Advice for a Sixteen Year Old school leaver

southernscouser

My biggest regret was not studying properly in school, GCSE's and A-levels.

If I could have the chance again I would work my bloody socks off and revise for exams!

But I was told all this by my brother when I was about 14! Therefore my only advice I could give is to learn from your mistakes. You will make loads but it's learning from them thats important.

tesuhoha

I'm not sure that I agree either because with the latest student loans, they are paid back through the graduate's salary and they are not payable until the salary level reaches a certain amount. Therefore, although this is a debt, it will not be as noticeable as it will seem just like one more deduction on a payslip.

tesuhoha

southernscouser wrote:

My biggest regret was not studying properly in school, GCSE's and A-levels.

If I could have the chance again I would work my bloody socks off and revise for exams!

But I was told all this by my brother when I was about 14! Therefore my only advice I could give is to learn from your mistakes. You will make loads but it's learning from them thats important.

You arent the only one. Some kid said to me today, 'Miss, these grades we are getting stay with us all our lives dont they' and i replied 'We've spent 5 years trying to make you realise that and its only happened a week before your exams.' Of course its too late for him because he hasnt worked and for a lot of others too. I hear teachers say it all the time, kids say to them, I wish I'd realised, I wish I could go back, but when they are at school teachers go on and on and on about exams and the kids just dont listen until about 2 weeks before the exams and then they start to panic.

southernscouser

tesuhoha wrote:

You arent the only one. Some kid said to me today, 'Miss, these grades we are getting stay with us all our lives dont they' and i replied 'We've spent 5 years trying to make you realise that and its only happened a week before your exams.' Of course its too late for him because he hasnt worked and for a lot of others too. I hear teachers say it all the time, kids say to them, I wish I'd realised, I wish I could go back, but when they are at school teachers go on and on and on about exams and the kids just dont listen until about 2 weeks before the exams and then they start to panic.

To be honest I don't think 14 year olds are mature enough to chose subjects that could determine the rest of their lives! (especially not boys). I know I wasn't!

I'm not proud to admit I didn't revise for my GCSE's or A-levels. My grades were OK and I fell on my feet getting my job (a case of who I know not what I know).

You can say it until your blue in the face but people will only ever learn from their own mistakes. Sure they will listen to your advice but for me experience is the biggest learning curve!

tesuhoha

The trouble is that the easiest place to study is school. Once you leave then it becomes a lot more difficult. Going to nightclasses requires a great deal of self discipline and people who have not worked at school find it easier to drop out of college.

southernscouser

tesuhoha wrote:

The trouble is that the easiest place to study is school. Once you leave then it becomes a lot more difficult. Going to nightclasses requires a great deal of self discipline and people who have not worked at school find it easier to drop out of college.

'Tis true! When I was posting I was trying to think of a solution but I don't think there is one! You just have to hope the majority realise how important it is!

tesuhoha

There are a lot of hardworking kids and a lot of slackers too but the ones who really break my heart are the ones who work their socks off but just dont have the ability to pass exams and there are quite a few of those.

lynzpower

Ooh this has all raged on without me!

I would say, if Id waited till 25, i would have had the life experinece not to do an "arts " subject that cost me circa 15k but I cant get more than a 5GCSE job. I dont know a single person who has benefited from their degree aside from those who have done vocational studies such as IT/Social Work/ denisty/ medical/ engineering. that has a job that pays anything near what they were promised.

I am a thorough cynic in this respect though, I do say that. I would then revise my advise and say " ok ,you want to go to uni what for? Do you believe your employability will increase over and above general "working your way up" jobs to the tune of £350 for the next 5 years, minimum? If so, fine, go and get yourself a politics degree Aint worth scratch

EDIT- sorry a bit drunk

dippy-dora_2

Do they teach kids about finances in school these days?
All I can remember slightly remoted to this is working out how to make cheap meals in cookery class.
Mind you I don't even think I'd heard of a credit card till I was in my 20's, and I've never been tempted to have one, but I know from my neice how these kids are easily tempted.

southernscouser

I remember being 15 or 16 and we were shown how to write a cheque! :rolleyes:

They probably teach you how to fill in credit applications these days!