Why is it that going to University Costs so much.

poet123

I am a little confused presumably if you are studying for a degree or have a degree, you attended Uni, either full or part time or OU, still Uni, so given that you have taken that path and achieved a degree (which you intend to use to futher your career) how can you then contend Uni is a waste?

It is a means to an end, and does have positive aspects, just not the same positive aspects for everyone.

The_One_Who

iamana1ias wrote: »

Absolutely, and that is why it's now included. But someone wanting to study a course which is predominently about classic literature (which has by definition remained popular for centuries should not need to start from scratch!)

So we agree that school does not prepare kids for uni, and uni does not prepare kids for work. Bit of a waste of money, really.

Which is why students should look into course contents before applying, that way they know what sort of things the course will cover. Rather than going ZOMG Oxbridge!!!1!!! I wouldn't go there (withe their current departments) if you paid me. They don't suit my interests.

I disagree that university doesn't prepare someone for work.

melancholly

The_One_Who wrote: »

2. It's not all about the money. In fact, the money doesn't really feature at all. It's about liking the job. Great if you can get a job you love which has a good salary, but not all do.

well exactly! not everyone is motivated by earning huge amounts - there is the ability to love what you do and earn enough doing that!

iamana1ias - sadly, you sound like the 'typical' mature student.... better than all the 18 year olds and certainly not afraid to tell them and make friends... (i should say that i don't think this applies to most mature students - before poet123 gets offended - i don't mean that at all - but if there is a stereotype of a lazy student, there's an equal stereotype of an abnoxious mature student that no-one want to work with or teach.... not true most of the time btw!).

but anyway, educational psychology isn't going to make anyone millions either and a physics/maths/chemistry phd will get anyone into a massively high paying job in any variety of companies... shame i don't have one!

poet123

melancholly wrote: »

well exactly! not everyone is motivated by earning huge amounts - there is the ability to love what you do and earn enough doing that!

iamana1ias - sadly, you sound like the 'typical' mature student.... better than all the 18 year olds and certainly not afraid to tell them and make friends... (i should say that i don't think this applies to most mature students - before poet123 gets offended - i don't mean that at all - but if there is a stereotype of a lazy student, there's an equal stereotype of an abnoxious mature student that no-one want to work with or teach.... not true most of the time btw!).

but anyway, educational psychology isn't going to make anyone millions either and a physics/maths/chemistry phd will get anyone into a massively high paying job in any variety of companies... shame i don't have one!

I am not a mature student (never was one really, unless you count being 23 when I began studying) I actually lecture now, and so am on the other side of the fence:D

iamana1ias

The_One_Who wrote: »

I disagree that university doesn't prepare someone for work.

And your experience of this is what, exactly?

melancholly

sh1305 wrote: »

I will only spend if I have to. I have a budget of £80 per week - I usually have over half of that left. And that's after things such as food and clothes. (I don't buy clothes every week)

i wish i had a budget of £80 a week to spend on me... after bills, there are plenty of us in 'the real world' (well, as much as you can say my job is in the real world!) who just don't have that.

iamana1ias

poet123 wrote: »

I am a little confused presumably if you are studying for a degree or have a degree, you attended Uni, either full or part time or OU, still Uni, so given that you have taken that path and achieved a degree (which you intend to use to futher your career) how can you then contend Uni is a waste?

It is a means to an end, and does have positive aspects, just not the same positive aspects for everyone.

I didn't do it willingly. I did it by part time distance learning because I'd hit the bar of what I could do within my chosen field without it. Did it without debt and have more real experience than those that spent 3 years dossing at uni.

I think it's a waste for 18 year olds. Doing it when you have work experience to support it and some idea of how the world works is, IMO, far better for all concerned.

The_One_Who

iamana1ias wrote: »

And your experience of this is what, exactly?

Very little personal, except a work placement in a company vaguely related to my degree. It's my 'plan B' option. I managed fine. I can work, I can follow instructions, I can work under my own initiative, I'm not afraid to ask a question rather than doing something I don't know how to.

University offers a wide variety of transferable skills (both 'hard' and 'soft') which companies want. They don't expect someone to come out of university and be the best person they have ever had to do the top job.

Your company can't seem to weed out weak applicants with their application system. There are plenty of very, very good students out there who will make excellent employees.

University can offer work experience, very good relevant work experience. Better than some can get without a degree or without the university background. The reality is that there are so few work placements and apprenticeships for school leavers now that there aren't many other paths for some careers other than to go to university.

iamana1ias

melancholly wrote: »

iamana1ias - sadly, you sound like the 'typical' mature student.... better than all the 18 year olds and certainly not afraid to tell them and make friends... (i should say that i don't think this applies to most mature students - before poet123 gets offended - i don't mean that at all - but if there is a stereotype of a lazy student, there's an equal stereotype of an abnoxious mature student that no-one want to work with or teach.... not true most of the time btw!).

:rolleyes: I didn't attend uni for mine. So I didn't have to mix with those scabby 18 year olds luckily. Yeuch!

melancholly wrote: »

but anyway, educational psychology isn't going to make anyone millions either and a physics/maths/chemistry phd will get anyone into a massively high paying job in any variety of companies... shame i don't have one!

Nor do many people, do they? That's why the ones that do get paid a lot!

The_One_Who

iamana1ias wrote: »

Nor do many people, do they? That's why the ones that do get paid a lot!

Here was me thinking research (which is what most PhD-holders will do in some capacity) didn't pay much. It all depends on what you want to do in life.