Higher Education

[ramsy66]

I'm from the UK, so when I speak of college, I don't mean the American version of college (which we call university).

I'm currently in college (for the second time) and I'm not enjoying it. I'm on the verge of quitting and my tutor knows it.

So who here went to college? Was it worth it? Did it help you get a good career? Or if you didn't get any higher education, are you happy with how your life is panning out?

[majortom1981]

what is college then in the Uk? In the US college covers associates , bachelors, masters, and phd.

[thealexweb]

What Alevels are you doing and what did you do first time?

[ramsy66]

What Alevels are you doing and what did you do first time?

The first time I did interactive media. This time I'm doing pretty much the same thing, except more focused around the video gaming part of media.

[thealexweb]

Sigh, the problem is with people doing subjects like Media, I saw a statistic the other day, each year more people take A-level Media then there are Media based jobs in the whole UK Media economy. So there are loads of people wanting the few new jobs. You'll have real hard time finding a job at the end of your course thanks to this and the recession.

[buckboii]

pursue something you enjoy, if UK has this option you could do undecided major; where you choose courses you like then the second year you choose one specific course to pursue .

[acnpt]

I just dropped out of my second university :laugh: , I think it was the right decision.

I finished the first year at one uni(Swansea), fantastic social life but terrible course. Went to another which was just awful :( , and spent most of my time regretting changing.

Planning to go back to a local university in the next couple of years when I'm ready, as I'm a really capable student.

I was passing the exams with mostly firsts, and actually had an excellance bursary at my last uni.

I'd also have to self-fund the first year, about ?3000 so I guess that's an incentive to stay:happy::

I think the trouble with me is that I find theory boring, and prefer hands-on work + having a laugh.

I'd happily take an apprenticeship and drive a van or join the RAF as a private, despite having ABBB A-levels.

You should just go for whatever makes you happy -- perhaps your just doing the wrong course or attending the wrong college.

[sirgh0st]

what is college then in the Uk? In the US college covers associates , bachelors, masters, and phd.

This link below describes what is different between them in the UK versus the US.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_diff..._and_university

[The_Wizard]

College in the UK is typically like ages 16 to 18 (or at least it will be for me :p), however you can choose from college or sixth form (which is like the continuation from school, tends to be more strict, whereas college is more relaxed and has more options.

[what]

Media-based subjects are useless if you want to get a decent job. Many Media graduates work in bars, and A-level Media won't get you anywhere. After General Studies, Media is the top 'filler' subject.

At A-level I did human biology, maths, physics and psychology, and now I'm studying for a radiography degree at university. I'm exactly where I've wanted to be since I was 13 years old, so yeah, I'd say doing my A-levels was a good thing and I'm on track to getting a career for life.

[_bobcat_ Veteran]

Do you mean Further Education? Higher Education usually refers to university level, while the 16-19 courses are generally "Further Education". At least, it was that way 5 years ago :p

Personally I remember my sixth form days as the best two years of my life. The second year was incredibly stressful as I had excellent first year results to live up to and things like my job and driving lessons getting in the way >.< but it was still great.

My A level choices lead me onto a university course I enjoyed for the most part and if it weren't for the recession I think my employment prospects would be great; they're non existant at the moment. If I had my time again, however, I'm not sure I would have done a degree but I have never ever regretted the work I put into sixth form.

[jonhapimp]

I'm from the UK, so when I speak of college, I don't mean the American version of college (which we call university).

I'm currently in college (for the second time) and I'm not enjoying it. I'm on the verge of quitting and my tutor knows it.

So who here went to college? Was it worth it? Did it help you get a good career? Or if you didn't get any higher education, are you happy with how your life is panning out?

IN the US there's a difference between a college and a university

[acnpt]

IN the US there's a difference between a college and a university

Not much though, you still get a degree at the end, right?.

In the UK, colleges don't normally offer degrees, and are considered to be a level below universites.

[+Majesticmerc MVC]

I went to sixth form, and then on to university. I know its probably not what you want to hear, but going to sixth form was one of the best things that ever happened to me. It allowed me to go to university, get my degree, and now I'm almost exactly where I want to be. Whether or not you stay in college/sixth form/university depends on two things (in my experience):

1. Whether your chosen career path requires further/higher education
   
2. How dedicated you are to being successful in your chosen field
   

If your dedicated to being successful in what you want to do, and your career choice requires further education after school, then you will persevere, since you will have the enthusiasm to do so. However, if you're not enjoying college, then maybe you're there for the wrong reasons?

Going to college to improve your career prospects is great, but if you're there just to avoid going into the workplace, then it will be a waste of time and money. I have friends who tried college and hated it, so they dropped out. In some cases it was the best decision because doing so allowed them to find a great career.

In my case, I had to take a university degree in order to get into my chosen profession (software, in my case), but I know many friends who are enjoying successful careers after going straight into work through apprenticeships and the like. So college education does not necessarily equate to being successful. Plenty of successful people don't have degrees and BTECs.

That's my $0.02, take it or leave it :)

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@What: Random Fact - My girlfriend just finished a degree in radiography! :)

[jonhapimp]

Not much though, you still get a degree at the end, right?.

In the UK, colleges don't normally offer degrees, and are considered to be a level below universites.

university offer higher degree levels, and such

but it could be the same, but generally it's different

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_diff..._and_university

had to look it up to