Am I ruining my future, wasting my time & my parents' money?

LegacyUser

Hi all. I've just recently turned eighteen and accepted a place in UCC's Arts programme; I'm set to start Monday and am totally prepared and have everything sorted out.

Except that I don't think I should be doing Arts. I wrestled with myself a lot before putting it #1 on my CAO; although ideally I would have preferred to do Law or Applied Psych, I simply did not think that I had put in the work and achieved a good enough Leaving Cert. On August 13th I got my results - 520 points. I know it probably sounds very boastful or otherwise obnoxious but I honestly did not think I'd ever get anywhere near that amount of points - I did work for my Leaving but kept up a very active social life and simply didn't kill myself the way many others around me did. I'm also very self-doubting, so...

Unfortunately, because I hadn't even mentioned anything over 400 points on my CAO, I got my first choice, Arts, and picked English, Irish, French and History as my four subjects with a view to eventually becoming a secondary school teacher.

So I'm set to start Monday, wholly prepared to launch myself into student life, but I can't get the stereotype of an Arts student out of my head (there are some very hateful examples in this thread: http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055377534). While I am not like that at all, and am prepared to work very hard over the next few years, I can't help feeling that, in this struggling economy, I will be very stuck for a job when I emerge from my college education - although Irish teachers do tend to be in demand.

I'm the first in my family to go to university, and my parents are really pushing themselves to make this happen at all - they're also very proud of me, and I don't think I could handle the shame of having to once again depend on them in a few years despite all their sacrifices.

If I withdraw from this programme before late October, my parents won't have to pay tuition fees next year if I apply for a different course; I could spend the year working and save up some money. However I would definitely find it very difficult and stressful being away from my friends, who are all in some type of third level institution. I have the utmost respect for this programme, but it's very hard to feel secure when wherever you turn you are branded a waster and advised to drop out.

On the other hand, English is what I love; it's probably my only talent, to be honest. Arts is probably the only way I have to achieve success in that field. I am already settled in Cork and really enjoy the city and its atmosphere, and I already have some friends there. On the whole, I would be mentally happier completing this course.

So what do I do?

Thanks for reading and sorry for the ridiculously long post.

Burial

I'm afraid we can't decide your future. Only you can do that. I had questions about whether I was doing the right thing or not, but you have til October to decide if it's right for you. Contact people in future years ahead, and see some of the stuff their doing. If it's what you'd enjoy, stick with it. Have a look at Law and what have you and decide which one is the best for you. I can't tell you what to do, or if your making the right choice. I'll tell you that look-up and understand what you want to do. I realise I didn't offer much help to you, but I doubt anyone here can...

Miss Fluff

Well done on your LC.

An Arts degree will open many doors to you. If you are interested in Psychology then why don't you think about changing your degree to an English & Psychology Arts degree instead? What's the point in doing Irish/French etc if these don't interest you? Better to do something you are interested in and enjoy your course and then use it as a spring-board when you have matured to decide what you actually want to do? Do you actually WANT to do secondary school teaching or are you already feeling the pressure to start making a steady income before you have even started your course?

Also, I have quite a number of friends who are solicitors and barristers and the most broadly educated are those who did an Arts degree and then did their Diploma in Legal Studies/Kings Inns exams so there is no need whatsoever to dismiss a career in law if you think it's something you would like to do. Better do an Arts degree and broaden your mind then a Law degree and have tunnel vision.

Good luck and try and enjoy yourself:)

fits

On the other hand, English is what I love; it's probably my only talent, to be honest. Arts is probably the only way I have to achieve success in that field. I am already settled in Cork and really enjoy the city and its atmosphere, and I already have some friends there. On the whole, I would be mentally happier completing this course.

If English is what you love then you should study it.
Contrary to popular belief at leaving cert level, what you study as an undergrad does not necessarily determine your direction, only in a very general way (humanities vs science) later on. A degree in English will stand very well to you in further study and whether or not people do law as undergrads, they still have to do the same entrance exams to get into the professional courses after they graduate.

Also you really shouldnt be selecting courses based on their points, that is an indication of nothing only the number of people applying for the course.
A lot of bright students study arts, so you shouldnt pay any attention to what people say about arts students if that is where your interest lies.

Go to your first couple of weeks lectures and have a think about it.

kmick

Having done 4 years in college in a course which I did not really want to do I would advise you to take a year out and apply next year. In the meantime try and get some job experience in a solicitors office or in a pysch practice and see if you like it. You can also earn some money to support yourself in college.

Obviously two proviso's
1) Make sure you can apply again next year without any penalty or without a penalty for not doing your chosen course this year. I know if you change your mind after you start the course it has serious implications - along the lines of the government aint going to pay twice for you to go to college.

