Advice please

[starsocks]

I have to decide ASAP, because I need to swap my subjects RIGHT NOW if I'm going to. Basically I'm currently not enrolled in math (because I'm not passionate about it and it's been emotionally draining me for years) but this leaves me with some very confusing choices tertiary-wise, because I really, REALLY don't want to take it, but it's a pre-req for my ideal course at my ideal school. 
 
I can:

 

1. Take a subject that I hate full time for two years, but eventually get into the course that I want at a good school. HOWEVER, if this backfires and doing maths (which is super competitive for the class I would do) drags my rank down, I may lower my chances of getting in in the first place and might have a lower range of other solid options overall. 

 

2. Not take maths, go to the school that I want to, and take a bridging unit to get to the course I want. This would mean that I would take longer to graduate and would likely compromise myself.

 

3. Not take maths, go to a not as great school (where math is not a pre-req) and do the course that I want, straight away. *(Note that school prestige isn't a hugeee deal here, and the employment difference for graduates only differs by like 6% at most between schools. I'm more concerned about student life/culture and the quality of the education.)

 

4. Not take maths, go to a good school and take one of my second preference courses. I'd end up doing something that I somewhat enjoy, but it would mean giving up on my dream.

 

Advice please

[Pirine]

I personally would do option two. But that’s only if taking math would be at a cost to your personal happiness. I think it’s okay to take a little longer to get to your goals if it means you’re not sacrificing your wellbeing in the process. But in the end it is up to you, do what you think is best for you.

[fallingslowly]

The first one. You don't want to kick something like this down the road, because who knows what will happen if you push it off until you get into that school. You may be unprepared to take math after avoiding it for so many years, or you will at least regret not taking math now to avoid the extra time you'll spend in school later.

 

As one of your super Press seniors who went to a great school and had to zero in on how to get there in the first place, I think I have pretty sage advice: go into it with the mindset that you can do it, that you're willing to put in the work, and that it'll be over sooner rather than later.

 

You know yourself! You know the first option is the way to go. It'll make you happiest in the end.

[freya]

Between 2 and 3 sounds best if I'm honest. You should decide what matters more to you, the school prestige or doing the course you want right away. It's too early to give up on your dream! Pathways to what you want to do could appear from places you never expected!

 

Graduating later isn't too bad btw. It's a reality for most of us for a lot of reasons from having to work full time to personal issues.

 

I'm a strong believer in studying things for the sake of the subject matter itself and not just as a stepping stone. Stepping stone subjects/degrees aren't fun: it works for some people but it definitely didnt for me. You could be among those that can do it well though so if you can make that commitment it's ultimately up to how you gauge the prospect of doing this for 2 years.

[bluesclues]

#2 Bridge.

 

Doing a subject you hate for 2 years will be very mentally draining. And don't be too caught up on graduating as quickly as possible, there's nothing wrong with taking extra time.

[starsocks]

I personally would do option two. But that’s only if taking math would be at a cost to your personal happiness. I think it’s okay to take a little longer to get to your goals if it means you’re not sacrificing your wellbeing in the process. But in the end it is up to you, do what you think is best for you.

It really is. The way they teach it here is mind-numbingly repetitive and stressful and after over a decade of it I just want to be done with it so badly. You're right though, a little extra time isn't the end of the world. Thanks <3

[YuMing]

I would go for option 1 or 2

 

1 - it'll be really hard for two years but after that you'll be able to go after your dream and you can put it behind you 

 

2 - you don't have to take a class you hate, and taking longer to graduate isn't a bad thing 

 

 

I'd say option 1 if you think you have a good chance of keeping your rank up just to get it over with early and put it behind you, but if it's too much and it would really hurt your happiness go for 2

 

good luck OP 

[capital]

If school prestige isn't important when it comes to lifelong job prospects, then obviously 3. In this age, you can network and gain texts over the internet so I don't consider that important.

[starsocks]

The first one. You don't want to kick something like this down the road, because who knows what will happen if you push it off until you get into that school. You may be unprepared to take math after avoiding it for so many years, or you will at least regret not taking math now to avoid the extra time you'll spend in school later.

 

As one of your super Press seniors who went to a great school and had to zero in on how to get there in the first place, I think I have pretty sage advice: go into it with the mindset that you can do it, that you're willing to put in the work, and that it'll be over sooner rather than later.

 

You know yourself! You know the first option is the way to go. It'll make you happiest in the end.

Two years just sounds like such a long time atm, it's intimidating. I guess I can either fly through it now and suffer later, or suffer now and fly through it later.

[starsocks]

I would go for option 1 or 2

 

1 - it'll be really hard for two years but after that you'll be able to go after your dream and you can put it behind you 

 

2 - you don't have to take a class you hate, and taking longer to graduate isn't a bad thing 

 

 

I'd say option 1 if you think you have a good chance of keeping your rank up just to get it over with early and put it behind you, but if it's too much and it would really hurt your happiness go for 2

 

good luck OP 

Basically, my options are to rank higher but not fulfil the pre-reqs, or fulfil the pre-reqs and rank lower because that math class is really competitive. The issue is, if I rank lower then I have less of a shot at good schools and my backup plans. It's a gamble :/

 

Thanks!

[fallingslowly]

Two years just sounds like such a long time atm, it's intimidating. I guess I can either fly through it now and suffer later, or suffer now and fly through it later.

 

For me, as someone who dealt with significant parental pressure in elementary/high school that I know as an adult was way too overbearing and mentally taxing on a child, I get the intimidation factor. It sometimes felt very, very hard to get where I wanted to go. But the way that I see it, at least one part of the process in shooting for those top schools is going to feel insanely difficult unless you're some huge prodigy. If it was easy, everyone would be able to get in.

 

I think you have to consider that it's uncomfortable now, but there will be other circumstances to consider once you move onto this new chapter — you have to adjust to the academic environment, you have to make new friends, etc. Bringing something that stresses you out into the mix when there's already so much to deal with might be a lot.

 

I say this with the understanding that you can do the course now if you apply yourself; if it's too destabilizing, that's totally fine! Math sucks, I get it. I feel like no one had a good math teacher in secondary school. It's just a thing.

[HoneyPopCupcake]

It depends. I assume you know yourself well enough to know if you'll be able to tolerate something you don't like for 2 years. If you do, I'd advice the first option, if you don't, the third one seems right. Good luck and I hope it all works out

[Ego ista]

2 or 3

If it doesn’t matter the school and you don’t mind then 3 though I wouldn’t risk dragging your rank down so I’d go for 2

[Take my heart and my money]

#2 Bridge.

 

Trust me. Real life suck. Being an adult and finding a job sucks.

Just enjoy your college years. You'll have the rest of your life to be an adult