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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

If you had your time again would you have done a different degree?

193 replies

malificent7 · 04/10/2016 17:36

I would. English. I was great at it at school (A*) gcse etc. Good degree but imo totally useless. No longer want to teach.
I was also good at science but found the maths component tricky. I wish id done something a bit more useful and scientific like radiography. I will prob go vack and study but i wish id done something more useful in the first place!

Anyone else?

OP posts:
Cellardoor23 · 04/10/2016 18:19

The problem with me is that I don't know how to use my degree. I have no idea what I want to do as a career. My plan was to join the RAF but at the time it was a confidence thing. I wish I had just done it.

AmeliaJack · 04/10/2016 18:19

I would have done the same degree but would have chosen a different combination of subjects in my first year.

I would, given my time again chosen completely different school options.

OlennasWimple · 04/10/2016 18:21

No. I would have gone to the same place and done the same degree, but I would have done more during my time there on extra curricular stuff (not just drinking and dancing). And no one told me that I was supposed to find my husband there (not just dating fun but unsuitable men)

user1467976192 · 04/10/2016 18:22

Wish I had done chemistry or something related to the perfume and cosmetic industry

altiara · 04/10/2016 18:23

No, I did physiology and biochemistry and I'd do again. It's also relevant to my job as I work in clinical research (which I used to love until I got a puppy and now I love the puppy more than work Blush)

JemimaMuddledUp · 04/10/2016 18:23

Yes. I did Economics and Accountancy as it was sensible and I thought it would get me a job. I wish I'd done English as 20 years later I haven't really used my degree subject and I would have enjoyed English more.

ZazieCats · 04/10/2016 18:24

No, but I would have gone to a different University to do it.

gastropod · 04/10/2016 18:24

If you'd asked me 15 years ago, I'd have said yes - I did a degree in modern languages but for a long time wished I'd had the courage to study art.
Now, however, I'm in an exciting job that I love, that I could never have done without the language degree.

FeliciaJollygoodfellow · 04/10/2016 18:25

Yes. Mine is fucking useless and I had fucking useless careers advice to go with it. I also didn't have the classic 'uni experience' and came out of it with a 2:2 and no friends. My job is ok, but I'm ten years out of uni this year and have only been earning over £20k per annum for the past two years. It has not been the life I expected!

I would choose a different university, different degree, even though it would mean I would have a completely different life now.

That's not to say that I don't enjoy my life now because I do, but it could have been better, careerwise.

Stevefromstevenage · 04/10/2016 18:26

I would have done the same vocational degree but I would have done better at it.

I had absolutely no clue what my degree was about so I just coasted, rarely attended unless it was strategic for me to do so and just did not put in the effort. The early days of the job would have been a lot easier if I had paid attention during the degree. Shockingly I did OK in my undergraduate degree. However much to my surprise I loved the job and much to all of my own classmates surprise I ended up teaching it. It has given me the opportunity to learn all of the stuff I should have on my own degree and I realise I could have made so much more of my own learning experience.

FeliciaJollygoodfellow · 04/10/2016 18:26

gastropod - I almost did a modern languages degree, then decided to defer and do American Studies, fucking idiot that I was.

ethelb · 04/10/2016 18:27

I did Biology which was good for me at the time and has served me well.

However, now I am older and more confident and caring a vocational degree that would have allowed me to have a more people facing role such as nursing, pharmacy or an allied healthcare role such as a SALT would have served me better.

Or skipping academia completely and going straight into work in my current profession (journalism) at 18.

FeliciaJollygoodfellow · 04/10/2016 18:27

gastropod - I almost did a modern languages degree, then decided to defer and do American Studies, fucking idiot that I was.

ethelb · 04/10/2016 18:27

I did Biology which was good for me at the time and has served me well.

However, now I am older and more confident and caring a vocational degree that would have allowed me to have a more people facing role such as nursing, pharmacy or an allied healthcare role such as a SALT would have served me better.

Or skipping academia completely and going straight into work in my current profession (journalism) at 18.

Dinosaurporn · 04/10/2016 18:31

Mmm, I did a degree in surveying which I have never used but it has opened many doors and I've never been unemployed.
I would have liked to study dietetics and just after passing my accountancy exams I considered retraining, then I realised I was earning more than a superintendent Dietician...

PurpleRainy · 04/10/2016 18:34

I did nursing and regret it. However I'm stuck I don't know where to go!

poochiepants · 04/10/2016 18:35

I'd do interior architecture in a heartbeat.....

ChocolateWombat · 04/10/2016 18:36

I did American Studies. At the time and at the place I went to, it was highly competitive and massively oversubscribed - something like 50 applications per place. And I did find it interesting.
Now I wish I had done History. I had 3 As at Alevel so could have done pretty much any humanity. American Studies has never held me back in my career, but I feel like when I mention my degree title (rarely TBH) it isn't as highly regarded as History would be and the 'studies' part if the title makes it sound rather low-brow.

Interesting how many people now wish they had a vocational degree and also how many wish they'd known more about post-grad courses and that they could do their degree just as a post-grad and picked something else for their first degree. Not sure most sixth formers get much info about post grad stuff and how that might influence their first degree choice.

JustMarriedBecca · 04/10/2016 18:36

Politics and No.

Much better to do a degree I enjoyed so worked hard at and get a first than do a degree you're ok at and get a 2:1 like everyone else. A first opens far more doors and you can always do further study (usually paid for if you have a decent enough first degree).

Wordsaremything · 04/10/2016 18:38

I read history and did postgrad study too, but wish I'd read English ( my first love) , or French ( more direct practical uses.)
In those days of multiple three hour papers and harrumph, proper standards, it did however teach you to think clearly, draft quickly and accurately, and present a logical argument under pressure. All of which proved ultimately extremely useful.

Mysterycat23 · 04/10/2016 18:41

Engineering. Skills shortage my bottom. If your dad's not in the profession already and you don't have pre-uni work experience don't bother! I should have just done the open arts degree at Lancaster (don't know if it exists anymore - basically you can choose your own modules across a wide range of arts subjects.. looked like heaven)..

MaQueen · 04/10/2016 18:48

I did English Literature. I was good so didn't have to work hard to get good grades and coasted through university.

But English degrees are ten a penny.

I now work in a clinical setting and wish I had done something more clinical/practical.

janknitti · 04/10/2016 19:07

Watching this thread with interest. My son has just dropped his 4th A level option (biology) and is doing chemistry, maths and geography. He is really good maths and chemistry and enjoys the Geography so it's hard to think of what degree would work.

PurpleDaisies · 04/10/2016 19:09

If you take anything from this thread jan, I think it should be to do something he really enjoys.

oldlaundbooth · 04/10/2016 19:11

Yes, me.

I'd have a vocation instead of a useless Philosophy degree.

Should have done Dietetics instead.

Or Medicine. But at 18 I didn't have the foresight /maturity /focus.

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