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ive been thinking about what i wanna do after college and at first i thought that i was gonna go straight into work but ive been thinking; why not go into a degree apprenticeship? i get the degree basically for free and i get paid to do it. that sounds like a good deal for what youre getting. but in return you have to work hard and pass. i dont know if ill even be able to pass college let alone a degree apprenticeship. in terms of the particular degree apprenticeship that i wanna do i was thinking of doing the chartered manager degree apprenticeship. but to even get it in the first place you have to pass tests. so i dont know... maybe its just easier to get a job but some people apply to like hundreds of jobs and still dont get anything, not even an interview. and youre almost guaranteed to get a job after the degree apprenticeship. maybe i should pass my first year of college first and see what happens.

Moving from secondary school to college, 6th form, or even university can be a struggle for many. For me, that transition had good guidance to college from school they looked at realistic options for me and I know not everyone gets that. I also went to the open day which helped me find a suitable course. But when it comes to work it feels different. It’s hard to get that same level of guidance and it can feel like you’re just thrown on your own.


I’m not saying it’s hard for everyone or that you will struggle but it’s important to know that it’s okay not to have everything planned out and you aren’t alone with it. It’s also okay to find this time daunting. We all have our own circumstances, our own brains, our own experiences, our own pasts, our own thought processes, and our own struggles. It all can be hard whether you’re finishing college, 6th form, university, changing jobs, getting into your first job, or even returning to work.


Returning to a new academic year can also be tough. September in particular can feel like a hard time the summer starts to fade, the days get darker, and based on my own experiences that can impact our mood and wellbeing. This time of year, summer heading towards a new academic year, results days, exams, applications, deadlines etc, can feel daunting and overwhelming. It can be all a lot at once and it’s okay to feel that way.


All feelings are valid there’s no wrong way to feel. It’s okay to step back and focus on your feelings. Our mental health and wellbeing are important, and it’s always okay to reach out and seek guidance. Even though the support may not feel the same as it did in school or college, there is still support out there from careers advisors, job centres, and organisations that help people through these transitions. You never have to struggle alone. Feel free to talk about your experiences or struggles below.


Here’s some links to mental health support if anyone needs them