University league tables

DalePie

PaulW1965 wrote: »

My son is going to uni this autumn and I have witnessed absolutely nothing to suggest that he and his peer group aren't picking their own courses or unis. I mean: zilch, nil, zero, rien, nada. You seem to be suggesting that there has been some large-scale shift in attitudes but I've wittnessed nothing like you suggest. Have you got any evidence to back up your pov? It seems to be little different now than it was when I went to university.

Agree with ^^

My experience during open days is that most students are very clued up on what they want to do and why. They also consistently compare different universities and are far more aware of how it all works.

It's not hard to see why, for many families this generation are maybe the first or second to go to university. Mum and dad did not so it stands to reason that the advice mum and dad can give is restricted a little. Doesn't mean they can't offer morale support and help with the practical aspects of it all though . Also doesn't mean they can't spend time with their children learning about the options together. I think this is what happens 90% of the time.

As for the financial cost, one poster makes it feel like a business transaction. I think you'll find most parents are delighted their little ones are toddling off to a good uni and doing something good with their life. Perhaps it marks a shift up the classes for a family or maybe the child is "getting out" of a tough area and making something of themselves. Either way mum and dad are delighted they aren't doing Micheal Gove's beloved CSE's and relegated to life of working in a callcentre or something.

I think many people have the idea that students are mostly morons who go to university for a laugh. Sure, partying and having fun is a part of the experience but much of the work is... Well it's bloody difficult to understand and do .

The_One_Who

wintersunshine wrote: »

The thread was about University League Tables but you had to make it about parents...why???? What exactly is your problem????

and you have no kids either....

What, exactly, have you contributed to this thread other than personal attacks? Maybe you need to ask yourself what your problem is. At least I responded to the original poster and have further contributed.

Person_one

wintersunshine wrote: »

At least I have kids. Why exactly are you here? :rotfl::rotfl:

Well that's telling.

Some of us are here because we're students ourselves or we work in the sector.

Person_one

PaulW1965 wrote: »

My son is going to uni this autumn and I have witnessed absolutely nothing to suggest that he and his peer group aren't picking their own courses or unis. I mean: zilch, nil, zero, rien, nada. You seem to be suggesting that there has been some large-scale shift in attitudes but I've wittnessed nothing like you suggest. Have you got any evidence to back up your pov? It seems to be little different now than it was when I went to university.

I'm a mature student at university for the second time.

The first time, all the students were sorting themselves out, a couple of them took parents to open days but most went with friends, there were definitely no visible parents at interviews.

The second time around the mature students were the only ones who didn't have their parents with them at open days, the universities I interviewed at sent 'info packs' specifically for parents and had events planned for parents to attend while their children were being interviewed. I spoke to one of the admin people who told me they had to start arranging things for the parents who turned up because otherwise they hung around outside the interview room or even tried to come in with the student!

There has definitely been a change, and that's within a decade.

The_One_Who

Person_one wrote: »

I'm a mature student at university for the second time.

The first time, all the students were sorting themselves out, a couple of them took parents to open days but most went with friends, there were definitely no visible parents at interviews.

The second time around the mature students were the only ones who didn't have their parents with them at open days, the universities I interviewed at sent 'info packs' specifically for parents and had events planned for parents to attend while their children were being interviewed. I spoke to one of the admin people who told me they had to start arranging things for the parents who turned up because otherwise they hung around outside the interview room or even tried to come in with the student!

There has definitely been a change, and that's within a decade.

I totally agree. Last year I worked at an event held by a university on the other side of the country that was a specific 'parent evening' thing. There only seemed to be one or two of the prospective students there, in a group of a hundred or so people. I have also worked at graduations where the parents want to go and register the graduand and get the gown for them.

I totally understand that parents want to be involved, and they should be, but when it comes to choosing a university that should be solely the student's choice.

melancholly

PaulW1965 wrote: »

My son is going to uni this autumn and I have witnessed absolutely nothing to suggest that he and his peer group aren't picking their own courses or unis. I mean: zilch, nil, zero, rien, nada. You seem to be suggesting that there has been some large-scale shift in attitudes but I've wittnessed nothing like you suggest. Have you got any evidence to back up your pov? It seems to be little different now than it was when I went to university.

No I'm not. Very clearly not. It's great that your son and his peers ate doing all this themselves. I simply reacted to posts suggesting that the parents should research this all themselves. It is very clear that there are some students who turn up because someone else makes all the decisions. They rarely thrive! It's not about the situation increasing - it might be, it might not. It's about the very clear need for students to make these big decisions themselves. On the whole, that's exactly what happens, but occasionally you get comments that suggest that this is all down to the parents. They worry me!

It's been a while since you came onto the students board spoiling for a fight... Must be that time of year again....

melancholly

The_One_Who wrote: »

What, exactly, have you contributed to this thread other than personal attacks? Maybe you need to ask yourself what your problem is. At least I responded to the original poster and have further contributed.

Make your life easier- add to ignore list! The nastiness used to wind me up and, despite knowing how petty it was, I'd bite! Now I can't see them. On the upside, if someone wants to make lots of silly aggressive posts, let them make themselves look like a sulky teenager.....! This isn't a new thing. No point engaging imo.

The_One_Who

melancholly wrote: »

Make your life easier- add to ignore list! The nastiness used to wind me up and, despite knowing how petty it was, I'd bite! Now I can't see them. On the upside, if someone wants to make lots of silly aggressive posts, let them make themselves look like a sulky teenager.....! This isn't a new thing. No point engaging imo.

I usually don't bother, but sometimes I can't resist. Wouldn't be too bad if they actually contributed to the thread, rather than came simply to attempt to start an argument.

melancholly

The_One_Who wrote: »

I usually don't bother, but sometimes I can't resist. Wouldn't be too bad if they actually contributed to the thread, rather than came simply to attempt to start an argument.

I've only ever experienced the latter from that poster... Although to be fair, I wouldn't notice any more either way, except when they get quoted!

Dunroamin

wintersunshine wrote: »

At least I have kids. Why exactly are you here? :rotfl::rotfl:

I'm one of the many professionals who work (or have worked) in the field who post on here to help students and their parents.:D