[Amy94]

So I'm just starting my second year of A levels and will be doing all the university application stuff in Septemeber and quite honestly I'm terrified. I don't feel old enough to be making such big decisions, and it doesn't help that I can't find a job to start saving either.
Anyone else feeling like this?

[buttresses]

God yeah, it's normal to feel overwhelmed for stuff like that. I've been feeling that way myself - I'm going to beauty school in the fall and will be living on my own for the year in an area I'm not very familiar with. Time creeps up on you - I can relate to the "not feeling old enough" part of that. Just make sure you take it one step at a time. Focus on your university stuff first - THEN you can worry about a job and saving money. If you try to do everything at once, you'll feel more overwhelmed. Just get used to the upcoming change of routine first, and remember to relax. Don't put more pressure on yourself than you need to!

[Amy94]

Its so scary. It doesn't help that I'm not totally sure what kind of job I could get with the degree I'll be studying, and the "careers advisors" at my school spent half an hour giving me advice which didn't even begin to answer the question I'd asked. Its frustrating, and at times the stress brings me down and I have touble dragging myself out of it.

[SoySauce]

What degree are you getting?

I haven't even started college yet (starting this fall!) and I, too, have the same worries. What kind of job can I get with this in 4 years? Can I even get a job???

[Amy94]

I'm doing Psychology, and hoping to get a job in clinical psychology, so like mental health disorders. To become a clinical psychologist I need to do a 3 year degree, 2 years of work then another 3 year degree, which I don't want to do. I'm not fussed about becoming a clinial psychologist, I just want a job in that area, but I have no idea what kind of job I can get with just the 3 year degree.

[buttresses]

I feel for ya both...that's a load of stress. If you're really concerned, would you consider changing your major? I don't know much about careers in psychology, but I heard they were fairly diverse... Would you be able to do some kind of counseling with just the three-year? Or even recreational therapy?

[Amy94]

Yeah its the diversity that I'm finding annoying. I mean its great, but it means I'm totally clueless as to what jobs are available because there's so many. I tried asking my careers advisor at school but she started going on about working in advertising or probation psychology, or doing a nursing course, when I'd told her I wanted to go into a job in mental health, I just wasn't sure which jobs I could do with that degree. I think counselling might be an option (I'm hoping).

[buttresses]

My best advice would be to do a LOT of specific research on what just the three-year degree will get you. I know I wouldn't want to do the two years of work and have to go back to school for three years either, that sounds so tedious. Google can be your best friend in this situation! Try and look at the diversity as a good thing too! There are so many degrees out there that are extremely limiting because they don't offer that diversity. And say if you get a job in counseling but decide you want to do something else later, your work in counseling's still going to look great on your record and help you get a lot of other jobs you might want in the field. You picked a really good major, I think.

[Amy94]

I love psychology and its the one thing I know I'm good at. All year while people have been struggling to understand stuff I've been getting it all instantly and remember it all really well. I can't wait to spend 3 years studying just that. And the diversity is so helpful because even though subject wise its specific because its just one subject, with that one degree I could change career path over and over again if I wanted to.

[buttresses]

Exactly! You have a knack and passion for the subject, and that alone can get you where you want to be in the field. You've just given yourself great advice too - so when you feel stressed, remind yourself of that. And I'm sure a lot of the stress you're feeling is just the stress of starting the school year again, just the jitters. And when you feel that stress, it makes you nitpick at other things to worry about. With psychology, you don't have to know where you're going right away, so don't think too hard on it. You'll be just fine girl!