Unit Posted 12 March 2009 Posted 12 March 2009 Right, i'm in the second year of my college course at the moment, most of my group are off to uni next year. I 'decided' not to go to uni a fair while ago but thought i'd finish the course just to get some sort of qualification, however the idea of uni is starting to appeal to me... is it any good? I'm not too bothered about the whole 'it's amazing you can stay up until 4am and drink loads' side because you can do that in any walk of life. I'm already a year behind everybody else so if i were to leave it til after more than this year i'd feel a bit odd! Also, I did apply for uni (when i thought i fancied it) and got accepted into DMU, i've since changed my mind and if i was to go to uni I definately wouldn't do that course... Is it too late to change in time for next year? CHEERS GUYS -craigadams
Ford Super Sunday Posted 12 March 2009 Posted 12 March 2009 It is a difficult one IMO I am at DMU at the moment doing Journalism and Media. It certainly wasn't what it said on the tin media wise, so dont always be seduced by the words in the prospectus. Personally, I think university is a good choice, especially the way things are at the moment economically. Enjoyment wise. Personally I am not enjoying uni as much as everyone else on my course, but I am learning loads of new stuff (especially in journalism) which is adding to my enjoyment. One thing I realised in retrospect at my college was how badly they plugged uni... they were basically uni, uni, uni, if you dont go to uni your life will be a faliure. Thats why a lot of people pull out IMO. I definitely think its worth it, but you have to have the right working attitude. Be prepared to do a lot fo reading, essays due in at short notice. Adjusting is difficult, but the courses (well mine) is set so that the transition is easier in the first year. Its worth a try if its appealing to you anyway!
Finnegan Posted 12 March 2009 Posted 12 March 2009 If it helps, I'm £12k in debt with no degree after dropping out in my second year and I still don't regret having gone. I do regret the course I picked and you need to be careful what you agree to do. But the social experience is unmatched. And I don't mean just getting pissed up - but having the opportunity to grow as a person and do things you're never going to do again. A lot of my friends didn't go and I feel a little awkward around a lot of them now, it took me a long while to adjust and I find a lot of them just sheltered really.
Simi Posted 12 March 2009 Posted 12 March 2009 One thing I realised in retrospect at my college was how badly they plugged uni... they were basically uni, uni, uni, if you dont go to uni your life will be a faliure. Thats why a lot of people pull out IMO. That is very true. I was very unsure whether to apply for University or not. I ended up going to my head of year and pretty much told them they were being disrespectful to the people that didn't want to go. They don't really give you any advice if you're not going Uni, probably because it doesn't look good on the reports etc. I think I'll end up going to Uni, but I won't be going for the sake of it.
Unit Posted 12 March 2009 Author Posted 12 March 2009 It is a difficult one IMOI am at DMU at the moment doing Journalism and Media. It certainly wasn't what it said on the tin media wise, so dont always be seduced by the words in the prospectus. Personally, I think university is a good choice, especially the way things are at the moment economically. Enjoyment wise. Personally I am not enjoying uni as much as everyone else on my course, but I am learning loads of new stuff (especially in journalism) which is adding to my enjoyment. One thing I realised in retrospect at my college was how badly they plugged uni... they were basically uni, uni, uni, if you dont go to uni your life will be a faliure. Thats why a lot of people pull out IMO. I definitely think its worth it, but you have to have the right working attitude. Be prepared to do a lot fo reading, essays due in at short notice. Adjusting is difficult, but the courses (well mine) is set so that the transition is easier in the first year. Its worth a try if its appealing to you anyway! Well that's really helpful actually, i'm doing media at the moment and at one point almost did the journalism course at DMU, instead i applied (and got accepted) for radio production. I'm going to have to have a long think about this! but cheers for that, completely agree about how at college all you hear is 'uni or dole'
Finnegan Posted 12 March 2009 Posted 12 March 2009 One thing I will say about uni is that it'll not only put off your need for full time employment for a few years but you'll also come out of it looking that tiny bit more employable. In the current climate I'd say both of those things are pretty good, to be honest.
