its members and not racist or anything of the like.
@@mewmew6158 Erma Bombeck wrote a lot of comedic books. She also wrote, “The Grass is always Greener Over the Septic Tank.” Her books are her quirky insights on American families in the 70s. Nothing mean or racist at all.
Hey, just wanna offer some moral support because med school is SO HARD! I’ve just dropped out and it’s definitely the best decision I’ve ever made. I’m very privileged in that I was never pressured into it (I really thought I wanted to be a doctor) and my parents, although they obviously didn’t love it, have accepted my decision to leave and are supporting me, so take anything I say with a huge pinch of salt. But, if you’re really not enjoying it I would love to give you all the encouragement I can to find any possible way to leave, even if that means finishing the degree but not entering foundation training (which is something lots of people do!). Also, if you’ve done 3 years you can get a BMedSci so you’ll still have a degree. Really feel for you, you’re in such a tough position but you’ll get through it no matter what you decide!
@@ellietacon1427 Hey thank you so much for this, I’m in 3rd year right now and I didn’t know about the degree thing so I’ll def look in to that. I’m pretty sure I’m going down the path of graduating and doing the training as of now though ‘cause I’m just too scared about what my family might say 😅 but again thank you!
I have been really struggling a lot with the whole "what I was told I was supposed to do vs. what I actually want to do" lately and it is really nice to listen to someone talk about it, thank you!
I'm still obsessed with the little Jamie plush in the background.
Uni stresses me out, honestly just may skip it and go back when I want the business qualification
I made the mistake of only applying to universities where my friends were going at the end of highschool. When I was rejected I was afraid of being left behind and embarrassed for not being able to take a "conventional" path like everyone else. I spent the next 8 years going to an amazing community college, earning several degrees in the process, and then transferred to a four-year university (and graduated!). Allowing myself to take the time to develop confidence and refine my academic skills/interests really made a world's difference. Finding what works for you should always be the top priority!
Story Time!
My parents (who are asian) wanted me to go to a university (American: college) instead of a college (American: community college). And my dad turned his nose up against the idea. So I applied solely to the prestigious Universities in my area for 1 course I wanted (theatre) and 2 courses my parents wanted me in (psychology). I did not get accepted to the course I wanted and had to pick between two universities that I cared very little for. I picked the university that was less prestigious as I was afraid of flunking out of the higher prestige one. I spent two years making good friends and had good experiences for the most part. But when a traumatic event hit my life I spiralled and near failed out of my program. After a huge mental breakdown I left the university and applied at a college for a program I was genuinely interested in (flight services: essentially becoming a flight attendant.) University (and most of high school) made me think I was an awful student. Barely skating by and handing assignments in half done and late. But being at this college for 2 years has shown me I’m a KICK ASS student when I care about what I’m doing. Being at the top of my class and graduating in a month. I highly agree with Shaaba, do not pick schools by prestige or because your parents think they know what’s best for you. You get to decide what’s best for you. And if you’re in a spot that is rough in school, I believe in you. You got this!
TLDR: Left uni after 2 years found a college program where I’m excelling. It’s not always about the prestige and do what you think is best for you not necessarily what your parents demand of you.
i literally watched this doc TODAY and honestly i agree with everything you said shaaba
also, may i add that i find it outrageous that in the us you have to pay for college ?? here in brazil the best unis are public and FREE and even the private ones are still not as expensive as the us
There is a really good YA book called Radio Silence by Alice Oseman that tackles this topic very well. One of the protagonists struggles with the expectations of their parents with them going to uni. Bonus (as with all Oseman books) is the diverse characters, so can only absolutely recommend
i love radio silence so much!!!
