Finally Debt Free After 34 Years, But Still Need to Live Frugally

in_need_of_direction

I think that uni extends choices. If my daughter hadn't had her (non relevant) degree, she would not have been accepted onto the programme to work in her area of choice.

[Deleted User]

I'm glad I got my degree in the 1960s:j. There were so few Universities then and getting a place was incredibly hard. Most people studied such as Law, Medicine and so on or subjects that they intended to teach or do further research in. Employment in a chosen field at the end of it was pretty much guaranteed. To be honest, there seem to be so many degree courses now that don't relate to specific careers I'm not surprised a lot of graduates end up working in unrelated jobs. Also, in my day, to study for a BA degree in England it was a prerequisite to have 'O'Level Latin:eek:. I never understood why:o. A close friend of mine who wanted to read History wasn't accepted anywhere because of that. Great shame, she was a brilliantly academic student who would have done very well.


Also, in my day, tuition fees were free and the student's LEA paid a maintenance grant which was related to the parents' income. It's not true to say that University education was totally free for all in those good old days. Dad was an architect and senior partner in the company and because of his income my maintenance grant was derisory:mad:. Although I loved the experience of University and wouldn't have missed it for the world I was always strapped for cash and had to ask my parents for the money just to participate in the most basic activities . The social life that University is supposedly famed for was a bit of a non-starter for me:(. There were no such things as Student Loans in those days and if there had been I'd certainly have had one;).

badmemory

carbootcrazy wrote: »

I'm glad I got my degree in the 1960s:j. There were so few Universities then and getting a place was incredibly hard.

Also, in my day, tuition fees were free and the student's LEA paid a maintenance grant which was related to the parents' income. It's not true to say that University education was totally free for all in those good old days.

Totally agree, my parents wouldn't pay my sister all the shortfall. Then I found out that she had been hitchhiking, sometimes AT NIGHT, on her own, so during term time I paid it. The thing now is that this problem is still happening & whilst my parents were told what their contribution should be they no longer do that. Back then you weren't really a full adult until 21. Now you are a full adult at 18 you should be treated as such & your loans should be based on your own income/circumstances.

I'll get off my (now 50 yr old) hobbyhorse now!

PS Used to love the "need Latin" to study maths!

[Deleted User]

badmemory wrote: »

Totally agree, my parents wouldn't pay my sister all the shortfall. Then I found out that she had been hitchhiking, sometimes AT NIGHT, on her own, so during term time I paid it. The thing now is that this problem is still happening & whilst my parents were told what their contribution should be they no longer do that. Back then you weren't really a full adult until 21. Now you are a full adult at 18 you should be treated as such & your loans should be based on your own income/circumstances.

I'll get off my (now 50 yr old) hobbyhorse now!

PS Used to love the "need Latin" to study maths!

Thanks, really interesting:T. Sometimes I was guilty of hitch-hiking alone at night too to get to places I needed/wanted to go:o. My parents were kindly people but who looked after their money. They saw University as a place to work hard and study not to have a good social life, even though in my opinion it's perfectly possible to benefit from both;). Having to go cap in hand to my parents all the time was a real problem for me. I was desperate to assert my independence, that's why I opted for a University far from home. We had a lovely, comfortable home but studying at my nearest University while still living at home would have totally defeated the object. It was easier to go without much of the social, fun side of University life than to constantly have to 'beg' for the wherewithal:(


I wasn't sure about the Latin requirement being necessary for B.Sc degrees such as maths. It certainly was for B.A. degrees though. I loved Latin at school, I went on to study Classics:rotfl:

Seasidegal58

Hi Hairy - just catching up with your diary. All your family must be so pleased that your OH has such a diligent doctor and I do hope all the tests go well.

I haven't really any relevant comments to make on contemporary university education as DD began her uni life over 25 years ago! (sheesh I feel old!). Her course was free then and I gave her a small allowance (which was all I could afford at that time), but she took out a student loan as well to and did part time work. She decided to study for an MA as well but funded this herself via the loan route. I actually kept her allowance up when she first started work as an intern as her pay was so low and she had her housing costs, etc to pay.

She took her degrees with an eye to the profession she had chosen, which has proved very lucrative to her as she has reached an excellent position with a well regarded firm in her field. However, the profession is well known for its horrendous working hours, so that is the downside. I personally would like to see her working less hours with less pay for a better work/life balance, but this is what she has chosen.

Again I agree that groundwork has to be done when picking a degree at uni that will provide you with a career at the end of it- you have to think of all equations: (a) do I want a job that I enjoy; (b) do I want a lucrative career that will pay for a good lifestyle (home purchase, etc); (c) can I find a career that will include both (a) and (b); or (d) will I have to choose one or the other.

Has your son made a choice yet Hairy on what he would like to do as a career?

One thing I will add though - I know my DD loved her uni life and made great friends there that have stayed the course over the years.

AND - totally agree with carboot about choosing a uni not near home to initiate your independence!

HairyHandofDartmoor

mummytogirls wrote: »

Brilliant news on DS going to uni HHOD, Im sure he will love the opportunity.

Glad DH's doctor was thorough too.

Ive heard some funny stories working in a school :rotfl: xx

beanielou wrote: »

Oh & yes, glad Dr was on the ball.

Thanks both of you

HairyHandofDartmoor

Pauper1 wrote: »

I think with uni it can really depend on what the degree is and what type of job they want to do. But it's a good experience and nobody I know who's been to uni has regretted it, despite the debt. It is treated differently to 'normal' debt I believe.

