Basically the problem is that I supposedly have potential and i have no idea what i want to do with my life.
Im in first year of college doing my AS levels and im being pulled in all directions by everyone.
My dad is telling me i should go to oxbridge
my mother is desperately trying to get me to drop out and get a job with training, because she wants to get her greedy mitts on my money
my brother did go uni, is now in debt, dropped out and works behind a bar
my sister, who did drop out and get a job with training, is doing perfectly well for herself (double income no kids yet), 26 years old, higher than average wage, third house, finished a part time masters degree....and all she can do is moan about how she made the wrong choice and i should stay on and i will go to uni. i cant see anything wrong wiht how she did it.
and everyone is talking about WHEN i go to uni, when i dont even know if im going yet because i dont know what i want to do so i dont want to pick any old course and hate it!
so yeah, what do i do?
and back to the title, what do you think of college against going and getting work experience?
Full Version: College Vs Work
Well...
The job market right now has essentially four types of job going:
- One for new graduates to join junior roles in specific careers
- One for school-leavers to join on the bottom rung
- One for anyone who needs a job and is prepared to prostitute themselves for crap money
- One for people with specific experience
After being in a working environment for the last 10 years, I'm bloody glad I went to Uni first, it enabled me to get a reasonable 5 figure salary straight away (which back then was reasonably good going!) and I got to hit Real Life in stages. As well as that, trying to get any qualification whilst working is damn hard work, I can tell you!
Your brother dropped out of Uni - he's a poor example to follow, except in what happens if you waste your time at Uni. If you choose to go, expect some hard work and expect some bits to be very difficult to achieve. Communicate with the tutors. Use your personal tutor, they are very useful people. Also, remember to get royally pissed sometimes, as it eases the stress. Remember to enjoy the experience, especially since this will be the only time in your life where you can be responsible and irresponsible in equal measures.
Your sister has done well. But remember, it doesn't work like that for most people. My brother did the same thing, he's now 30 and he's working as a lowly commercial co-ordinator for similar money to what I was earning 5 years ago - and he started work before I did, cos I went to Uni. I'm on over 50% more than he is, right now, and I've worked on a career path in the process.
Ultimately, it doesn't really matter. If you work hard enough and apply yourself, you'll be in the best position to achieve what you want to.
The job market right now has essentially four types of job going:
- One for new graduates to join junior roles in specific careers
- One for school-leavers to join on the bottom rung
- One for anyone who needs a job and is prepared to prostitute themselves for crap money
- One for people with specific experience
After being in a working environment for the last 10 years, I'm bloody glad I went to Uni first, it enabled me to get a reasonable 5 figure salary straight away (which back then was reasonably good going!) and I got to hit Real Life in stages. As well as that, trying to get any qualification whilst working is damn hard work, I can tell you!
Your brother dropped out of Uni - he's a poor example to follow, except in what happens if you waste your time at Uni. If you choose to go, expect some hard work and expect some bits to be very difficult to achieve. Communicate with the tutors. Use your personal tutor, they are very useful people. Also, remember to get royally pissed sometimes, as it eases the stress. Remember to enjoy the experience, especially since this will be the only time in your life where you can be responsible and irresponsible in equal measures.
Your sister has done well. But remember, it doesn't work like that for most people. My brother did the same thing, he's now 30 and he's working as a lowly commercial co-ordinator for similar money to what I was earning 5 years ago - and he started work before I did, cos I went to Uni. I'm on over 50% more than he is, right now, and I've worked on a career path in the process.
Ultimately, it doesn't really matter. If you work hard enough and apply yourself, you'll be in the best position to achieve what you want to.
Firstly you should make it perfectly clear that it's up to you where you go and not them, use strong language, make sure they get the point.
Next, how do you mean that your mother wants your money? Possibly make it clear that she can't have any, especially if she wants you to make a life changing choice to that end. That's selfish, and not very motherlike if you don't mind me saying so.
Next, well, university will make things easier on you as far as getting a job is concerned. Do you need money that desperately? If so then perhaps a job is in order, but honestly, uni will make life easier in the extreme for you... Well, it depends on what you want to do, and you said you don't know, which makes things difficult.
For example. I'm going to be a journalist. I NEED to get a degree in journalism or communications (same thing here) plus two years apprentiship under a senior journalist to be fully acredited. Or, I can do five years apprentiship and have basically the same qualifications. But the uni is the only realistic option. And it's pretty similar for most career jobs, unfortunately. Getting experience on the job is all fine and good, but you'll most probably end up going back to school at some point. I've always been told "uni's fun, you'll like it". And I'm going on that advice, because I was told "High school is cr*p. you won't like it" and that proved true. Well, yeah, perhaps you should work out what job you want to get before going to uni though. And don't listen to your family, they don't know you half as well as you know yourself.
