No idea what to do!

BunnieJ

I've found it much easier to cope with studying as a mature student. First time at uni I was so stressed I got quite ill and couldn't handle the work even though it was a relatively 'easy' degree.
This time around, I'm doing a much harder science degree, but I'm loving every second of it and doing really well.

Is it not possible to have some of your previous loan removed if you can prove you were unable to finish through no fault of your own (a doctor's note, etc)?

Good luck whatever you decide to do

It's good to hear I'm not the only one who strugged with uni! My degree was by no means an 'easy degree' and I just couldn't cope.

It makes you feel pretty s**t when other people ask you why you didn't just stick it out etc. Alot of my friends from uni did that and ended up with mediocre degrees in subjects they had no interest in! Then again, they've all been able to find decent jobs based on the fact they're 'graduates'.

I'll have to look into the details of my loan. They usually send me a statement every year (not that I can pay them back :rotfl:) I used a doctor's note in my appeal to be let back into uni to retake my first year, but it was about 6 years ago, so not sure! Will have to investigate!

It seems most likely that I will have to fund my first year of study and then hopefully be eligable for a loan for my second and third years. Not quite sure how this applies to part-time study though.

Good luck with your studies!

pineapple123

Im sure many of us on here had boring, low paid or rubbish jobs when we were younger. I used to clean mens toilets also worked packing things into plastic trays very, very boring.
Keep applying for jobs, night school, college etc for courses, GCSE's, computer, beauty etc whatever intrests you.

As others have said look for jobs that you can progress in career some may be boring, low paid to start with for example I know someone who worked poorly paid with special needs children did 4 year part time degree in conjuction (supported finacially and work practice) by the place she was employed and now is a qualified special needs teacher.

Sorry to sound harsh but many people your age have been brought up expecting to leave education with an exciting job and great wages its the culture we have now, reality for many however is very different but with motivation, enthusiasm, and abit of luck you will find something you are happy with.
Good luck.

paulineb_2

BunnieJ wrote: »

It's good to hear I'm not the only one who strugged with uni! My degree was by no means an 'easy degree' and I just couldn't cope.

It makes you feel pretty s**t when other people ask you why you didn't just stick it out etc. Alot of my friends from uni did that and ended up with mediocre degrees in subjects they had no interest in! Then again, they've all been able to find decent jobs based on the fact they're 'graduates'.

I'll have to look into the details of my loan. They usually send me a statement every year (not that I can pay them back :rotfl:) I used a doctor's note in my appeal to be let back into uni to retake my first year, but it was about 6 years ago, so not sure! Will have to investigate!

It seems most likely that I will have to fund my first year of study and then hopefully be eligable for a loan for my second and third years. Not quite sure how this applies to part-time study though.

Good luck with your studies!

To be honest with you, Id be concerned if someone did a first year at uni twice and didnt get through it both times. I know every university is different, but to fail when I did my degree, you would have to fail your exams at the year end. Then you would need to fail resits. And even then some people who struggled with one module were able to take a year out and go back and sit that, they were allowed to sit that exam another twice before the decision was made to end their degree.

Ive been on degree courses where I have struggled. I too went away at 18 and ended up on a course I hated (not a degree, an HND), there were other issues going on that year. I went back home and stayed home to do a degree. Which I got. The thing is, if you find first year of a degree tough, you might come unstuck in year two or year 3. My degree is business studies. Its obviously not as tough as some degrees but it was hard enough at times.

In your position, the last thing I would be doing is going down the OU route, which can be expensive. It is possible to get a degree at some colleges by studying part time, at night for example.

But there are plenty of other ways you can study without having to do a degree. Short courses. Level 2 and 3 NVQ courses. I think if you really do want to study and take it further you need to consider doing something much less than a degree to start with and seeing how you go with that.

Indie_Kid

If you do decide to do OU study, you can pay your fees in instalments. Actually. I thin any uni allows this.

RAS

BunnieJ wrote: »

I've practically written essays about how much I want to work in a certain career or company, but still no joy. Maybe if I'm lucky I get a "We have recieved your application" e-mail, but never any follow up. I've even gone so far as to contact those employers again to ask for feedback as to why I haven't been considered, so I can improve my CV etc, but they never respond!