2) Realise that the economy is so bad right now it might be almost impossible to get a work placement in that period.

Magicmatilda

Firstly its important to understand that you are 18 and whatever decision you make now while it will have an affect on your future you are likely to find that the impact will not be a dramatic as you think now.

Why do you want to do law or Applied psychology? They are 2 very different courses so I am asuming it not a "calling". If however you feel really strongly pulled in one direction and do decide to leave your course prior to the end of October then please understand that does not make you a waster/loser or drop out. In fact taking a year out and working could be a great idea, you will have more money next year and you will maybe have more of a sense of the world.

That said Arts is a very versatile discipline in that you can move into many many areas at postgraduate level and therefore you would not have to make a concrete choice for a few years.I know a lot of arts students who are now in many varied areas, finance, teaching, law, psychology.

You seem happy enough in Cork and your looking forward to the course so maybe concentrate on enjoying first year. Try not to put too much pressure on yourself because you can alway change the direction you take. The choice you make now is not irreversible

drunkmonkey

520 points is a great achievment, well done...

If you kept up the hard work Law might be a great path to take, it's a long road but in 7 years time it would have all been worth it..

If you pull out now, maybe work for a year (in a law firm) and do some preperation for your law course your parent's won't be mad, I'd say they'd be delighted in your new choice of career...

Don't worry yourself to much about upsetting other people, this is your life, my only worry is if you stay in the arts course your passion for knowledge might turn into a passion for d&d, worse still you could turn into a hippy...

Skip the arts if you feel it's not for you and follow your head...

fits

drunkmonkey wrote: »

If you kept up the hard work Law might be a great path to take, it's a long road but in 7 years time it would have all been worth it..

The OP does not have to study law as an undergrad in order to become either a solicitor or barrister at a later stage.

is if you stay in the arts course your passion for knowledge might turn into a passion for d&d, worse still you could turn into a hippy...

Absolute bull tbh.

newestUser

Drop out. You're 18 years old, you probably haven't a clue about how the world works (patronising, I know...), you only get one shot at free education. Don't waste it. Do a PLC or something, get a job temping, do some travelling, work in a summer camp in the states, anything, just don't blow a few years of your life doing an Arts course because your parents are proud of you for doing it and you'll feel left out if you don't go to uni like your mates.

I don't agree with the 'it's a stepping stone to so many other things' line of advice. You don't know if the solicitors/barristers that a previous poster mentioned had deep trust funds to help them retrain after their primary degrees.

You're not mature enough to make this decision. Postpone it for a year, it'll seem like a big deal now, but odds are you'll be wondering what you were fretting about 10 years down the road.

fits

newestUser wrote: »

I don't agree with the 'it's a stepping stone to so many other things' line of advice. You don't know if the solicitors/barristers that a previous poster mentioned had deep trust funds to help them retrain after their primary degrees.
.

Every would-be entrant to Blackhall has to sit the FE1 exams whether they have a law degree or not. And having the law degree doesnt appear to help hugely in passing the exams either.

Once they pass the exams they have to find an apprenticeship before starting in Blackhall which may or may not pay their tuition fees.

Its absolutely nothing to do with trust funds :rolleyes:

jw297

Congrats on the LC results, and on thinking things through before committing to something you're not sure of. I would say do what you really love, though I know that doesnt answer the question of where that will leave you after the course is finished.
I was in the same situation after the LC - did much better than expected and had applied for courses with lower points. Took a year out as didnt feel ready to go to college and then did the course I'd originally put first, loved it and did well, so there's no reason to feel that just because you got higher points its not worthwhile doing Arts. You'll be one of the ones who do really well in the course.
I would also recommend not worrying too much about the general opinion of people about Arts students. There are just as many stereotypes about science students! A few of my classmates in school did Arts, and went on to do postgraduate study and teaching, as they really loved their subjects. I suspect that if you're not interested in your subject that you might end up drifting away and either end up doing something you hate or not knowing what to do. Plus, a course like Arts would give you a bit of flexibility and freedom to change your path as you progress through your degree - I went to college convinced I'd specialise in one thing and ended up somewhere completely different, and no harm done.
No easy answer though, I'm afraid. Good luck whatever you decide.

AngryBadger

Terrified wrote: »

If I withdraw from this programme before late October, my parents won't have to pay tuition fees next year if I apply for a different course; I could spend the year working and save up some money. However I would definitely find it very difficult and stressful being away from my friends, who are all in some type of third level institution. I have the utmost respect for this programme, but it's very hard to feel secure when wherever you turn you are branded a waster and advised to drop out.

I would suggest doing what you've suggested yourself in the above paragraph.

No disrespect to arts students, but if you really don't feel that's what you want to do then al you're setting yourself up for is 3 years of torment doing a course you picked out of need more than any real desire or ambition.