That's the book that made me choose my secondary school because it just made me so terrified of A levels
as a swiss person, i'm glad to say that the concept of 'prestigious universities' does not really (i only know two swiss higher education institutes that are truly considered prestigious) apply here. also, universities here are not selective (only medicine does have an entrance exam) and one is qualified through their high school graduation. this works because we do have apprenticeship that are considered really good options to learn trades. therefore, not that many people here actually want to attend university since you can get a good job otherwise. i'm so glad i didn't have to go through the whole application process and could just choose the program i wanted to major in minor in at my preferred university without having the chance of being denied or deferred. also, university here is partially funded by the state and the fees we have to pay are not actually that high. and with bologna 2020, it's still possible to go abroad for a semester or two without complications.
I think I just found a reason to move to Switzerland
Heh, I just saw your comment - could have saved mine, in which I similarly wax rhapsodic over the Swiss apprenticeship system. And yes, I absolutely second how delightful it is to just pick whatever uni suits you best. You can even study any subject you like - although I probably wouldn't have lasted at ETH (our prestigious technical university), I absolutely could have tried despite having done Latin at school and not sciences/maths and without anyone caring about my grades as long as I'd passed my final highschool exams. :)
@@Rain-np7tk they seem to be a very progressive country. Random fact assisted suicide is legal there as well.
@Isa Tailor i mean i said that i know some prestigious institutes, namely eth. i am very aware that there is a lot of prestige attached to the education eth provides that goes well beyond the swiss border. many of my friends actually attend eth and in my experience, although it depends on the person, the prestige is not that prevalent anymore as to more you get used to it. what i meant to say in my initial comment is that in switzerland you don't have that whole application process consisting of standardized tests, grades, essays and interviews. in the case of eth, i believe that many people choose this institution partly because of the prestige attached to it, but those are usually not the ones that actually manage to graduate from eth since the passing rate is quite low. eth is not selective in the application process but more so later on.
That's a thing I'm kind of facing. I'm a law undergraduate. Totally my choice, it's a second degree, I'm happy about that, but in law there is a lot of pressure to go to a prestigious Uni for your master, and honestly sometimes I'm tempted. The idea of having X prestigious University on my CV and how proud my family would be is tempting, but then I remember I would learn a lot more practical stuff in some other less prestigious universities, have a lot less debts and probably have a greater time overall. It's just hard to let go of the pressure to be the best, go to the best schools, etc that society, others and you put on yourself. I'm also not ruling out talking a small formation to do a more manual job at some point in my life. I just never felt like it was an option before.
this type of thing is something that I've been staring dead in the face these last few weeks.
Being raised poor it was drilled into me that if I work hard then I'll be able to go to whichever course I want. Soon into middle school that became whichever affordable course. Now after putting in the work to graduate high school a year early, being accepted to my dream program; I'm facing the cold hard truth that I was born into a place in life where as much as I want something, as much as I work for something, there's a chance that itll be predecided that I'm unable to do it.
I really needed to hear this from someone outside myself to regain the motivation to keep trying for what I want; thank you shaaba
This is so true! I went to a school where the question wasn't 'are you going to uni' but 'which Russell group unis are you applying to' and where 10 Oxbridge acceptances was a normal year - I wish I had had this conversation with myself before going. Uni is wonderful for building friendships and learning about living on your own, but it's a lot to sign up for especially if you're not fully prepared.
I really needed to be reminded that no one actually knows what is best for another person.
maybe slightly ironic that i got an ad for the university of lincoln before this video :)
I agree. I also think that part of the problem is related to how the work market chooses its employees. We live in a world that still looks at your university name to decide if you are worthy or not.
Here in Scotland the state pays for local university at least we’re better 🏴
same here in Germany and Austria
Same in Sweden. Although I'm not a citizen (but still an EU-one), university here is free AND you can ask for student grant - which is not so much but better than nothing, it helps pay the rent :)
@@ChakramxKeyblade yes Germany has student loans for rent etc. as well (the buerocracy is a pain though). And tuition fees are the same for international students - even not EU (but not many English bachelor programmes are available)
I wish the cost was at least reasonable in the U.S
😞
If it were free I'd probably be much further on track to be perfectly honest as dealing with financial aid is a pain in the ass
And half the time I pay for shitty teachers who want you to teach yourself
Unless it's specifically art related where they have to draw and help you
Off topic, but just appreciating how beautiful Shaaba's hair is 🙂✌️
It's stunning!!
