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Suddenly realised I'm doing the wrong thing...

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JayceeStar

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As most of you know, I'm at University doing Geography. For a while now I've been thinking that I really want a career with animals, and it's just struck me that I really shouldn't be doing Geography, if that's what I want to do....
I've done some research and I want to do an Animal Care Assistant qualification - that will allow me to be a Veterinary receptionist, which would be ideal for me (I'm not clever enough to do vet nursing, and probably a bit too squeamish!)
But, my Dad says he really wants me to get a degree, and I kinda really want a degree too. If I graduate with my geography degree and then do the Animal Care course, is that a waste of my degree...? I mean...I'm unlikely to find a Geography job anyway, so I guess I might as well finish the degree so that I have one, and then go and do what I really want to do? Or am I just wasting money by doing a degree I'm not really going to use?
Aaaah, I'm so stupid! I got rushed into Uni and ended up choosing something I was good at in school, rather than something I want to do for the rest of my life :(
 
At the end of the day its up to you and nobody else as its your life :)
I left school and did an animal care course at College and got an NVQ and also did some horse qualifications as I was a horse riding instructor. Now I'm doing a business and admin apprenticeship as I would quite like a job as a receptionist in a vets :) but If I decided that admin wasnt for me I have pets and horses to fall on. But id love a reception job in a vets
 
Personally I would go with what you really want to do and what your heart is set on. Like you said it's nice to have the degree but if your never going to use it then it is a little bit pointless. The time your using to do the Geography course could be used on something much more useful to you in the long run and if you want to go for the animal course I say do it :)

At the end of the day it is your life and what you want to do so go with what you feel most happiest with.
My mother used to always try getting me into things I didnt want to do but I chose to do what I wanted to do instead x
 
Whose to say you can't get a degree in animal sciences?

Then you'll be doing what you and your dad both want?

I'd try looking for the course at an agricultural college, as a lot of them are affiliated to universities anyway.

I loved being at agricultural college, I did a degree in Countryside Management, made some great friends and had a marvellous time.

http://www.plumpton.ac.uk/pages/cou...oundation Degree in Animal Science&LevelID=HE

I'm not sure how close this is to home for you? But it may be worth giving them a call?
 
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Whose to say you can't get a degree in animal sciences?

Then you'll be doing what you and your dad both want?

I'd try looking for the course at an agricultural college, as a lot of them are affiliated to universities anyway.

I loved being at agricultural college, I did a degree in Countryside Management, made some great friends and had a marvellous time.

I am looking at doing a Foundation degree in animal science, which would take me straight onto third year of a BSc in Animal Science (The only way I can do it as my Biology A Level is not good enough for me to go straight into the degree)...I'm just worried that by doing that I will have wasted this whole year. I'm not enjoying myself at all, but I don't know whether half of that is because I'm homesick. If I'm gonna do Animal Science then I might as well drop out of geography now...but I really don't know :(
That college is very far from me but South Devon College is very close and offers the same course :)
 
I gave up doing my degree to look after animals and live a life that does not aggrivate my mental health. I think you should do whatever makes you happyhoney xx
 
I think you have to think about why you want a degree. Is it something you've always dreamed of and wanted to do or is it just so you can say you have a degree.

When you come to the end of your degree will you see it as 3/4 years wasted when you could have been doing something you really wanted to do xx
 
Hi,

Stay with your degree, as Geography can open several doors if you ever wanted to work with animals abroad or on safari or something.

You need something to fall back on.

If you are clever enough to get a degree you could easily be a vet nurse if you could overcome your fears:))
 
well there's your answer then :))

Will they not let you go in now, after all it is only a term that's been missed? if not there's no point in carrying on with the geography when you could be working until next september. Why get yourself into more debt than necessary.

I know if it was my daughter I would much rather she were happy and working towards a degree by whatever means, than unhappy in a degree
that she doesn't really want to do.

I think you really know what you want, you just need a final shove in the right direction.:))

But please make sure you are completely happy with your decision before putting it all into practice.
 
Definitely do what makes you happy, I did a degree in history with religious studies which I loved but it has not led me into a job related to the degree, I work in pensions which I hate. The animal science course sounds perfect for you.
 
I did what my parents wanted and got a degree (at their expense!), I really wanted to work with animals but decided to go to uni anyway and then decide. I had a great time and matured a lot as a person, but still went straight into animal care when I left. All of my uni friends were going into management programmes etc. and getting well paid, I was working at a boarding kennels for £130 a week...

I then spent 12 years working in Marketing (by accident, but well paid) and have only recently actually achieved my dream, running the rescue and being a self employed dog trainer. It's hard work, but very rewarding and gives me time for my own animals. So, it might take a while - but you'll get there one way or another! I guess you know deep down what the right answer is, you just want to be told!

Sophie
x
 
I dropped out of uni after one term. I couldn't cope with being away from home (by then had already moved home and was driving or travelling by train up to 2 hours each way) and didn't really fit into student life. In my late twenties I started studying with the OU and got my honours degree that way (6 years part ime study whilst working full time). I wish that OU study had been suggested when I left school because it would have suited me completely to live at home and study as I would have been able to work part time.

I wouldn't study something for the sake of studying. You're heart will never be in it. Find what you love and go for it. xx
 
I dropped out of uni after one term. I couldn't cope with being away from home (by then had already moved home and was driving or travelling by train up to 2 hours each way) and didn't really fit into student life. In my late twenties I started studying with the OU and got my honours degree that way (6 years part ime study whilst working full time). I wish that OU study had been suggested when I left school because it would have suited me completely to live at home and study as I would have been able to work part time.

I wouldn't study something for the sake of studying. You're heart will never be in it. Find what you love and go for it. xx

Thanks :) I think I'm going to do the same, drop out now, work until next year and then start the animal care course. It's what I've wanted to do ever since I was really young and I don't understand why I'm not doing it now. I'll staill get a degree but it will be in something I really enjoy, and at least I will be at home.
 
Thanks :) I think I'm going to do the same, drop out now, work until next year and then start the animal care course. It's what I've wanted to do ever since I was really young and I don't understand why I'm not doing it now. I'll staill get a degree but it will be in something I really enjoy, and at least I will be at home.


Best of luck. :)
 
I've never been in this position so dont feel that I can offer any advice (I have worked as a vet nurse and it was brilliant) but what everyone else has said certainly makes sense:)

Good luck in whatever you decide to do.......................

Teresa xx
 
Have you though about an Animal Science degree. My uni specialises in Equine, Animal and Sport degrees. They have quite a few courses on Animal Behaviour and Welfare, Animal Science etc. They may have one that interests you.
Have a look an their website if you like, its: www.hartpury.ac.uk
Best wishes
x
 
I'm sorry that you are still unsure of things :( By what you have said, I think deep down you know what you want to do.

You need to follow your dreams as I think that if you stick to your Geography degree, it will make you unhappy which will be a huge mistake in the future. I understand that your dad has dreams of you gaining a degree, but if it is making you this sad, you could end up resenting him.

Best of luck x
 
Thanks :) I think I'm going to do the same, drop out now, work until next year and then start the animal care course. It's what I've wanted to do ever since I was really young and I don't understand why I'm not doing it now. I'll staill get a degree but it will be in something I really enjoy, and at least I will be at home.
Go for it your heart will be in it and you will be happier .It is no good trying to fit a square peg into a round hole as they say! Best of luck.
 
Best of luck with whatever you do, I just wish i had followed my heart when i was younger and not bowed to parental pressure. xx
 
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