Taking a year out and working then applying again to start next year on a course like law or whatever else takes your fancy is a great idea from where I'm sitting. A year working will also give you a much better perspective to take into college, and in terms of missing your friends. Working doesn't mean you can't see your friends, and since you'll have a bit of cash from it, you'll be well able to navigate socialising with your mates into your work schedule.

In this instance I'd say go work for a year, and apply through the CAO to start a course you would actually like to do next year. You'll be a year older, and wiser after a year in the full-time work force, and you'll be doing a course you actually have some ambition to complete.

Best of luck!

newestUser

fits wrote: »

Every would-be entrant to Blackhall has to sit the FE1 exams whether they have a law degree or not. And having the law degree doesnt appear to help hugely in passing the exams either.

Once they pass the exams they have to find an apprenticeship before starting in Blackhall which may or may not pay their tuition fees.

Its absolutely nothing to do with trust funds :rolleyes:

I'm not familiar with the system of legal training in Ireland. However, I'd imagine that studying for your FE1s is a damn sight easier if you're living with Mum 'n Dad in Dublin and devoting yourself fulltime to it (or being bankrolled in some manner by someone) than if you're working fulltime at the same time.

I'm not implying all Fe1/apprentice solicitors are 'Trustafarians'. I'm making the point that a postgraduate course is extra expense, and for all we know, the OP may even decide to do something that requires another, different, undergraduate degree. The OPs economic circumstances should be borne in mind before making statements along the lines of 'an arts degree is a stepping stone to many other fields'.

It would be helpful if the OP was clearer about what his goals are, and why he wants to go to college. Self improvement? Career? Because it's what you do 4 months after your Leaving?

Plek Trum

Sounds very familiar...

I too had a keen interest in either Law or Psychology but instead chose Arts in UCC .I went on to complete the HDip, taught for a few years yet always knew I should be "doing something else".

(FYI: I chose Eng / Geog / Soc / PSY modules in first year, finally choosing Eng and Geog. UCC is a great place and the Arts faculty are an extremely approachable and friendly unit. I still maintain that I would go back to 1st year and repeat the entire 4 years (incl. HDip in Ed) tomorrow!)

However, my interest and curiosity in both Law and / or Psychology has never really been satisfied. I left teaching after a few years and have spent the last year researching the posbibility of returning to college as a mature student.

You are in a good position in that you are young and within the correct time period to reapply and not pay fees next year. I cannot recommend Arts at UCC highly enough but if you feel that you really could and should be doing a different course then it is definately worth being honest with yourself at this early stage.

The option of working for a year and saving may be an option.? In the meantime you could keep your interest going by maybe doing a Dip. in Forensic Psychology in the evenings? I did this with the Dublin Business School, and while it will not qualify you professionally in any area, it covers a broad perspective combining both legal and psychological grounds and I think may be of interest to you..

http://www.dbs.ie/diploma-forensic-psychology/tabid/514/

Best of luck with your choices and career and remember you can always change paths at any stage in life!

fits

AngryBadger wrote: »

I would suggest doing what you've suggested yourself in the above paragraph.

No disrespect to arts students, but if you really don't feel that's what you want to do then al you're setting yourself up for is 3 years of torment doing a course you picked out of need more than any real desire or ambition.

Taking a year out and working then applying again to start next year on a course like law or whatever else takes your fancy is a great idea from where I'm sitting. A year working will also give you a much better perspective to take into college, and in terms of missing your friends. Working doesn't mean you can't see your friends, and since you'll have a bit of cash from it, you'll be well able to navigate socialising with your mates into your work schedule.

In this instance I'd say go work for a year, and apply through the CAO to start a course you would actually like to do next year. You'll be a year older, and wiser after a year in the full-time work force, and you'll be doing a course you actually have some ambition to complete.

Best of luck!

Has everyone missed this paragraph in the OPs post?

Terrified wrote: »

On the other hand, English is what I love; it's probably my only talent, to be honest. Arts is probably the only way I have to achieve success in that field. I am already settled in Cork and really enjoy the city and its atmosphere, and I already have some friends there. On the whole, I would be mentally happier completing this course.

.

newestUser wrote: »

I'm not familiar with the system of legal training in Ireland. However, I'd imagine that studying for your FE1s is a damn sight easier if you're living with Mum 'n Dad in Dublin and devoting yourself fulltime to it (or being bankrolled in some manner by someone) than if you're working fulltime at the same time.

And my point is that everyone has to go through that process, whether they have law degrees or not. Empirical evidence from amongst people I know does not point to possession of a law degree helping a huge amount in passing the FE1 exams.

jimmypitt

I would highly recommend you not do the Arts degree. It like most degrees will qualify you to do absolutely nothing. However Arts is complete bull****. You will 100% need to do a diploma after it should you want a career in anything other than working in Spar and probably a Masters. Considering the way the economy is at the moment, a solid degree is worthwhile (the economy always needs highly trained people such as solicitors, psychologists, doctors, accountants, etc.).

