Money, moving away from home, high grades - there are plenty of reasons for not wanting to go to university, but there are ways around them if you want to get a degree.
The University of Bristol is to start offering places to students from disadvantaged areas even if they haven't got the top A-level grades.
But grades are not the only barrier preventing university applications.
Students often talk about high tuition costs, travelling far from home and difficulty with the application.
Potential matters, not just grades
The University of Bristol will make offers two grades lower than they'd ordinarily require for applicants who've been at schools in the lowest-achieving 40% for A-level results.
The project has been launched as admission service figures show young people from poorer families are much less likely to apply to university.
Applying isn't that bad
There will be teachers in your school or college who can give advice and there's more help at BBC Advice.
There you can find information about applying through Ucas and even about clearing if you require it.
Staying close to home is an option
There is often the option of staying at home even if there isn't a university nearby.
A lot of further education colleges have foundation degree courses which are the same as what universities offer for the first couple of years.
And there's also distance learning like the Open University which can be done entirely online and by local tutorials.
Until you're earning more than £21,000 you don't pay back tuition loans
And even then it's only a percentage of what you earn over £21,000.
The amount you pay back is based on how much you're earning but can be as little as £7 per week.
The Student Loan Company is a government-owned organisation which can provide financial assistance to everyone doing degree-level education and they can give you more information.
And if you went to secondary school in Scotland then you might have no tuition fees at all.
A degree isn't always the answer
If you want a very specific profession that requires a degree then of course you should look at the best option to succeed with that.
But a degree doesn't automatically guarantee a great job, or even a job at all.
And more and more companies are removing the "graduate" requirement from their job specification - including Penguin Books.
It goes without saying that you should make the decision which best suits you.
So talk to the people you trust, get some advice and do some research before you decide.