Other education

[CrazyLea]

Does anyone else do any other further education other than A levels? Thought we could use this as a place to discuss toubles, achievements, or anything else to do with our courses.

I'm doing a course with Travel & Tourism, Business and IT in one. It's just a stepping stone to go on to the ND Travel (even though I had the grades to do that this year lol). It's not going to bad. Just I left all my assignments to the last minute (as usual), so it's all building up haha. When will I learn :p

[Jessie Wallace]

I didn't do A-Levels but when i'd done my G.C.S.E's, i stayed on for 1 year of the 6th form, and did a G.N.V.Q course in Health and Social Care. I hated scholl, until the sixth form, and then loved the 1 year i did.
And about 5 years ago i did an N.V.Q at my place of work, which get's me a whole 50p an hour more :D

[CrazyLea]

Ooo Dawn that's fab! goes to show you don't need A levels to do well in life :p You're an inspiration Dawn:D

[Jessie Wallace]

Aww bless ya babes. What ever you decide to do, just make sure it's something you like in the first place, coz there's no point other wise, you'll only be miserable, and then you won't do well. I enjoy caring so that was the natrual course for me to do. Most people ask my why i don't do my nurse's training, but there's so much paper work to do that now, and i'm a hands on practical girl, not a sit down and be bored writing girl.

[xTanya]

I'm at uni at the moment doing a degree in drama I did a BTEC in acting at college aswell as 2 a-levels.

and very true hun there is no point doing something which won't make you happy it's pointless so many people do a job they don't like just because it's better pay but like they say money can't buy you happiness lol

[Footie_Chick]

I did a BTEC National Diploma In Sport and Exercise Science at College and got equalivant to 3 A's at A Level, I've now started a Foundation Degree at college which is only a two year course and at the end of this you can progress on to Uni if you want to top up your foundation degree into a full honnours.

[xTanya]

Do you plan to go onto uni?

I want to do an MA in Musical theatre after this at a drama school but it probably won't happen lol

[Footie_Chick]

Yeah i do, I need a 2:1 in my foundation degree to get on the course which is 60%. Probably live at home still though it will take me about 30 mins to drive there.

[Katy]

I did all A Levels and went the traditional way but a few of my friends are doing the ILEX course which is an alternative and they really enjoy it.

[Chloe O'brien]

It was O'grades and Highers when I was at school many moons ago. Once I left school it took me 17 years to returnto education. I went back to college and did 3 years then I graduated with a HND in Administration and Information Technology. I could have went onto Uni to get do the final year and get a degree but I was sick of living off students loans. Maybe I'll return to Uni and complete my degree one day.

[Abigail]

I did all A Levels and went the traditional way but a few of my friends are doing the ILEX course which is an alternative and they really enjoy it.

What's the ILEX? Is it something that only Ireland do?

I think uni is incredibly expensive for what you get. The average course is only 12hrs a week and you pay £3000 in tuition fees per year. I'm still going though :)

[Pinkbanana]

What is a ILEX? :hmm:

I did the A level route. Well being particularly lazy, it was easier to stay on at school and go in to the sixth form there, rather than venture out to some college...Plus most of my friends stayed on and went to sixth form. So I never really looked into the other types of qualifications that are out there.

Then after that went on to University...got a B.A. (hons) degree in Education from Durham, and I am now currently applying to do a M.A. in education part time, back at Durham.

Pretty traditional route in all, but it has deserved its purpose in helping me pursue the career, teaching, I wanted to be in.

[Trinity]

Like Chloe I took the old Scottish route of 'O' Grades and Highers. I then went to Uni and did a BSc in Biochemistry - which I really hated.

Since then I have done a variety of job related courses - NCs in Excel, Word, Access, Powerpoint (and Art! 'cos I like painting) Audit courses and professional accountancy exams with ACCA.

My work doesn't really relate to any of the stuff I did prior to the age of 25!

You never really stop learning, but one thing I really agree with is learning about things that interest you rather than just something that will get you a well paid job. If you are interested in something that pays well - so much the better!

A lot of jobs just require a good degree - irrespective of what it is in. If you are interested in a subject then you will do so much better - and enjoy your time at Uni or college so much more.