This was actually really helpful for me as lately I’ve been struggling on where I want to attend college in the US. There definitely is a ton of pressure to attend schools in the top 25 even though a lot of the time you just can’t afford them, so it was really reassuring to hear this!
I wish more people felt ok taking time after leaving school to figure out what they actually want out of life instead of feeling pressured into going to university right away. I did psychology at a Russell Group uni and a solid 40%+ of the people I graduated with never had any intention of doing anything related to the degree in their careers, they just felt like they needed a degree in *something* and our uni "looks good on a resume". They effectively wasted 3 years learning stuff they'll never use when they could have spent that time earning money or working towards a career they actually cared about. Not only did most of them have a miserable time but to be honest listening to them complaining about how boring/difficult everything was made the rest of us who were actually excited about the course pretty miserable too. It's such a waste of everyone's time and money to pressure young people into committing to a degree straight away like that, especially since all it really does is artificially inflate the qualifications most entry‐level jobs look for (like how supermarkets in cities will often list a university degree as a requirement just to filter out some applicants)
Couldn't agree with you more Shaaba! Growing up my parents told us that as long as we ended up in jobs we loved that's all that mattered to them. My sister went to uni and became a teacher (loves it), I went to uni to become a nurse (failed) now very happy working as a teaching assistant/nursery nurse and my brother never went to uni and has been a bus driver for nearly 20 years which he absolutely loves.
i'm belgian & ever since i got into uni i've been thinking the same thing; yes, it is overrated. & the current events have made it so that more & more students all over the world, not just in belgium, are beginning to understand that most of us went to uni, prestigious or not, bc of pressure. a student posted anonymously on a belgian uni's facebook page about their struggles & regrets on getting into uni.
do not get into uni unless you've got a plan involving a study field you are *in love* with. even if it takes years to find out what it looks like to you. it'll save you money & energy along the way. plus, when working jobs, you acquire experience, which most uni students do not get. don't make the mistake i did.
& thank you for making a video about this, shaaba. i don't think it's a coincidence i've been seeing more & more students talk about their experiences with college. this crisis really forced all the ugly issues to come out.
thanks for this. i just started medical school and ever since i decided, it’s been so hard. get to uni, all of that, all the pressure is just >ridiculous
I'm so sorry you're in this position, medical school is really really tough. I hope you know that there are people out there who will really love & value you regardless of 'how well you're doing' at uni - the most important thing is who you are as a person. Feel free to rant here if you need it, it's okay to let your feelings out!
@@1SophieDEF1 thank you so much, dear. it made me smile a lot to see your comment. hope you’re well and again, thank you!
@@libbettmirabal3624 Aw it means so much that I helped you smile a little! I hope things get easier for you soon
OK so essay incoming hahaha.
As an Oxford graduate, whose parents both went to Oxford (not that this is a long-standing family tradition btw - it started with my parents and ended with me, brothers all went to other universities!), hard agree. You have to pick the course and the place that's right for you!
I loved my time at Oxford but I'm a white, straight, cisgender, middle-class woman with no physical or mental health problems and I was doing a languages degree (i.e. not something HIDEOUSLY STRESSFUL, except maybe when it came to the final exams oof) so I think I was coming at it on one of the easier "settings"...
One thing I will say about it is if you do decide to go be prepared for the pressure of going from being at or near the top of your class at school to being a small fish in a VERY BIG intellectual pond (it was a big culture shock for me!!).
Oh, and financially, I was relying on student loans and overdraft ALL THE WAY (Mum was a teacher and Dad was self-employed and I have 3 younger brothers, so we weren't exactly rolling in it) - and this was at a time when top-up fees didn't exist. University is expensive! I'm paying off the last instalment of my student loan this month - started paying it back, um...nearly 20 years ago?!?