You can do a diploma in Law afterwards as some people pointed out, but the big firms will be looking for guy with a degree and a masters in law.

You already have made one mistake when you put Arts down as your number one choice. Yes i know you did not think you would achieve 520 points, but you did, so you have made a mistake there harsh and all as that sounds. Please don't make a second mistake.

I wish i received this harsh advice when i was younger. In 5/7 years what will matter is status and money unless you want to be a hippy for the rest of your life. Don't leave college with no real job prospects.

jw297

jimmypitt wrote: »

In 5/7 years what will matter is status and money unless you want to be a hippy for the rest of your life.

Status and money won't make up for doing something you don't enjoy and isn't rewarding. (unless you enjoy shopping, of course )

fits

jimmypitt wrote: »

I would highly recommend you not do the Arts degree. It like most degrees will qualify you to do absolutely nothing. However Arts is complete bull****. You will 100% need to do a diploma after it should you want a career in anything other than working in Spar and probably a Masters. Considering the way the economy is at the moment, a solid degree is worthwhile (the economy always needs highly trained people such as solicitors, psychologists, doctors, accountants, etc.).

By your criteria, law or applied psychology would be bull**** too. People have to do further training after most courses (except engineering probably).

You can do a diploma in Law afterwards as some people pointed out, but the big firms will be looking for guy with a degree and a masters in law.

They will be looking for outstanding students from any background.

You already have made one mistake when you put Arts down as your number one choice. Yes i know you did not think you would achieve 520 points, but you did, so you have made a mistake there harsh and all as that sounds. Please don't make a second mistake.

I agree. Preferences on the CAO form should be in no way related to points. Sounds like OP got poor career guidance from the start.

wish i received this harsh advice when i was younger. In 5/7 years what will matter is status and money unless you want to be a hippy for the rest of your life. Don't leave college with no real job prospects.

There was nothing stopping you pursuing at least two of the professions mentioned above if that is what you wanted.

Also afaik, its quite difficult to pursue a career in psychology.

hunnymonster

There are people in UCC employed directly to deal with these type of questions. Go and talk to them to get advice from people who really know what they are talking about.

pisslips

I don't know about Cork but I just did a B.A. in Maths Physics.
You can do just about any subject you want except maybe experimental ones.
Since you're probably fairly smart, you'll find that any subject that you've done for your leaving will bore the hell out of you in first year. I'm not sure if you can do anything about this, it's seems to be the same no matter what course you do.
Don't be a secondary teacher though, are you crazy? You're only 18 for god's sake, don't let your entire ambition lead you to teaching........already!

Arts is as good as any other degree but you might want to consider your choices and have a plan, preferably beyond teaching.
For example you could do psychology and economics and maths, these subjects all complement each other career wise but thats only if you're interested in them.Computer science, if you can do it, is an advantage for any career.You don't have to do a degree in it, just a year or two in it.
You might get sick of writing essays aswell.And you might get sick of theorems or computation either, you can chose your own blend, based on interest and career.

If you get high grades and pick up a few skills, then nobody will care what your degree was in but you'll need something to keep you interested.

kevmy

A) Don't worry about what other people think especially people who don't know you.

Your parents will probably be extremely supportive no matter what you do. You said your self they are proud of you which means they know you are smart and they will listen to you. Trust me you will disappoint them more by not trusting them now than by any choice you make.

C) Don't worry about jobs now. You probably won't exit college for 4 years and you can add another year to that before most people get a job (due to travelling, taking time out, doing interviews etc.). Who knows what the economy will be like then. Do what you want to do now not what you think might turn out best.

D) If you really want to be a secondary teacher do it. If you really want to be a solicitor/barrister take a year out and reapply next year. However if you're not sure do you're Arts course taking modules which leave your path open. When you have done the 3 years you will have a better idea of what you want to do. Then you can do either an LLB or a HDip depending on your feeling.

jimmypitt

fits wrote: »

By your criteria, law or applied psychology would be bull**** too. People have to do further training after most courses (except engineering probably).

They will be looking for outstanding students from any background.


I agree. Preferences on the CAO form should be in no way related to points. Sounds like OP got poor career guidance from the start.

There was nothing stopping you pursuing at least two of the professions mentioned above if that is what you wanted.

Also afaik, its quite difficult to pursue a career in psychology.

Of course you have to go on and do exams after law/applied psychology- i fully understand that. Doing Arts will give you no good standing. In 3 years you will have a piece of **** degree steering you in no clear career direction.

