A lot of research has been done into what makes a successful uni student. One of the most important factors is whether they’ve chosen the right course. Could you imagine spending three or four years studying something you really don’t like?
While their advice is well-meaning, sometimes parents and friends base their advice on out-of-date knowledge about employment opportunities. Or sometimes they don’t want you to “waste” a good year 12 score. You could achieve a score that is higher than what you need to get into your preferred choice of course. If that happens, don’t aim for a different course simply so you don’t “waste” your score.
Kim
I remember my parents kept dropping hints like “why don’t you do pharmacy” or “what do you think about medicine?”. I don’t know what I want to do yet, so if I pick those things I might be limited in my choices. I think they got the message and kind of left me alone, but I think some parents don’t, and really pressure their children to do well to get into a course which they don’t like or doesn’t suit them. One of my friends was pressured into doing a degree that she doesn’t really like and now she’s stuck because she’s failed subjects.
Claire
Make sure you do something you are going to enjoy, not [just] something that’s going to give you a good job. I was going to do biomedical science, but I would have hated it! I did forestry, and everyone asked me why I did it because my score was very high. But I did it because I wanted to do it. That’s the only reason I’m here, basically. It makes me really want to work harder, so I can be the best at what I enjoy.