No idea what I want to do or where I want to go in life.

[Lalabing]

Posting here for traffic. 19 years old. Left school without gcses and studied level 2 btecs and worked since leaving. None of them will get me anywhere I think I want to be. I would like to re study GCSEs to get a good level, then I'm not sure whether I could do a levels at my age so would look at the access course route to enable me to get to university. I was quite intelligent in school upto around year nine when I stupidly got myself permanently expelled which I kick myself for all the time.

However I just don't know what career I'd like to go down. I'm good at maths less so at English. I would like a good career which will pay well and make a good life for me. I'm interested in psychology and history mostly. Would not like to teach. What direction can I take I'm so stuck.

What's code?

Code is writing software. But OP already said she didn’t like IT. I suggested it as it is a growth industry. There are lots in the field outside of programming. You can be IT support, operation support, database admin, software tester or development, business analysis, data scientist, user interface designer etc. All are related to either the design, development, testing and support of software system. Most wouldn’t involve coding, but need a good understanding of computer systems.

I'm a university lecturer and I really love students like you. Unlike most 18 year olds who 'just go' to uni, students who come later tend to work hard, know why they are there, and squeeze every opportunity out of the experience. They are a delight to teach.

If you have a uni near you I recommend going along to an open day and talking to as many people as you can. They'll be pleased to help you, even if you are a few years off going.

Remember, no question is too daft to ask!

View please remember to remind students of work experience and internships. I was a member of birmingham university's professional development module, it was a fantastic start up!

Muddling2

It's relevant for the op to be thinking about a doctorate though as this is needed to be a professional psychologist (e.g. Clinical/Educational), not just for teaching/academia

I've had a look at the open university online and it's really appealing to me. I took a quick quiz that suggested doing the access course to build skills before going for the degree. I think I may take this route. I can start the access February and is 30 weeks long which I think would finish right in September to start the degree. I just need to figure out which courses to look into a little more and decide where I want to go. I've always wanted to do law and didn't think it would be posssible starting from scratch but I think it looks promising I can chose whichever route I want.

However I may just enquire further and see what course I would enjoy aswell as giving me more of an open gate to go a different direction if I change my mind.

Would like to thank you all very much for your amazing advice it really has helped so much.

I may just be back with a few more questions after I've had another look at the open university site. Also if I decide not taking this route I will be going to college September next year to take GCSEs then progress to alevels to give me more leeway and time to decide. However it's between maths, finance, law and psychology although I understand the psychology and law may be the longest to get myself as far as I want to be. (The very top )

Well that’s ok because you’ve got all the time you need.

I’m so glad you’re feeling more positive.