Choosing a course.

Patrick20

I'm thinking of getting back to education and I'd like some FREE advice.

Heres the situation. I'm 21, I finished high school in 2006 and got accepted into a HND course in Electronics.

I struggled half way through the year and couldn't take the course anymore and dropped out. It was a combination of travel(which was 4 hours every day) the people(it was a group of 6 people on the course, who were boring,and it was not the college/uni excitement i was expecting) and the course itself (which wasnt like I epected either). I realise now that i probably could have coped, but at the time it was like climbing everest, and I was hit off guard.

When I quit the course I immediately got a job in a supermarket and worked away there for 2 years. I eventually got really sick of it and last november I quit my job.

Since then I've been making a bit of money matched betting(see gambling board) and surveys and more importantly have done a bit of soul searching. I've realised that i want to learn and I do want a job, but i what I'm still not sure.

I'm hoping students here who faced the problem of choosing a course could help me find a course that suits me. I live in scotland, outside glasgow. I have 4 highers, not great ones though BCCC. My choices are somewhat limited because of the C's. Should I get some more highers? What courses could I do?

Oldernotwiser

I'd make an appointment with Careers Scotland to discuss your options; they're an all age service and they're free.

Patrick20

That may be an option a little bit later but right now I think I need to get atleast some sort of rough direction before I seek proffessional advice. I've talked to Careers Scotland when I was 18 but I had too many ideas going on they werent really able to help me.

maturelearner

Do you have Access Courses in Scotland at local colleges? I did a great access course level 3 in england & was lucky to get a good personal tutor also to assist my course/career choice & will be starting uni in september.

I know things are a little different re Uni funding, etc in Scotland as opposed to England but I know the English student loan system would reward you for financially supporting yourself for 3 years meaning your parent's don't have to pay towards your uni studies.

I have also used a learndirect website interests/skills quiz which was more help than any careers advice I've had but hopefully Careers Scotland is much better.

Good luck

Patrick20

My parents dont have to pay towards uni studies anyway maturelearner. Scotland has free higher education.

Patrick20

https://update.ucas.co.uk/cgi-bin/hsrun.hse/Stamford/ucas_reg/ucas_reg.hjx;start=ucas_reg.HspersonalDetails.run

Theres a link to this test on the UCAS website and it might help others in my situation. I've just done it and heres my results



Here are your results Patrick .
. Click on the links below to see what courses are offered in your chosen subject area.


subject areas :
Civil Engineering
Psychology
English/Literary
Studies History Based
International Studies
Social Studies/Science
Politics Based
Philosophy & Theology
Ancient History
Archaeology
Physics Based
Media/Radio/TV/Film
Art/Craft Combined Sciences
Education

I'll start working my way through all these areas I suppose.

gizmo111

Have you any idea what you want to do as a career?

Patrick20

No I do not at this moment.

stingeylass

Well your highers aren't brilliant, but that's not the end of the world, especially as you would be classed as a mature student now.
That subject list is quite diverse! Is there anything in particular that interests you? It's probably easiest if you figure out what you want to study and then go from there.

gizmo111

Patrick20 wrote: »

No I do not at this moment.

SO what are your interests and what are you good at?

Patrick20

Thats my main problem though. My main concern is that I end up at a job that has no real benifit except to line the pockets of billionaires. I want a job that provides some sort of service to society and one that i can enjoy aswell.

I've got pretty weird interests. I like building things, I love mechanical and electronic stuff( tried electronics though and didnt enjoy it) I love weapons(historical and present) I like survival, and bushcraft( ray mears stuff),

And I am too smart to go to war before someone suggests.