Simi Posted 12 March 2009 Posted 12 March 2009 One thing I will say about uni is that it'll not only put off your need for full time employment for a few years but you'll also come out of it looking that tiny bit more employable.In the current climate I'd say both of those things are pretty good, to be honest. I'll be coming out just at the time when the Olympics will hopefully be providing a few more jobs as well.
Zingari Posted 12 March 2009 Posted 12 March 2009 any decent qualifications you get should help you get outta this sh*thole of a country
Ford Super Sunday Posted 12 March 2009 Posted 12 March 2009 Well that's really helpful actually, i'm doing media at the moment and at one point almost did the journalism course at DMU, instead i applied (and got accepted) for radio production. I'm going to have to have a long think about this! but cheers for that, completely agree about how at college all you hear is 'uni or dole' Good decision. I would say don't restrict yourself to something as limited as Radio Production. Media at DMU is good, they have a good staff with a lot of pedigree. Digital Media is new, and was a bit crap this year, but I am sure it will improve, and it is great if you like computers and studying social networks (you also get to choose your modules n year 2 and 3) (in joint anyway) And journalism is just brilliant. I love writing articles, and even wrote a match report for the Cheltenham game this week as an assessed piece. It also helps that their teaching is super too. Have a good think, its a big decision, but remember you are given the option to get out. you're not trapped for life. I would even see it as a 'nothing to lose' thing by having a go at it
Finnegan Posted 12 March 2009 Posted 12 March 2009 I'll be coming out just at the time when the Olympics will hopefully be providing a few more jobs as well. To be honest I'd just be using any degree I had to look good on a visa application for elsewhere.
Fez of Mahrez Posted 12 March 2009 Posted 12 March 2009 I'll be coming out just at the time when the Olympics will hopefully be providing a few more jobs as well. Homo-specific jobs?
Stuliasz Posted 12 March 2009 Posted 12 March 2009 If it helps, I'm £12k in debt with no degree after dropping out in my second year and I still don't regret having gone.I do regret the course I picked and you need to be careful what you agree to do. But the social experience is unmatched. And I don't mean just getting pissed up - but having the opportunity to grow as a person and do things you're never going to do again. A lot of my friends didn't go and I feel a little awkward around a lot of them now, it took me a long while to adjust and I find a lot of them just sheltered really. I'd echo these sentiments. Make sure you pick a good course that you will enjoy. I severely underestimated the impact that my course would have on the social aspects and ended up suffering because of it. Still had the time of my life though and couldn't do anything but recommend it.
Finnegan Posted 12 March 2009 Posted 12 March 2009 I'd echo these sentiments. Make sure you pick a good course that you will enjoy. I severely underestimated the impact that my course would have on the social aspects and ended up suffering because of it. Still had the time of my life though and couldn't do anything but recommend it. Out of interest, were you in Sheffield studying?
AmericanScott Posted 12 March 2009 Posted 12 March 2009 Go to DMU man. We'll share a place down Narborough road
The Reverend Posted 12 March 2009 Posted 12 March 2009 If it helps, I'm £12k in debt with no degree after dropping out in my second year and I still don't regret having gone.I do regret the course I picked and you need to be careful what you agree to do. But the social experience is unmatched. And I don't mean just getting pissed up - but having the opportunity to grow as a person and do things you're never going to do again. A lot of my friends didn't go and I feel a little awkward around a lot of them now, it took me a long while to adjust and I find a lot of them just sheltered really. Comments like this baffle me, and i see why peoples feathers get ruffled when stuff like this is said. That sort of thing is down to the person - and it depends what exactly you mean by sheltered. If they're already sheltered, yeah maybe uni might coax shyness (or whatever) out of people, but so would getting a job in the real world. Its totally dependent on the person. I never went to uni, still could if i really wanted to, but i dont. What i'm doing now will serve me far better than going to uni. I am earning good money, and not getting myself into a ton of debt. Quite the opposite in fact. The only thing that appeals to me about uni is living away.
