Delay uni for few years -do A levels expire?

fatgit

crank_girl wrote: »

I may get shot down in flames for saying this but IMHO a lot of 18 year-olds don't possess the maturity to get the most out of a degree course. There are too many distractions such as learning about who you are away from the watchful gaze of your parents, learning about finances and running a home etc. The more of life's lessons you learn before you get to uni, the more attention you have for the subject you are supposed to be studying.

If she goes in a couple of years with a wodge of cash and a bit more life experience she'll have much more motivation to maximise her time at uni.

Best of luck whatever she decides...and big congrats for the A-level results.

nail on head

i went to uni very young

only got a 3rd when i was capable of 2:1 at least

struggled in career that i started after uni...massive stress causing both mental and financial problems (i am paying money to a Trust Deed (Scottish equivalent of IVA) now

only just getting back on straight and narrow now...graduated over 6 years ago

I wish someone had suggested a bit of time out for me before i went to uni...i was far too immature.

Alikay

Many thanks to you all for your lovely positive replies. DD was very smiley after reading them as she's had a bit of stick today from some schoolfriends who think she should take up her place at uni this year. It's nice to know that her good A levels are now "in the bag" and she can study what, where and when she chooses in the future with a bit of life experience and hopefully, cash behind her.

She does feel a bit guilty as some friends didn't get the grades they needed and are going through clearing or doing resits. They are naturally amazed that she's refusing a very good place after exceeding the requirements, but she's certain that she wants to wait a few years, and see how her interests and skills evolve. After all, how many of us can really say what we want to do with the rest of our life at just 18?

Thanks again,A

candygirl

I think she is very wise in getting experience in the outside world before going back into education.It will give her more life experience and confidence.Congratulations on the great results though:T :T :T

regularsaver1

Something I regret was not having a gap year between college and uni

My brother got his A levels last year. he has spent the last 6 months in Oz (& working up until he left)|, and starts uni in Oct

Wish I had done this

celyn90

I regret not havinga gap year too! Even though I went to uni to work, not to escape/socialise, I do wish I'd taken some time out and done something else first. cel x

Gingernutmeg

I took seven years out between school and uni and my A-Levels were still valid when I applied It's not a problem at all.

speranza

I'm starting uni at 23 after a failed attempt when I was 19 and all my friends were going. I ended up picking an "obvious" subject on the basis that I liked it at school so I would probably like it at uni. Wrong!

I quit, worked various jobs, probably wasted quite a lot of time to be honest, but eventually figured out what I wanted to do at 21/22. I did end up going back to college and doing a Foundation Humanities course, for two reasons.

1. Most higher-ranking universities do require qualifications to not be more than 2-3 years old. I could have applied to decent unis with my original qualifications if I'd emphasised the fact that I'd had lots of work experience, etc. but I wanted to apply to really good unis and for this my academic stuff needed to be recent. I worked full-time through my one-year Foundation course which was the hardest thing I've ever done, but got through it somehow.

2. I didn't want to go back to college and do a-levels because I felt like that would be a step back for me and with the Foundation course you were basically expected to act like you were already at uni, so I had to work very much on my own and turn in essays at a much higher standard than I initially expected. I'd always been a teacher's pet sort of student, so when I got my first essay on this course back with a grade at 2:2 level I was pretty horrified, but at least it made me realise the level I needed to be at.

So I would suggest that if your daughter does want to apply to top 20-or-above unis then she not leave *too* big a gap, or at least make sure she keeps herself in academia in some way because it was a big shock going back in after 2+ years of nothing.

However, I have to say I feel a lot more ready for uni now and the last year of preparing has only made me more excited about my subject. Now I look back and can't imagine what I was thinking 4 years ago and I'm so glad I didn't continue with that degree. Also, most of my friends have graduated now and they're wishing they could go back and do it all over again instead of having to grow up. A lot of them really don't know what to do with themselves and it seems quite common for people to have a few random "lost" years after uni. I don't think I'll have that problem, simply because I've spent so much time making sure I know what I want to do!

I'm sure plenty of people get on fine with the usual route to uni, but it's not for everyone and I'm very, very glad that I'll spend most of the rest of my 20s in education, having fun, travelling, etc. because I have the rest of my life for the serious stuff!

Anyway, sorry about writing a novel. Congrats to your daughter, I hope everything works out.

vixarooni

i finished my a levels and went to a college affilated with kent uni to do my tourism management course. In my a levels i totally didnt try, and had no clue what to do. My mum suggest a course and thats what i ended up doing. I love it but in some ways i wish i had waited a year, i met a boyfriend and i bunked off alot in year one, didnt try and didnt get bad grades but not excellent. By the time i was 20 i had grown up and in year two i had greatly improved! now im approaching 21 i hope my final year will be my best.

Ive matured so much and i think i might benefit your daughter to wait a bit. She sounds pretty mature anyway, so i dont think you will have any problems
good luck and congrats on those fab grades to her!

crank_girl

Just an idea on a potential career for your daughter...if she likes the idea of applying chemistry and biology in a work environment, how about forensic science? You do need a degree and a Masters but it seems a very interesting job with a good mix of lab work and field work.

The uni I'm studying at, UCLAN, offers this degree and have a really good reputation for it.

Also, another idea for where to look for help...I used to work for a charity whose aim was to promote health and science-based careers to young people. Your daughter might want to have a look at their website as it contains a lot if info on various careers, including where to study. The website is https://www.brightjournals.com/library/. She also might find the articles on student finance of use when she does go back to study.

Prudent

I took a year out before going to uni because I was enjoying the world of work. I learnt responsibility and matured in that time. It was time limited, so I saved most of my income for uni. If I had stayed on in that job I would have much better pay and far less stress than I currently have as a teacher. I did howver love my time at uni, so I guess there were pros and cons. Once I graduated I wanted to use my qualification. Retrospectively, I should have enjoyed uni and then returned to the original job, with another career option up my sleeve if needed.

Good luck to your daughter, whatever she chooses.