Why I Chose The College Life Over The Uni Life

*This post features PR Samples. See the end of the post for more details.



At the moment, there are youngsters having to make huge life changing decisions now that their GCSE/A Level results have been given to them. I wish them every success and I hope they get to go down the path that they want to travel down.


When my GCSE results came out, I didn't do overly brilliant, I got just about enough of the right grades to get into college. 


I knew from a young high school age that I wasn't be cut out for university. The uni life was never a life I envisaged for myself. I never really thought that taking that advance into further education was something I REALLY wanted to do or was the right thing for me to do.



I always knew I wanted to do an A level type qualification of some sort, I knew college was for me because the high school I went to was a dump, I had unhappy memories there so I wanted to branch out and make the bold move to go to college. 


I knew that going to college would give me the start to my independence and meeting new people would be good for me. Meeting new people in college I felt was a great boost in my confidence as it allowed me to be myself. In school, I got bullied for being myself. Going to college would mean that (hopefully) my new classmates would like me for who I was.


I won't lie to you guys, on my first day of college, I was incredibly nervous. This was like starting a whole new chapter in my life, one which I would hope I would enjoy and grasp with both hands. But one thing that I realised was that all my other 20 classmates were in the same boat as me. They were all probably just as nervous and angst about starting this new educational venture. 



I spent three years and completed two different A Level style qualifications in college and I left from there to search for a job, again, a start of another new chapter in my life.


I kind of wanted to write this post to not only share my experience of college life but to say that's totally ok if you feel that uni isn't the right life for you after college. Just because you don't want to go to uni, it doesn't mean you won't be as successful.


For example, one of my closest friends (who I met in college) is now the manager of a private nursery. She's only got a college qualification behind her. I'm so proud of her because she's worked her backside off to get to this position. 


The main point of this post is to follow your own path. Don't feel pressurised into going to uni if it doesn't feel right for you. Like I said, you can be just as accomplished from a college education as you would from a uni one. 


However, I don't want to paint college as a fairyland where everything is all unicorns, pizza and vodka. One thing I wish comp had taught me was how much college work I would be doing not just in the college library, but at home too. College is so much different to high school. I wish I realised this as it wouldn't have felt so daunting on my first day when they lumbered us with so many forms, books and folders. Believe me, college tutors love throwing the work at you. Homework needs completion by the next day or at the very latest, by the end of the week. The last thing you want is to fall behind with the homework and the work that has to be done in lessons. 


Like I mentioned near the start of this post, you won't barely know anybody in college. It's not like in school where you know most people in your year group and the odd person in the year group above or below you. College means a new start, new surroundings and more importantly, new people.


Also, college will be like a fashion show. No uniforms. Wear whatever the hell you want. Happy days. You can wear your own clothes, you'll be loving life. After all, you've spent five years in a uniform. My classmates from over the three years barely wore loungewear or jogging bottoms. We always looked nice! Mind you, if that's your thing, then flaunt the loungewear like you're on the catwalk!





Before I forget, this is an important thing to mention, college years go by in a flash. Those three years I spent in the library, getting pizza and chips for lunch every day, swearing at the computer for freezing on me when I was halfway through my assignment and the laughs and dramas with friends will fly by. If you go to college, make the most of your time there. The work is going to be harder than it was in comp, but the memories you'll make will make you forget all the blood, sweat and tears you poured into your assignments.


I always say that college made me the person I am today. It helped shape me into the person I was meant to be. High school didn't do that for me, I was made to feel ashamed to be the person I wanted to be like. 


So if you're debating whether after to go to uni or not after your A Levels or even GCSE's, follow your own heart. I genuinely think your heart needs to be in it when it comes to wanting to pursue the uni life. Can you really put your mind to 3/4 years of further education? Don't be pushed into it. If you're still unsure, take a gap year and see what you feel after 12 months. 


Do I regret not going to uni? Hmm, I sometimes do think what my life would be like now if I chose to go to uni. Deep down, I kind of wish I experienced it, but I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much as I did going to college. Plus the thought of uni debts lingering over my life for the foreseeable years wasn't really an attractive option for me personally!



Did you go to college and/or uni? Let me know your thoughts!



*This post features this lovely notebook from Old English Company. They sell a range of stationary including greetings card, notebooks, planners and even homeware. For your chance to get 15% off your next purchase at Old English Company, use the code OESPECBR15 . This notebook was sent to me in exchange for a post. All college/uni views are my own. For more information, please read my disclaimer. 
56 comments
  1. University isn't the be all and end all. It's important to do what's right for you and what you'll feel comfortable with. I'm glad college gave you what you needed :)

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    1. You're absolutely right Lisa, you've just got to do what is best for you.
      College was an amazing experience for me and one I won't forget!

