Before I begin, just wanted to say Hello to everyone again; feels like it has been forever since I started a discussion. Not to worry though I'm back now to say my piece
With the A level and GCSE exams coming to an end very soon, it has got me thinking about the position I was in two years ago after I finished my GCSE exams, I was obviously happy ( I think anyone would be after sitting 21 exams) and also a three month summer off school is every 16 year old's dream, but it made me really think about my future and what I actually wanted to do the following September. It is a lot to think about for someone so young, Schools don't help by pressuring you in to staying on and doing A-levels. The reality is, in the contemporary world there is so many other options to explore other than A-levels. I am not slating A-levels because they are the clear path if you want to go to University however you can also go to college and then go on to University if that is something that interests you.
In my opinion University is turning in to something that young adults feel like they have to do, when really you should only go to University if you are 100% certain what career path you want to take, otherwise you will end up getting yourself in to thousands of pounds worth of debt and come out not even guaranteed a job.
The apprenticeship route is another option, why not work in a real life environment with real life situations and build yourself up from that, whilst getting a qualification you are also gaining valuable life time experience. If you want a degree to put down on paper there is also Open University options which allows you to fit your studying around your working life. With this you will come out on top with experience and a degree. What more can you ask for?
I think the traditional routes of doing GCSES, then A-levels and then University can be too much for some people, they don't feel like they are having a break from the classroom environment and it gets too much.
