19 year old looking for advice

[Mnetter11]

Feeling very lost. I’m about to finish college and have no idea what I’d like to do in the future - university/apprenticeships/jobs/travelling. I live on my own so quite concerned with making the wrong decision and then being stuck in it.
Looking for advice!

What did you do at college??

Speak to your tutor. These are major decisions and you obviously need some guidance.

Can you give some more info, such as what you were studying at college and what interests you, however vague the ideas might be.

What did you actively enjoy doing at school? What college course did you do?

Are you kind and caring or very competitive with other people? Are you autistic, dyslexic or have adhd? Are you better at maths or English or both? What jobs do your family, parents,siblings do? Are you a home bird or happy to work elsewhere? Have you a partner boyfriend girlfriend who affects your decisions of what to do or where to go? Trying to grasp your best traits or qualities to give you some food for thought

Buy the Robert Greene daily laws book. That will help. A daily quote of his (that relates to you).
"Think back on the moments when you felt deeply and personally connected to an activity. Think about the pleasure it brought you. In such activities are signs of your true purpose".

You are never really stuck. Lots of people change careers, go back to study later in life or end up working in jobs that don't have much to do with their degrees. You can travel now or throughout your life or both.

These feel like big choices, and they are important. You should talk to a careers advisor if you can. But never think what you decide now means this is what your life needs to look like in 5 / 10 / 50 years.

It is worth chatting with your tutors at college first.
OPs are right in saying that what you do for the next couple of years will define you for life. But time is on your side, you can do that later once it is clearer to you what you want to do.
If I was in your shoes, I would save as much money as I could and then I would travel - you can't do this indefinitely and you will have to get jobs to pay the way. You don't get the same chance once your career starts getting established or you meet a partner etc. and just doing it opens up a whole new ballgame globally. You won't do it once you get into a normal job. That will be that. Stuck in the 9-5 and the shackles that involves. Hope this helps xx

Don’t think about making a decision with what you want to do for the rest of your life. Think about what you want to do right now. You can always change that in the future. What are your interests, what makes you happy, what do you find comes naturally?

You can go to uni as a mature student at any point in your life

My DS will be going to uni in sept

DD when she finishes her A Levels wants to use her free paid for year of education at our local college doing a foundation course in a subject she loves. She knows it's not worth doing as a degree. She's not entirely sure what degree to do and not currently confident in how she'll do in her A Levels

DD works PT and they are very lovely to her there so she'll work and save (and spend)

OP you are young so you have time to explore and live your life

You can do an access course later on in life and go on to do a degree using that

Nothing you do now will be a mistake. Don't have regrets. Take advantage of any opportunities that come your way

Be confident, believe that you are capable of anything and don't let any doubts hold you back

Do not ever let a relationship hold you back

You are a strong confident capable woman

You have time. Apply for roles you want even if you don't think you'll get them, you really never know

How about choosing a degree you love and then doing a one year conversion to become a lawyer and then apply for a TC training contract

You can travel in a few years if you haven't found your passion or there's a suitable break when you think ok I'm ready. Thailand is easy and safe to travel and if you go alone you'll meet loads and loads of similar people.

The Islands like Ko Tao will be perfect for you

Thank you all for the advice, it’s given me a lot to think about!

I was like you OP at 19 I didn't have a clue what to do

I ended up getting a really good job in London, but loads of us got made redundant

I then did a foundation year and went to uni. Dropped out and went to another uni in another town found a completely different subject

Moved town again settled, worked bought a flat then rented it out and went travelling for 2 years and worked abroad

Came back in my 30's had my DC

I'm now kind of back in your position where my DC will be flying the nest and I want to re explore the world and embrace what's out there. Be sort of hesitantly fearless again

I was also completely on my own at 19 but I just let life happen and it did

You'll never be stuck if you make a wrong decision

You just walk away and things do sort themselves out

do you know what you would like to do? failing that, what you definitely dont want to do, then pick someone else which isn't on that list. if that doesn't work out, think again. you absolutely have time on your side here.

As others have said you are never stuck with a wrong decision, you can change anything. I will say though that a bad decision is a million times better than no decision, in that it’s better to be 5 years into a career you want to change, than spend 5 years in a series of temp jobs because you’re stuck with decision paralysis.

Get a red pen and a green pen and some index cards and put them in your bag. When you are doing something you really enjoy take the green pen and note down-
What are you doing? Are you on your own or working with other? Is it detailed work or big picture? Is there an end point or is it open?

When you are doing something that de-energises you take the red pen and answer the same questions

After a few days you will start to see themes emerging eg maybe you prefer working with others on a well defined project, or maybe you love a particular part of your studies. That may help you decide what you might like to study further or maybe what sort of job you'd like to look for.

Good luck and it's hard on your own at 19 so use is all here if it helps

I think the advantage of uni if you are truly on your own is that you will be around other people your age who are also finding their way in life. This can end up with friends who feel more like family and stay with you through life.

That doesn't work for everyone. But if you can find a uni where you are in halls at least for the first year it helps.

If you were my DD

I'd encourage you to go to uni where you'll meet lots of new people

Go to one with guaranteed halls for all first years

Choose a subject you're interested in

I think for you this is the best option because you'll make lots of new friends and it will change you life for the better

You can tell me to go away if you want OP, but I just want to give you a hug and tell you it's ok to take your time working life out and even more so if you're kind of on your own out there. You'll be ok. You don't have to have all the answers at 19 and you won't be stuck. It will all unfold in time. If you don't have a burning wish to go to uni right now, hold off, wait to see if you ever do. Don't take it as being the done thing. You might find that working for a year or so helps you to understand your next step and things might be a bit clearer.

Oh yes absolutely going to uni is definitely not something you need to rush into but it might be what you need for emotional support for the 3 years.

You'll be looked after by new friends you'll make and lecturers etc

Loads of people go as mature students to local unis that aren't the RG ones so you have time

Most colleges will offer advice on follow on courses and work, usually around the time you finish.