If you’re a parent of a student who is in (or quickly moving towards) their final years of high school, this might be a question that is being asked a lot lately. Perhaps you’re a student yourself, trying to decide what to do after you finish school.
“Should I go to university” can be a pretty loaded question. There is a lot to think about – career goals, financial stability, family situation, location, and more.
In this blog, ThriveTutors Founder Emma is here to talk directly to students, break down this topic and provide guidance on how to approach this next chapter of your life.
Do I need to go to university?
So, you’re thinking about life after high school and wondering if university is the right path for you. It’s a big decision, and it’s totally normal to have a lot of questions about what to do.
The short answer: Only you can decide whether or not you should go to uni.
For me, I knew that I wanted to become a teacher and to do that, I had to study for a bachelor’s degree. Attending university was something I had to do, and I loved it!
On the other hand, my incredible partner Josh, skipped university and went straight into full time work. Over the last 10 years he has worked his way from Sales Consultant to Dealer Principal, the top role in the automotive industry. All without attending university.
Then there is my younger brother, who is attending Tafe to complete his apprenticeship in Plumbing. For him, he didn’t need university and he didn’t want it, so he found a path that suited his style of learning, and he has found so much enjoyment with Tafe.
So, to help you navigate this, let’s work through a few questions.
What careers are you interested in?
You might already know what career you want.
Or perhaps you’ve only just started thinking about your next steps after school. Either way, knowing what qualifications you need can help decide whether university is a good move.
Let’s take a look at some examples:
Bianca has a dream of becoming a Vet. To become a registered Vet, Bianca requires university qualifications in the form of a bachelor’s degree.
For Bianca, university is a requirement for her dream career. She will need to attend university for at least 4 years and this will help her secure a job as a Veterinarian.
Mitchell doesn’t really know what he wants to do yet. He has always liked the idea of starting his own coaching business or gym in the future.
For Mitchell, he has a few different options ranging from certificates to bachelor’s degrees. He would likely benefit from workforce experience first.
Jack doesn’t really enjoy studying but knows he wants a secure job after school – Perhaps a trade, Military or Police.
For Jack, it would be beneficial to explore different career options and depending on what he enjoys the most, he most likely wouldn’t need university.
How can I pay for university?
Money is often a major consideration for high school students thinking about university. But it’s important to remember there are financial assistance programs and schemes out there to help you make university study a reality.
If you feel cost is a barrier to you pursuing a university education, you should look into:
- university scholarships
- Australian Government Higher Education Loan Programs (HELP)
- Centrelink payments for university and TAFE students.
Will I need to move to attend?
For high school students who live in country towns or rural areas, going to university might not be as simple as finding the one closest to home, because that could be a long drive. Uprooting your life can be daunting, and you need to consider whether it’s going to be worth it. We recommend looking into:
- university scholarships for rural and remote students
- student accommodation
- guaranteed accommodation
- cost of living in the local area you’re looking to move to
- lifestyle of the local area you’re looking to move to
- support available for new students.
Moving can be expensive, but there is financial support available. There’s also plenty of emotional support to help you settle into your new home, with many opportunities to join social clubs and make like-minded friends.
Will I benefit from university?
The million dollar question – Is it worth it?
University is absolutely worth it if your career goals require undergraduate or postgraduate study. Having a degree on your resume will generally look favorable when applying for a position in your dream career.
However, if you don’t necessarily require a university degree, then you might benefit more from spending 3-5 years gaining experience in the workforce, attending Tafe, studying short courses and deciding what you truly want in life.
You need to do what is best for you...
In summary, only you can answer the question of ‘Should I go to university.’ The people around you can provide advice, guidance and support, however the decision must come down to what is best for you and your goals.
I went to university and loved it! I earned my Bachelor of Primary Education, went on to work as a Teacher and then moved into running my own business, which I love! My degree gave me the ability to work in a job I was passionate about and provided an opportunity to move into a different space later in life.
And as I mentioned above, my partner never went to university but absolutely dominated his field of work and worked his way to the top. He now runs his own business as well, and did all of that by learning, reading books and gaining practical experience.
The options are endless.
There is no right or wrong.
Choose based on what your goals are and everything else will fall into place.