For me, uni is essential. I'm living on social security income as my only income. The cost of the housing market is so damn high. Without uni, I'd still be stuck living with my parents in hell. It has to be uni because there's a major flaw in the cis-tem, not enough rental assistance, and at uni, my rent is lord in with tuition and shit. I have to take classes to stay here.
Thank you so much for this video! I am graduating high school this year and currently in the heat of college decision stress, so this was exactly what I needed to hear.
Brilliant discussion Shaaba, thank you for keeping it so real!
i have JUST gotten into uni and booked my accommodation, after being rejected from my first choice because it was so "prestigious" and being pressured in every decision i've made. i can now finally say i'm doing what i want, for the right reasons. thank you so much for making this video
As someone who's graduating high school this year (north American school system), this is very helpful. Right now I'm considering taking a gap year. But yes, this is so so helpful and it's a helpful reminder for me, and a good thing for everyone who doesn't know this yet to learn. Thank you for making this video.
Only thing i'd have to add is broaden your scope. I chose subjects based on what most of my classmates were talking about, thinking that's all i'd have access to. Also, because my parents didn't think i'd want anything else since i didn't even have the idea to go and look elsewhere. But yeah, try to look at everything that is possible, not just what you think you want or can access.
I live in the US and I wish there was less push for university education and more for on the job education - internships, apprenticeships, maybe with some courses on the side at a community college. I’m going to have 6 years of higher education and still need 3 years of on the job experience after that education to be considered properly employable. And soo much of what I learned in undergrad was busy work 😑
That whole, "you do it because it's expected of you" thing is so real. I'm married and EVERYONE is asking WHEN we're having kids. Not IF, but WHEN. As if the fact that we're not having any is not even an option. It's just expected of us.
Honestly, I’m stunned that university is so expensive in the UK. In 1984, I started at a “prestigious” 🤢 school in Newport, Rhode Island. Dreadful. In 1996, I graduated from a state school. Can’t figure out the finances for a Masters.
That was really interesting ! I am curently on my 3rd year of the most prestigeous university in France I'd say, and I really hate it. The system in different there, education is really unexpensive (about 170 euros a year) but I think what you are saying still applies, the "prestige" thing is pretty bad. I'd like to study in a practical way but it is less valued in our society so I am currently studying in a very theoretical way and I retain nothing from it therefore making me miserable and feeling like I am worthless. Practical courses exist but being less valued by my teachers and surrounding, I was never directed toward those. I'll change that next year if I can. Because I am smart and capable, and I don't deserve to feel like crap.
We are not all cut out of the same wood.
Thank you! I am going into my second semester in April and I genuinely don't think if my major, or even uni, is for me. Thankfully, I have a very supportive family that helps me a lot with figuring all these things out. For now, it may be the uni I'm attending, may be the fact I double-major from the beginning or the reason I want to do something in my major but maybe not over five years studying at uni. I don't know yet but, as you explained, university was always the plan. To fail three exams in my first semester definitely didn't help with my self-confidence and I genuinely do not know where my path will take me but I know that I have a system that will catch me if I fall which sadly not everyone has.
smaller universities need much more credit, my family always pressured me to go to RMIT or Monash, everyone at my school seemed to be going to the top 8 uni's, but I'm at Western Sydney, which is just as good, even better. A school that cares about your wellbeing is better than one that is presigious
Hello princess hair, hello educational content, hello kindness and empathy, brilliant. Always brightens my day when you upload :)
Also. I am 32, and went to trade school. When I was 17, I was TERRIFED of university because I am not an academic person and find focusing on school work challenging. I wish I could have had this video then, and am so glad that 17 year olds have it now.
Watching this video I'm so glad I went to uni in a country where even if its not free, its affordable and there are government scholarships. Also, there is not a big pressure to choose which uni to go to, most people choose to go to the one nearest their home town.
