College Woes

LegacyUser

I am/was doing a four year college degree in IT. The degree has apparently a 90% dropout rate but I managed to make it to third year. Unfortunately I ended up failing two exams and had to repeat the year externally this last college year. I'm now in the situation where I have passed one of the exams but still failed the other, again

I dunno what to do Should I pay to sit this exam again next May? It would be fairly cheap seeing as it's only the one. I know I can pass it this time.

I had a lot of personal problems which messed me up the last couple of years, which basically lead me to failing the two in third year and not being able to do much study for the repeats this year. But I've sorted it now.

I'm not sure if I'm interested in pursuing a job even related to the degree anymore. But the option of doing another college course is ruled out financial wise for me I'm afraid, as I've already been granted aided for my current course.

The way things are I just feel I need some sort of third level degree and having spent so much time on it already I feel as if I should try and just get into fourth year next year and get some sort of a qualification out of it, if only to have it on my CV. I feel as if I would have wasted so much time, I mean it's only one year at the end of the day. But I worry I'll look like a joke arriving back after two years of repeating to the lecturers.

But then I figure what employer will bother with me when they see I took six years to do a four year course I don't know, is it a foolish pursuit?

Firetrap

Seeing as you're so close to the finish line, you should try and get the degree. Otherwise you'll have an even bigger gap in your CV. Perhaps you could fib about the year you started and say you took a year out to travel? I reckon at this stage you've got nothing to lose.

cee_jay

I'd finish out this degree. Then if you don't want to work in that field, you could do a postgrad to qualify you elsewhere.

SlimCi

Persevere with it, having any degree whether you use it or not is far better than none at all in this climate. You're nearly there stick it out it will be worth it, especially if there is such a high drop out/failure rate:)

effluent

You might not have an interest in the degree but I think you'll feel worse if you give up now and look back at the time you wasted trying to get the degree.

Al ot of people have degree's unrelated to their line of work, myself included. Whether it takes you four or six years, it demonstrates to a prospective employer that you have dedication and disapline to spend that time getting a degree.

I'm not sure what your ideal job is but if it is unrelated to your degree you could volunteer to do work experience in the area. I've come to realise that experience is much more valuable than a piece of paper with degree spelt on it.

Overheal

I dunno what to do Should I pay to sit this exam again next May? It would be fairly cheap seeing as it's only the one. I know I can pass it this time.

Considering all the time and energy and money already invested so far: Absolutely, yes. And start studying now, buy some nice stationery and basically what you want to do - I find it far more effective than any other method of study - I try and go cover to cover/start to finish with a summarized/abridged version of the course content. I just start writing a full section for each chapter, break down all of the necessary information and go into as much detail as I need to, as if I were creating a set of notes that encompasses all of my knowledge on the subject. Takes longer than most study methods, but guarantees A1s. There's especially no reason not to try it, what with only a single subject to tackle. Personal favorites for this method were Economics and Psychology but it could be applied to just about anything, but it works particularly well for the sciences.

lace

If I were you I'd just study like mad and finish the degree, OP. Lots of people fail exams and struggle in college and there's no shame in that. If personal problems are hindering your study you should consider talking to student services in your college. Most colleges will allow you to submit a form at the end of the term/year so that extenuating circumstances and personal difficulties can be taken into account when grading you.