Well, that's my advice, good luck.
Next, how do you mean that your mother wants your money? Possibly make it clear that she can't have any, especially if she wants you to make a life changing choice to that end. That's selfish, and not very motherlike if you don't mind me saying so.
Next, well, university will make things easier on you as far as getting a job is concerned. Do you need money that desperately? If so then perhaps a job is in order, but honestly, uni will make life easier in the extreme for you... Well, it depends on what you want to do, and you said you don't know, which makes things difficult.
For example. I'm going to be a journalist. I NEED to get a degree in journalism or communications (same thing here) plus two years apprentiship under a senior journalist to be fully acredited. Or, I can do five years apprentiship and have basically the same qualifications. But the uni is the only realistic option. And it's pretty similar for most career jobs, unfortunately. Getting experience on the job is all fine and good, but you'll most probably end up going back to school at some point. I've always been told "uni's fun, you'll like it". And I'm going on that advice, because I was told "High school is cr*p. you won't like it" and that proved true. Well, yeah, perhaps you should work out what job you want to get before going to uni though. And don't listen to your family, they don't know you half as well as you know yourself.
Well, that's my advice, good luck.
If I where you I would do both. Go to school but start looking at part time positions in companies so you can get some work experience behind you. A degree is great for advancement (at least in my part of America) but solid experience will get you in the door. A lot of college grads are not getting good jobs because they have no practical experience in their fields of study. So they have to take entry-level positions and then work their way up. If you had a degree and some practical experience behind you, you will have a better chance of getting the job you want.
The lazy ass side of me says - hell, yeah, go to uni! It's 3-4 years of fun (not to mention some hard work), but it really is a blast, and you can get a hell of a lot out of it, academically, socially, personally and alcoholically.
But the serious-answer folks are correct. The only long-term damage a degree is going to do you is a not-outrageous debt .I graduated in '99 owing about £12k - I guess it'll be more like £15-20k these days. However, in the same breath, I wasn't careful with my money, I didn't have a part time job through a lot of my course, and I could've spent a lot less. Of course, with a UK student debt, you don't have to start paying it back until you're earning reasonable enough money that you can afford to (dunno what the threshold is currently - I'd guess around £18k per annum. With a good vocational degree (I did an engineering degree), I was over that threshold in my first job out of graduation, and I'll be finishing paying off the loans this year. The 120 quid a month I've been paying hasn't hurt me in the slightest, and I've hardly noticed it.
So, all I'm saying is don't let the prospect of student debt put you off. Sure, you'll get into debt, but it won't cripple you.
The most important thing to consider of course, is what degree to do - fercristsakes, make sure you pick something that genuinely interests you. That's the main reason most people who drop out do so - due to poor choice of degree. If the subject matter bores you silly, you're not going to bother studying it, are you? Get your mitts on the UCAS book and flip through it, just to get a feel for the kinds of things you could do.
Similarly, make sure you want to go to the universities you apply to. Go to open days at Oxford and Cambridge - see what you think. If you think that they're a bunch of stuck up tossers, tell them to poke it, and go somewhere else (which is what I did). Go to open days at other places that sound kinda cool. Then make a choice.
In my experience, the pros in terms of life experience heavily and massively outweigh the cons of university. However, in the same breath, it doesn't appeal to everybody, and if the thought of 3 more years of learning makes you shudder, then maybe it's not for you.
Hope that little tirade has helped even a little...
But the serious-answer folks are correct. The only long-term damage a degree is going to do you is a not-outrageous debt .I graduated in '99 owing about £12k - I guess it'll be more like £15-20k these days. However, in the same breath, I wasn't careful with my money, I didn't have a part time job through a lot of my course, and I could've spent a lot less. Of course, with a UK student debt, you don't have to start paying it back until you're earning reasonable enough money that you can afford to (dunno what the threshold is currently - I'd guess around £18k per annum. With a good vocational degree (I did an engineering degree), I was over that threshold in my first job out of graduation, and I'll be finishing paying off the loans this year. The 120 quid a month I've been paying hasn't hurt me in the slightest, and I've hardly noticed it.
So, all I'm saying is don't let the prospect of student debt put you off. Sure, you'll get into debt, but it won't cripple you.
The most important thing to consider of course, is what degree to do - fercristsakes, make sure you pick something that genuinely interests you. That's the main reason most people who drop out do so - due to poor choice of degree. If the subject matter bores you silly, you're not going to bother studying it, are you? Get your mitts on the UCAS book and flip through it, just to get a feel for the kinds of things you could do.