Please ignore the advice of 'Don't worry about a career now'. What you do now will shape your future.

jimmypitt

jw297 wrote: »

Status and money won't make up for doing something you don't enjoy and isn't rewarding. (unless you enjoy shopping, of course )

How many people do you know who genuinely enjoy their job? I honestly can't say i know any to be honest and i have friends in all types of profession's. Of course there have to be elements you enjoy but generally most people dislike their work.

You might as well be well paid doing a job you dislike rather than doing a **** job and not getting paid well.

Of course a few people have cool jobs so to speak out there but in genearl most people have jobs they only somewhat like.

AngryBadger

jimmypitt wrote: »

Of course you have to go on and do exams after law/applied psychology- i fully understand that. Doing Arts will give you no good standing. In 3 years you will have a piece of **** degree steering you in no clear career direction.

Please ignore the advice of 'Don't worry about a career now'. What you do now will shape your future.

A lot of what you're posting in this thread seems to be very heavily coloured by your own experience and I think a lot of it is fairly ill-informed.

While a degree in a more specialised area will mean a given individual is more pre-disposed to certain careers it's by no means a rubber stamp. An arts degree can be completely worthless, however it doesn't have to be, that's down to the individual the modules they choose and how much work they're willing to put in.

However, I think you're missing the main point here. The OP has said that he only put down arts because he didn't think he'd get the points for anything else, in other words he doesn't have any particular love of arts. He could be talking about science, computers, law or whatever, the point is if he doesn't have some kind of ambition to do it then he's only setting himself up for several years of torment doing a degree he has no passion for.

Also, let's be clear here, having a degree doesn't qualify you for anything until you get at least some experience, so all this drivel about doing something like law, science, emdicine, or whatever and somehow magically winding up in a high-paying job with your own secretary and a company car is complete bunk.

OP take a year out, you have excellent results, work for a while, think about it, be sure of what you want and re-apply.

And if at all possible try and get some kind of placement out of your studies so that you leave college with some kind of tangible workplace experience.

EDIT: I ****ing love my job incidentally, and I get paid well for what I do So now you know one person who loves his job AND is well paid

fits

jimmypitt wrote: »

Of course you have to go on and do exams after law/applied psychology- i fully understand that. Doing Arts will give you no good standing. In 3 years you will have a piece of **** degree steering you in no clear career direction.

Please ignore the advice of 'Don't worry about a career now'. What you do now will shape your future.

Well I disagree. OP's interest lies in the humanities, therefore thats where her interest lies, therefore thats what will get her a good degree. I honestly cannot see why arts is perceived to be 'worse' than other degrees.

Most degrees leave you in exactly the same position after you graduate, with further choices to make, outside of the very specialised ones.

jw297

jimmypitt wrote: »

How many people do you know who genuinely enjoy their job? I honestly can't say i know any to be honest and i have friends in all types of profession's. Of course there have to be elements you enjoy but generally most people dislike their work.

I agree that no job is perfect, and there are downsides to every kind of job. My point was that it would be better to do something that you really enjoy and are passionate about rather than every day being a test of endurance.

Of course, if its a choice between two options that you dislike, with one being paid better, then go for the money, but the OP seemed to have a strong preference for some of the arts subjects.

I guess it depends on people's priorities, but so far I'm happier doing work I like and earning relatively little. Just my opinion

fits

AngryBadger wrote: »

However, I think you're missing the main point here. The OP has said that he only put down arts because he didn't think he'd get the points for anything else, in other words he doesn't have any particular love of arts. He could be talking about science, computers, law or whatever, the point is if he doesn't have some kind of ambition to do it then he's only setting himself up for several years of torment doing a degree he has no passion for.

I think he's not the only one missing all the points.

OP wrote:

On the other hand, English is what I love; it's probably my only talent, to be honest. Arts is probably the only way I have to achieve success in that field. I am already settled in Cork and really enjoy the city and its atmosphere, and I already have some friends there. On the whole, I would be mentally happier completing this course.

dblennon

I personally think you will bore your self silly in Arts, I did it and even with a 1st honuor i couldn't get into the masters I wanted.

Again there is nothing wrong with arts if you really have no clue what you want to do. but you seem like a very smart motivated girl so you should re-apply to the CAO next year if you can decided what you want to do.

Def. continue with the course you might find you enjoy it and when the CAO comes around in January you can pick something interesting and you will Know what you can get give or take 10 points.

jimmypitt

AngryBadger wrote: »

A lot of what you're posting in this thread seems to be very heavily coloured by your own experience and I think a lot of it is fairly ill-informed.

While a degree in a more specialised area will mean a given individual is more pre-disposed to certain careers it's by no means a rubber stamp. An arts degree can be completely worthless, however it doesn't have to be, that's down to the individual the modules they choose and how much work they're willing to put in.

