Question – Do you really need to go to university?

However, this is changing, more non-university pathways into employment are opening up. In the UK context, you could take a look at apprenticeship schemes (they’re not just for trades anymore).

These give you a combination of qualifications, classroom based and on the job learning, and you get paid. Employers report that staff who come through this route are actually better quality than many graduates.

Navigating these pathways can be confusing at first, so get some help from your school or college.

A more holistic answer is – consider the whole experience. University can be a way of achieving independence, getting away from your hometown, meeting new people, broadening your mind and having fun.

Yes, it comes at a price, but it’s a pretty unique opportunity.

Finally, a more philosophical answer. What’s ‘getting somewhere in life?’ What does that mean for you?

If you can figure that out, even if it’s just a broad idea for the next few years, let that guide your decisions. Map a way to get there, and figure out if university needs to be part of that journey or not.