Gifted Children

[Deleted User]

I wanted to quit my course towards the end of my 2nd year. My course just wasn't quite what I'd expected and I wasn't enjoying it. However, I'm not a quitter and decided my best bet was to stick it out, do a masters in something I was interested in and keep on plodding along.

Yes, I ended up with a 2:2 (marginally close to a 2:1) in a subject I wasn't truly invested in, but I really enjoyed my masters and it has led to my current career. Ho hum. Maybe I'll do an open university degree one day and get that computer science BSc I really wanted.

I do expect that people who quit uni mainly do it for social reasons. It's a great place if you're surrounded by friends; but I suspect that if you never bonded in a group in your first year it could be an exceptionally lonely place.

daytona0

Lunar_Eclipse wrote: »

There have been ridiculous comments about my husband dropping out of university. Since when is education, or government funding of any kind, based on following something through? Is it better to finish university with a useless (low grade) degree for instance than relinquish that funding to someone who is more keen? Of course not.

Hey, I've got nothing against you or your husband. I just don't like the idea that funding is provided and nothing is gained from it (whether it be in relation to you or anyone else).

Everyone is entitled to make their own life choices, within legal limits. And thankfully in real life people are typically far less judgmental than those behind a computer screen here.


Re: the Liverpool comments, they're way off the mark in terms of the underlying assumption about my background and how wealthy I am, except to say there are successful people from all walks of life.

I used Liverpool to highlight that funding for people who don't gain a qualification could be better directed. No interest whatsoever in your background or wealthiness!

I'm happy for your family success, and wish you all the best for the future. I just believe, however, that people who do not complete a full degree are silly for a few previously stated reasons!

Lunar_Eclipse

Lily-Rose wrote: »

I would be shocked at anyone supporting their young in doing this. I can't fathom how can anyone can be OK with their young adult child dropping out of university, so far into their degree.


I mean, if you have 2 people going for the same job, and they have the same sort of personality and A level results and the same skillset etc,... and one has completed their degree and got a first, and then got a masters and all that, and the other one dropped out of university after 2 years; who do you think the employer is going to pick?
.

My friend who dropped out, in relation to her father dying, had support from her mum. Let's also remember that some parents don't want their child to go to university in the first place.

From your example, with the limited information supplied, the employer will probably pick the graduate. Though without knowing the reasons behind the one who dropped out it's impossible to say (was it to start their own business which they sold for a few million years later?) And life isn't like that either; it's very rare to find two "equal" candidates.

FBaby

Surely it is ridiculous to make assumptions as to whether dropping at this stage is a good idea or not for that particular person as only being to read the future would anyone able to decide whether it was right or not for them?

Everyone will have different reasons for dropping. Some will be well thought through, others not. As a parent, my priority would be to understand the reason for it and then look possible solutions. For instance, it could be that they started a part-time job for a prestigious company that they loved, and were offered to go full-time which would mean dropping off. In this case, if the company was to then offered an opportunity for funding a degree in a different subject relating to the job, I might think taking the job was a sensible option at this stage.

If however the issue was that were not doing well on the course, they didn't see themselves achieving because they didn't have enough time to study due to them having to work many hours to pay for their living expenses, then I would want to discuss whether giving up the job would help and maybe seeing if I could help financially until the end of the course.

I can't see how this is a black or white situation.

[Deleted User]

I studied at Liverpool Uni and one of my course mates was a 'local' from quite a rough estate. Nice lad, could get hold of anything and ended up doing a PhD. Yes, there are smart kids from the rough estates of Liverpool.

This was admittedly in the days when you paid £1k per year at uni

daytona0

Lunar_Eclipse wrote: »

You don't know anything about my husband's job so how do you know those who could rival him?

You're right. I haven't a clue what he does, but there will be young people who are currently working their way to that level. Do we give children from poor backgrounds the same opportunity as those from middle class? Maybe, but from my experience of volunteering I don't always think that's the case...