Herein may lie the problem.

I would like to be Louis Smith but chances are slim to say the least.

What an employer wants to know is not how much you want the job, but what you can do for them. And not just claims but evidence that you can succeed in the role.

BunnieJ

Herein may lie the problem.

I would like to be Louis Smith but chances are slim to say the least.

What an employer wants to know is not how much you want the job, but what you can do for them. And not just claims but evidence that you can succeed in the role.

I'll give you an example of what I've applied for recently, it was a job as a support assistant for a young man about to start university in Bath. He has cerebral palsy and would need help getting around campus etc.

I've worked as a 1:1 support assistant for children with special needs and have worked with a teenager with cerebral palsy before. I have also lived/been to uni in Bath. I thought that would set me up in good stead for at least an interview/meet the young man I would be working with. I explained all the reasons I would be perfect for the job in my convering letter and sent my CV to the employer.

I was sent an e-mail to say my application had been recieved and they would let me know if I was shortlisted.

They never contacted me again so I assume they weren't interested...

I completely understand why I would get rejected from a job which I had no qualifcations/experience in; I often apply for something I think I would enjoy and hope that my covering letter/CV will at least be good enough for them to give me a shot at interview. But this was different, I knew I was capable and had the relevant skills for the role. It made me quite upset when I didn't get shortlisted!

paulineb_2

Indie_Kid wrote: »

If you do decide to do OU study, you can pay your fees in instalments. Actually. I thin any uni allows this.

It's still expensive, unless you qualify for a fee waiver.

Getting a job where an employer pays for study or part funds it would be a better option.

BunnieJ

paulineb wrote: »

It's still expensive, unless you qualify for a fee waiver.

Getting a job where an employer pays for study or part funds it would be a better option.

It would be, if I had a job in the field of study I want to do. I don't want to do reception/office admin forever, so there would be no point in doing qualifications in it just because my employer will pay

It's the same with the NHS. Yes, I could do a qualification/degree and get fully funded, but I don't want to work in the NHS!

It seems I may have to fund myself...

Horace

BunnieJ wrote: »

I'll give you an example of what I've applied for recently, it was a job as a support assistant for a young man about to start university in Bath. He has cerebral palsy and would need help getting around campus etc.

I've worked as a 1:1 support assistant for children with special needs and have worked with a teenager with cerebral palsy before. I have also lived/been to uni in Bath. I thought that would set me up in good stead for at least an interview/meet the young man I would be working with. I explained all the reasons I would be perfect for the job in my convering letter and sent my CV to the employer.

I was sent an e-mail to say my application had been recieved and they would let me know if I was shortlisted.

They never contacted me again so I assume they weren't interested...

I completely understand why I would get rejected from a job which I had no qualifcations/experience in; I often apply for something I think I would enjoy and hope that my covering letter/CV will at least be good enough for them to give me a shot at interview. But this was different, I knew I was capable and had the relevant skills for the role. It made me quite upset when I didn't get shortlisted!

Sometimes it takes ages for prospective employers to get back to you. Why not ring them to see when they are shortlisting?

It is disheartening when employers don't shortlist despite you knowing that you have all the relevant experience and qualifications but you don't really know what they are looking for, they may even receive thousands of applications for one job and cannot interview everybody so will shortlist from the first few received (I do not know their criteria so this is a guess).

I make my CV and covering letter stand out by printing them on 180g paper which is thicker than the normal 80g paper that you usually get - sure it is a bit more expensive but when people are sifting then it stands out more.

Do you tailor your CV as well as your letter? Do you ever do any voluntary work as this can go on the CV too. Sign up with some temp agencies and go temping - sure you will get some boring assignments but the pay can be quite good, you won't be bored because you will move to different employers regularly. It is time to be proactive rather than reactive.

FloppyDisk

I'd be inclined to keep on with the job hunt rather than looking at expensive education options as the only means to progress. Have you spoken to your line manager or a mentor at work to see if there is any opportunity to take on more responsibility or shadow someone in a role you're more interested in? Even experience of helping to plan an office party or helping process invoices can be dressed up to give your CV more depth.