However, I think you're missing the main point here. The OP has said that he only put down arts because he didn't think he'd get the points for anything else, in other words he doesn't have any particular love of arts. He could be talking about science, computers, law or whatever, the point is if he doesn't have some kind of ambition to do it then he's only setting himself up for several years of torment doing a degree he has no passion for.

Also, let's be clear here, having a degree doesn't qualify you for anything until you get at least some experience, so all this drivel about doing something like law, science, emdicine, or whatever and somehow magically winding up in a high-paying job with your own secretary and a company car is complete bunk.

OP take a year out, you have excellent results, work for a while, think about it, be sure of what you want and re-apply.

And if at all possible try and get some kind of placement out of your studies so that you leave college with some kind of tangible workplace experience.

EDIT: I ****ing love my job incidentally, and I get paid well for what I do So now you know one person who loves his job AND is well paid

My own experience? You have no idea what i do, nor what i did in college. I simply suggested that harsh advice when i was 18 would have being helpful.

I think i stated above that most degrees qualify you for nothing so i think we are both clear on that.

Doing law with not qualify you to be a solicitor. You will have to go on and do more exams. However having a law degree will set you on the right road. Having an Arts degree won't help you with anything really other than giving you a nice cushy life.

May i ask what do you do for a living? Do you really enjoy it? I meet many people who say they love their job but deep down are lying. So come on, what is your job?

jimmypitt

jw297 wrote: »

I agree that no job is perfect, and there are downsides to every kind of job. My point was that it would be better to do something that you really enjoy and are passionate about rather than every day being a test of endurance.

Of course, if its a choice between two options that you dislike, with one being paid better, then go for the money, but the OP seemed to have a strong preference for some of the arts subjects.

I guess it depends on people's priorities, but so far I'm happier doing work I like and earning relatively little. Just my opinion

Well i think a balance is what is needed. I am paid well but i dislike my work, but it is tolerable and i have other benfits too.

Well if you truly like your job and don't mind not having bags of money then i can't argue with that. You are spot on - it is all about priorities.

AngryBadger

jimmypitt wrote: »

My own experience? You have no idea what i do, nor what i did in college. I simply suggested that harsh advice when i was 18 would have being helpful.

Fair enough, I took that to mean you had regrets as a result of not having that advice. My bad if I misinterpreted.

jimmypitt wrote: »

I think i stated above that most degrees qualify you for nothing so i think we are both clear on that.

Agreed

jimmypitt wrote: »

Doing law with not qualify you to be a solicitor. You will have to go on and do more exams. However having a law degree will set you on the right road. Having an Arts degree won't help you with anything really other than giving you a nice cushy life.

A nice cushy life? Not sure I see what you're talking about there. I disagree that an arts degree is an automatic "Fail at life", which seems to be what you're saying??

jimmypitt wrote: »

May i ask what do you do for a living? Do you really enjoy it? I meet many people who say they love their job but deep down are lying. So come on, what is your job?

I'm an analyst for a private genetics laboratory

jimmypitt

AngryBadger wrote: »

Fair enough, I took that to mean you had regrets as a result of not having that advice. My bad if I misinterpreted.



Agreed



A nice cushy life? Not sure I see what you're talking about there. I disagree that an arts degree is an automatic "Fail at life", which seems to be what you're saying??



I'm an analyst for a private genetics laboratory

An analyst? What area do you work in?

AngryBadger

jimmypitt wrote: »

An analyst? What area do you work in?

Right now I'm in a lab that specialises in detecting GM DNA in samples.

jimmypitt

AngryBadger wrote: »

Right now I'm in a lab that specialises in detecting GM DNA in samples.

You work in lab and you enjoy that?

The point i am trying to get at here is plenty of people say they love their job in an attempt to appear as though they have a great job. I always laugh my ass off when an office person says they love there job. You just know they are lying! How the hell could anyone love paperwork? Which is essentially what most people are involved in if they work in an office.

Of course i can understand shall we say how a journalist,tv presenter, rugby player, etc. might love their job but in general most jobs tend to be quite boring. Then again some people are just boring really i suppose...

AngryBadger

jimmypitt wrote: »

You work in lab and you enjoy that?

Why wouldn't I enjoy it?

jimmypitt wrote: »

Of course i can understand shall we say how a journalist,tv presenter, rugby player, etc. might love their job but in general most jobs tend to be quite boring. Then again some people are just boring really i suppose...

So...you're saying that a job can only be enjoyable if it's some kind of social job?

