I leave school next year...
And I'm fucking sick of people asking me "So, what are you going to study at uni then?"
To which I invariably reply:
"Actually I'm thinking of joining the Navy to do mechanical engineering."
My step mother was not chuffed when I dropped THAT bomb shell on her. Neither her, nor either of my real parents have been to university. Only my mother actually has a degree.
They say, "Oh, but we want the best for you..."
Which translates as: " I really just want to be able to brag to all my friends "Yes, my eldest is doing [course name goes here.] at [uni name goes here.], and they're going to be a doctor/lawyer/astro-physicist."
Hypocrites, I think, is the most apt description.

Addendum.

Thought for the next two seconds: There will always be those who design bridges, and those who have to build them. That's [partially] why the White Army lost the Russian Revolution; they had too many commanders (I.E. people with degrees now-a-days) and not enough line troops (I.E. those without.). Not everyone needs a degree: after all, what point is there in having one if everyone else has one?
( Awk Industries is actually a helic- NO, STAY BACK SHARK!, Fri 12 Nov 2010, 22:08, 1 reply)

I did a levels at welbeck
Nearly got funded through uni by the army, but realised it wasn't for me. at 21 I'm a qualified machinist, have 4 classic bikes on the road and half a deposit for a house saved up. Oh, and a job. If your parents are that desperate for you to go, they can pay!
In your case, joining the navy is a pretty cool, and hard, thing to do. why they wouldn't be pleased is beyond me.

Reason I mention welbeck is that I have experienced the vast difference between state and (sort of) private/selecting schools. Secondary school was one long nightmare of being sat in classrooms that resembled a zoo on crystal meth. Even as someone who could do the work, I was bored. College was incredible-people who were interested, motivated and as a consequence we had some of the best teachers I have ever had. Not just the teaching, but we could have a laugh with them too. I was very lucky to go, and it saddens me that state schools cannot be anywhere near as good. Dad tried teaching for a bit, so I know a little of the crap that goes on behind the scenes there.
( Greenbat, Mon 15 Nov 2010, 23:14, closed)