Something I really like about Switzerland is that we have a very solid apprenticeship system in place. If I remember correctly, 70% of people choose that instead of university, and depending on their choice of profession (apprenticeships range from traditional trades to vocational business schools) they're way more secure than university grads. And if you do want to go to university (and your grades were good enough to get you through college/high school - everyone else leaves after year 9 to start their apprenticeships) it's only a few hundred bucks a year (plus books, of course) with the possibility to get stipends quite easily. Of course Covid has made things more difficult for everyone, but especially for school leavers looking for apprenticeships.
I live in Canada. I went to a private catholic high school. University was definitely the expected next step. My high school has a note somewhere on their website or in their admission literature talking about the percentage of graduates that go on to University. It's a statistic that they are proud of.
I ended up failing out of university after 2 years. I took some time off, and ended up going to college (in Canada college is more hands on/trades education) for early childhood education.
Besides "doing what you want to do" there's more you should do (breathing, paying taxes, paying bills), but I totally agree that going to (a certain) university isn't one of the things you should be doing if that's not the path you want to follow. I'm feeling blessed to be from a family where being happy about your life is seen as more important than your diploma and job, but I'm also aware that not everybody is in the lucky position where their family makes them feel like there even is a choice.
I often wonder was my "dream to go to scad" conjured up because everyone wants me to live in a dorm letting my family live vicariously through me and crap like that, because I've never been thrilled by the idea I just panicked and chose a school
Or would it just be fine at some point to finish my degrees at FSCJ because I already go there and there are decent teachers confirmed to be there
(I'm going to college for art btw )
Idk I've had both parties in my ear of it's still an expensive but amazing school
And toxic people I don't talk to anymore who said it was a joke who don't know what they were talking about 80% of the time
As someone who attends a 'Founding Russell Group' university I can tell you that they are ALL ABOUT the prestige. Course content and institutional engagement/ awareness actually suffers because they feel that they don't have to bother. It doesn't matter to them if they don't react to racist incidents etc because their 'prestige' will still get them funding and students.
Sometimes these universities do actually offer good courses but I would advise that you choose an institution that allows you flexibility in subject matter (like the American elective system). And if a 'lesser' college offers you the course that you want - TAKE IT. Life is short and if you're making the choice to expand your mind (and debt), then I hope you can find one that works for you.
Also - ALWAYS take a gap year before making decisions about attending university. Please. It's so worth it. And by gap year I don't just mean that 'Gap Ya' video from 10 years ago...
On the student debt in the UK, one of my main piece of advice to UK students is actually not to worry about it too much. I was really stressed about it, but you don't start repaying it until you earn over around £26.5k and then it's 9% of the income over that. That means you only ever start paying it when you can afford it, and as it's written off after 30 years, most people will never repay it (especially if you take a career break or go part time). It won't get passed onto your family or partner either. I mean don't get me wrong, I was very against fees going up and I would much rather not have it, but I don't think it should be the deciding factor in whether you go to university as in my experience, in reality it's not caused me any financial stress.
I love to learn. Always have. I was the kid that hung out in the library. But when I became an adult I realized really quickly that if you don't have a degree businesses won't pay you much and that it makes your life harder. I am in my 50's and have been continuously trying to go to school to finish up. Always thought my intelligence was my best asset but life just wanted me to smile & be pretty. I feel safe and seen when I'm learning. The "real" world is harsh and unfriendly. Go to school, whatever school you want and learn something you have passion in. And even if it something someone says you "can't make a living doing that" do it anyway. Huggs.
this was everything i didnt know i needed to know now that im looking into options to get a masters (Msc) in other country (UK, spain, USA) considering how freaking expensive is (how hard is to get an scholarship in my country) and all the requiriments to just apply... that is driving me nuts with anxiety even tough i know that i want to take a couple years to work full time and save as much as posible to help pay my expenses while getting my masters (even if i just spend 5 and a half years getting my bachelor degree in engineering, and even if i have to live in a park and eat once a day when/ if i enter a posgraduate program)... anyway im going to go sulk in my corner and hope all of you are having an awesome time
I went to Chester University because it did the course I wanted to do. I got into 'better' Universities, but the course wasn't as tailored to what I was interested in. It was hard, getting no financial help and having multiple disabilities that I was receiving no management or treatment for. But I still loved it, the only time I've ever loved education, and left with a BSc (hons) in Animal Behaviour. I would LOVE to do a masters or PhD, I would love it so much, but just isn't possible for me anymore for multiple reasons. I am still the first and only person in my family to go to university.
