Young 'cannot cope with daily life'

[ADK]

I wouldn't worry about student loans.

If you don't get a decent job then you don't pay back the loan.

If you do get a decent job then you probably needed your degree to get it.

[RobHawk]

Does make a difference though, they are taking quite a chunk from me each month.

Depending on when you got your loan depends on the repayment level. For loans taken from September 98 and before September 2010 the level of repayment is 9% over £15795 which does make more of a difference!!

The new regulations for the students paying £9000 a year are much more affordable though and is much more like a tax in the way it is set up! The older system is more of a loan system and in some ways are worse for those graduates such as yourself! It is hoped that you might be able to pay your loan back though which is pretty much impossible under the new regulations!

[pSinatra]

Does make a difference though, they are taking quite a chunk from me each month.

They used to take quite a chunk from me too. There is whole different argument as to the fairness of loans, tuition fees, etc. I was simply saying that it's not such a big amount that it should stop anyone from going to university.

I suppose you have to ask yourself if you would be earning the money you earn now (or in the future) if you hadn't been to university? Personally, my degree serves no purpose in what I do now & what I earn. I'm not going to say that my time at university was a complete waste of time.......as it was a great experience & an important part of my life.

University is not necessarily for everyone no matter how academically intelligent someone is. There are many careers that can be pursued without ever needing a degree.

[Guest]

Does make a difference though, they are taking quite a chunk from me each month.

But soon you'll have paid it back and then have all that xtra disposable income with which to pay off another loan for a bigger house or something.

[ozleicester]

I thought this was about Alan.. he even seemed to like Knockheart on the weekend?

[The People's Hero]

Depending on when you got your loan depends on the repayment level. For loans taken from September 98 and before September 2010 the level of repayment is 9% over £15795 which does make more of a difference!!

The new regulations for the students paying £9000 a year are much more affordable though and is much more like a tax in the way it is set up! The older system is more of a loan system and in some ways are worse for those graduates such as yourself! It is hoped that you might be able to pay your loan back though which is pretty much impossible under the new regulations!

Yeah I fit in to that bracket. My wife paid hers back by the age of about 24 I think, but mine will hang around my neck for years to come!

I've only really begrudged the payment once which was when I got a Christmas bonus this month. After all the various taxes had had their nibble at it and I'd paid my council tax, I had nothing left, not to mention I needed to but some diesel in my car (hence paying more tax)

I think I'm just a grumpy middle aged man.

But soon you'll have paid it back and then have all that xtra disposable income with which to pay off another loan for a bigger house or something.

That's the dream! haha

[Captain...]

They used to take quite a chunk from me too. There is whole different argument as to the fairness of loans, tuition fees, etc. I was simply saying that it's not such a big amount that it should stop anyone from going to university.

I suppose you have to ask yourself if you would be earning the money you earn now (or in the future) if you hadn't been to university? Personally, my degree serves no purpose in what I do now & what I earn. I'm not going to say that my time at university was a complete waste of time.......as it was a great experience & an important part of my life.

University is not necessarily for everyone no matter how academically intelligent someone is. There are many careers that can be pursued without ever needing a degree.

Very little of what I learnt academically at university I have put into any use, but being at University turned me into the person I am now - a fat alcoholic with a superiority complex...

...seriously though, the life and work skills learnt at University such as how to cope independently from mum and dad, but in a controlled environment with support, how to work with others and present my findings and workings in a clear and concise manner, how to get things done at the last minute with the help of a few cans of red bull. The social aspect was very important to my development as well, going to a new place knowing nobody and making friends from all around the country/world, being around intelligent people who challenge what you believe and creative people who push the boundaries of what and how you think.

In terms what you learn it is not that important, unless specific to your chosen career, in terms of showing you how to learn and how to act and behave in these environments it is essential, which is why a lot of employers traditionally only looked at whether or not you got a degree, and not so much at what degree you got.

[Guest]

To be honest university for most is a bit of a doss whilst learning how to live away from home.

[leicsmac]

To be honest university for most is a bit of a doss whilst learning how to live away from home.

You can usually tell from the degree someone is studying whether uni will be a doss for them or not.

For example Maths at Cambridge (or Physics at Leicester ) is in no way a doss....whereas other degrees can be.

Problem is differentiating between them (offering incentives to study so-called 'real' degrees etc) opens up a massive can of worms.

[leicsmac]

Very little of what I learnt academically at university I have put into any use, but being at University turned me into the person I am now - a fat alcoholic with a superiority complex...

...seriously though, the life and work skills learnt at University such as how to cope independently from mum and dad, but in a controlled environment with support, how to work with others and present my findings and workings in a clear and concise manner, how to get things done at the last minute with the help of a few cans of red bull. The social aspect was very important to my development as well, going to a new place knowing nobody and making friends from all around the country/world, being around intelligent people who challenge what you believe and creative people who push the boundaries of what and how you think.

In terms what you learn it is not that important, unless specific to your chosen career, in terms of showing you how to learn and how to act and behave in these environments it is essential, which is why a lot of employers traditionally only looked at whether or not you got a degree, and not so much at what degree you got.

