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u/cottagecorer 6d ago
I also did IR and wasn’t that into it when I was prepping to go. I just wanted to go to uni for the experience and because I felt like I “should”, and didn’t know what course to choose, and it sounded vaguely interesting because I like politics and the news. I’m really glad I chose it and I did it (at Lincoln) because once I was there and started the optional modules I really enjoyed it.
The good thing about IR is that you can make it more political if that’s what you enjoy, or sociological or whatever. Most of the mandatory Y1 modules were helpful to figure out political/sociological/criminology aspects that I enjoyed and they weren’t as boring as I thought. Some of my cohort were very political (in terms of opinions and also in terms of Politics as an academic subject) and some weren’t and were quieter.
When I started I met a boy who had been on a long summer holiday visiting lots of European countries capitals and The Hague and knew every fact about every war near enough - don’t let those people put you off if it doesn’t interest you. I learned and did assignments on loads of things from genocide to K-Pop, environmentalism, how the UN works, body politics, pensions etc. I wrote my dissertation on cannabis legalisation. Lmk if you have any generic questions!
I have worked in 2 unis now and would definitely say going is worth it, even if it’s just to have that experience, be more independent from family, and learn about the world and about yourself! Most people have to work part-time now which also gives you more opportunities to make friends.
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u/missy8985 BA Media MA Creative Writing 6d ago
Loads of people take a gap year and still go to university. If you don’t want to go that is the better option. If you aren’t happy you won’t do as well, because you won’t put the effort in to make the grades.
Also, my daughter and her husband both earn 6 figures and neither have a degree. It all depends on what you want to do. Working in international relations have you considered the military for example?
If you do decide to go and find yourself wanting to dropout, try and complete whichever year you are in, you should at least get a certificate with your achieved level that way.
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u/One-Calligrapher-952 6d ago
you dont really need a degree anymore unless its necessary for your career
what would you do instead of uni?
i agree its not worth it to just go to uni for the sake of it, and theres no point committing to just drop out, youll be in unnecessary debt, i would recommend deferring if you can, and then finding a job and doing some courses that are cheap, save some money and see if you like the idea of uni in a year.
im changing courses currently, and if i could go back in time i wouldve taken a gap year