Has anyone left uni? Did you regret it? And a few more questions.

apoorstudent

Yeah, I've heard a lot of good stuff about the Open university. My father started a degree with them a few years ago, but quite after the first assignment as he couldn't do it! I'm not sure whether it would be to my detriment if I were to study at home all the time...

I don't know what kind of course I want to do. I don't even know what interests me anymore... I used to love art, got A* at gcse... but for some reason, I dropped it at A level. Same with Biology, though it was a lot more challenging than say, English.

I actually have a list of jobs that interest me: mental health/pharmacy/dental hygienist/fashion/working in an airport/backstage in a theatre/nutritionist/prison officer, but none of them REALLY jump out at me! And none of them are English-related either...

I think the problem is that I haven't experienced anything except for education. I'd really like to see the world, too... And make some money! I hate being skint.

EJ

apoorstudent wrote:

Thanks for your post, EJ. It's refreshing to see that it can turn out for the best.

My mother is now saying that I must get a job IMMEDIATELY (I have nothing on my cv). It's not as though I ask for a single penny from her/my father. I will get a job, but I want to get myself sorted out first. She says she wants me to do whatever makes me happy... but that's soon followed by some kind of guilt-ridden comment about me throwing away my life. I'm 19, but she makes me feel like I'm a geriatric!

I reallyreally don't know what to do - it's so scary! I want to go and get the withdrawal form tomorrow, but I also don't want to be massacred by the parental unit. Oh joy...

No worries at all

Just try and make the decision for you - your parents will get over it eventually if you do decide to leave. I'm ony 22 (23 next week!) and I know people who are in their 30s, 40s and 50s (she's doing law!) doing degrees for the first time and loving it. Just giving yourself a year will make no negative difference but could give you the time and space to get clarity.

Good Luck - its your life, live it how you want to,
EJ x

firesidemaid

apoorstudent wrote:

Thanks for your post, EJ. It's refreshing to see that it can turn out for the best.

My mother is now saying that I must get a job IMMEDIATELY (I have nothing on my cv). It's not as though I ask for a single penny from her/my father. I will get a job, but I want to get myself sorted out first. She says she wants me to do whatever makes me happy... but that's soon followed by some kind of guilt-ridden comment about me throwing away my life. I'm 19, but she
makes me feel like I'm a geriatric!

I reallyreally don't know what to do - it's so scary! I want to go and get the withdrawal form tomorrow, but I also don't want to be massacred by the parental unit. Oh joy...

hello again. i know you won't believe it, but it doesn't seem 2 minutes since i dropped out of uni at 18/19 - but now i'm 36! where does the time go?



i remember my mum being worried about me too! have you had part-time jobs before or done any volunteering or scouts etc etc? it can all go on your cv.

do you have any savings? if you don't, then in theory you will have to find a job. i have to say a couple of years ago i locumed for a while and did everything from cleaning to admin and conferences to another lab job with a whole range of payscales. i loved all of it as it was my choice what to do on a week by week basis - and it made me realise what i did want to do....

apoorstudent

sazzacat wrote:

hello again. i know you won't believe it, but it doesn't seem 2 minutes since i dropped out of uni at 18/19 - but now i'm 36! where does the time go?



i remember my mum being worried about me too! have you had part-time jobs before or done any volunteering or scouts etc etc? it can all go on your cv.

do you have any savings? if you don't, then in theory you will have to find a job. i have to say a couple of years ago i locumed for a while and did everything from cleaning to admin and conferences to another lab job with a whole range of payscales. i loved all of it as it was my choice what to do on a week by week basis - and it made me realise what i did want to do....

I have savings, but I don't really want to touch them. I've never worked before, so my cv would be blank. I don't think I could deal with being a shop assistant as I'm not outgoing enough, but maybe admin work would be ok. I really wouldn't know where to start! I haven't really done a lot in the past few years apart from studying.

I don't want to make the wrong decision and regret it forevermore. I realise I keep repeating myself, but... ugh ugh ugh.

Impet_Limpet

apoorstudent wrote:

Yeah, I've heard a lot of good stuff about the Open university. My father started a degree with them a few years ago, but quite after the first assignment as he couldn't do it! I'm not sure whether it would be to my detriment if I were to study at home all the time...

I actually have a list of jobs that interest me: mental health/pharmacy/dental hygienist/fashion/working in an airport/backstage in a theatre/nutritionist/prison officer, but none of them REALLY jump out at me! And none of them are English-related either...

