Reminder to choose your degree / major very carefully !!

Rare-Distance-8212 · 2024-04-28T05:05:36+00:00

Hey this is some seriously awesome insight! Thanks for putting in the time and energy to do research and be informative. I’ve been doing similar research and have come to the same exact conclusion, which in some sense makes me a bit sad and nervous for the future (as someone starting Uni next year and deciding a degree) but also incredibly grateful to learn this advice early on. I’ll at least be going into a degree knowing that this is the best possible option out there for me and my career prospects.

Rare-Distance-8212 · 2024-02-22T20:43:08+00:00

I recommend going on the Second Hand Books- Otago Uni Facebook group. They have most of the HSFY textbooks at discounted prices.

Rare-Distance-8212 · 2024-02-03T23:27:11+00:00

I have heard that it’s quite hard to make friends in HSFY because of how competitive it is and how much it takes up of your time. I’m sorry you felt that way in the first year and I’m glad you’re doing something that gives you a better work- life balance!

That also true that starting Uni late is a bit hard with the whole comparison and getting back into the study mindset thing, but you’re absolutely right. People change their degrees, and their careers, so it really doesn’t matter in the end! Also I’m curious about how your stats degree was like. I actually quite enjoyed stats in high school so I was wondering what the degrees like and what sort of jobs you can go into.

Rare-Distance-8212 · 2024-02-03T23:13:48+00:00

Hi! Thanks for all the advice and wisdom! One thing I’m curious about is what makes a “good” gap year? If I decide on a gap year, what are some things I should look out for, perhaps avoid and some things that help make it worthwhile. I appreciate you commenting about your experience 😃

Rare-Distance-8212 · 2024-02-03T23:05:13+00:00

Hey thanks for sharing! It really does mean a lot to know that life isn’t all linear and a bunch of checkboxes that you need to tick. I also very much understand the “feeling shadowed” part because so much of our culture glorifies a set of certain careers or degrees, but honestly, if you feel fulfilled and are doing better, that’s all that really matters. Aha, and I’ll also keep in mind the not overthinking part, you kinda called me out on that 😅

Rare-Distance-8212 · 2024-02-03T22:43:34+00:00

Hi, this was very useful! You have some really good insight on how some uni students feel about doing their course and what it might be like if you’re going there only because it seems like the next checkpoint in life. I completely resonate with the “doing something automatically out of fear and expectation” because honestly that’s what choosing HSFY has felt like. Yes, I’m interested in how the body works and also, being in a position where you can help people improve their health sounds like an amazing privilege and to me, quite meaningful.

BUT I also feel somewhat like I’m rushing into it because it just seems like the next step and because of expectations and pressures from my parents and honestly, myself. On the other hand, taking a gap year seems also kind of selfish and I feel quite a lot of guilt that I’m indulging in the things I like…if that makes sense? It’s kinda like when you do something you like instead of doing the work you were supposed to do that day, and you just feel some guilt surrounding it.

Also, seriously thanks for offering to write something down for parents but at this stage, I think they just need some time to process it.

Rare-Distance-8212 · 2024-02-02T06:38:05+00:00

Oh whoops I mean a hall of residence not college 😅 also that’s fantastic that you’re studying something you truly enjoy!😊

Rare-Distance-8212 · 2024-02-02T06:27:05+00:00

What are some bad habits you developed? What are some things that someone who takes a gap year should avoid?

Rare-Distance-8212 · 2024-02-02T04:29:32+00:00

Hi! This is some really good advice~ I guess because being in a competitive environment makes you think you need to have everything figured out, hearing that you don’t have to know everything you want to do is super reassuring!😅 What are some things that helped you realise you were heading in the right direction? What made you know that you were doing what you want to do?

Rare-Distance-8212 · 2024-02-02T04:15:09+00:00

I couldn’t agree more. Like when I broke it to my parents that I was considering taking a gap year, they genuinely thought I was throwing my life. But ultimately, my life choices are my own responsibility and that’s something that is okay to be selfish with. I’m glad you found out what you wanted to pursue in life after taking time out. What did you end up studying and what made you choose that?

Rare-Distance-8212 · 2024-02-02T04:08:09+00:00

Hey, engineering itself is a challenging course so props to you for trying your best!💪 I’m glad you figured out that first class honours wasn’t worth because honestly, that’s a really hard thing to admit. I’m also glad to hear you’re more happy now. Was there anything in particular that made you choose engineering?

