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

Impet_Limpet

I found that microbiology and histology are the most interesting disciplines

I worked as a lab assistant in histology. Histology is the study of tissues, we get tissues that have been removed during surgery sent to us, this includes appendix' gallbladders, suspicous moles etc etc

we get colons and breasts too, its a very interesting discipline if you can get over the "urgh" factor!

basically representative samples are taken and the are processed so they can be encased in paraffin wax, the the biomedical scientists slice them into very thin sections that get mounted on a slide and stained then the pathologists take a look.

You learn a lot about cancer and anatomy and some helpful terminology.

I just remembered that my ex was at uni doing Biomed but didn't want to do the placement year (he wanted to get the degree over and done with) so he went to a local hospital for a 6 week placement instead where he got to see each discipline in pathology, this was unpaid but it will get a foot in the door. This was between this 2nd and 3rd year however if you wish to do it sooner I'd definitley give it a try especially with your past experience.

good luck.

Pink skittles - don't be fooled by the adverts although you meet the job description there is no guarantee you'll get the job. I have many GCSES and A level equivelants and therefore should be able to work as a trainee biomedical scientist - however there are no posts available so I am stuck on a band 2 job £12,777 - 15000(ish), although i have more qualifications than a lab assistant needs and more lab experience I had to start at the bottom of the grade £12,777 when I started. Don't let me put you off, the NHS is a great employer once you are there.

have a look on the jobs website and see what interests you

ChabbyAlonso

Totally off topic, but here goes...

I'm in my first year of University, after changing courses from Psychology to Business Marketing at the end of Decemeber. I wanted to quit Uni altogether in Decemeber, but I was told I was liable for the £3,000...so I decided to finish off the year with a subject I studied as part of my GCSE's & A-Levels.

My arrangement is, that I start paying off the £3,000 when I start earning £15,000 a year. What worries me, is that I don't know how much interest is added per year/month/day?!

Does anyone have an idea, if it helps, It's being paid by student finance direct.

Help appreciated.

greyskittles

^The interest on the loan is 2.4%, starting from the day that your loan became 'official'. It shouldn't be too much per year... maybe £300/year at the most.

As for the jobs, I'm beginning to feel less and less positive the more I hear. I think I'm just going to apply for the crappest job in the jobcentre to start with. That way, my chances of getting it are raised, and thus my confidence won't take such a battering!

ChabbyAlonso

Cheer for the info. But how come I hear of horror stories of £20,000 debts etc. Surely £9,000 tuition fees over a 3 year course (3 grand a year), plus 3 years worth of interest during that period would be around the £10,000 mark.

I'll even add £1,000 for literature...still a £9,000 or so increase...how the ****?!

greyskittles

^Because a lot of people get a maintenence loan too as well as the £9000 tuition loan (in my case, I can get up to £2650/year) to cover their accomodation etc, but some people who get income based loans get more (around £3300 I believe). I take it you're commuting rather than living on campus?

Edit: just did the maths, and yep - after 3 years I would have been in £16950 debt PLUS the 2.4% interest. Quite shocking really... But it's worth it if it will help you get a good career.

Haynonnie

greyskittles (still prefer the pink!) - I'm sure you will have thought all this through 100 times already - but are you sure you can't stick out this coming semester and then find yourself some interesting work over the summer to see how you like it? That might in turn lead you off in other directions you hadn't thought of.

Maybe the fact that the person who would deal with your situation at university is ill at the moment is Fate's way of saying "whoa there, slow down - are you sure?"

Sorry - it's the way I often see things. Either they're meant to be or they're not which is a bit drippy I know!

greyskittles

^don't put doubts in my mind! i've already missed a week of lectures, etc. i really have my heart set on never going back - it makes me feel physically sick.

i believe in fate... whatever happens will happen anyway. i have thought about it, and re-thought about it, on numerous occassions. i really don't want to pay another £2000 just to finish the year. but now you've scared me...

Haynonnie

ChabbyAlonso - the horror stories can be true. If I continue at this rate I will graduate with over £25,000 debt. Here's how:

4yr BSc Biomedical Science full-time degree

£3000 per year tuition fee loan
£3436 per year standard loan (this year - will perhaps increase each year)

The above makes up my student loan each year for 4 years

I also receive:

£2700 per year standard grant
£1750 per year bursary

I am single and live on my own in rented accommodation and have been on a low income for several years although have never claimed benefits.

I hate the thought of having that much debt, however favourable the terms of the loan are. I intend to reduce the amount I claim each year if I can.

I also intend to make the most of my time at university to make the debt worthwhile

Haynonnie

greyskittles - sorry, sorry, sorry!!!

I had forgotten that you would lose that much money by staying on - maybe the cut and run option would be better if you feel that unhappy about going back.

I feel bad for you as I can't imagine what it's like to be in your position - I'm enjoying every minute of my degree but then I've chosen to go into it as a mature student. As I said before, it's sad that it's not working out when these should be such happy days for you. If you leave now, you can always go back when you feel ready - different uni, different course maybe.

It's understandable that you feel apprehensive about finding a job but there's lots of help out there - not least at your uni. The fact that you've been getting good grades will help as it shows you're not a slacker but maybe just one of the many who have chosen the wrong course at the wrong time.

Did you say you've had a chat to the uni counsellors? They're well-equipped to help you through this and might be able to throw a different light on the situation. Sometimes we get stuck going round in circles and it takes a stranger to point us in the right direction

Hang in there

Thea's_Mummy

You have made your descision even with the disapproval of your Dad and that shows just how serious you are. It must have been extremely hard for you so don't back down now, you've come this far ! You are 19, you should be enjoying life whether it's at Uni or at work. There's enough time to be miserable when you are older !! No-one should go to Uni because it is "expected of them" and parents should not "live through" their children.
Hope all goes well for you..wishing you a "pink " future !