advise pls. University at 25!!!!!

olly300

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

I agree with you totally and wish you all the very best with this. However, would you have given up a secure job to go to university at this time if you hadn't been made redundant?

Because they hate it.

And have researched a career where they think they have good prospects in.

Redundancy gives people the excuse to try things they wouldn't have the guts to try if they still had their job. I know people who where made redundant between the ages of 25 to 32, in jobs they hated and because they felt their jobs where on the line a year or 2 before it happened, they started to research what opportunities there were.

Unfortunately the only people I know who decided again to change careers where ones who went into teaching.

Oldernotwiser

olly300 wrote: »

Because they hate it.

And have researched a career where they think they have good prospects in.

I'm all for life long learning and was more encouraging when I thought the OP had already given in his/her notice. However, to give up a secure job, in the middle of a recession, when you have a child to support is a big decision. If the OP had been made redundant, the situation would be very different.

Many people are unhappy in their jobs but sometimes their personal responsibilities have to take precedence, particularly where there are alternatives available.

I think that one has to be responsible when offering advice but I wish Nat well, whatever s/he decides.

property.advert

I went to uni at 21 and it was obvious I was older. I had lived on my own for 5 years since leaving home at 16 and that was the biggest difference, I wasn't wet behind the ears.

Mostly it was great. Some people were only a couple of years younger at 19 but I was a very experienced 21 years old.

There was someone older doing our course but he was never in a group. He came and studied but he wasn't really at uni as he went home to his wife and family. That is where you would be and as uni is mostly about growing up rather than the minimal amount you learn (would not take 1 year if condensed), I question just what you can get out of it versus what you are giving up.

You are talking about loading yourself with debt which will have to be paid off. Mathematically, if you would be on 20k in 3 years time then what can you get with a degree in 3 years time ?

I'd do it if it was something like finance, economics or engineering where you know there is something at the end of it.

As for how to finance it, you'll likely not be able to get a decent part time job as your studies will be random hours all over the week. Have you considered getting a more normal job and studying part time ?

maturelearner

I went back to studying and now uni after having my daughter and seeing the first 3 years of her life. Was laid off temporary job when pregnant due to v.difficult pregnancy and life issues at the time, so my circumstances are significantly diff to OP. Yes, I'm past 25 yrs old though.

I've found I'm entitled to far more loan/ bursary than the "young 'uns" due to having worked/supported myself previously for over 3 yrs as was another mother who I met on a L3 Access to HE course.

If it's something you've longed to do, as I did, I'd say go for it after careful cosiderations.

Volcano

property.advert wrote: »

That is where you would be and as uni is mostly about growing up rather than the minimal amount you learn (would not take 1 year if condensed), I question just what you can get out of it versus what you are giving up.

What a load of rubbish! A degree is a prerequisite for the majority of better paid jobs:- it's a guarantee to the employer that you have a certain level of knowledge and can work consistently unsupervised. 'Growing up' happens regardless, as the numerous quantity of non-graduates who can tie their own shoelaces will testify.

If you can do a serious degree like maths, physics or chemistry in one year as opposed to three, then you're a freak of intelligence who is not representative of other graduates of these subjects.

lrr_2

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

I agree with you totally and wish you all the very best with this. However, would you have given up a secure job to go to university at this time if you hadn't been made redundant?

If I didnt like the job then yes I would leave, really depends on what you want out of life.

Oldernotwiser

lrr wrote: »

If I didnt like the job then yes I would leave, really depends on what you want out of life.

Even with a wife and child dependent on you?

lrr_2

Yes. I am a single parent with a young daughter and a mortgage. Really hard work but you have to decide whether to stay in a dead end job which you hate or struggle for a bit but hopefully get a job in the end you enjoy. I still have about 30 years of my working life left and would hate to be thinking what if. We only get one shot at life, make the most of it.

Oldernotwiser

lrr wrote: »

Yes. I am a single parent with a young daughter and a mortgage. Really hard work but you have to decide whether to stay in a dead end job which you hate or struggle for a bit but hopefully get a job in the end you enjoy. I still have about 30 years of my working life left and would hate to be thinking what if. We only get one shot at life, make the most of it.

I do understand what you're saying about not enjoying your job but it's much easier for a lone parent to move onto benefits if your plans go wrong.

Much better to achieve your aims by carrying on working and studying part time IMO.

Voyager2002

Please note that the OP (and isn't Nat usually a woman's name?) said that s/he knows that the monthly amount of grant and loan s/he expects to receive would be the same as her/his present net salary? So finding part-time work and short-term financial worries are not an issue.

In the longer term: none of us know what the labour market will be like in three or four years' time. We can, however, be reasonably confident that the majority of graduates, particularly those from job-related courses, will find some kind of job. And not many of them will be as unhappy at work as the OP.

Overall, I think that the OP's move makes a lot of sense. Assuming, that is, that s/he has carefully considered the course itself.