I wouldn't know much about boring people, if I'm not working I'm either at rehearsals or in training, but that's just me :pac:

jw297

College is a good time to figure out what kind of job/career etc. you're best suited to, at least in my experience it helped. I had some daft ideas when I was 17... So I think for the OP it would be good to take the opportunity to go to college, whether this year or next year. You might even find you randomly join some society which sparks an interest in something you hadn't thought about before, or whatever. And if nothing else take advantage of the free careers advisory service there

Sangre

As a recent trainee solicitor, trust me, a good Arts degree won't hinder your chances with most firms as long as you can show some legal background e.g. passed FE1s or done a 1 year diploma.

You're very young though, it might be worth waiting until next year if you really don't want Arts.

gabgab

My two cents,

Parents, the vast majority of them, want to see their kids happy and that is the most important thing to them.


For JimmyPitt, as he believes money and status are immensely important,

My experience is that my dad is a highly qualified and successfull man.

He makes excellent money and has, and maintained (very important point in todays climate, plenty of people living the life but not paying the bills or earning enough to do it in the next 5 years) a high standard of living and quality of life. I do something completely unrelated, I am well paid and I enjoy it, but not after alot of soul searching and annoying myself, including leaving a potentially well paid law in career,

Is my dad or Mum upset that I walked away from a career in Law? You bet your ass they are'nt, parents know most of the answers as they have been there and have life experience. I remember balling my eyes crying trying to figure all this stuff out, but one thing sunk in a few years later. My parents really didnt mind what I did as long as I, myself, in my own skin, living my own life, was happy.

You are a capable and intelligent individual who clearly works hard, 520 points puts you pretty high the scoreboard on the country average You can make a go of anything you want to, just pick it, but have a chat with them about it. Write it down, all the worries you have, all the things that are influencng your decision, especially any that involve your parents, and sit down and have a chat about it,

All of this needs to be done after following some excellent advice from HunnyMonster, talk to somebody who knows about this stuff. Asking on here, is like getting a plumber to look at your car problem, they may have some idea as their brain solves problem, but the intricit details and specifics learnt from experience the mechanic has is invaluable......

Go talk to the specialists, go chat to your parents, and make a choice

newestUser

fits wrote: »

And my point is that everyone has to go through that process, whether they have law degrees or not. Empirical evidence from amongst people I know does not point to possession of a law degree helping a huge amount in passing the FE1 exams.

???

Why are you continuing to argue this point? I never said, or implied, that a law degree was a prerequisite for a career in law. I used the example of people training to be solicitors because someone else brought it up, and I thought that the 'stepping stone' arguments flaw (ie what if you *can't* afford the next step) would apply to lots of would-be solicitors. I distinctly remember seeing a program on the telly a few years back about trainee barristers, comparing the different experiences of wealthy ascendancy types and civil servants when training to be barristers.

I'm not arguing that you need a law degree to practice law. Stop throwing big words like 'empirical' at me, too.

xfirefishx

Does UCC offer a Law degree? You might want to speak to them and see if you can transfer to the course.

I started my undergrad in Law and French - partially to keep the parents happy ("professional" degree, good job at the end of it etc) and partially cos I thought I might be interested in it. By December, I'd discovered my uni offered Linguistics which I am passionate about and I managed to transfer directly into 2nd year French and Linguistics on the provisio that I passed 1st year and submitted some coursework to them over the summer.

So there are always possibilities of transferring within the one uni.

And the point has been laboured before, but yeah, you can do an undergrad and then do a conversion course (that's what it is in the UK anyway... FE1s down here I think??) before doing the Institute. And it's nice to have something else under your belt.

Plus, a lot of the people doing a Law undergrad will never come anywhere close to being solicitors or barristers or anything anyway - they'll go to different careers or down different paths. I think Law very much attracts people who think they should do it because the entrance requirements are high and it proves your intelligence. Definitely that is my experience of it when I think of some of the people I know doing it!

krpc

Terrified wrote: »

On the other hand, English is what I love; it's probably my only talent, to be honest.

I have no doubt it is not your only talent; 520 points tells me that. Congratulations on your results and I hope everything goes well for you.

fits

newestUser wrote: »

???

Why are you continuing to argue this point?

Because I'm trying to keep relevant to the OP's question (as per the charter) rather than getting into stupid arguments about trust funders studying law.

Ho-Hum

You're going to college for yourself and not your family, if doing Arts in Cork is what makes you happy then do it. Even if it turns out you don't enjoy the course and you opt for a change of scenery in a year or whatever then it's hardly a disaster is it? You're still very young. Put it this way I'm 23 and I'll be starting college for the first time next year and by then I'll be 24

spinandscribble

if you don't know what you want to you then you're better off with a degree in arts, its a good basis and a platform for teaching, psychology, law, research ect. if what ppl think of your course is whats bothering you then get over it. ppl laughed at me getting high points and going off to do psych and classics in arts. i did it because i wanted to and knew i'd enjoy it.
Now just to prove arts is worthwhile, i've even been selected over straight psych grads for a psych internship in the states along with a dozen others who are a healthy mix of psych grads and arts(with psych) students. Ha i remember some at the interview telling me i wouldn't get in as i was a lowly arts grad. things like personality, interview skills, desire and experience come into play and theres no reason why an arts student can't get those together!
it doesn't affect your options, it widens them and can round you as an individual. so basically, yay arts. it hasn't done me any harm!