Its also important to note the degree has allowed me to get the job I'm currently in, but I got chosen over a candidate who has a PhD. It's not simply the level of education that gets you the job, it's who you are
In case some people arent able to go to uni or don't want too I didn't go to uni I missed out on the social bit but then I am ahead of my friends in different things at the age of 24 I have a car and enough money to put a deposit for a house...... and got to privately transition
I love the blue sofa
I’m in Yr 12 at the moment, barely even feel like I’ve done this year, (between self isolations and the lockdowns I’ve been in person for about 10 weeks and never full time), and will now be choosing unis without even seeing them or knowing what my tutor who’s meant to help me apply looks like, I’ve never seen his face! I’m am very stressed, we aren’t even allowed to book a careers advice appointment because of covid! *external screaming*
YES! I have been telling everyone I can that they don't have to follow the college road map because it isn't a guarantee of anything and just costs a lot of money
I swear the university 'debt' isn't actually a debt? like most ppl don't actually pay it in their life
Pretty much. Like she said it's really more of a tac on former students than anything else.
I’m starting university this year and this video has been incredibly helpful, calming, uplifting and enjoyable. Thank you so much for making my day and keep up the good work☀️
I also loved my time at Essex! The uni has a reputation as a supportive uni, not a prestigious one which I think is the most important thing
Yeah I went to uni because everyone around me wanted me too. I wasn't stable enough to do either so now I have debt and a piece of paper I can't use for a foundation course I couldn't complete because the 3rd year was triple the price.
I totally agree and had a similar experience, both school and parents expected that I would go to uni so I did. And I would choose to do it again for the life experience and freedom of moving out of my parent’s house but I have only ever had jobs that I could have done without a degree and people I know who didn’t go to uni were (and still are) further along in their careers (also in accountancy) than me. If you want to do something that requires a degree then absolutely go to uni, if you don’t need a degree or don’t know what you want to do then it’s fine not to go (no matter what parents etc. say) and go later in life when you’ll probably do more work and less partying anyway. 😂 just sharing because I wish someone had told me that rather than feeling like it was the only option.
did one year of community college. took asl, learned the basics of the language, took humanities, learned some stuff that led to me learning about the realities of the world and changing a lot about my views, took english, learned more about how messed up the prison system (and especially juvie) is, took math, learned i am not a college person lol.
no regrets!!! i learned what i needed to know and started working closer to full time the next year! i would've graduated this year if i'd gone that route but instead i have an established job that i love. do what's right for you!!! (also that math prof SUCKED)
As a current university of Essex student, I love it so much! It was my first choice the whole time I applied because it actually offers a course I want to do (sociology with human rights). I rejected my offers from Russel Group universities to go there, and I have absolutely no regrets. I mean, I'm still first year and it's all been in Covid times, but it has been the best choice I could make. It might not be the most prestigious, but it was the best choice for me. Once I was able to convince my dad that it was a good university they have been so encouraging. It was mostly my friends who found it wierd that I turned down Russell Group unis. But I'm just so happy with where I am, despite being up late now writing a really hard essay 😂😂😂
I started writing a really long comment, like 3 times during this video. I’m just going to say, it’s a good conversation to have.
I'm about to choose what to do with my life (finishing school atm) and this gave me a lot of confidence. Thank you so much unironically.
