Nice people thread part 5 - nicely does it

silvercar

I've got issues with how the A level system prematurely specialises you before you know what you want to do later on.

Opposite for me. All I wanted to study was maths. I would have been happy to specialise earlier. I couldn't do languages or anything practical, I didn't enjoy writing essays.

My school insisted that everyone took a foreign language - the only exam I've ever failed.

For A level, I did maths, maths, physics and computer science.

LydiaJ

silvercar wrote: »

Opposite for me. All I wanted to study was maths. I would have been happy to specialise earlier. I couldn't do languages or anything practical, I didn't enjoy writing essays.

My school insisted that everyone took a foreign language - the only exam I've ever failed.

For A level, I did maths, maths, physics and computer science.

Very similar here! I chose my A-levels on the basis of not wanting to write any essays, and did maths, maths, physics, chemistry.

It's not that I don't want to have anything to do with arts/languages: I was happy doing lots of subjects to O-level, I still read literature, and I can get by in spoken French, but I didn't (and still don't) want to study them formally beyond the O-level kind of standard, and I don't want to have to write about them.

Nowadays, I am still glad not to have anything to do with essays, but I'm on the other end of the process and feel very grateful to be teaching a subject where I don't have to mark any of them.

Davesnave

My DD2, who's doing fine art, is genuinely in love with her work. She says she would still do the course even if she had prior knowledge that it would lead nowhere work-wise. As for re-paying her loan, she just smiles and says, "I hope I earn that much!"

DD's department actually has a very good track record of its graduates finding a position soon after leaving, but it's such a woolly subject, that could be in a vast range of jobs.

DD explains that while the subject might be woolly, employers seek out good graduates because they will have a wide skill set and, most importantly, they'll be self-starters with a strong sense of purpose.

On the whole, I'm rather glad I went to uni in the 70s. No committment necessary, at least in the early stages.

Davesnave

LydiaJ wrote: »

! I chose my A-levels on the basis of not wanting to write any essays, and did maths, maths, physics, chemistry.

At college I quite enjoyed writing essays, as the process fascinated me. It was a masochistic kind of fascination, though.

I'd marvel at the way my brain would seemingly fail to absorb anything, and yet when I'd slept on my reading for a few weeks, the bones of an essay would begin to form. Then, when I felt I was ready, it was just a case of sitting down in the quiet around midnight and starting.....

I'd work through the night, almost in a trance, with papers and notes everywhere. I'd smoke a pack of cigarettes too. By dawn, the job would often be done, at least in rough, but I'd have no clear idea how. Things would just fit into place.

I sold quite a few A -type essays for favours at the college bar. The process may have been interesting, but I suppose, secretly, I admired those who could write their essays without all the rigmarole, and with the radio on! :rotfl:

michaels

I'll make a note...

lostinrates wrote: »

:eek: thats my favourite court too. Nice place outside to eat you apple and sarnie at lunch time.

michaels

Hmm - not sure you should be so dismissive of Nando's without having tried it even once?

lostinrates wrote: »

Dg, i have never been to a nandos.....and in my life have probably spent less than £30 in MacD's. I am incredibly lucky becauose a lt of people have paid for me to eaty in nice places. I do believe i have been good value for money for them though, they asked me to go, werre not stong armed, and many have asked me many times, so must feel i am worth my portion of the bill. . I accpet this is something more likely to happen to women though, and well......tough. So is pmt, childbirth and regular hair removal. Its swings and roundabouts on the sexes seesaw i suppose.

michaels

Geek :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

silvercar wrote: »

Opposite for me. All I wanted to study was maths. I would have been happy to specialise earlier. I couldn't do languages or anything practical, I didn't enjoy writing essays.

My school insisted that everyone took a foreign language - the only exam I've ever failed.

For A level, I did maths, maths, physics and computer science.

lostinrates

michaels wrote: »

Hmm - not sure you should be so dismissive of Nando's without having tried it even once?

I din't think i was rude about it, just said i haven't been . I was dismissive about the other one though. I liked the milkshake. But where did the milk come from? I do not know. I liked dipping the chips in the milkshake. I liked the pickles, but not the rest of the burger.

lostinrates

I would rather have done a more varied course for longer too. With fewer mandatories at gcse.

misskool

silvercar wrote: »

Opposite for me. All I wanted to study was maths. I would have been happy to specialise earlier. I couldn't do languages or anything practical, I didn't enjoy writing essays.

My school insisted that everyone took a foreign language - the only exam I've ever failed.

For A level, I did maths, maths, physics and computer science.

I still don't know what I want to study :rotfl:

Am I glad it's Friday though!! Just wilting on the sofa then bed. Plenty to do tomorrow and need to figure out if garage is open...