That really is the question. For those of you who are currently in the category of “confused” as to whether or not uni is for you – you may have found yourself in the right place. As an avid non-uni goer myself, it’s pretty clear what I’m going to be telling you about but I’ll try to keep it as even as possible.

School years were never something I would class as tricky. I found learning relatively easy right up to my GCSE’s (except chemistry – God knows what I was doing in that class). A-levels became a different matter. I’ve stated before how much I then despised coming into school and learning things that seemed, frankly, a bit unnecessary to me. How is knowing, in severe depths, about one artist going to help me in any avenue of my life? I want to work in makeup…I don’t need this stuff.

So with that in mind, the idea of further education was not welcomed with open arms. I had grown up with the idea that uni was an absolute MUST and if I were to not go, my life would be over. SPOILER ALERT – I’m a year down the line and I’m still alive. If anything’s going to kill me, it’ll be my ever growing allergies to my two kitties. Life is tough.

Don’t get me wrong, throughout my school years I was completely set on uni. My life was going to be as cliché and obvious as any Surrey kids’ would be – get good GCSE’s followed by cracking A-level results, head off to Uni, take 6 months off to travel then find a job and live happily ever after. I certainly did give Uni the time of day. I went to my careers lesson, I learnt how to adult and I visited Uni’s…albeit one, but I still went.

It didn’t take long for me to figure out Uni really was NOT for me. I really did feel like the only person in the world making that decision and it definitely wasn’t an easy one. I told my careers advisor of my decision and was told I should leave that class if I wasn’t following the crowd. Why was it so wrong? Surely I’ll survive without a degree, right?

Past Vicky – you were correct. I don’t understand why we live in a world where you’re a failure for turning down an opportunity like Uni. Yes, uni is fantastic and everyone I know who has gone is, more or less, having a whale of a time and the opportunities they get are endless. But so are mine. Just because I haven’t had a pencil case for an extra 3 years doesn’t make me completely undesirable. I can make my own future, only mine just doesn’t come with a certificate and debt.

If you’re thinking about uni, are just about to go to uni, have decided against uni, or simply just like thinking about your future..PLEASE don’t think uni is the be all and end all. It really, really isn’t. It’s incredible and of course an amazing choice if you decide to go. You’ll make lifelong friends and come out with a solid degree that’ll undoubtedly help you in the future. But if you’re not going or you’re not sure if it’s for you, it’s something that isn’t for everyone – myself included. Who knows, 5 years down the line you might find something you want to learn and you can go then! It’s so easy to change your mind in the future. We’re so young, how is it possible to decide something that important in the space of a few months.

I was worried about letting my entire family down to pursue a career in something they didn’t really understand. Social media is new and for babies like me it’s an insecure future, but I like it and THAT’s what’s important. I don’t need to support a family or pay for my home or  be responsible for anyone but myself. I’m 19 for goodness sake, if I wanna lay in bed until 2pm, I’m going to bloody well do it.

That’s the beauty of being young guys. You can do what you like, when you like, because one day you’re going to have a life which does not allow you to do that AT ALL. So if you don’t want to go to uni, don’t. It doesn’t matter what people say or what everyone else seems to be doing. Find your own path and make your own opportunities. In my opinion, it comes down to experience and charisma. You can have all the A*’s in the world but if you don’t know a single thing about real life working then you’re stuck. Unless you’re a doctor or something…you definitely need to know your shizz to be one of them.

I guess what I’m trying to say is, you’re going to be okay. EITHER way. And that’s something I definitely needed to hear when I was in that position. Education is one route to get to your goal, but it’s definitely not the only one.

Anyway chaps, I’ll speak to ya soon.

VB x