Trueeeeeee. As an asian I’ve been growing up in a culture of oxbridge is the best is the best is the best, and even though i know that they DO do the best course in what i want to do, but its not the only option, and university isn’t necessarily the only way to get there. But if I dont get into the course i really really want to i know that the impact it will have on my self esteem is enormous, and purely because of the messaging I’ve been fed since a child, with siblings achieve in high, and parents wanting the best etc etc
I actually go to the same uni as you! I was very surprised when I saw your proposal story in a little booklet I got in the post 😂❤️
From the US. I am still in my undergrad, 7 years on, but I pay for classes out of pocket semester to semester. Every single one of my friends took out 50-70,000 dollars worth of student loans. They called me crazy, that I would regret not just plowing through classes and having fun and partying. I work 2-3 jobs at any given time but honestly I wouldn’t change a thing, it makes me really appreciate the luxury of upper education.
I'm an illustration degree dropout... I lasted 6 months maybe. Landed an apprenticeship when I left and could have done pretty well if I actually liked doing art as a career lol
Also ur hair looks rly nice!
in the uk i feel as if it's unfair to say you are 10s thousands pounds in debt after because of how student loan actually works here
I can relate to all you're sayin, being Asian and having undergone this process last year for my undergrad with the jee, truly the pressure and all shit sucks especially when you r forcibly made one of the main roles on the stage of others life and competing with some 1M students for 20K seats. I didnt get into IIT/ sort of "free seat". Yup, it sucks for that moment when people comment but luckily nothing's reached my heart till now, dunno y?! 😊
What a lovely, sweet, informative and supportive video 💛💛💛
I do wonder if social media has some benefits, though. I picked my undergrad based on a visit where of course the school was really selling itself. If I'd been able to find people who went there online and ask questions, I'd know that the foreign language classes (my major) were actually TERRIBLE and might've dodged that bullet! I'm at peace with it now, but I can see two sides to the coin. Also might've just known ABOUT a lot of majors that I learned existed too late, because I'd never heard of things like sociology or social work or public health.
I like the new set up especially the shelves
wha i will say is make sure whatever uni you choose, make sure they have a good wellbeing and support team and that you can access the support you may need easily. my wellbeing team at USW are amazing and i would be lost without them
thanks mama shaaba! i'm starting at cambridge in october but it was definitely worth asking myself "do i want to go here and do i want to learn this"
also this video was helpful for me to recognise how i've had privilege in getting to this point i.e. my school offering me support, getting into the school in the first place, so again thank you
I'm blessed enough that my parents aren't concerned if I go to college or not, but the curse is that they feel that way because they never went. However I want to pursue a career where you need a Masters at least and the issue arises that we just don't have the money! I thought I'd be attending a 2-year community college at most, and now we're lost!
At the end of the day you can only choose for your own life no one should be able to dictate what is right for you. Don't do things for others or to brag about what you've done. Don't do things for the Instagram photos do them because you want to. If you want to share that joy on instagram go ahead but don't do it purely because you think other people will like it or expect it or will be proud of you do what you want to do
Yes! Yes they're overrated! Especially in the united states. I don't want to pay off student debt for the rest of my life. 🙅🏼♀️
As someone who is looking to go to university after 6th form, this is very useful and has really made me think. Thanks :)
I want to be a freelance graphic designer and small business owner, with a 'main' job as like a store employee for some guaranteed income when I grow up. All I need is a portfolio for the first thing, decent art skills for the second, and I mean- highschool kids (aka my age right now) do the third thing so surely that says something. My parents (my mum especially) want me to go to uni, and a good one at that, anyway. But for what? To pursue my dream job, all I need is a portfolio, which I already have at the ripe old age of 14, and will only expand on in the future. My interests beside graphics are video games, english/literature, and history, all of which I can do outside of school. I already have affordable living arrangements 4+ years in advance. I already know 100% that I don't need university to achieve my dream life, and it's frustrating how I must go anyway in order to not be abandoned by my mum.
And the social aspects: I already have a timetable for my free time and good management of how long I should do each for. I have Autism, AvPD, and Selective Mutism (coming from Social Anxiety), aswell. This means that no matter how hard I try, I just am not able to go to parties or confront people. The way I've learnt to handle my social anxiety so far isn't through school. It's through my part-time job, and everyday communication with my own family and friends. For me, everyday life is a social lesson, and my family fails to see that I don't need university in order to grow socially
Uni just seems like a waste of time and money for me. It might not be for other people, but I already have my life planned out, and that plan doesn't need university. In my life plan, uni will just get in the way of what I actually want to do.
