Home
Creators
Search Recent Random
Posts
Search DMs Popular Hash Lookup Tags Random
Importer
Import FAQ
Register Favorites Keys Review DMs Logout
Community
Telegram ThePornDude
Home Creators Posts Import Register Favorites Logout

Page 1687 (Patreon)

Published:
2024-11-20 12:16:23
Imported:
2026-06
Tags:
haven't archived this post yet. have a subscription? use the importer!

Content

Please don't share these pages outside of Patreon! Thank you!

When you apply to university in the UK, you usually have to choose your degree subject (because you're applying for a specific course at that university, not just entry to the university itself!). Usually you choose a subject that you studied at A-Level (or equivalent) or related to the subjects you studied. Nick's chosen psychology!

Files

Previews only

Comments

Olivia

the flashbacks im getting to the stress of filling out my ucas application is not fun 🤣🤣

zoey

nick ❤️

Merel

Their flirty banter 🫶

arlo🧞

aww charlie looks so concerned

Chloe ♡

‘just rugby’ oh nick you are way more than just rugby

Charlie

Come on Nick, don’t cut yourself short. But I have every faith Charlie will help you see just how wonderful caring kind and supportive you are. You both deserve the world! 🥰🥰🥰

Hannah Moseley

Yess excellent choice Nick! That’s what I studied too 🥰

Caroline

Love Charlie boosting him up to remind him how great he is

✨catiecakes✨

thx alice for explaining the application process for us americans lol

Faye

Omg Nicks wanting to do psychology??? I want to do psychology

Merel

Is this a confirmation that Nick will study psychology? Or did we already know that?

Pansexualdarling

My sweet angel bb. I just need him to realize how loved he is

arlo🧞

nicholas you better be nice to yourself . listen to charlie

Jomaries Amezaga

Ugh, I helped my son to write an essay a few weeks ago and it reminded me how much I hate writing essays. 😂 I feel you Nick!

Brittany Cournoyer

Nick’s little “I guess” shows the lack of confidence he has in himself. Thankfully he has Charlie to remind him of all his accomplishments.

Merel

'Headteacher' interesting... Could it be about Charlie's Head Boy duties?

Gemma 🍂💙💛

Wow I’m getting UCAS flashback haha. Would he do sports science aswell or is that included in psychology lol

Kristen

That’s an important career path…especially since he’s experienced first hand how important mental health is and Psychology goes right in hand with that! I love how Char is helping him with this. 🥰🍂

Kore

It makes me so sad to see him like this ;;

aaronhotchnerswhore

I'm gonna be doing criminology and psychology because I'm gonna move to America and join thr FBI BAU team (behavioral analyst unit) and I'm going to profile serial killers, kidnappers and serial grapists

Andrew Pitonack

psychology should be a good subject for him, look at what he has had to deal with Charlie. He might be able to take that experience and help other young boys deal with stuff.

K

Charlie not letting Nick downgrade himself and his accomplishments ❤️

Nyssa Rawther 🍉

Aw, it's so sad seeing Nick not being confident about himself. Charlie's gonna help him realise how awesome he is but Nick will have to work hard to believe in himself too 💛💙💚

Steven G.K.

Aw, Nick you’ve achieved a lot! You also recruited Charlie for the team! You have to give yourself some more credit! Or Charlie will do that for you! ♥️♥️♥️

Christie

Boys look sad 😢

Barb

Nick always managing to tease Charlie somehow ☺️ is my fave genre🫶🏻

Irem7

Oh my babies🥹

Teri Lyn

Following into his aunts footsteps?! I’m so excited for Nick!

ÁineBCM

Oh more of the Head Teacher perhaps?

Krystyn

Charlie helping Nick to see himself, to give him confidence 💜💜💜💜 He is not “just Nick”!

Flaurabelle 💜

I did not see that coming with the psychology degree! 🥰 I was thinking sports science or something. I love how Charlie is mega supportive in this hard patch.

DogBefriender22

I am relieved to see how this is playing out - Charlie managing the balance of keeping it serious and reminding Nick of the good things he doesn’t see in himself, but also trying to lift his mood and keep things a little light hearted. I love seeing them working together like this ❤️

Crow_pose24

Sweet Charlie helping Nick to avoid undermining himself❤️

tess ^_^

i mean…. he’s not wrong

tess ^_^

oooo i wonder then when nick eventually switches to education? since he becomes a primary school teacher !

