At a bit of a loss?

[ChocolatChip]

When I started college I took 4 a-levels and absolutely hated it, I became very ill with worry and stress, so ill that a few months after I began I had to leave. I promised my parents, who weren't too happy about me leaving, that I would go back into education and get some qualfication before 2 years and get on with a career. Well my two years are up this september coming, and with having to apply for somewhere, I am at such a loss with what to do.
Should I go back and do my a-levels like everyone else? Or do something different.
I'm still not that sure what I want to do for a career anyway. I love art and make-up, but I'm worry that this form of qualfication would get me nowhere.
I'm a bright woman, passed all my GCSEs- pretty much all Bs and above.
Just confused what to do with my future. I'm not really sure what I'm asking here. But maybe someone could give me ideas of what they did or questions that would make me think everything through.
Thanks

[curiosity]

Don't feel bad, or think you're the only one, because you aren't. My nephew "disappointed" his parents by not going straight on the 6th form, university route. He waited 2 years doing this and that (not sure exactly lol!). He decided to go and do his A levels and has now just started his degree, it worked for him. But I can see why you are questioning this route, because to me, the other vocational type is coming through and seems to be a fast track for some people into good careers. The question I would ask is, what lifestyle do you dream of, or expect to have when "established" in life?

[Cheekystar]

Contact your nearest careers centre / Connexions, the advisers wil be able to support you look for a career that you'll enjoy and the route you need to take. look on the connexions direct website for some inspiration, or call learn direct. We're here to help, and advisers can support you with applications to make sure your sorted. There are also apprenticeship schemes you may want to consider as well look on apprenticeships.org.
The most important thing is that you find something your going to enjoy this could be a vocational option or acedemic.
Good Luck

[Suade7]

Throughout different stages of your life, what you want to do may change many times, depending on who you meet and where you find yourself to be. I did a similar thing to you, but have now realised primarily all your family want is for your happiness. You say you love makeup and art, you need to decide which you like as primarily a hobby and which you think would be the better choice in jobs/careers. If you looked at something like a makeup artist you could perhaps eventually work with celebs, on cruise ships etc. You need to think what you would like at this moment in you life and what makes you happy now, because as someone said to me a long time ago 'life is what you do while you are making plans'!