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I'm so confused and upset about university, please help!?

I am 17 and will be starting university next Autumn (2010). I have to give in my application for university next Friday and still don't know what I want to study. This is partly because I am unsure as to what career path I want and because I am scared of leaving home. I am constantly anxious, am driving my mum up the wall (because of my moaning and how many questions I am asking) and can't concentrate in class anymore because of the whole university decision making thing. I am currently studying for four A levels: Photography, English combined, IT and Theatre Studies. I achieved A's in Photography and Theatre at AS and B's in the other two. I have loved my AS subjects (apart from IT) and part of me would like to continue with photography/ english at degree level. I am considering Art History and Architecture at degree level, but am not completely sure these are the perfect subjects for me. I am both academic and arty but I am trying to decide upon a degree programme which would provide enjoyment and job opportunities. I do not have knowledge/ massive interest in Architecture/Art History but both the unis I like sold the subjects so well and made me feel that when I am on the course I will love it. Dilemmas: I do not study design which is preferred for Architecture, however, the lecturer I spoke to at the uni offering Architecture said that as long as I drew everyday before the course I would be fine. Convinced? nope. However, it did look like an amazing course. Art History: I do not have knowledge/ interests in it at the moment (apart from Photography which I am interested in) so am afraid I will not develope this on the course. However, it looked like a fab course too. Job wise, I am not sure museum/ gallery/ auctioneer work is for me so should I study it? help! My main problem is that I am very happy with my family and am very scared about moving out of home (what if I hate it there and drop-out, then I will risk not getting a degree at all or studying something else which isn't suited to me). I have no wish, unlike most of my peers, to get as far away from my county/ home- I feel as though I am the odd one out. I have never been too good at communicating well with or being like people of my age, I am more mature than most my age and get along really well with my mums friends- I am better at speaking to adults. Therefore the idea of living with teenagers my age does, I admit, freak me out- I do nto party/ play loud music... would I be the only student like this? I could study art history at a close by uni, which is also a very good uni, but think part of the reason this appeals to me is that it is nearby and I am all too aware that this is not a reason to study something at degree level. I know I am being stupid and that I would probably be fine but ahhh. I could live at home and study at this uni which would mean less student debt but what if I hate the course or don't make life long uni friends like we all look forward too? Sorry I have rambled far too much but I would appreciate some help/advice, especially if you are in or have been in a similar situation. People have tried to help me with my choices (my tutor at college, two careers advisors, some friends, my mum and dad) but obviously none of them want to or can make such a big decision for me.

Public Comments

1. OK, first things first - it really doesn't matter if you make a mistake at this stage of your life - many people start uni, then decide to change courses etc. So don't stress out about that too much. If you really don't want to go too far away from home you don't need to - but you might actually surprise yourself when you get there. If you really want to stay nearby then you can - what makes you think you wouldn't make friends there - so long as you mix in and don't run home as soon as you can at the end of every day. You may even be very popular if you take friends home for mums meals. But if Photography is your passion then wouldn't it be a shame to turn a good course down because you can't live at home all week. Nobody can decide but you - but you would be amazed how many other students feel exactly the same way - and 95% of them are absolutely fine in the end.
2. Distance from home is an entirely rational thing to consider when looking at universities. If you sincerely believe that you'll be better off either commuting from home, or at least living on campus but at a uni that's close to home, then go with your gut, because you're probably right. I know it sounds like everyone else wants to go far from home, but the reality is that the majority of uni students attend unis that are close to their homes. So don't go away just because you feel you must. You don't "must". As for the course - that's tough. It's a difficult choice. To help you decide, to some research into what is actually involved in the study of architecture. It's artistic, yes, but it's also math. Is it a fit? If not, then put it aside. Art history is an option. And you may well enjoy it. You could study art history for your course, and pursue photography on the side - take some summer classes in photography, and see where it all takes you. You *can* be an art historian/curator who specializes in photography. Did you know that? Most art historians have specialities. So this is a possible. Maybe you work days in a museum, and at night, you run your own photography business. Why not? And to expand your horizons and take you away from home for a bit, you do a summer course in photography at Central Saint Martins in London. In this way, you can explore what it's like to live away from home, but have the security of knowing that you'll return once the summer is done. You have a ton of options. But go with your gut. If you feel a uni close to home is best for you, then that's what you do.
3. There's no shame in taking a year off to sort yourself out. That may be a good option for you, since you're still feeling uneasy. As for your program choice, you need to take something that you have genuine interest in. I started out in one thing, and although I felt like I was close to the mark, I knew it was the wrong program for me. Now I've switched into something I enjoy very much, and the weird thing is that it never even occurredd to me to go into this program back in grade 12. To be honest, moving away is really easy, and even more so if you move into campus residence. I have never been the type to get homesick, so I never had any trouble at all. For you, there will certainly be some rough times in the beginning , but I promise you will get used to being away form home. Independance has all the addictive properties of heroin, with none of the negative health effects! :P Keep in mind that university is (socially) very different from high school. Your classmates will mostly be your age, but there won't be (m)any of those dumb annoying people from high school. Also, if you are willing to take steps to meet older students, then you can. Meeting friends is easy too. Maybe they're life-long, maybe not. Does it really matter? It's not something you have much control over. So I guess my advice is to take a year off. Get a job to save some money, maybe check out some new hobbies, and try to get used to the idea of leaving home.
4. Naomi, One of the best things about College is that it is a place for learning. It sounds like you have a love and an interest in many different things. Make sure you pick a University that you love in regards to the community, location, and courses that it has to offer. You do not need to declare your major right away. Take a few General Ed classes which gives you a taste of everything and then decide which route you would like to take. I've had friends who have changed their major 5 different times, or have changed it their junior year! Depending on the courses and how much you learn about some of the areas of interest, it could sway your decision on what direction to take towards your studies. I have also known many people who graduate and decide they want to go in a different direction. You can always go back for Graduate school, get your MBA, take some additional classes at Jr. Colleges, or even take courses or receive certification online with various e-learning tools, and sites. I don't know how much you know about e-learning or online training, here's one resource for you to check out, www.coggno.com where they have various courses and certifications available. In regards to moving away from your family, I know it may be a little difficult at first, but keep in mind that you will still get to see them on a regular basis for holidays and summer break, depending on where you end up going, or you can do webcam via skype instead of just calling them over the phone. Don't worry too much about that issue, it's a right of passage that you are lucky to go through.