Glad the Dr appointment went well.

in_need_of_direction wrote: »

I think that uni extends choices. If my daughter hadn't had her (non relevant) degree, she would not have been accepted onto the programme to work in her area of choice.

carbootcrazy wrote: »

I'm glad I got my degree in the 1960s:j. There were so few Universities then and getting a place was incredibly hard. Most people studied such as Law, Medicine and so on or subjects that they intended to teach or do further research in. Employment in a chosen field at the end of it was pretty much guaranteed. To be honest, there seem to be so many degree courses now that don't relate to specific careers I'm not surprised a lot of graduates end up working in unrelated jobs. Also, in my day, to study for a BA degree in England it was a prerequisite to have 'O'Level Latin:eek:. I never understood why:o. A close friend of mine who wanted to read History wasn't accepted anywhere because of that. Great shame, she was a brilliantly academic student who would have done very well.


Also, in my day, tuition fees were free and the student's LEA paid a maintenance grant which was related to the parents' income. It's not true to say that University education was totally free for all in those good old days. Dad was an architect and senior partner in the company and because of his income my maintenance grant was derisory:mad:. Although I loved the experience of University and wouldn't have missed it for the world I was always strapped for cash and had to ask my parents for the money just to participate in the most basic activities . The social life that University is supposedly famed for was a bit of a non-starter for me:(. There were no such things as Student Loans in those days and if there had been I'd certainly have had one;).

It's very interesting to hear other people's experiences regarding university for themselves or their children.

I think you get more out of it depending upon your personality and what you study.

HairyHandofDartmoor

badmemory wrote: »

Totally agree, my parents wouldn't pay my sister all the shortfall. Then I found out that she had been hitchhiking, sometimes AT NIGHT, on her own, so during term time I paid it. The thing now is that this problem is still happening & whilst my parents were told what their contribution should be they no longer do that. Back then you weren't really a full adult until 21. Now you are a full adult at 18 you should be treated as such & your loans should be based on your own income/circumstances.

I'll get off my (now 50 yr old) hobbyhorse now!

PS Used to love the "need Latin" to study maths!

carbootcrazy wrote: »

Thanks, really interesting:T. Sometimes I was guilty of hitch-hiking alone at night too to get to places I needed/wanted to go:o. My parents were kindly people but who looked after their money. They saw University as a place to work hard and study not to have a good social life, even though in my opinion it's perfectly possible to benefit from both;). Having to go cap in hand to my parents all the time was a real problem for me. I was desperate to assert my independence, that's why I opted for a University far from home. We had a lovely, comfortable home but studying at my nearest University while still living at home would have totally defeated the object. It was easier to go without much of the social, fun side of University life than to constantly have to 'beg' for the wherewithal:(


I wasn't sure about the Latin requirement being necessary for B.Sc degrees such as maths. It certainly was for B.A. degrees though. I loved Latin at school, I went on to study Classics:rotfl:

Seasidegal58 wrote: »

Hi Hairy - just catching up with your diary. All your family must be so pleased that your OH has such a diligent doctor and I do hope all the tests go well.

I haven't really any relevant comments to make on contemporary university education as DD began her uni life over 25 years ago! (sheesh I feel old!). Her course was free then and I gave her a small allowance (which was all I could afford at that time), but she took out a student loan as well to and did part time work. She decided to study for an MA as well but funded this herself via the loan route. I actually kept her allowance up when she first started work as an intern as her pay was so low and she had her housing costs, etc to pay.

She took her degrees with an eye to the profession she had chosen, which has proved very lucrative to her as she has reached an excellent position with a well regarded firm in her field. However, the profession is well known for its horrendous working hours, so that is the downside. I personally would like to see her working less hours with less pay for a better work/life balance, but this is what she has chosen.

Again I agree that groundwork has to be done when picking a degree at uni that will provide you with a career at the end of it- you have to think of all equations: (a) do I want a job that I enjoy; (b) do I want a lucrative career that will pay for a good lifestyle (home purchase, etc); (c) can I find a career that will include both (a) and (b); or (d) will I have to choose one or the other.

Has your son made a choice yet Hairy on what he would like to do as a career?

One thing I will add though - I know my DD loved her uni life and made great friends there that have stayed the course over the years.

AND - totally agree with carboot about choosing a uni not near home to initiate your independence!

I agree that university is a great life experience and teaches so much more than what you learn on the course. Being short of money makes the whole thing much harder and it's a lucky student who has a parent like you SSG.

I went to uni in the 1980s and studied history. It hasn't really helped me get a lucrative career, but I'm still glad I went because I learnt so much about life as well as history (I didn't need Latin Carboot :rotfl:).

My course was free and I had an LEA living grant which my parents were expected to top up and luckily for me they did . They used to visit once a term with a food parcel and take me out to dinner .

DS3 is studying a course which is fairly vocational so hopefuly he will get a good job at the end of it.

System

Just put my tenpeneth in about university. DD and DS both lived at home and both got full maintenance grants . DD didn't have to pay for her course , and got a bursary which the government has now scrapped. They have both done masters degrees as well. DD now has a job she loves in her chosen field . DS has used his degree to find the job he has now , they are both better paid than me now and not yet 30. Everyone's experience at uni is different, some hate it , others thrive . Hope DS enjoys his time . Make sure he checks his chosen university for any funding they may offer over and above standard student loans .

Hope you are ok HH and Mr HH is well because he has a good doctor.

HairyHandofDartmoor

Thanks Cumbria, that's useful input .

DS3's chosen university does offer a small bursary of £1,500 a year to poorer students and DS3 should qualify for it based on our income.

DH is off to our friend's house in a bit to get DS3's passport signed, so I've done an early dinner.

I feel much more myself in general today six weeks after catching flu, but feel exhausted right at this instant . TGIF .

Have a great weekend everyone