So, you’ve tried university and found that it just wasn’t for you, that’s ok - 1 in 10 university students decide to drop out in their first year for several different reasons; this could be for family and health issues, family problems, financing or just plain and simple, you’re not enjoying it.
We are talking about what to do next and how you can build your confidence back up to do and get to where you want to be through a different route. We know it sounds cheesy but there is so much opportunity out there, just because university hasn’t worked out doesn’t mean you should give up hope! According to the Telegraph a survey of 1,200 first-year students in January indicated that 28 per cent had either dropped out following the Christmas break or were seriously thinking about it. So, for those of you considering a different option, what could you do?
Gap Year
Gap years are a fantastic ways of re-evaluating what you want to do in the future and how you will get there. Travel really does broaden the mind and there are great things to do while you’re in outer Mongolia or wherever you choose to go. There are voluntary programmes or paid work programmes all of which you can put on your CV. If you don’t want to do that then that’s fine, you can just go out there to explore and have a great time. If you take a year out to travel you will come back feeling refreshed and you will be older and wiser, which is all positive when it comes to deciding what you want to do next.
Work based learning
You may feel that you prefer working to studying and have found that through doing your stint in university. If you just want to get out there and earn money, but would still love to get a qualification, then an apprenticeship may be right for you. Doing an apprenticeship really gets your foot in the door in the world of work. You earn while you learn which is a huge advantage against university where you have to pay a substantial fee.
There are all manner of apprenticeships out there, from law apprenticeships through to finance, engineering and horse care apprenticeships. With such a huge variety and almost always, you will find something that interests you. Did you know that through an apprenticeship, you can actually get a degree? Degree apprenticeships are relatively new however more and more FTSE 100 companies are taking degree apprentices on. [https://www.getmyfirstjob.co.uk/Apprenticeships/DegreeApprenticeships.aspx||Read more about the degree apprenticeship option.]
At GetMyFirstJob apprenticeships are our speciality, all you need to do is sign up and we will find you your perfect apprenticeship based on your interests, qualifications and location to name but a few factors! Plus if you see something you like the look of, you can apply too.
In an interview with The Telegraph, Briony Gallagher talked about her experience. Briony found that she found lectures a chore to go to and that her experience of university wasn’t worth the huge debt. She fast tracked into an apprenticeship with the civil service and hasn’t looked back since. She is now gaining valuable ‘on the job’ experience and a qualification at the end of it.
Credit to The Telegraph.