Sorry for the rant lol.
What about community college? I am from the states and it is really common, at least where I've grown up after graduating from high school students went to community college before they transferred to University. Saves you a lot more money to get almost the same education you would at a University and saves you the money to take different courses to figure out what you want to do as far as the degree you want to pursue. That's what I did and saved me so much money. Even if you don't go to University community college is valuable to take any type of class to learn new skills.
Isn’t it great that community colleges are so affordable? You can complete your core & then transfer.
@@tracy3812 It's amazing. I completed an associates and a certificate before I transferred. Wouldn't have done that if I had gone to University first.
@@Randomgirley201 I wish I knew then what I know now.
Given that I've just accepted an offer from the University of Essex it's nice to hear that Shaaba had such a good time there.
I like this. I told my nephews that a bachelor's degree just teaches you how to think. Like you'll think more scientifically or logically or artistically. A bachelor's isn't going to teach you everything you need to know about that degree, it just gives you the language for that degree.
Shaaba your hair is so pretty
As a mature age students, the longer i'm there the more i see its just a hungry business thats all about privilege and discrimination; race, location, mental health etc. It's sad but it's true.
Same! When I looked to go to uni, I took a short program to see what it was like, but after I did not want to pay that exaggerated price for not so good quality courses another time. I am learning more useful knowledge now in the company I work for, they are very good and open to teach for the tasks you want.
@@anne8663 glad to hear you didn’t get sucked in
Shaaba, this is your best video. Well done lovely.
Thank you for making me feel better
"Prestige means deceit and tricks" Shaaba I love you but there was a whole movie about this
I've stopped caring about the prestigious universities and now my main consideration is trans inclusivity because i don't want to have to possibly face transphobia. would dampen the point of going wouldn't it?
and I'm not even sure what i want to do anymore.
Watching this as I'm procrastinating 3 essays
Whilst I completely agree with the messages about uni not being for everyone (I started my degree at 27), not needing a degree for many jobs, and picking a uni based on the course rather than the name/prestige if you DO decide to go, I just wanted to say as an oxford student that I think you've misrepresented the oxbridge experience a bit here and I'd hate for someone to be discouraged from applying as a result. There are of course a lot of privately educated, privileged white boys there, but I've personally not encountered that many of them and I've met people from all sorts of backgrounds! I'm northern and state school educated, and I received extra financial aid from the uni and my own college on top of my student loans. They are doing a lot of work to try to encourage people from other backgrounds to apply - the only reason there aren't more non-privately educated, non-white people is because they get told they aren't the 'oxbridge type' and don't apply in the first place. I'm not at all discounting your experience of QMUL and I'm aware I have white privilege, I just do access work for my college and really want to see more people apply so that these stereotypes about everyone being rich and white will change.
Having said all that, 100% agree that degrees are a bit meaningless now bc everyone has one haha
The irony here is that people are going to take your views more seriously because you have a degree and post-grad degree. I totally agree about university, but if I tried to explain that people would probably see it as a belief I hold because I wasn't capable of getting a degree - like I'm trying to prove that I don't need tertiary education. As someone with chronic mental illnesses I was simply not able to endure the stress and pressure of full-time studies. And if you're choosing a place or degree because of what someone else wants, that's a really, REALLY bad idea.
You match with the fabulous sofa!!!
Great video!🙂💕
WAIT WAS THE STREAM THINGY ALREADY LAST WEEK WHAT EVEN HAPPENED IM AAAAAAAAAA
In my uneducated opinion University is over rated unless you specifically need it for your intended career.
If it's just a degree for the sake of it, then sack it off and get a job.
You do you!
💗 good info
ahh i love ur accent!
SHAAABAAAAA VIDEO YAAAAASSSSS
❤️❤️🧡🧡💛