Question

Some university students want to learn about other subjects in addition to their main subjects. Others believe it is more important to give all their time and attention to studying for a qualification. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Model Answer

Around 300,000 undergraduates start a university course in the UK each year, the majority of whom know precisely which job they want upon graduation. Some students, however, are still exploring their possibilities. For those students who are still undecided about a future career, it may make sense to study a broad range of subjects.

If you already know which career you want to follow, it is probably best to focus solely upon your main subject. This is particularly true if you plan to work in a profession where there is a lot of competition. Law is one such field. Law firms pay close attention to the grades that students obtain so you are best served by trying to score the highest marks you can. In any case, the workload is likely to be so demanding that you will not have much time to do anything other than specialise in your chosen field.

However, for those who are less certain, taking extra classes is a way of exploring other interests. It might be that you discover a new passion and end up transferring to another course. Additionally, there may be a synergy between two courses that is not immediately apparent. For instance, a business major who takes a psychology course may develop a better understanding of their potential customers. There are often insights to be gained from broadening your horizons.

In conclusion, there are both pros and cons to taking additional subjects at university. Whether it is correct for a student to do so will depend upon the individual and how well-defined their career goals are.

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