I wish I did better at school

Denning.

googler wrote: »

What's 'Russell Group'?

Did you stop learning when you left school? Did you lose the ability to learn when you left school?

No, you can, if you put your mind to it, still learn stuff whenever you want. Use your local library, bookshop, the Internet. Look for evening classes run by your local schools. Ask people about stuff.

Russel Group is the top dozen or so research universities. A lot of employers equate it to 'the best unis'.

University 'value' works a lot on reputation, but I can tell you as a matter of fact that the level of teaching in some Russel group unis are below that of some ex polies, in certain subjects.

whitewing

When other people talk about how well they are doing, they often edit out the undesirable info, or even delude themselves.

A relative of mine keeps going on about a £60K a year job offer he got, despite never going to university, but the reality is that it was only a comment over the phone, never even put in writing, and probably would never have actually come about.

Hard work and a great attitude will get you places, but a step at a time so you don't fully appreciate how far you have come. Getting on well with people will open more doors.

marisco_2

matt10001 wrote: »

I got average A level results, did not go to russell group university which if you don't you will find it hard to get a good job and now I feel my life is going nowhere.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but whilst you have such a woe is me, defeatist approach to life it will continue to go nowhere. Attending a top university and gaining a degree sometimes gets you a foot in the door. Usually very little else nowadays. What happens next is down to a persons ambition, drive and resilience and their ability to apply the knowledge and skills that they have to their best advantage. Until you accept that the only person who can make life amazing is yourself then it will continue to disappoint you.

flea72

Your life is going nowhere because you have the wrong attitude. If you think you didnt do good enough at school, then do something about it. Go back to study and this time, put more effort in.

The life you want doesnt just fall into your lap, you have to work for it. Even if you went to a good uni, you will still have to prove yourself once in the workplace, or you still wont get on

Just accept that only you can change your future and blaming yr shortcomjngs on others is only going to hold you back further

iSlideOnItConstance

matt10001 wrote: »

I got average A level results, did not go to russell group university which if you don't you will find it hard to get a good job and now I feel my life is going nowhere.

Self pity willy get you nowhere.

:A

Peccary

What do you want to do? Uni isn't the end of your learning experience!

My husband went to an ex poly but was kicked off his business degree. He had impressed in his work placement enough that they offered him a lowly job. He worked bloody hard. Ten years on he works for a major international bank.

I did go to a Russell Group uni and work in research science.

He earns twice my salary! Only you can turn it around!

BillJones

makeyourdaddyproud wrote: »

The smartest people around are the ones that didn't waste time at university.

For a great many people, university is far from wasted. If you have the necessary intellect to benefit from it, it can be life changing. It's simply not possible to do a great many careers without a degree nowadays.

Edited to add, in response to the point made below, sorry if I've parsed your sentence incorrectly, and you were saying "the smartest go to university, and don't waste the time while they are there".

flea72

BillJones wrote: »

Oh dear. May I ask what your own background is that leads you to such a view? Did you yourself avoid university but go on to discover a new branch of physics?

For a great many people, university is far from wasted. If you have the necessary intellect to benefit from it, it can be life changing. It's simply not possible to do a great many careers without a degree nowadays.

Depends on how you interpret that statement. I dont think smart people waste time at whatever they do. Be that, going to uni and wasting the opportunity, or not wasting time by going to uni in the first place

Whatever, the OP has only just realised that you need to give 100% every day, to get on in life. By slacking off at school they didnt get decent As to get them into a top uni, and then prob did the same at uni, scraping by with a thora

Twisted_Cherry

I see people around me that went to Russell Group Universities, and they have good lives, jobs and careers, but they studied and worked for it. I've gone through the feeling jealous about them, and for a long time I wanted to prove to myself I could go to university. Some years back now after studying an Access Course, I applied for five places at different universities across the UK, 3 of them Russell Group ones. I also got offered places at all 5! I was obviously very happy, but then I realised that I was going to university for all the wrong reason's so I bailed and withdrew my place at the one I had accepted, which was York.

Now I realise I will be happier and more content working and earning money, rather than going down the career route. I still however would like to study a Degree and I am considering the OU!

mustang121

I come from an era of College students that were ushered in to attending University. Sometimes I wish I hadn't bothered and instead learned a trade skill.


Doesn't matter what or where you go the world will always require electricians, plumbers and mechanics. So many times I see tax-free paid opportunities for the those three skill sets to work around the world, the last being Antarctica research base. So many of my fellow school mates who learned a trade are so financially well off....apparently.


Still I cannot grumble. I found a decent company and currently learning new skills to hopefully help with my career progression. I have a loving girlfriend and mortgaged home.