Jack Sheehan

There's a lot of BS thrown about an arts degree 'Bachelor of Attendance' and all that but in reality it is an excellent frist step for a whole heap of things. This isn't as big a step as it seems and doing your degree is hardly going to cut you off from doing what you love aat a later stage is it?

My advice is go for it.

newestUser

fits wrote: »

Because I'm trying to keep relevant to the OP's question (as per the charter) rather than getting into stupid arguments about trust funders studying law.

*sigh*

Sorry if my trustafarian comments in earlier post caused offence, but I clarified the point I was making in a subsequent post, and really wasn't driving at anything specifically related to law. Or trust-fund kids.
Back on topic.

The last two posters have advsed to OP to study arts:

"if you don't know what you want to you then you're better off with a degree in arts, its a good basis and a platform for teaching, psychology, law, research ect."

Doing arts because you don't know what to do isn't a great move.

Jack Sheehan trots out the 'it's a great first step' line (which, IMO sounds like it's coming straight from the mouth of a uni admissions officer trying to drum up enrollment in their course). I think that this is too vague. Jack is in Dublin. He has easy access to pretty much any post-grad conversion course you can study in the country. The OP is from Cork. His options are more limited. 'It's a great first step' is a one-size-fits-all approach which ignores the differences between peoples ability to pay to do an additional course/training, and the opportunities that are available in educational institutions near people.

I'm not dissing anyone who does Arts, there is merit in studying Arts, but thinking 'it's a great first step' without thinking *hard* about what comes after is lazy logic, and OP you would be well advised to closely look at the backgrounds of people who come out with this line, the steps they took after studying Arts, if these steps are feasible for you, etc. Don't study Arts as a means of deferring tough choices.

fits

newestUser wrote: »

*sigh*

Sorry if my trustafarian comments in earlier post caused offence, but I clarified the point I was making in a subsequent post, and really wasn't driving at anything specifically related to law. Or trust-fund kids.
Back on topic.

They didnt cause offence, they just werent relevant to the discussion.

(you're spot on about barristers and elitism btw, but it is another discussion and doesnt really apply to solicitors... but OP should be researching all these things herself)

newestUser

fits wrote: »

They didnt cause offence, they just werent relevant to the discussion.

I would argue that someone's ability to pay for anything from 4.5 to 7/8 years education as opposed to only 3/4 is highly relevant to this discussion. Never mind the differing extent to which people can be subsidised during the early, unstable and poorly paid phases of many careers.

<EDIT> Apologies for hogging thread.

Victor

Stop hogging the thread.

nyarlothothep

My advice is this: fear confuses your decision making ability, think about what you are really good at/like. Then focus on those areas. Practicality is useful though so you can train up in some area that will guarantee cash but ultimately focus on what you like to do and remain steadfast in that. Education for its own sake is a great thing, its not all about making profit, actually life itself is not about making profit, that's just what we are told to believe. An Arts degree may not be practical but it is very intellectually enriching, if you engage yourself with it. The prevailing thought we have nowadays is extremely top heavy, its pretty much the cult of consumption.

But obviously its nice to live in comfort so spread your interests wide, give yourself as many failsafe redundancy options as possible and then specialize. Your final choice will be the informed and correct one at that stage. The complexity of such a decision requires careful thought, not spur of the moment thinking influenced by reducing things solely to simplistic factors like economic viability. Therefore it would be good to plan accordingly.

Blazer

newestUser wrote: »

Drop out. You're 18 years old, you probably haven't a clue about how the world works (patronising, I know...), you only get one shot at free education. Don't waste it. Do a PLC or something, get a job temping, do some travelling, work in a summer camp in the states, anything, just don't blow a few years of your life doing an Arts course because your parents are proud of you for doing it and you'll feel left out if you don't go to uni like your mates.

I don't agree with the 'it's a stepping stone to so many other things' line of advice. You don't know if the solicitors/barristers that a previous poster mentioned had deep trust funds to help them retrain after their primary degrees.

You're not mature enough to make this decision. Postpone it for a year, it'll seem like a big deal now, but odds are you'll be wondering what you were fretting about 10 years down the road.

+1

There's a reason your teachers tell you to put the course you want No1 no matter how much you think you won't get it.
Saying that ..forgot about college this year..travel the world ,,relax and then get back next year and knuckle down.