Noemiette

It's like Nick doesnt even see the values in what he does and in himself. He answers those questions pretty flatly or make jokes about it but his reasons for wanting to do psychology are really interesting. He doesnt just play rugby, he leads a team and everything that comes with it, he knows how to train people who know nothing about the sport. He jokes about the one on one training with Charlie, but, he managed to make Charlie who doesnt really like sport, play rugby for a year and a half. And that wasnt just because of his good looks ^^ It's good that Charlie nudges these subjects a little past Nick's flat answers, little by little it might help him see the values in himself

Niamh Gibbons

No stop I love them Charlie thank you for making him realise how amazing he is 😭😭😭😭😭 this is one of my favourite chapters yet 🥺🥺💕

Robert

It is easy to be slightly critical of Nick (in a nice way) about doing himself down but for some just doing things which are right and good don't necessarily register in one's mind as being something worth 'praising' in yourself. You just do it and I think Nick is a bit like that. It is an excellent page Alice and your explanation is brilliant. Having been on both sides (applying and checking applications), they go through a number of checks by school management to make sure students are making the best image of themselves.

DogBefriender22

And I LOVE that Nick has chosen Psychology rather than Sports Science - I like to think it shows more personal growth and confidence (even if he doesn’t realise it - yet - Charlie will help him see 😊) to keep stepping out of his comfort zone and not restrict himself to what might have been expected of him by some of his non-Paris Squad friends and family ❤️

Rosie💕

i’m really glad i didn’t have to write an essay for entry to uni - the end of school is so often a tricky time for your identity and i’d have been in the same pickle as nick.

Loveislove

It makes Charlie so sad to see Nick self deprecate. Psychology is a brilliant choice given Nick's intuitive nature and empathy. Isn't Nick one of the students helping with the anti bullying squads? It would be great to see him invest more in that and in his role in rugby with younger students - given his future profession. He has so much to offer.

Brittney

Low-key love how much Charlie helping out Nick during all of this. Like in a way, Nick has definitely helped out a fair bit of people so far, I mean you look how amazing Nick has listened to others and gave back his honest feedback and especially seeing everything go down with Charlie. In a way, helping out people in the future would explain that little thing in the future where he kind of becomes a teacher in a way you know like it all makes sense at the end of the day.

Erika

I'm so glad he chose psychology!!!! So sad that he's feeling like this though!! Hope he gets better soon!!

Sulagna Maitra

Nick being so nonchalant about his life and achievements is probably very common, culturally. He also doesn't take himself very seriously - the golden retriever energy 🤗💛 So, it can be hard for him to "write about himself". I am glad he has Charlie to hold up a spotlight on his achievements and how much he means to people. Nick wants to be there for his mum, he wants to be close to Charlie, he used to crave his father's approval, he tried to stay out of his brother's way and he didn't want to cause trouble at school. He has been so focused on others that he didn't have a chance to think about himself

erica streeter

In the US we do essays and choose a major as well. Some people in the US can select undecided as a major but for the most part, you do select a specialty area

CinD

I wonder what it is that’s gonna make Nick so much more confident about Uni? In Nick and Charlie novella he “seems” so excited and sure about it, a complete 180 than how he’s acting right now. 🤔

aliceoseman
>>155867540

That's interesting - do you choose your major when you apply / before you're accepted? I always thought that in the US you don't choose your major until you begin attending the university (sometimes after 1-2 years of study in various different subjects?)

Maisie

I love how supportive Charlie is of Nick - he constantly hypes him up whenever he’s acting a little nonchalant about his achievements. They’re both so lovely 🥹

Rhonda Mitchum

Hey Alice we need another mini comics showing Nick and Charlie future

Ellen🌈✨

i love how this scene played out, not everything needs to be a direct conversation, especially as it seems Nick doesn’t have the words yet. sometimes just reminding how great your loved ones are and hyping them up is enough 💖

Nikki

It’s so sad to see just how self-deprecating Nick is. But Charlie is the best person to help him write his personal statement and just to remind him how amazing a person he is, because Charlie sees Nick and knows him best and how incredible he is. Supportive boyfriends ❤️

ruthie.von

God, you could not have paid me to write an essay about myself—especially in this context— when I was in high school. I really relate to Nick in that sense of not being able to appreciate things about myself because I didn’t fit the studious, university-bound type. I have always hated the idea that kids this age have to try and “know” who they are and advertise themselves in this way to prove they’re worthy of an education. I know that Nick eventually ends up at Leeds, but I hope that Nick and Tara return to the conversation about what happens if you decide not to go to university, and perhaps go an alternate route. It may relieve some of the pressure Nick feels. I know it would have helped me a lot when I was that age to be told that there were other options that were valid.