Similarly, make sure you want to go to the universities you apply to. Go to open days at Oxford and Cambridge - see what you think. If you think that they're a bunch of stuck up tossers, tell them to poke it, and go somewhere else (which is what I did). Go to open days at other places that sound kinda cool. Then make a choice.
In my experience, the pros in terms of life experience heavily and massively outweigh the cons of university. However, in the same breath, it doesn't appeal to everybody, and if the thought of 3 more years of learning makes you shudder, then maybe it's not for you.
Hope that little tirade has helped even a little...
What i meant with my mother is that she wants me to start paying rent, and i cant do that unless i have a job, so shes pushing to dropping out side of things so she can get a few quid extra a week.
Thanks for your advice. I'm going to look into modern apprentiships/ jobs with training but for now I'm going to stick at my AS-levels. I'm not going to go university unless i know what i want to do so im gonna have to get some serious thinking and research dont arent i?
its stupid to expect hormone filled kids who want to do anything but work to decide their lives now!
and Im pretty sure university debt won't be a problem (dont ask!) so thats not an issue.
Thanks for your advice. I'm going to look into modern apprentiships/ jobs with training but for now I'm going to stick at my AS-levels. I'm not going to go university unless i know what i want to do so im gonna have to get some serious thinking and research dont arent i?
its stupid to expect hormone filled kids who want to do anything but work to decide their lives now!
and Im pretty sure university debt won't be a problem (dont ask!) so thats not an issue.
QUOTE (spuglet @ Jan 15 2004, 09:17 PM)
What i meant with my mother is that she wants me to start paying rent, and i cant do that unless i have a job, so shes pushing to dropping out side of things so she can get a few quid extra a week.
As an aside... this reminded me of summat. One thing to do is make sure ya don't go to a Uni where ya can live at home. Go somewhere where ya have to move to. I did that, best decision I ever made! A friend of mine chose not to, he didn't enjoy it the same an he dropped out.
If yer likely to get homesick, stay close-ish. Spugs, I suggest somewhere Midlandsy fer you. Avoid Stoke Uni, it's too close. Try Brum or Coventry or Leicester. Sheffield is a great place to try too - but then I'm biased!!
Well, with all the interviews I've had so far (and thats a fair few) employers always look for experience and not qualifications. It doesn't hurt to have them, but I think people are looking at your past work experience and capabilities than what you've been up to education wise.
Thats completly useless me saying that to you Spug, I know. I always regreted not going to college when I left school. I moved to Greece as soon as I had my GCSE's and jumped into a job.
I'm in a good job now but I have no idea where I could be if I would have furthered my eduacation.
I guess its up to you. Your parents can't decide for you. They'll try and influence your decision as thats what parents do, but at the end of the day, its your choice alone.
Best O' British.
Thats completly useless me saying that to you Spug, I know. I always regreted not going to college when I left school. I moved to Greece as soon as I had my GCSE's and jumped into a job.
I'm in a good job now but I have no idea where I could be if I would have furthered my eduacation.
I guess its up to you. Your parents can't decide for you. They'll try and influence your decision as thats what parents do, but at the end of the day, its your choice alone.
Best O' British.
Argh! Sorry, but this thread is just begging to be hijacked and I really need some help...
I'm 17 and in sixth year at high-school (senior year). This year at school is really really crap to be blunt and I just can't be bothered. I'm going to uni in September of this year and have applied to Edinburgh, St Andrews, Dundee, Aberdeen and Glasgow. So far I have unconditional acceptances to Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee and am still waiting to hear from Edinburgh and St Andrews. Thing is I really want to leave school now but unless I get an unconditional to Edinburgh as well I need my qualifications this year. Chances are though that I'm not going to get them as I've had a lot to deal with in the last (academic-type) year and school-work hasn't exactly been a priority.
So should I take my chances and leave? Especially considering that I already have three unconditionals to perfectly decent unis, (that would also require me to move away from home, if I go to Edinburgh I'll live with my aunt, if I go to St Andrews chances are I'll stay at home). Or should I at least hold out until I've heard from Edinburgh and decide then?
I'm 17 and in sixth year at high-school (senior year). This year at school is really really crap to be blunt and I just can't be bothered. I'm going to uni in September of this year and have applied to Edinburgh, St Andrews, Dundee, Aberdeen and Glasgow. So far I have unconditional acceptances to Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee and am still waiting to hear from Edinburgh and St Andrews. Thing is I really want to leave school now but unless I get an unconditional to Edinburgh as well I need my qualifications this year. Chances are though that I'm not going to get them as I've had a lot to deal with in the last (academic-type) year and school-work hasn't exactly been a priority.
