Dropping out of college course

LegacyUser

There was a particular part time course that I wanted to study for a few years (around 3 to 4 years). It wasn't suitable for me due to transport reasons so I kept putting it off from year to year, thinking that I'd be driving with my own car by next year but learning how to drive has proved to be very difficult. I wanted to study the course to gain more knowledge and to become fully qualified in what I do.

Was delighted to learn that it was being offered as a saturday course. I got great advice here a few weeks back and I joined up. I was so happy to finially have the opportunity to study this course and I looked forward to starting. I started and have two weeks done now. I've learned so much so far and I really enjoyed it.

However I just don't know if I can continue. I work full time during the week, in a job that I love doing 50 to 60 hours a week. Sometimes more, sometimes less. I don't get home until 7 or 7.30 most evenings. Work experience is part of the course and I am (and others in the class) are required to do approximatively 3 hours experience every week, starting in december or janauary at the very latest. I've thought about this and there is no way I'd be able to do work experience because of the long hours that I work. I'm not willing to get time off work either. I'm not in a position to. I do get a half day off some weeks but its never definate, it could be a morning one week, an afternoon anther time, and other weeks no half day. I don't usually know until the last minute either. If I was to continue I could possibly organise experience for a half day off but it would be very difficult and I'd have so much on.

I just don't know what to do. I've talked to my tutor and she has said that I need the required amount of experince to complete assignments and projects (and there is a lot) I've talked to the others in my class and they are in a position that they are either not working, working part time, working an evening shift, or already working in the required establishments for work experience, therefore able to do the required work experience.

The thought of giving up is making me sick but at the same time it gives me some relief in that the very little free time that I have would be my own. I could possibly get some relaxation in during my time off and arrive for work refreshed every monday, instead of tired and exhausted from studing. My work can be stressful at times and the long hours adds to the stress. I really don't know if I can handle college stress.

Kevster

Hi,

You're having trouble readjusting things in your life... ...I mean, you WILL have to give up things that you liked doing before (i.e. sacrifice them for getting your coursework done). That said, if you really feel like you cannot do this, then give up now and get on with your life. i strongly suspect - however - that you will grow to regret leaving. Look, once you get over the initial 'hill' of the workload involved (and once you get into a routine), you will be wondering what all of the fuss was about.

Perhaps making a schedule omn paper of what each weak is likely to be like for you (hours wise) would be a good idea.

Kevin

LegacyUser

I have to agree with previous poster you need to make some adjustments. You say you work 50 - 60 hours a week, I assume you are excluding travel time from this. If that is the case I don't see why you could not arrange with your employer to take the time in lieu given the long hours you currently work. You only need about 6 hours off per week (allowing for some travel time to and from work experience.). Speaking from experience you will have to make some adjustments and it will get in the way of your social life. I well remember there were times where I had to plan 2 -3 weeks ahead if I wanted to arrange to meet someone and going stright from work to lectures and or project meetings etc, but it was all worth it in the end as I achieved my goal.
Good luck with your course anyway.

Calhoun

OP,

I was in a similar position to you lastyear, got into a distance learning course in a college i had always wanted to go to in my dream course but i was working a 50-60 hour week and it got to much and i gave it up last christmas.

Luckily for me i was able to defer for a year and restarted this year, not much has changed but i think in the year i have been able to put my priorities in place and assess what the course means for me.

For me i am motivated by the potential for my career growth but most importantly by my own personal drive to develop myself and learn something new but to do this i have had to make sacrifices in my personal and even career life's .

What you need to do is assess what this course means to do you and give it some thought on what you are willing to give up. Good luck with what ever you decide but i hope that i have an understanding of what this means to you and you decide to keep doing it.