Stacey Chin
>>155867540

You do often choose a major but it’s generally easy to switch in the first couple of years if you change your mind. I didn’t choose a major until the end of my second year - that’s as early as my university would allow us to choose.

Diana N

I love that Charlie is helping Nick get this done. It sounds really difficult since in the US we’re only applying to get into the university. We do have to choose a major but I changed it a lot. The UK way sounds better because if I had to have picked a course of study and really thought it over I may have finished college the first time. This is a hopeful page. Charlie will help Nick get this done 🥰

Johanna Bowline
>>155867540

It can go either way. Generally speaking you’re applying to the university itself, unless you’re applying to a specialized program. Many (although not all) universities have general courses that first years have to take, before you even start taking your major classes, so you have the first year to figure things out if you’re not sure.

Katie H

The way Nick says 'I guess' shows that he doesn't have much confidence in himself but he's got do many wonderful qualities to offer a university. But I'm glad Charlie is there to remind him how amazing he is. Also, I think he'd do really well studying psychology because of everything he's been through with Charlie; he'd be really good at helping others 🍂

Rmb

I really hope that Nick is choosing psychology for himself and not because of Charlie, but a psychology degree for a future primary school teacher is very appropriate!

Diana N
>>155867540

Granted it was a long time ago but my essay didn’t include a field of study. I applied to the Liberal Arts College of my university but I was undecided for a long time. Things may have changed but even when I picked a major I changed it several times.

David C Witkin

It takes a high degree of self-knowledge and self-acceptance to know what school subject you are going to study for the rest of your life at the age of 18 or 19. It's no wonder Nick feels so much pressure but it says a lot about his personal growth that he's not just taking the easy route and drifting into sports science but choosing the more rigorous intellectual study of psychology. What is harder for Nick than anything is to learn how to promote himself and put himself in the most positive light. Thank God Charlie is here to help him do that! Nothing is more illuminating than seeing yourself in the eyes of a person who loves you. This whole experience will probably change the way Nick sees himself, and reinforce his relationship with Charlie. This experience is about to be life-changing.

Dionne Lakey

Nick's always been insightful in the show more so than in the books because he has more time with the other characters. So not just with Charlie, Nick's ability to understand Tao's attributes as a friend who loves loudly and know how to engage with his defensive personality, notice when Tara is worried and wearing a mask, give insight to Elle to help her understand how to just go with feeling- he has always been observant and empathetic as a person.

erica streeter
>>155867540

We typically choose before we start. There is an option to do undecided but when I applied, I applied to the area I wanted to specialize in. You can switch majors later on if you choose or even do a double major.

erica streeter
>>155867540

Side note…the fact that Alice replied to one of my comments is amazing. I’m old so I don’t know how universities do it now.

Allison Drevich

Another uni question- once you apply to a course, like psychology, is it like America in that you can do a lot of different things with a specific degree? Like, then you go on to counseling, grad school, or then teacher training? "Psychology" isn't necessarily a career.

Tova Griffel
>>155867540

Some colleges/universities in the US are more specialized, or at least have better programs for some majors than others. So while you can go to a general liberal arts college as an undecided major and pick a major later, many high school students apply to a college based on their interests/planned major.

Katya818

Anyone else slightly concerned about the "...Nick." bubble? Did he fall asleep? Or is there something else?

Merel
>>155870662

I think it's just a response to Nick's 'one-on-one time' comment

ACxo

Clingy Nick 🥺

Merel

I've always found it interesting that in the US, you choose a university before you decide on a degree. I'm from the Netherlands and what you want to study is seen as more important than where you want to go to uni. You choose a degree and then you look at what unis have the best program for that etc. I feel like in the UK it's a bit of a mix of both?

Kayleigh Clarke

Nick, that isn’t quite what Charlie meant 😅

Katya818
>>155870662

Oh! I didn't catch that Nick made the 1:1 comment. That makes WAY more sense now!

Scott Whittall
>>155867540

Same here. I also attended a liberal arts college. It was definitely the end of my second year before I forced myself (with my Dad's nudging LOL) to choose s major. Funny, I recently found and reread my 18 year old self's essay. Let's just say, I did not have a Charlie to help me with that mess...Ha!

Lusi

Awww 🥺😍 Isn't Charlie just the very best boyfriend? Love that he's snuggling Nick while help him with his essay. And help him see how great he is and what values he has. They really help each other shine! Love these last pages so much. The love they have for each other is so beautiful!