So should I take my chances and leave? Especially considering that I already have three unconditionals to perfectly decent unis, (that would also require me to move away from home, if I go to Edinburgh I'll live with my aunt, if I go to St Andrews chances are I'll stay at home). Or should I at least hold out until I've heard from Edinburgh and decide then?
QUOTE (porcelainwarrior @ Jan 16 2004, 06:33 AM)
Argh! Sorry, but this thread is just begging to be hijacked and I really need some help...
I'm 17 and in sixth year at high-school (senior year). This year at school is really really crap to be blunt and I just can't be bothered. I'm going to uni in September of this year and have applied to Edinburgh, St Andrews, Dundee, Aberdeen and Glasgow. So far I have unconditional acceptances to Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee and am still waiting to hear from Edinburgh and St Andrews. Thing is I really want to leave school now but unless I get an unconditional to Edinburgh as well I need my qualifications this year. Chances are though that I'm not going to get them as I've had a lot to deal with in the last (academic-type) year and school-work hasn't exactly been a priority.
So should I take my chances and leave? Especially considering that I already have three unconditionals to perfectly decent unis, (that would also require me to move away from home, if I go to Edinburgh I'll live with my aunt, if I go to St Andrews chances are I'll stay at home). Or should I at least hold out until I've heard from Edinburgh and decide then?
I'm 17 and in sixth year at high-school (senior year). This year at school is really really crap to be blunt and I just can't be bothered. I'm going to uni in September of this year and have applied to Edinburgh, St Andrews, Dundee, Aberdeen and Glasgow. So far I have unconditional acceptances to Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee and am still waiting to hear from Edinburgh and St Andrews. Thing is I really want to leave school now but unless I get an unconditional to Edinburgh as well I need my qualifications this year. Chances are though that I'm not going to get them as I've had a lot to deal with in the last (academic-type) year and school-work hasn't exactly been a priority.
So should I take my chances and leave? Especially considering that I already have three unconditionals to perfectly decent unis, (that would also require me to move away from home, if I go to Edinburgh I'll live with my aunt, if I go to St Andrews chances are I'll stay at home). Or should I at least hold out until I've heard from Edinburgh and decide then?
My advice is to stick it out, put up with the crap, and work your butt off to get those qualifications, the main reason being that in years to come, you'll probably be kicking yourself for not putting up with another 6 months of crap, which in the grand scheme of things, isn't a long time. Also, one of my best buddies went to Edinburgh, and I've spent quite a bit of time up there, and I love the place - it's top banana!
QUOTE (spuglet @ Jan 15 2004, 09:17 PM)
What i meant with my mother is that she wants me to start paying rent, and i cant do that unless i have a job, so shes pushing to dropping out side of things so she can get a few quid extra a week.
What about going to uni away from home and getting a job while you're there? I did that pretty much and I don't regret it one bit. I think I would have gone spare if I'd stayed at my parents any longer than I did. Couldn't wait to get out!
My brother stayed at home during his degree and nothing, I mean nothing, could persuade him that halls were fun or living away from home was cool. He thought that a commute of 2 hours each way was better than living away from home but then.....my bro.....weird! That's just me though.
I know uni is expensive now but if it's something you really wanna do I say go for it.
Again, it's your choice, not your parents, not your siblings, yours! Having said that if your parents are paying for it then they do get to have some say I guess?
My sister says the same thing about going to uni away from home. thing is, shes also suggesting my going to university in manchester and living with my dad while im there. bit of a contradiction.
porcelain, i know how you feel about hating 6th form. its shite. thats all there is to say about it really.
Ive already kinda got work experience (saturday and holiday work in an art gallery and in a market stall) but i guess i could do with some proper part time work too.
as for paying for uni, i really dont know whats happening with that. first my mum said she earns too little to have to pay, then my dad said he would pay then my borther ended up in debt but im not sure if thats paying for uni or just general pissing about...sigh.
ive just turned 17, i dont want to think about all this!
porcelain, i know how you feel about hating 6th form. its shite. thats all there is to say about it really.
Ive already kinda got work experience (saturday and holiday work in an art gallery and in a market stall) but i guess i could do with some proper part time work too.
as for paying for uni, i really dont know whats happening with that. first my mum said she earns too little to have to pay, then my dad said he would pay then my borther ended up in debt but im not sure if thats paying for uni or just general pissing about...sigh.
ive just turned 17, i dont want to think about all this!
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