Who went back to College & found it worth it?

Glacier

I'm 24 dropped out of Arts a couple years ago. I'm not sure what I want to do, I would rather not have to go back but there are no worthwhile employment really without it. What options would I have beside this? Who else went back & found it helpful?

smashey

Check out the mature & non-traditional students forum.

I went back and finished this year. (I'm 40). I would highly recommend it.

PeakOutput

im 21 went back this year best thing iv ever done but the technically im still nt a mature student

Glacier

What course did you do? What'a good 1 to gop back to?

smashey

It depends on your interests.

is_that_so

Glacier wrote: »

What course did you do? What's good 1 to go back to?

I did a degree at night . Highly recommend going back. It's not a case of which one to do. Do what you think you'll either like or that will be of benefit to you. Going back to college after a few years of work you will have a very different attitude.

Glacier

What options do you really have if you want something worthwhile?

smashey

Probably a lot more options now than when you did the leaving cert.

Cathmandooo

Glacier wrote: »

I'm 24 dropped out of Arts a couple years ago. I'm not sure what I want to do, I would rather not have to go back but there are no worthwhile employment really without it. What options would I have beside this? Who else went back & found it helpful?

Wow I'm pretty much in the same boat as you. 24, dropped out of science a few years back, been in a job since but there's nowhere to go with it, I've gotten everything I can out of it. My dad is constantly lecturing me to go do a course :mad: I've considered going back to college but I dont know what I want to do so I cant pick a worthwhile course! It's so annoying! I'm intelligent but not a good studier and I don't tend to read something and remember it, much better with practical work and figuring how to use things and fix things myself.

If you find a miracle solution please pass it on

LegacyUser

Im 26 and about to graduate with a masters degree, after I did my leaving I did a course for two years, hated it, left and went back and did another degree, love it so much that i went on a did a masters. And even tho I ve been in and out of college for eight years, its the best thing I ever did!

Glacier

smashey wrote: »

Probably a lot more options now than when you did the leaving cert.

How's that?

Glacier

Have Councellors EVER helped anyone in my situation?

Dudess

Unreg69 wrote: »

Im 26 and about to graduate with a masters degree, after I did my leaving I did a course for two years, hated it, left and went back and did another degree, love it so much that i went on a did a masters. And even tho I ve been in and out of college for eight years, its the best thing I ever did!

Very similar situation to me. It's definitely one of the best decisions I ever made.

smashey

Glacier wrote: »

How's that?

When you did the leaving, you had an idea of what you wanted to do and your idea was limited by the points requirements. Now you know for sure what suits you best and most courses have a certain number of places set aside for mature students.

jameshayes

Glacier wrote: »

How's that?

You sound like you dont want to be helped dude.

Look at it this way - only short courses and diploma courses start in January, Degrees start in September / October.

That gives you 9 months to make up your mind. So go to every college near you / check out their websites and see what interests you.

If you still cant pick something - what about doing a general degree with options? UCD do great degrees which you can mix and match subjects.

I've just turned 23, went to college straight from school (comp science) stuck it out for a year and I hated it. Now i'm studying in NCI where I finish in 2009. Best thing I’ve ever done.

If you are not a study'r some courses have assessments instead - this could be an option.


Take your time. Make sure you pick what you want.

Lux23

I would love to go back to college but I just don't see how I could do it finacially with the support of my parents. I really wouldn't want to move back home and although Im not earning huge amounts Im doing ok on my own now. But I can only go so fat with it.

Glacier

Money is not a problem for me. I already inherited a house no mortgage and could pay fees.

PeakOutput

Lux23 wrote: »

I would love to go back to college but I just don't see how I could do it finacially with the support of my parents. I really wouldn't want to move back home and although Im not earning huge amounts Im doing ok on my own now. But I can only go so fat with it.

see if your parents can pay for your accomodation during the colelge term and then you either work during the term to cover living expenses or work during the summer to save up enough for living expenses.....its well doable

Dudess

Well I think you're meant to go back so! I was the same when I turned 23 - lucky enough to have the financial means, and I grabbed my chance. Just figure out what you'd like to do now. What are your interests?

stovelid

Took a 'year off' after first year that became four years as I was working and traveling. I forced myself to go back and do the additional 3 years for the degree, and ended up eventually doing a masters

I certainly understand the loss of momentum that you get after time off; I seriously considered not going back, but I'm glad I did.