Merel
>>155871068

😭 I guess it does make some sense because the US is so big. If you choose a uni far away, it will be a huge change. In the Netherlands you won't live super far away from your family no matter what uni you choose.

hayley_29
>>155867161

you can usually just do a 1 year teacher training course after you get your degree in whatever subject 😊

tess ^_^
>>155867161

ironically i know this because i plan on doing this lol but only because i plan on specifically teaching the subject i studied in high schools … never really crossed my mind u could just use the same degree to work in primary schools lol

hayley_29

i really wish there was a way not to put so much pressure on 17/18 year olds to choose their whole life career 😬 if i could do it again i think i’d choose differently

Arakii

Nick is killing me 😞 Baby speak to your man

Jen
>>155867550

Possibly getting accepted into Leeds and working to cultivate an understanding of who he is, with and without Charlie (and now that I’m saying it, this essay is honestly a great first step at putting words to it - it’s sort of like Alice has thought this through 😂😅)? I think we have a good amount of time left for him to figure a lot of that out. The confidence of being accepted while seeing Charlie thriving should go a long way, I would think! And also, I think Nick speaking to a therapist or counselor would likely be a useful step along the way. So excited to see how we get there!

Tanya
>>155871068

It is certainly a different approach however as someone who was quite immature at 18 I would have been in no position to make big decisions about career pathways entering university. I think many people benefit from extra time to explore different subjects before choosing a major. At this point, it feels like a 4-year degree in the US is still fairly generalized and it is only when you pursue a master's degree that you are being trained for a career.

Carrie Lindley

I thought I'd offer a little explanation of how university applications in the US work right now (since it has come up in the comments, and since it's not as different from what Nick is experiencing as you perhaps think). Most universities use something called the "Common App." That application includes an essay (max 600 words). I'll include the possible topic questions for that at the end of this comment, but the main purpose of that essay is to give the admissions departments an idea of who you are, and what makes you unique. For each university you add to your application list, there will then be additional items to complete. Many have supplemental essays, including one that sounds like what Nick has to write. This most common supplemental essay is often worded like this: "Why do you want to study your chosen major, and why do you want to study that major at our university?" Usually, that essay is limited to 200 or 250 words, though I know of at least one school that gives you up to 800 words. For some schools, you can apply "undecided" but it is recommended (and in many cases required) that you apply to a specific major. At other schools, if you don't apply to that major from the beginning, you'll never be able to switch into it later. Engineering is often that way. For my daughters, one applied specifically to architecture and the other to computer science. The architecture degree is 5 years and course work starts immediately in the first semester -- so she could've changed to a different major, but it would've been hard to switch into hers. At the other daughter's university, the computer science program is so popular (and competitive) you can switch out, but no one is allowed to switch in after being admitted for something else. During the application process there might be more than these 2 essays. In fact, for one of the schools my youngest applied to there ended up being a total of 10. There are often essays for additional programs (like honors) or living learning communities (special housing groups). Hope that helps! And just for fun, here are the Common App main essay prompts (you pick one): 1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. 2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? 3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? 4. Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you? 5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. 6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more? 7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Jen
>>155867531

It’s so interesting how highly empathetic and aware he is about the world around him, but is a bit baffled by his own desires. Is it just because of lack of attention, I wonder? Or is there something more there? 🤔

Scott Whittall

Love Love Love how Char is gently guiding Nick through this sweet moment by reminding his guy just how wonderful he truly is. Nick desperately needs to hear how, not only Charlie, but others see him as well. A sweet, honest, solid, leader both on and off the rugby pitch. Just confirming, the final Head Teacher panel is a snapshot into Nick's future?

Lolli98

I love how structured Charlie is! I'm the same.😊 But I feel with Nick. It's a lot harder to write about yourself than about others and to realise what your own acomplishments are!💛

Carrie Lindley
>>155872648

Ok, one mistake: common app essay allows 650 words! How quickly I forgot the trauma of last year! lol

Lolli98
>>155869857

Thanks for the link, Alice! It makes it even more realistic and tangible for us. 💛 The subject sounds interesting and indeed leaves a wide range of opportunities for future careers.👍

Allison Drevich
>>155869857

Thank you, Alice! This is just interesting but I'm also a sociologist and historian of American higher education so this is my nerd food!

Glenn
>>155868023

As a fellow American, I think choosing a major is a great way to enter a college, but at 17 or 18, many people are not sure what they want to do with the lives. As such, many freshmen enter college without a declared major, others decide something works better for them their during their time at school.

EC

Such a great convo in these comments! I love this Patreon. Thank you Alice for creating this community where we learn and share and for being a part of it. I’ll always think of some of these moments whenever I reread the comics.

EC

I switched majors a few times before I landed on social work. After reading all your lovely comments it does make me grateful for the flexibility of the US system. Like someone said, deciding at 17/18 what you want to do with the rest of your life is tough when you’re also trying to learn how to be an adult.