Pretty much my experience as well. Under the right circumstances, as well as getting an important piece of paper uni can act as a good 'real world' primer.

[pSinatra]

Very little of what I learnt academically at university I have put into any use, but being at University turned me into the person I am now - a fat alcoholic with a superiority complex...

...seriously though, the life and work skills learnt at University such as how to cope independently from mum and dad, but in a controlled environment with support, how to work with others and present my findings and workings in a clear and concise manner, how to get things done at the last minute with the help of a few cans of red bull. The social aspect was very important to my development as well, going to a new place knowing nobody and making friends from all around the country/world, being around intelligent people who challenge what you believe and creative people who push the boundaries of what and how you think.

In terms what you learn it is not that important, unless specific to your chosen career, in terms of showing you how to learn and how to act and behave in these environments it is essential, which is why a lot of employers traditionally only looked at whether or not you got a degree, and not so much at what degree you got.

That was pretty much what I was saying when I said that university was an experience & an important part of my life.

I did history..........& yes, it was a complete doss. I found it incredibly interesting.........but I gained more from the things you have said than I did from any Victorian Poor Law.

I have thought that I maybe should have done a vocational course & maybe life would have been a lot easier, but I wouldn't be where I am now..........self-employed, doing a job I love & happy - even if the money isn't the greatest.

It's unfortunate that there isn't enough opportunity for the young to start a career & develop as people. That more & more emphasis is being placed on academic ability & a university education as a minimum requirement.

[Rincewind]

I have a nephew who went to Sheffield Uni to study Japanese because he had been Japan a few times and liked the country. After about a year he found he had acheived nothing so packed it in. He now is unemployed and lives with my brother and wife, When his money gets low and is struggling to pay board he plays poker online which he is pretty good at as he has inherited my brother's mathamatical mind. He plays mainly PLO. He is in his early twenty's. He is not so much lazy as not wanting to work to make a profit for a boss. He may change in the future but what he will do i have no idea and tbh I don't think he does either. My brother and missus has never been ones to force their kids to not think for themselves.

My niece is in marketing and advertising and has worked during Uni work experience with top brands and hasmet some influencial people. Only 18.

I did not go UNI but since turning 60 I have a ECDL a food hygiene certificate and before that qualified as a security officer. Nothing major maybe but proved to myself I am not a complete idiot. I also feel proud that I can call myself a published writer. Something to put in my obitary 'Local writer and poet.' Now I look forward to a quiet retirement.

[Zingari]

I have a nephew who went to Sheffield Uni to study Japanese because he had been Japan a few times and liked the country. After about a year he found he had acheived nothing so packed it in. He now is unemployed and lives with my brother and wife, When his money gets low and is struggling to pay board he plays poker online which he is pretty good at as he has inherited my brother's mathamatical mind. He plays mainly PLO. He is in his early twenty's. He is not so much lazy as not wanting to work to make a profit for a boss. He may change in the future but what he will do i have no idea and tbh I don't think he does either. My brother and missus has never been ones to force their kids to not think for themselves.

My niece is in marketing and advertising and has worked during Uni work experience with top brands and hasmet some influencial people. Only 18.

I did not go UNI but since turning 60 I have a ECDL a food hygiene certificate and before that qualified as a security officer. Nothing major maybe but proved to myself I am not a complete idiot. I also feel proud that I can call myself a published writer. Something to put in my obitary 'Local writer and poet.' Now I look forward to a quiet retirement.

Don't go leaving us for a long time yet , there's plenty of time to add stuff to your list of achievements

[Guest]

like spelling.

[FoxyPV]

It seems to me from my limited experience that some people I know have found jobs by signing on with job agencies, starting as a temp and then getting a permanent job. Has anyone else had this experience?

It's how I got my job. It's a good way to get experience and, usually, if a position comes up you'd have an advantage over those applying externally.

[Rincewind]

Was told at the charity shop that they want everyone to cut down their hours so all volunteers can be accommodated. Under manager says they welcome volunteers still. They have some that have been doing it 2 or 3 years and of the BHF chain the Leicester branch has the best record for long stayers. Pity as I was gradually increasing my hours and experience. Should be able to find another place now I have been doing it..

[notnow john]

Was told at the charity shop that they want everyone to cut down their hours so all volunteers can be accommodated. Under manager says they welcome volunteers still. They have some that have been doing it 2 or 3 years and of the BHF chain the Leicester branch has the best record for long stayers. Pity as I was gradually increasing my hours and experience. Should be able to find another place now I have been doing it..

I bet it's those foreigners coming over here taking our jobs!!

[Rincewind]

They have 70 volunteers on the books which kind of surprised me. I know the regulars I have worked with but not seen them all. I'm down for Friday afternoons. She did suggest Sat afternoon but I like to listen to the match. Maybe during the cricket season after the football has finished.

There are some muslim women who volunteer. Only guessing that because they wear black and wear head scarves.

[The People's Hero]

Not quite sure where to start with that.

[Rincewind]

Don't think my post came out as it was intended. Needless to say there are people volunteering from all walks of life which goes against some of the perceptions portrayed on here.