Am I being Wise or Foolish?

Miss_314

Hi there Driving_Soon!

I'm a long time lurker on these boards and this is my first post. I just wanted to reply to this thread and say that I think that you're doing absolutely the right thing and wish you luck for starting your course in September.

I myself am from a situation somewhat similar to yours, I left school at 16, went to college for two years but never went to uni. I instead drifted from meaningless job to meaningless job (for miminum wage) whilst I worked out what I wanted to do. Two years ago (aged 21) I finally enrolled on an Access course amidst relatives telling me I wouldn't be able to do it and stick it out. Just to prove them wrong I kept at it and worked my bum off fitting in assignments around working part time to pay for the course. At the end of the year, thanks to my hard work, I came out of that with the highest exam results in my class. It was a big to my relatives who said I couldn't do it.

I've now just finished my first year of university with top marks and am due to start my second year soon and I don't regret it for a moment, I found something I'm really good at and that I enjoy and think that's worth more than every snide comment I had from certain relatives at the start.

Again, I do wish you the best of luck and will look out for updates of how you get on this year :cool:


Oh, btw. You mentioned maybe doing a resit in GCSE English or Math, can I just say that (if you don't have them already) I'd recommend giving English a go first, before Math. If you struggle in English and have to produce any assignments in first and second year you may find it more stressful than necessary. GCSE English will help you with that in first year and may make second year a lot easier for you. I only base this on some of the more mature students I was at college with that didn't have English as a GCSE and struggled with spelling/grammar and structuring essays to begin with.

Driving_Soon

Miss_314 wrote: »

Hi there Driving_Soon!

I'm a long time lurker on these boards and this is my first post. I just wanted to reply to this thread and say that I think that you're doing absolutely the right thing and wish you luck for starting your course in September.

I myself am from a situation somewhat similar to yours, I left school at 16, went to college for two years but never went to uni. I instead drifted from meaningless job to meaningless job (for miminum wage) whilst I worked out what I wanted to do. Two years ago (aged 21) I finally enrolled on an Access course amidst relatives telling me I wouldn't be able to do it and stick it out. Just to prove them wrong I kept at it and worked my bum off fitting in assignments around working part time to pay for the course. At the end of the year, thanks to my hard work, I came out of that with the highest exam results in my class. It was a big to my relatives who said I couldn't do it.

I've now just finished my first year of university with top marks and am due to start my second year soon and I don't regret it for a moment, I found something I'm really good at and that I enjoy and think that's worth more than every snide comment I had from certain relatives at the start.

Again, I do wish you the best of luck and will look out for updates of how you get on this year :cool:


Oh, btw. You mentioned maybe doing a resit in GCSE English or Math, can I just say that (if you don't have them already) I'd recommend giving English a go first, before Math. If you struggle in English and have to produce any assignments in first and second year you may find it more stressful than necessary. GCSE English will help you with that in first year and may make second year a lot easier for you. I only base this on some of the more mature students I was at college with that didn't have English as a GCSE and struggled with spelling/grammar and structuring essays to begin with.

Aw Thank You! Its always nice to have posts like this to read! Thanks so much for all the positive things!

And i agree with you about the english GCSE, i think I will do this subject first!

Driving_Soon

Hey Guys, Just a little update for people! Started Last Thursday but today was my first proper day of my course! It looks like alot of hard work! But it will be worth it I am sure Thanks again for all the advice!

Driving_Soon

Hey

I want to try and post how I am doing every month or so Just so I can look back here when (fingers crossed) I have finished .

I can't Believe that its nearly 2 months now since i first started! Its been a mixture of good and bad I think.

I am glad I have made the choices I have, and would not change it for the world, but after about 3 weeks I felt i was really finding it hard to cope with all the work etc. One of the teachers noticed this and I had a assessment with a educational psychologist, cut a long story short .. I am dyslexic!. This my sound bad news, but now hopefuly when i go back after half term, I will be able to get alot more support, so really .. I am going to see it as a Plus!

Thanks again.