Merel
>>155873986

100% agree, one of my favourite parts of the Patreon is getting to have these conversations with other fans ❤️

Sarah Duzynski

No wonder Nick is stressed when he has to write all that about himself and choose his degree subject. Psychology is a good choice for him since he has been so helpful and supportive to Charlie. It has been too long since I graduated from college to remember what exactly I had to do when I applied. I had first chosen to go to one college because I really didn't know what I wanted to do. When I went there to register for my classes, I just knew it was not where I wanted to go. I got a part-time job and started looking at other colleges. I found one that was the perfect fit, and I loved my classes from the first day.

Jacqui Chesterton

It is so much harder to recognize your own strengths and accomplishments than to see them in someone else. This is the perfect solution 🩷

EC
>>155867540

It does depend on the major. If you’re PreMed (medicine) they might have more specific courses for the first four years but often you can put undecided and focus on your GenEd requirements and get those out of the way. Most if not all 4 year colleges have certain general requirements like college level math, science, English, global studies, history, and a foreign language. Some students can get college credit for courses while in high school and be able to skip some of these requirements while in college.

toneelspeler

i've always seen nick as someone who finds he only exists in the eyesof others - in a sense, in how people perceive him he exists that way (seen as jocky straight dumb rugby lad), and the low self-confidence is coming out in full force here with him not even acknowledging that there's more to being into rugby with him than he even perceives it to be. it also makes you look for approval from others a lot more than you should. love that he chooses for psychology at uni, i think he's got a very keen eye for other people and how they're doing, and maybe it would clarify some stuff for himself too!

Evergreen
>>155871068

I would say it’s a little bit of both in the US, too. There are definitely plenty of schools for people who have no clue what they want to study, and the first year and a half is an opportunity to explore different subjects before deciding. But certain schools excel in certain fields, so an applicant with a strong interest in (for example) film production would likely choose schools with a good reputation in that field. And like one commenter said above, some programs are very strict and require you to go in with a commitment to your subject from day one. A lot of STEM and design schools are like this because the skill and knowledge set for certain fields is so specific. Or you might choose a school that ONLY specializes in one field, like certain art and design schools. So there’s a little something for everyone. There are more general schools that allow undecided kids (or kids who just want a broader education) to explore, and there are more specific schools that you would choose because you already think you know what you want to study.

Ava

Their faces💕😭🥺

Merel
>>155871068

That's really interesting, thank you so much for sharing!!

syd

iii love this so much, alice <3

Justin S.

I do love exploring Nick’s feelings of identity and worth I just want him to be okay ❤️

RCM
>>155872648

Carrie! Thank you for sharing this! The Common App personal essay is such a stressor! Three of my kids have done one in the last 5 years and oh my word was it hard...I LOVE what each of them landed on, though. My kids' current school has a reading day where you take time to read and comment on each other's personal statements in English class...it's intimidating, but the teachers guide and sit with the class as they participate, and I've also seen how much empathy, understanding, appreciation, and respect can been built amongst students as they learn more not shared aloud details about each other...it's like watching stereotypes break down right in the class...and they leave notes to each other about how the essays affected them. I love it. (it does make me incredibly sad that there are businesses in my area that some parents pay to write these essays for their kids...I can't even get into that or we will be here all day, but🤬and💔). and like Carrie said, once you THINK you are done with the BIG essay, you then have all the supplementals. One of my kids had to write TEN supplementals for ONE college (and its Honor application)...and he applied to 10 universities total....😅

RyGy

I’ve always wondered what Nick would study. I’ve read and written my share of fanfic, but psychology is not one I see a lot of people choosing for Nick to study.

RCM

I love Charlie's practical approach here, even though he hasn't had to do a personal essay yet. STEP ONE...intro, STEP TWO...degree interest (psychology!), STEP THREE...extracurriculars. Charlie is laying out an obtainable plan for getting this done, and I love how he is sitting in bed, one arm protectively around Nick, legs bent to create just the right nesting space for Nick to snuggle in and help (very passively) plan...but Nick's face in that first panel is already starting to show some uncertainty, some "I guess" hesitancy, like he still isn't quite ready (or able) to take ownership of this essay (and by extension, his future). That now familiar disconnect is still lingering....Nick is at point A (which is beautiful place he LOVESand I don't blame him at all!), and also has point B in mind (a house and future with Charlie, as he recently revealed😍), and despite very much wanting to get to the long term goal of point B, he is still a bit overwhelmed at thinking of what his next steps are, and how does he even begin to take them....and worse for Nick, how will his steps negatively affect others?!😕 I'm pretty sure he would stay where he is and keep having one-on-one time with his beloved Charlie, but Charlie is also encouraging progress, and we know Nick feels more himself when Charlie is around, so maybe this will the this push he needs...and alas the Headteacher's door awaits...although for some reason, it's a different feel this time to see that door versus when they turned in Charlie's Head Boy application...