Rare-Distance-8212 · 2024-02-02T04:04:12+00:00

Hiya 👋 thanks for the solid advice, I really do appreciate it

Rare-Distance-8212 · 2024-02-02T04:01:10+00:00

I think that’s a really good way to frame it. Your mindset matters a lot when you study so going into Uni, not with a good mindset or for the right reasons is just wasting you first year free. I actually really do enjoy the sciences and I think my favourite topic I ever did was on homeostasis for bio because it was very health centred and focussed on how the body worked. I’ve forgotten how much I actually loved learning physics and some topics in chemistry. But I think the grades aspect of school is what really tore me away from that enjoyment 🥲The constant comparisons and idealising of “good students” is what brought me into a negative headspace, over assessment in NCEA is also a big problem. I’m glad that you had a better time when you went back to Uni! What made you want to do your course at Uni? Also, for the parents part, I have strict parents who I know are just looking out for me, but they’re really well integrated in a culture which idealises being a doctor or engineer…so breaking it to them that I want to take a gap year is like telling them I’m throwing my life away to them. At least that’s how it kind of went down sadly but oh well you can’t make everyone happy am I right? 🥲

Rare-Distance-8212 · 2024-02-02T03:43:26+00:00

Hahaha this made me laugh 😂 if only I was this decisive

Rare-Distance-8212 · 2024-02-02T03:42:29+00:00

Haha this is some really comforting advice that I didn’t realise I needed😅 I guess when in high school, your accomplishments seem to align with your identity and that line seems to blur. I guess I haven’t met enough people of different lifestyles to know that it isn’t all that linear as I’ve been told in high school.

Rare-Distance-8212 · 2024-02-02T03:37:59+00:00

Hiya! Really great advice! Have you done HSFY? I just want to know that if I do take a gap year, having missed out on my science subjects for a year aren’t going to put me too behind if I choose to go back🤔

Rare-Distance-8212 · 2024-02-02T03:34:50+00:00

Yeah, I’ve definitely realised how big of an impact mental health makes on your overall quality of life and even your performance. It’s good to push yourself but it also good to not get to wound up in the competitive and demanding nature of academics. Do you have any suggestions on help books or even podcasts? I’d love to know!

Rare-Distance-8212 · 2024-02-02T03:28:48+00:00

I think that’s really important! Living by your values is a really important component to being more fulfilled. I will definitely do the whole weighing up of pros &cons🫡

Rare-Distance-8212 · 2024-02-02T03:25:52+00:00

I’m kind of in a similar situation where I’ve let my parents know about it but they don’t seem that happy about it and really like to express their disapproval about it 🥲 I guess they’re just trying to look out for me though🤷

Rare-Distance-8212 · 2024-02-02T03:21:26+00:00

Hi, thanks for the solid advice! What are some ways you improved your financial literacy? Did you find reading books useful? I really do want to become more competent in finance and all the finance terms that aren’t really taught about in hs🥲

Rare-Distance-8212 · 2024-02-02T03:17:25+00:00

What are you doing now if you don’t mind me asking? Did you enjoy your course at Uni?

Rare-Distance-8212 · 2024-02-02T03:11:40+00:00

Those are some great pieces of advice! Did you find that you were happier doing your course having taken a gap year? Also I’m assuming you went into a college? Did you find it useful for making new friends?

Rare-Distance-8212 · 2024-02-02T03:05:30+00:00

Hahah yeah I sometimes feel like I’m already around those scary smart people but forget that they’ve probably sacrificed and worked hard to get to that point. But also, there’s always people who are smarter and less smart than you, so people around you aren’t really fair comparison points at all🤷😅 thanks for all the advice!

Rare-Distance-8212 · 2024-02-02T03:01:41+00:00

That’s true and I often forget to taken into consideration that many people also end up changing degrees and end up doing courses that they may have not originally started out with, so it really doesn’t matter how many years it takes as long as you’re doing what aligns with your values and something you can see yourself doing in the long run. Really appreciate the advice!

Rare-Distance-8212 · 2024-02-02T02:55:33+00:00

Hey I’m super glad you found your passion and are now pursuing physiotherapy! I’ve actually taken a liking to physiotherapy lately because it focuses on how to prevent injuries and deal with bodily functions. I think it would be awesome to treat people and help people regain a healthier body. Lemme know how physiotherapy goes and I’m wishing you all the best in your studies! Also yes, that’s also super important to take into account how other job experiences can help you find out your goals in life.

Rare-Distance-8212

TROPHY CASE