It looks like you could do with a modern apprenticeship!

http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/youngpeople/

Before going to university I was on a modern apprenticship scheme for 3 years where they paid decent wages and for my courses e.g. NVQ.

It was ideal as I meant I could be more independant sooner

Impet_Limpet

For example..

Pharmacy Technicians Apprenticeship - Health, Care and Public Services
Apprentices could work as a Dispensing Technician or Hospital Pharmacy Technician in a variety of areas, including hospitals, the community or in marketing/sales. Apprentices need an interest in science and to be friendly, sympathetic and approachable when dealing with the public.


DON'T WORRY ABOUT YOUR CV!! we can help.

as you have been in education most of your life employers expect it to be quite small, if you want any tips let me know as I've written loads for my friends and family

jinkssick

I was at a University where I could have passed if I stuck to it, adn end up with a shieety qualification after TWO YEARS. So I packed it all in and left the uni completely and went to another. Now made some mistakes here as well which means I will have to do an extra semester apart from the normal 6. everyone makes mistakes but its definitely your choice.

I should have been done around 3 years ago but gonna stick at it as its better with a degree than without.

Jazzyjeff_2

I think in order to move on I think you need to fully understand WHY you are unhappy.

You mention that you don't know many people at uni, this is usually an absolutely KEY reason for not enjoying your degree. Lots of people aren't especially fascinated by their degree but the other things such as friends, clubs, lots of free time - more than make up for this. Also don't underestimate the importance of friends doing your course, it makes such a difference being able to work with people & talk to them about what you're finding hard/dislike - it's amazing how reasuring this can be and makes a huge difference.

Location of your uni - do you like the area or is it not really you? This all makes a difference.

The uni itself - all uni's are different and have different facilities/attitudes towards work etc.

The Subject - While not key its obviously still important. Such as the way the course is run and how much you like the course. If you do hate English as much as you say then maybe change courses like others have said.


Personally speaking I went to uni, dropped out after 9 months and went into the world of work. I don't regret it at all and I worked for just over a year, earned some regular money and saved up a bit, then went back to a different uni and different course and really loved it.

Don't think you have to love the course you're doing, its the overall experience that you are entering into so everything must be taken into account!!

moped_mark

I must admit that I'm very interested in this thread as I'm currently considering leaving Uni to work and do a Open University degree.

Basically I left college after getting an ok..ish GNVQ (equivalent to several A levels) and never even considered going to Uni because I didn’t think I would ever get in! So I started working in laboratories for 3 years. Whilst working in the last Lab I was in, I talked to loads of temp staff who were at Uni and decided it might be for me after all! I was offered a part time course with the job I was with but turned it down and decided to go it alone and go for it fully! To cut a long story short, I did a foundation year and nearly quit then but somehow managed to pass the year and I'm now doing the first year of the degree. But after a few months and a desperate lack of motivation, I'm unsure if it's for me. I know I'm not happy doing it and I miss working.

So I'm considering the OU and working full time, but I am worried about what reaction I'll get when my father finds out! I'd much rather leave Uni and use the credits towards an OU degree than waste 1.5 years of my life!

Anyway I'll stop yapping on. If anyone has advice then I'd be grateful.

Cheers

Impet_Limpet

moped_mark wrote:

I must admit that I'm very interested in this thread as I'm currently considering leaving Uni to work and do a Open University degree.
I know I'm not happy doing it and I miss working.

So I'm considering the OU and working full time, but I am worried about what reaction I'll get when my father finds out! I'd much rather leave Uni and use the credits towards an OU degree than waste 1.5 years of my life!

Anyway I'll stop yapping on. If anyone has advice then I'd be grateful.

Cheers

What degree did you start? and how long does it last? If you can find another employer who wil pay for a part time course that may be worth considering

Regarding the OU

the benefits
1) you will graduate with less debt (financial support from the OU as available for many - and it does not take into account your parents income when working out how much you can have!)
2) you can continue to gain practical experience
3) employers like OU degrees because they need motivation, perserverence and many other personal skills to complete
4) you can transfer (some rules apply) the credit to the OU so the work you have done already need not be wasted


the cons
1) it will take you longer to finish your degree
2) it takes plently of motivation so you have to be self disciplined to study.


the OU offer "short courses" approx £99 or free if you are unemployed or on benefits, these short courses can help you to decide if this sort of study is for you.

Here is information especially for 16-24 years olds about OU studyhttp://www.open.ac.uk/five/