Katrina

I love that Nick has chosen Psychology because my major is pretty close to it xD and it also just really suits him. I think in a way he chose it because it would help him better understand what Charlie was going through mentally and just to be clear that doesn’t mean I am saying he chose it because of Charlie he definitely chose it for himself but I also think it’s because he has a very keen eye for how other people are feeling and doing. I see we have a time jump in our future 👀. I also love seeing our boys work on this together and how Charlie is reminding Nick that he is not just the rugby captain because he is so much more than that and is just overall reminding Nick just how great he truly is.

Katrina
>>155871799

I am fairly close! I am a Human Development and Family Science major but I do have to take two psych classes next semester!

Beam Bugge

I love how Charlie pointed out that it wasn't "just rugby", because yes he was an amazing captain and was really good at welcoming Charlie when he was new on the team, and I'm sure Charlie isn't the only "newbie" he's been helping feel better

ucfnurse

Their faces are adorable!!!☺️😊🫠❤️‍🔥💞🫂🌝🌼🔥🏉✌️🕊️☮️

Jennifer Paddock

Charlie is approaching this in completely the right way - breaking it down into achievable sections, helping Nick see that he's more than "just rugby." When my office closed during the pandemic, my boss and the head of HR helped me with my resume and made me put stuff on there that I never would have by myself. I would say things like, "But I didn't really do that on my own so I shouldn't mention that project" and my boss would yell at me (lovingly) that it didn't matter, that I was part of the team, etc.

Gabriella Boijsen
>>155871068

I live in Sweden and went to uni here, though my high school years were spent in the US, and I find that a big difference is that everybody is expected to go to college right away in the US. I worked hard in high school and got good grades and people thought it was so strange that I wasn’t going straight to college, rather I worked for a year and then started studying social work in Sweden. And I was definitely one of the youngest people in my class! Many of my friends took some time off from school, to work, and for some to travel. And many people also chose to start out with studying single courses, like one semester of gender studies, or a course on criminology. Then they either decided to proceed in that field or to move on to another subject or program. So even if we do choose what to study primarily, rather than where, it’s often not at 18 that we decide what to do for the rest of our lives. 😊 in my friend group I was definitely the only one who finished my degree in a practical field like social work at 23 years of age. Many of my friends are social workers, but they finished in their late 20s, some with dual degrees in gender studies or other fields. A little tidbit on the Swedish system which I believe is similar to the Netherlands perhaps?

chloé
>>155867161

it was mentioned in the q and a last year that he does his teacher training a bit later on, he has other jobs first before going back to get his PGCE and going into teaching :)

Robert
>>155879133

I thought he would go for Sports Science (his other option).

Robert

As we get to this stage it is strange to see how the 'balance of power' has gone from Nick to Charlie. Charlie is much stronger and more positive now. As HS started the strength seemed to be with Nick and then during his coming out it was quite balanced.

Ana Alicia Aranda De Contreras

It's nice to see Charlie help Nick in these moments when he is blocked and I'm still sad and depressed🥺😔

alycat
>>155871068

If you are looking for a very specific degree, then you look for the universities with that degree in the US! My degree is in dance performance (specifically ballet), so I chose my school after choosing my degree. :) But for more generic degrees, like business or education, a lot of people choose the school first.

Carrie Lindley
>>155872648

RCM, I love the idea of a reading day! Kudos to the English teachers at your kids' school. I did something similar with our scout troop: the kids shared their essays with one another to make sure their voices came through authentically, that the people who knew them best could see them through the words they chose. And don't get me started on the way some folks farm out their essays or use AI to write them. Ugh. Also, I'm wondering if that 10 essay college might've been Penn State... what a gauntlet for Schreyer Honors College!

ValkyrionSS
>>155879133

One of the things I've been avoiding forever in my draft is uni stuff because it's canon-compliant and I wasn't sure enough of my intuition. Now I feel vindicated lol

alycat
>>155867540

It depends on your area of study and when your specialized classes start. I had to not only know I wanted to study dance performance before applying, but had to audition to be accepted into the dance program, which was separate from applying to and being accepted to the university (double stress!). My brother had a similar experience with architecture.

em

i'm a psychology major🤭

DD 🍂

I love this page! As much as we all want Nick to open up and talk to his Charlie about everything that is troubling him, this is just as valuable. Working on this essay helps Nick on both a practical and an emotional level. Loving these pages so much!!🩷🍂🩷

CinD
>>155867550

I’m definitely excited to see how Alice will make it happen. And also I can’t wait to see what’s going on with Charlies life besides helping his bf.