AngryBadger

Well what would you be interested in studying OP?

soccerchick

I highly recommend it! I'm in my late 20's and just started a health care degree which is hard to get into so I didn't think I would have a chance. I did some work experience in the area, did a course in special needs and got good references which all helped me to get in! Now I did do a science degree before and completed it, worked in the area but hated so thats why I went back again. I gave up what most people would consider a good job, but it was just sooooo boring.

Heres what I found helpful:

There is a great website: daycourses .com which has a forum and the lady on that is extremely helpful.

I wrote out a list of what I would hate to do...business etc!

I went to a career guidance lady, she was grand but to be honest you can do online interest tests which tell you what you could do based on your interests.

Work experience is another thing to do...I spent 3 different days testing out the career I am training to be in. People are helpful as they always like to talk about what they do plus you get to hear the good and the bad.

Also, money wise...I get no grant, have to pay fees...so I work 3 days a week to pay the bills. I saved money for my fees but may have to get a loan for the last year. So it is manageable..depends on how much you want it. I don't get to go out as much as I like so I will save hard at Xmas and then enjoy a few nights out then, plus I will have money during the summer and will probably work 2 jobs.
Best of luck

MagicMarker

I'd recommend going back to college. But not until you have an idea of what you want to do.

I'm 24, never went to college accept to do a PLC course that i left during the 1st year. A lot of people go to college straight from school without actually knowing what they want to do and i think it's kind pointless tbh.

I'm moving to Canada for a year in 3 weeks, when that's done, i may move somewhere else for a year. College is definitely not the be all and end all. You can make a career for yourself in any industry (within reason ofcourse) with the right experience. So, i plan on living my life for a few years, maybe save up and invest. Then i may go to college.

You're young man, it may seem like you're running out of time, but you've got your whole life to decide what you want to do. What's the rush? Just don't go getting anyone pregnant and you're good to go:D

Mickswizard

I'm 25 and started university last year in DCU studying Economics politics and law. It was THE BEST move i've ever made.

Lollipops23

I'm in a further education college with loads of mature students,they have defintely found it worth it,mainly because they're in the right headspace to deal with a college course.

Kold

I wouldn't commit to a course until you seriously think about what you can stick with for a couple of years and actually see yourself coming off better on the otherside.

Until then, keep working tbh.

HashSlinging

I'm 34 have wanted to go back for 10 years!! one wife, two kids, and one mortgage later I'm finally finding the time to do it. Cant wait.!

gcgirl

I am going back to college as soon as the yougest is in 1st or 2nd class

giddyup

Hey Glacier - I think I remember you from a previous thread and I seem to remember then wondering were you geunine also. You do seem sincere though so for what it's worth...

Would I be right in saying you lack direction? Going back to college may be tricky if you are only doing it for the possibility of a better job or salary. I finshed up on a BSc about a year ago. I did it partly for the CV but I like to think I did it mainly for myself, personal development and a sense of achievement.

If I may offer 2 bits of advice:
1. Mean this in the nicest possible way but I think you need to get up off the arse and make a decision and then commit to it. There are plenty of short and modular courses out there where you could take smaller steps to get up and running to see if it's for you. The Open Uni is a good bet for modular course but I can't help but think that you might benefit more from a bricks and mortar experience.
2. Have you considered counselling or possibly even life-coaching. I'm not an advocate of either but if you were a friend of mine and I stumbled upon your post history here I'd be encouraging you to talk to a someone who could maybe help you with direction, motivation etc.

Maybe I have you all wrong and if so apologies - if not I hope the above is of some use. Best of luck.

tampopo

I did, and it was worth it. You know much more than your contemporaries having lived a little more. That will stand you in good stead.

Some good advice given already. Have a good think about it.

OwenM

I'm 34 and just took voluntary redundancy a few weeks ago so I can go from part time to full time, ill be entering third year of a degree and can't wait.

By far the biggest lesson: Starting is the hardest part. Once you do it the end is always coming at you and every time you examine your position your that much closer to it, it's euphoric.

LegacyUser

I must be the only person who's gone back to college & hates it (I took a couple of years off from my couse before coming back to finish it off).

I don't know which was a bigger mistake for me, taking a break or coming back...

newbusiness

I went back when I was almost 24. UCD Computers BA.

Just graduated

Spent 3 years in DIT, hated it (too hard, the parties were brilliant though), dropped out, worked for a year, went to UCD.

Best thing ever!

Parties, girls, new friends and girlfriend, part-time job, sense of achievement etc.

Yeah it was a lot of work, yeah I was penniless most of the time, but I'd do it again in an heartbeat.

supertramp

I've dropped out 3 times.......chances are if it wasn't right for you second time it never will....