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  2. This is a really relatable post. I received my A-levels last week and chose to do an apprenticeship rather than Uni. I didn't enjoy sixth form at all and it put me off further education. My mental health took a bad turn. It's not to say that Uni isn't the right choice for others, but for me, I am much happier working. Thank you for sharing this post. It's nice to hear about others who didn't go to uni!

    Em | www.loveemblog.com x

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    1. I hope you did well in your A Levels Em! What apprenticeship will you be doing?
      I'm sorry to hear that your health took a bad turn, I'm here if you need a chat!
      I'm happy to hear that you're happier working, it seems to have made you happier and done good for your wellbeing!
      I kind of wanted to talk about it cause you rarely see people talk about college! x

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  3. This was such an interesting read, Lucy! My first year of college was awful and was when my mental health issues kicked in so it was a really tough year for me. I hated the course, I didn't feel like I had any friends there, I felt not good enough which caused awful anxiety and by Christmas I had to drop out and change to something else as a temporary option. In my second year, I did a course which was so much better and my experience was completely different. I loved it! I used to beat myself up about going to college instead of sixth form and then university but now I realise I did what was right for me at the time x

    Lauren | itslaurenvictoria.co.uk

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    1. I'm sorry to hear that your first year in college was so bad, I'm so glad that when you changed to a different course, it changed your mindset and that you had a lot more fun.
      I'm happy to hear that you feel that you did the right thing at that time Lauren x

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  4. You're right everyone has a different path. For example, I never went to college and am so happy about it :)

    www.fashionradi.com

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  5. Thanks for sharing, I stayed at school to do A levels as they had the support I need for my Special Education needs, I still managed to get not great A-Levels, but I did get into Uni to do a HND, then a top up to a degree. I had always wanted to go to uni to experience it, I do feel it gave me lots of great experiences, but a job not yet

    Nic | Nic's Adventures & Bakes

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    1. That's great to hear that you got into uni, you should be so proud of yourself! I'm glad that you had a good experience in uni Nic, I got my fingers crossed that you'll get a job very soon!

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  6. Great read, Lucy! It's so important for those college age to know that there are different options to choose from. When I was in sixth form, it was basic go to Uni or be a failure. I never went to Uni (although I wish I did) but so many people didn't either and did so well x

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    1. Thank you Jenny!
      Yeah I wish that people would know that there are plenty of options out there, not just the uni path. You're doing amazingly well Jenny and you should be proud of yourself! x

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  7. I went to a London uni and never really had that 'uni life' experience. It was too expensive to go out most of the time. I do miss it sometimes though. x

    Zoey | www.zoeyolivia.com

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    1. I can imagine how expensive it must have been to go out in London and being based in a London uni, sounds like you had a good experience nonetheless x

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  8. I love how you mention not putting pressure on yourself to go in a certain direction, I couldn't agree more! University isn't for anyone, and I've found that so many people who chose College now have amazing careers xx

    http://mylovelierdays.com

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    1. Absolutely Diana, going to university isn't going to be for everyone. You're right, people can go on to have amazing careers from just going to college xx

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  9. You did exactly what I did. Although I tried to do my AS levels, my school was a dump that preferred to focus on those in preferred subjects than what I was taking. So I dropped out and went to college instead, and from there made my way into the world. Granted I regret my decision of course, but I honestly think kids of a certain age (17-18) are far too young to be making major life decisions like what they want to do with the rest of it, you know?

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    1. You're right, kids have such huge decisions to make so early in their life in terms of their educations paths!

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  10. I didn't go to University either. I studied two years in college to complete my A-levels and I really loved my time there. College is a massive jump from High School and I don't think schools prepare students enough for this huge leap. I now actually work in a University after completing a two year apprenticeship and I couldn't be happier. Uni is great if you have a specific career path in mind, but it isn't the be all and end all!x

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    1. It's lovely to hear that you enjoyed your time in college! You're right lovely, high school definitely don't prepare school leavers for how much work college will bring! I agree Kelly, uni is a great option for someone who has a specific career in mind x

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  11. A great post! I love your blog. Your content is very interesting < 3

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  12. My school didn't have a sixth form so college was the only option, which I guess made the transition feel a little less daunting. I wanted to be a barrister when I was at college only to change my mind about that in the last month before my UCAS application was due so had to make a super quick decision to change everything. I kind of wish I'd taken a year out at that point to give me more time to think about my uni courses and choices but it didn't work out too badly. But you're so right about uni not being everything and everyone having their different paths x

    Sophie
    www.glowsteady.co.uk

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    1. Wow a barrister?! That's such a good career to go down! Maybe something in the back of your mind was telling you to not go ahead, but I'm glad things have worked out for you! x

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  13. Arran and I went totally different paths, he did school, college, uni and I did school then nothing because I lived in Spain. Different things work for everyone don't they? Xx

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    1. You're right Alice, we all travel down different paths don't we? xx

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  14. I love how honest this post is. I didn't go to uni either and I don't feel like I missed out. I chose to do an apprenticeship instead and I know that for me personally, it was the right choice.