James
>>155874477

In some ways its even worse than that as you only get to study 3 or sometimes 4 A level subjects and these will affect what degree you can apply for. An arts degree will want arts type A Levels, a science degree sciencey ones etc. And you pick your A levels before six form, so around age 15/16.

EC
>>155874477

Wow! That seems so early! A lot of people in the US will joke about how they are “putting their history degree to good use” at whatever totally unrelated job they have. Does that happen in the uk too? I wonder if more people follow the career of their educational path in the UK because they’ve spent more time on it? Or maybe it’s like more or less the same in the US and they end up in totally unrelated careers.

James
>>155872648

Very interesting. I like that the prompts at least give some sort of a starting point and that you just pick one rather than having to cover all bases. The personal statement seems very much of a 'blank page'

Reem

I like that Nick has chosen psychology. He's very empathetic in my opinion and I think would do well.

Calfic

I'm glad Charlie is helping Nick, but Nick seems sad, and unengaged a bit. I worry he may be comparing himself to Charlie, but knowing what you want out of university is maybe not quite the norm. (or, like Alice, not all of us are going to write a novel in secondary/high school. LOL.) I think it is both separation anxiety and depression. Also, with the rugby practice, yes, he was missing Charlie, but if he were happy and not struggling emotionally, he could have handled it better. It's not just seperation anxiety I think, I don't think he quite knows himself and likes himself at the moment.

James
>>155871068

The UK also has the culture of going immediately to study at age 18 and I've always felt the approach in countries like Sweden, Germany etc. makes much more sense. Work for a bit, figure out what you want to do and then study seems waaay more logical. Unless you know from the offset exactly what you want, but that's not most people.

Phlimsical
>>155874477

It's even earlier than 15 - in the UK, your future career path is pretty much set in motion around age 13/14 when you pick your GCSE choices, as you can only choose to carry on A Levels from what you studied in year 10 and 11

James
>>155868063

I guess he's been studying it as an A Level subject for over a year at this point, so has a taste of the subject.

EC
>>155874477

Wow. What happens if you totally hate those subjects or want to go in a totally different direction??

James
>>155867550

We also don't know to what extent the comic is going to be true to the Novella. Alice has said a few times that she doesn't want to feel too constrained by something she wrote all those years ago and pre-Heartstopper (and fair play!)

CinD
>>155867550

Yeah she did redo a little of it once, and I wouldn’t want her restraining her storyline now because of that novella. But I do wonder what parts will still remain true as in his excitement about Uni or their communication issues at that point.

Evergreen
>>155871068

The rush in the US to go to college might have to do with getting your studies out of the way while you can still be claimed by your parents’ health insurance, since we don’t have universal health care here. Since it’s hard to work full time while studying, being able to rely on your parents’ insurance is very helpful. I think we also (rightly or wrongly) think of college as a transition space between childhood and adulthood, where you move out of your parents house but into a dorm where all of your basic needs are still taken care of. I don’t necessarily agree with the model, but that’s probably the rationale for it.

Hannah Howden

We have universities like that in Canada too! But you do get the odd uni that you just get accepted into general science or arts then specialize after second year, the weird thing to me is you can go straight into a doctoral degree program from high school 😳

Maya

Love that Nick is taking full credit for training newbies despite any ~ulterior motives~

James
>>155874477

Yes lots of people end up doing degrees and going into a completely different field. 'Media studies' used to be the cliché degree that wasn't very useful. It doesn't help that vocational education isn't given the same status as academic education.

James
>>155874477

There are things like foundation courses and colleges that provide pre-degree qualifications for adults for those who want to pursue a path but don't have the school qualifications. But they don't make it particularly easy

James
>>155871068

In the Englsnd the amount of loan you get is also affected by what your parents can contribute, so it might factor in too. That and I think a lack of jobs for school leavers. Keeping half of 18-21 year olds in education and making them pay for it when they're older is a good way to keep unemployment figures down...

Kat

Nick would definitely do well in psychology he is such an empathetic person I can see how he would gravitate towards something like that.