Bubbles_Blossom_Buttercup

Hello Driving_Soon

I am a big fan of this particular thread, i have been reading it from the start and you were the main reason i joined this site!!
I just wanted to say that i think you are brilliant. I think you have so much courage and determination for going back to college.
I was in sort of the same situation as you; i left college after a couple of months and started a job and really wanted to go back to college but i had everybody telling me it was the wrong desicion, and even had my dad telling me "If you go back to college i am not going to stand by you or help you, you will be on your own" but i went for it anyway and now i am in my 2nd year at a good uni training to be a teacher. I re-took my GCSE Maths and my GCSE Biology. I feel proud to think how far i have come and shudder at the thought of what i would be doing with my life now if i hadnt come back to education. And funnily enough my dad is as proud as punch of me now.
I am serious when i say that if you ever want any help i will be more than willing to help in any way that i can.
You should find things a lot more easier with all the support you will be getting with the dyslexia stuff, the uni want me to take a test for it but i am too scared. lol.
I would be glad to hear about how you are getting on each month, and i wish you all the luck in the world. You sound like a fab person and deserve all the good things this world can bring you.

GlasweJen

Hi DS,

I was diagnosed dyslexic at uni, they can get you support to keep you on level with everyone else. I'm in my final year and on target for a 1st

Driving_Soon

Bubbles_Blossom_Buttercup wrote: »

Hello Driving_Soon

I am a big fan of this particular thread, i have been reading it from the start and you were the main reason i joined this site!!
I just wanted to say that i think you are brilliant. I think you have so much courage and determination for going back to college.
I was in sort of the same situation as you; i left college after a couple of months and started a job and really wanted to go back to college but i had everybody telling me it was the wrong desicion, and even had my dad telling me "If you go back to college i am not going to stand by you or help you, you will be on your own" but i went for it anyway and now i am in my 2nd year at a good uni training to be a teacher. I re-took my GCSE Maths and my GCSE Biology. I feel proud to think how far i have come and shudder at the thought of what i would be doing with my life now if i hadnt come back to education. And funnily enough my dad is as proud as punch of me now.
I am serious when i say that if you ever want any help i will be more than willing to help in any way that i can.
You should find things a lot more easier with all the support you will be getting with the dyslexia stuff, the uni want me to take a test for it but i am too scared. lol.
I would be glad to hear about how you are getting on each month, and i wish you all the luck in the world. You sound like a fab person and deserve all the good things this world can bring you.

Awww! Thank you Very nice to know help is on hand hee hee!!

Driving_Soon

GlasweJen wrote: »

Hi DS,

I was diagnosed dyslexic at uni, they can get you support to keep you on level with everyone else. I'm in my final year and on target for a 1st

thats great! Nice to know support is offerd at uni!

Northern_girl_2

Good luck with course D_S.

It sounds like you have really considered what you want to do and I hope it works out for you. My OH has just gone to uni as a mature student and is loving it. I went at 18 but now think there is something to be said for going a bit later when you've really thought about what you want to do. Having said that, even if you completely change your mind the experiences and skills you gain from further education will still be useful.

Also, as others have said it might be useful to get some formal careers advice - your college might supply it. It might be, for example, that you are better off getting a job in a care environment after this course rather than going to uni because your employer might provide further training. I know the council I work for pays for some employees to do their social work degree on day release. All staff in our unit are funded to do NVQ level 2 or above and colleagues have also been sponsored to do diplomas and even masters level qualifications.

There is so much out there once you start looking.

Impet_Limpet

Congrats on how you are doing!

Have you considered checking out either nhs jobs or other local care sectors for any work for during the holidays? This will help build up your practical experience. Also you may be lucky enough to be sponsored through a higher education course with those people.

I am currently doing a Foundation degree in Healthcare Sciences I attend for one day a week and the other four days I enhance my practical skills and competencies at work in an NHS hospital the same university run one in Health and socialcare too. This is actually a full time course even though I am in paid employment for the rest of the week - its the best of both worlds

Work pay for my course
I get a wage (approx 14K)
I'm a full time student so eligible for discounts and the like..

Alternatively you could consider Open University.

I must say WELL DONE and keep up the goods work!