Around this time of year for Year 13's, everybody starts to think about what they want to do for the rest of their lives - not necessarily because they want to, but rather because they have to. Being at college and revising for upcoming exams forces you to consider your options, and basically you’ve got four to choose from.

Full-time employment is one possibility, but personally I want to live a little first. The obvious advantages are the money and being out in the 'real world', but you've also got to consider being stuck in the dreary routine of a 9-5 job everyday - which can be difficult when all your mates are off to university or other forms of further education.

One of the most tempting choices is to take a gap year, and for a lot of students it's the ideal way to figure out what they want to do. Taking a gap year gives you the opportunity to travel, gain some extra work experience or even to get a taste of what full-time employment is really like and prepare you for it if that's what you decide. The only problem is, you might still have no idea what to do at the end of your year off.

The majority of sixth form students now go on to university or further education after taking their A Levels. Yes, it does mean you have to make a lot of decisions about where you want to live and what you want to study, not to mention how much debt you'll be in. However, the way I look at it is that it'll all be worth it in the end when you've got a decent degree under your belt and the opportunity to earn 35% more than the average wage - or £400,000 more over a lifetime than somebody on average earnings.

The whole process of applying is fairly simple; it all takes place over the internet through the UCAS website. And don't let writing a personal statement put you off - it's not as hard as it looks. It can be hard deciding which six universities to apply to, especially if you don't want to move miles away from home or are doing a more unusual course. But as long as you research well, and try to visit as many open days as possible, you won't be getting any nasty surprises when you do go. Just make sure you actually want to go to all the universities you apply to, because then you're in trouble if you don't get into the one you had your heart set on.

Then there are the offers. You can receive offers off universities as soon as you send off your UCAS form, and these come in three varieties: Conditional, unconditional and unsuccessful. A conditional offer is subject to you obtaining certain grades, so basically you're in as long as you get the right ones in your A Levels. Unconditional offers are rare, and mean that the university will accept you even if you don't get the grades. And you can probably guess that an unsuccessful offer means that you didn't get in. Some universities can take a while to reply, but you've just got to think positive and be patient - they'll get back to you eventually.

And then there's the fourth option - nothing. Appealing though it may be not having to worry about coursework deadlines or getting up before noon, do you really want to spend the next few years watching Neighbours and other mind-numbingly-boring daytime telly because you've got nothing better to do? Thought not.So you might as well consider university, what have you got to lose!