Do I have to grow up so Quickly ??

I am 17. Why do I have to know what I want to do with my life ?? If this holidays has taught me anything, its that I am not ready to go out into the big wide world of UNIVERSITY. Maybe thats why I left it so late to do my ucas form. Its not that I couldn't do it. Maybe I just don't want to. I don't want to stay in 6th form, but without school (or should I say without the art room) I am a complete mess. I just don't know what to do with myself. And sure I'm applying to do fine art at uni, and there are plenty more art rooms in the world. But I don't want to be in them just yet. At the moment, I sometimes wish I wasn't applying for university this year. There is just so much pressure on you to get in and achive what you want so early in life. Maybe I don't want that now. Maybe I want that the year after, or the year after that, what about going to uni when I'm a 'mature' student. What if I'm just not ready to leave school yet, I want to stay where I am comfortable for the time being. Whats the rush in growing up anyway ?? I wish I was still trying to decide what colour to draw the grass, because it really wouldn't matter. That is not a life changing decision. Its not going to effect my life. But this, this is. What if this isn't the right decision for me going next year. But if I decide when it's too late, then what ?? I am thousands of pounds in debt and able to say "Maybe I'll make the right decision next time." That is just not an option is it really. I am told that I must follow this path, it is what everybody does, well maybe I want to stay at school for an extra year (well the art room.) Why must I be so grown up all of a sudden, I can play the lottery, I can drive, and in the year of 2011 I will be able to drink. So grown up, in so little time. But whyyyy ??