If your definition of 'cushy' is simply working in a reasonably safe office environment for 12-15 hours a day then you're right. Otherwise, what makes you think they're cushy jobs (I didn't even say what my husband's job is so it's amazing you know it's cushy)?

And cushy compared to what exactly? Working on an oil rig away from family? Stacking shelves in a warehouse? Delivering post? Being a teacher?

- Good pay
- A CONTRACT
- Pension plans / perks
- Good job prospects (or the ability to move down to a job which is still pretty decent!)
- Recognition / prestige
- No risk of having to trek across 5 different countries to find refuge (ok, that's a perk for us all!)
- Oh yes and my personal favourite: GETTING PAID ON TIME!

The hours are a nightmare, but it is otherwise a good position to be in! Can't see how you would not consider that as cushy!

daytona0

ringo_24601 wrote: »

I studied at Liverpool Uni and one of my course mates was a 'local' from quite a rough estate. Nice lad, could get hold of anything and ended up doing a PhD. Yes, there are smart kids from the rough estates of Liverpool.

This was admittedly in the days when you paid £1k per year at uni

That's my point!

A seemingly bright kid who was probably involved with shoplifting (though if he was smart he'd just be a middle man). If the lad had been clocked then he might not have been able to do that PhD....

Lunar_Eclipse

daytona0 wrote: »

Hey, I've got nothing against you or your husband. I just don't like the idea that funding is provided and nothing is gained from it (whether it be in relation to you or anyone else).

I used Liverpool to highlight that funding for people who don't gain a qualification could be better directed. No interest whatsoever in your background or wealthiness!

I'm happy for your family success, and wish you all the best for the future. I just believe, however, that people who do not complete a full degree are silly for a few previously stated reasons!

I agree with you; no-one likes the idea of wasted funding. There are however numerous benefits to a university education or experience. My husband did his 20 000 miles away from his family (which didn't help matters.) I think people are a reflection of their life's experiences, so my husband dropping out of university has helped him get where he is today. It wasn't completely wasted.

And whilst it is no consolation, funding is sadly "wasted" all the time. Just look at the (brilliant) services provided by the NHS on patients who are not ready to quit alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, excessive food intake etc etc. Should we "waste" money on them? Or on educating those who will never learn to read and write?

I thought there was more to your Liverpool comment, since it included gangs/knives/survival, hence nodding to those growing up in 'deprived areas', followed by a questioning of my wealth/value of money. Apologies if I misunderstood your intentions. I lived in a war zone in the Middle East as a child, so I'm not naive when it comes to poverty and its consequences. It's also how I know its not necessarily a barrier to success.

Lunar_Eclipse

daytona0 wrote: »

- Good pay
- A CONTRACT
- Pension plans / perks
- Good job prospects (or the ability to move down to a job which is still pretty decent!)
- Recognition / prestige
- No risk of having to trek across 5 different countries to find refuge (ok, that's a perk for us all!)
- Oh yes and my personal favourite: GETTING PAID ON TIME!

The hours are a nightmare, but it is otherwise a good position to be in! Can't see how you would not consider that as cushy!

I didn't say that. But it's comparative isn't it? I think Waitrose check out is cushy, not the kind of job he does.

Husband has many of those on your list. Does that really make his job cushy?

Contracts aren't worth what most think. Pensions are typically nothing more than an employer informing their staff about their options in line with UK employment law, unless you have the massive benefit of working in the public sector.

What about personal safety on the job?

Location of the job? DH worked in another country a few years ago, that's where the project went, "fly there Monday-Friday for 6 months or lose your job." I'm NOT complaining, simply pointing out that's not necessarily my definition of cushy. Though it depends what it's compared to - Army postings all overseas where we only see him for leave? Yes, it's cushy compared to that. Cushy compared to a bank clerk? Obviously not.

And job security? Redundancies? They're so cushy.

daytona0

Fair comments!