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    1. Thank you Kelly! I'm glad that doing an apprenticeship was the right path for you and it sounds like it's worked out well for you!

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  15. I agree, uni Isn't for everyone. I sometimes wonder if uni was the right choice for me, as I’m not in a job even remotely related to my degree!

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    1. One positive to take from your uni years is that you do have a degree, what was your degree in lovely?

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  16. I went to college over sixth form and your right it's so much nicer! No uniform, a lot less formal in lessons and things, the best decision i made! I did go to uni and it definitely had its ups and down!

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    1. It is so much nicer isn't it Hannah?! Like you, it was one of the best decisions I ever made to go to college rather than stay on in sixth form! Well done you on getting to uni too x

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  17. I went to university and honestly it wasn't everything everyone hypes it up to me! I love reading about alternative education routes x

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    1. I think people have this certain expectation of uni and what it will be like, but like you said, it's not all that it's cracked up to be! I'm glad you enjoyed reading this post Kayleigh! x

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  18. A super interesting post! I love how everyone can go down different paths and do something that suits them! For me, uni was the complete right choice and I am loving it!


    Amber - The Unpredicted Page

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    1. Thank you Amber! Exactly, there's a right path for everyone! I'm glad that you're enjoying uni lovely!

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  19. I went to both and I think that my college years were some of the best years of my life!

    Danielle
    https://www.thereluctantblogger.co.uk/

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  20. I never went to uni and I knew it was the right path for me. I knew what field I wanted to go into and I didn’t need a degree so I didn’t go for it. Some of my friends did and they really enjoyed it but I just knew it wasn’t for me x

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    1. I'm glad that you followed the right path for you Aaliyah, the uni path isn't going to be for everyone, it certainly wasn't for me! x

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  21. College life definitely goes so quickly! Thank you for sharing your education journey, I think it’s so important that alternatives to uni are discussed- I went as I felt I had no other choice but I definitely didn’t enjoy it and am now completing it remotely! Soph x

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    1. Yeah the time flies by in college doesn't it?! Yeah I agree Soph, I think the alternatives to uni aren't discussed enough these days, students need to know all options before making these decisions, I'm glad that you're completing it remotely lovely x

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  22. Even though I went to uni I definitely agree with what you've said! Uni for sure isn't for everyone and you don't need a degree to be successful at all! There are so many alternative options out there now for students, it's great! Also loooove the notebook :-)
    Sarah x

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    1. It's true Sarah, you don't need a uni degree to be successful and there are other options to further education than just uni.
      Aww thank you, I absolutely love it! x

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  23. Great perspective here Lucy, Like you, I knew Uni was not for me. I went to college and it was some of the greatest times of my life.

    Great choice on the notepad by the way x

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    1. Thank you Claire, I'm so happy to hear that college holds fond memories for you!
      Thank you, I absolutely adore it! x

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  24. Like you say, it is your own life path and sometimes Uni just isn't part fo that plan and that is ok. You definitley don't need a degree to be successful! This will be such a helpful post for those trying to make a decision with what they want to do. Loving the notebook too!

    Aimsy xoxo
    Aimsy’s Antics

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    1. Exactly Aimsy, nobody should tell you which path to go down when it comes to further education! I hope it can help those who are struggling to make the decision whether to go to uni or not!
      The notebook I do love! xx

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  25. So good that you chose the route that was the right fit for you! I went to college and am at uni and am so grateful that I chose that path for myself but some people make choices that end up making them unhappy so it’s definitely right that you should listen to your heart. Thanks for sharing your experience I think this will benefit so many young people choosing what career they want to go into☺️

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    1. I'm happy to hear that you chose the right route for you with your education Lauren!

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  26. I went to uni and it took me a long time to feel it was right. I wouldn’t say that I might change my decision to go if I could do things again but I like that there is more of a choice now than there was back then. Uni isn’t always suitable for everyone and that’s perfectly fine.

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    1. You're right lovely, uni isn't going to be everyone's cup of tea, I'm glad that these days there are more options for student now

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  27. University isn't for everyone! I feel like we are now going into a stage where not going to uni is becoming more of a thing and less frowned upon!

    https://www.emilyclareskinner.com

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    1. Yes we are now which is great for students who are choosing their options right now!

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  28. Its always important to do that feels right inside! Cause we only have one life and we live with our decisions. Often others think to know what is best for us but in the end the only important thing is to be happy! I went to university cause it felt right to me and it somehow just happened.

    lots of love, Miri
    www.meetmiri.com

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    1. Absolutely! I hope you had a great time at university! x

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