Am I being Wise or Foolish?

Driving_Soon

Thanks Nothern Girl and Martine1081! Such good advice and things to think about! Thanks for taking the time out to reply!

Driving_Soon

Just thought I would give a little update (though I am not sure if anyone reads this still? hee hee!)

Well It's Jan now, 4 and a half months done of the course and It is going so well. I am getting lots of support from the college due to my dyslexia so thats great. Also just starting my work placement now and that also is going really well. Modt of the units are just coming to a end in a few weeks and I am confident I can get merits or even distinctions in most of them, so I am really pleased!.

I am so glad I made the choice to go back to college

DS.

Impet_Limpet

That's great news!!


Glad you are doing so well, and congrats on your great grades. Its was good that your dyslexia was picked up quickly and you have been properly supported too.


:j

Driving_Soon

Martine1081 wrote: »

That's great news!!


Glad you are doing so well, and congrats on your great grades. Its was good that your dyslexia was picked up quickly and you have been properly supported too.


:j

Thank you!

Yeah, without the support I am getting I would not be doing aswel, so I am really glad that it was picked up lol

Magnolia

I have been clicking thanks on all the posts that recommend Access - I work in Central Admissions in a FE college and for the majority of mature students the Access route is the way to go.

What I will suggest is you ring round a few universities and find out what they require you to have prior to starting your degree (tell them you are considering a career somewhere in the health/social care area.

As for GCSE Maths and English - ask them if they will accept an equivalent qualification and then explore the Adult Literacy and Numeracy route - these courses are free - mush better than paying for the GCSE.

You should also get your course fees paid under the 1st level 3 entitlement scheme.

Ask as many questions as you want and keep going back and asking them if you are still unsure of your route.

Whatever you chose to do - good luck with it. You are still young with no commitments so now is a great time to do it.

Oldernotwiser

Magnolia wrote: »

As for GCSE Maths and English - ask them if they will accept an equivalent qualification and then explore the Adult Literacy and Numeracy route - these courses are free - mush better than paying for the GCSE.

.

I always recommend these but you MUST check that they're acceptable for your chosen course/university as it's not automatically the case.

Magnolia

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

I always recommend these but you MUST check that they're acceptable for your chosen course/university as it's not automatically the case.

Good stress ONW - MUST!!!! check cannot be stressed loudly enough

Driving_Soon

Cheers Guys! I am acutally doing Key Skills level 2 in maths (and hopefully in english after) at college, just an hour a week. I think this is the equal to GCSE C in maths and english?

I checked with the Uni I am planning to go to and they do accept Key Skills . so it has saved me a little bit not having to pay for the english and maths courses lol.

Magnolia

Key skills 2 is an equivalent to GCSE level 2 but not always accepted by the universities - check with them what they will accept as equivalent.

Lyndylu_2

Hi DS

i only started posting here today and have been reading your thread and think its great how your getting on.

i know your not sure what areas of healthcare you want to work in but you could try joining a nursing/care agency or bank or NHS professionals and do some bank shifts as a care worker, auxillary nurse, occupational health assistant, physio assistant, etc to see what you think before committing to diploma or degree course.... not all agencies will take you on different specialties though... also if you get a chance to do placements try and work with different people doing differnt jobs to give you a better idea of what each role involves.

not sure if your interested in nursing or ODP (operating department practioners who work in theatres) but you can do both these courses at diploma level for the next couple of years and then they are going to be degree only... you get a non-means tested NHS bursary of approx £6500 if you live outside london and dont have to pay fees as they are paid by the NHS.

you can do nursing and midwifery at degree level and they get a means tested bursary along with courses like OT, physio, radiographer etc...

this is the bursary guide for nursing and the allied health professions....
http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/Students/Documents/Students2008-09Book_2_NewScheme.pdf

good luck with your studies and looking forward to reading more about how your getting on.