Calfic
>>155876121

Yes, it is wonderful that he has Charlie's support, and I think it is wonderful that he is helping him through it, but Nick also needs to find his own self-confidence and find out where he belongs, independent of Charlie.

artxsta

nick’s self-deprecation and minimization of his strengths is all too relatable. it’s not in a self-hating way, but in a “i don’t know who i am & have nothing to show for it” kind of way, which obv isn’t true. i hope the deeper he gets into the application process the more it excites him and stimulates him into discovering new parts of himself and feeling proud for all he’s accomplished. putting leeds as his first choice is a great step in the right direction for that self-discovery

Em (づ｡◕‿‿◕｡)づ

Nicky baby 😭🩷 I feel like he’s just experiencing such complete OVERWHELM and it’s so real. The transition from high school to college is bad enough; combined with the imposter syndrome from comparing himself to everyone else, the fear and anxiety of change/separation, AND Dickhead Brother being home again. It’s so much!! He is so strong but still so tender 😭🩷 I just love him sm man I’m so glad Charlie is able to see it’s exhausting him and be in a space where he can provide support without risking his own mental health 😭🩷🩷🩷

Calfic
>>155896928

LOL, but as he should. Also, he didn't know he. had ulterior motives, and he really helped Charlie, so he should emphasize that, he doesn't need to mention the boyfriend thing, and he may have recruited him for less than pure reasons, but I think he would have mentored anyone that came on the team.

Calfic
>>155881123

Exactly. I mean he tends to make everyone feel better, lol.

Calfic
>>155879885

Yes, like I feel like it isn't quite clicking, that there is another point B, and that the incredible future he could have with Charlie is point C, but that there is growing and learning to be done first. And I also don't think he is really thinking about that Charlie does definitely not want to stay in Kent for uni, and that he will choose the best unis for classics to apply to.

Kas

I am fairly new to the HS world. But does Nick want to take Psychology so he can know the signs in case Charlie has issues again thru their lives together? Or was that always his profession of choice?

Ariel

🍂💕go Charlie

zara ahmed !!

i have written so many people’s personal statements i feel like i’ve got it down to a science 😭 and that’s a pretty decent structure! i like to do a paragraph on school subjects too

Steven

IMO, too much pressure is put on all of us in high school to choose what we supposedly want to do, for the rest of our lives, let alone the ONLY thing our schools ever push us towards… university despite the fact at least half who go never should have gone to start with. They make it sound like it is that or you will amount to NOTHING! For many, racking up HUGE debt, even if you finish, is hard to overcome. Very frustrating!

Brynn Rabinowitz

I love the facial expressions. Sometimes it is easier to have someone else write with you, it takes the pressure off a bit.

Neenie
>>155910684

I don’t think there’s been any commentary on it. There’s a word of Alice that he plays semi pro rugby , then coaches kids rugby, then trains to teach elementary school

Neenie
>>155889111

I used to have my boyfriend help me make my citations pages for essays

Neenie
>>155866936

Omg can’t believe I forgot about aunt “Peggy”. She did such a good job with the scenes in the show

Neenie
>>155866697

He has such a funny relationship with the teachers as Head Boy in the novella

Loveislove

I am curious about the impending interaction with the head teacher which I assume is with Charlie re his head boy plans perhaps? Given the bullying climate in the school which the head teacher has to take some responsibility for, I wonder if Charlie is going to get some push back on his plans or some recognition?

Murgy

He can also mention about helping out with the groups Charlie is setting up, as he is helping and providing support. Also, I suppose he doesn't have to go completely in depth as to how much 1 on 1 time he has had with one particular new player. Just perhaps don't use the term Rugby King in the essay. And are we about to see a meeting between the head teacher and Charlie, likely going over Charlie's plans/presentations?

JP42

I wonder if Alice ever thought that they would have to even consider writing a whole college essay? Because that’s the bar now… a complete, beautiful, inspiring college essay that will make us all cry.

moon

“we’ve had a looot of one-on-one time” nicholas luke nelson calm yourself 😭

Ruby
>>155910684

They’ve never said anything about psychology. It’s been more primary school teaching

K Lyn

I love that he chose psych.

emily

praying for nick with the psychology degree, they are not for the weak 😅

Ali Michelle

I’m still stuck on this!! Can’t wait for Nick to open up 🥹

Elsie 3

Apologies for being dense, but are the the leaves leading to the panel with the headmaster’s office (and the next two pages with Charlie talking to the headmaster) indicating that this is the next day (or so), or a flashback? Just trying to understand if talking with Nick about extracurriculars is making Charlie think back to this interaction with the headmaster or if this is what happened after this night with Nick and Charlie. Again, probably obvious, but wanted to make sure!

EC
>>156206365

My gut is that the leaves indicate time passing and this is the next day or so