Finnegan Posted 12 March 2009 Posted 12 March 2009 Of course it's entirely down to the individual, I'm making no assumptions about people that haven't been to university. I'm just saying a lot of my friends went straight out of sixth form into shit jobs and have just stuck living in with their folks doing repetitive nonsense all day and haven't really flown the nest or grown at all as people. Going off to university kicks you out of the door and makes you spread your wings.
Guest Bilo Posted 12 March 2009 Posted 12 March 2009 I decided to go to uni after a long time out of education (5 years) and don't regret it one bit. In fact, I wish I'd done it years ago. I feel I have picked the course most appropriate to me, the social life is as good as people say and your employment prospects post graduation will be greatly enhanced. In the 5 years between finishing my A Levels and coming to DMU, I worked in a number of places from banks to bookies, and even worked abroad for a time. None of them particularly fulfilled or interested me enough to make me want to continue with them for any significant period of time. I realised that a degree would probably be the best route to a career that would tick all of my boxes. There are downsides of course. You never have any money, the debt you will incur will be horrendous and you will hate every second if you pick the wrong course. It is crucial you pick the right course otherwise all will not be well. My advice on that score is to either go for what you were good at or enjoyed the most at school or college, or what interests you outside of academia or work. Uni isn't for everyone, and nobody should pretend that it is but uni years can be the best of your life and the rewards can be limitless. Choose wisely, think about what's best for you and go with the best option.
The Reverend Posted 12 March 2009 Posted 12 March 2009 Of course it's entirely down to the individual, I'm making no assumptions about people that haven't been to university.I'm just saying a lot of my friends went straight out of sixth form into shit jobs and have just stuck living in with their folks doing repetitive nonsense all day and haven't really flown the nest or grown at all as people. Going off to university kicks you out of the door and makes you spread your wings. No doubt about that. Like i said, that'd be the only thing appealing to me. It's a tough choice indeed, but my angle is that if you find something you enjoy, and it pays well, then spreading your wings can wait. You've got the rest of your life to do that.
Ford Super Sunday Posted 12 March 2009 Posted 12 March 2009 There are downsides of course. You never have any money, the debt you will incur will be horrendous and you will hate every second if you pick the wrong course. It is crucial you pick the right course otherwise all will not be well. My advice on that score is to either go for what you were good at or enjoyed the most at school or college, or what interests you outside of academia or work. I beg to differ there I have a ludicrous amount of money in my account, from Grants, loans and scholarships
Guest Bilo Posted 12 March 2009 Posted 12 March 2009 I beg to differ there I have a ludicrous amount of money in my account, from Grants, loans and scholarships Maybe I'm speaking comparatively, after having had five years of working full-time and always having money in my pocket. Just something to consider if you're going from working to full-time education.
Shrenchel Posted 12 March 2009 Posted 12 March 2009 Of course, if there's a subject you really enjoy or a subject which will give you a good chance of getting the job you want. Don't just study media at the university of east grimbsy because all your mates are going uni. Knew a few people like that and they regret it.
Finnegan Posted 12 March 2009 Posted 12 March 2009 Between work and loan I'd say I lived pretty comfortably at uni. I know a couple of twats who blew most of their loan in freshers week and spent the next two semesters stealing food from other kitchens to get by. But by and large I think most people, even those of us who spent a LOT on nights out, got by pretty well.
Uncle Albert Posted 12 March 2009 Posted 12 March 2009 Chilled on two C's this morning in my results so Uni is still a possibility for me, got to go through clearing though if I do decide to go U-N-I.
Finnegan Posted 12 March 2009 Posted 12 March 2009 Chilled on two C's this morning in my results so Uni is still a possibility for me, got to go through clearing though if I do decide to go U-N-I. No harm in taking a year out if you're unsure.
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