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I don't know what to do with myself

  • 22-06-2014 10:07am
    #1
    cloud493
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11,835 ✭✭✭✭


    Hi guys, looking for some advice.

    I did the leaving in 2011, failed, went back and repeated, failed again. Went onto a PLC in journalism, didn't like that so I started another PLC in liberal arts for access to university, failed that as well. Now I don't really know what to do. I am working, but I'd also to do something more than supermarket work with my life, but I don't know what. I spoke to the guidance counsellor at the PLC college, and explained that even if I got into DCU or UCD, I've no idea what I want to do with it, or anything. I'm just drifting right now I guess. Any ideas?


Comments

  • #2
    aaakev
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,088 ✭✭✭aaakev


    Go travelling and get some experience doing different things. I was like you for a long time, I did the leaving in 2003 and went straight out to work, worked loads of different jobs and kept falling back into sales jobs. Eventually got a shot at car sales and loved it and now running the sales department in a premium brand garage. Its so far away from what I thought I wantwd to do, I wanted to join the army and travel the world, I even looked into joining the British army at one stage.

    I wouldnt fixate too much finding what you think you want, your still young. Work different jobs if you can and if you like something stick with it


  • #3
    dellas1979
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,128 ✭✭✭dellas1979


    cloud493 wrote: »
    Hi guys, looking for some advice.

    I did the leaving in 2011, failed, went back and repeated, failed again. Went onto a PLC in journalism, didn't like that so I started another PLC in liberal arts for access to university, failed that as well. Now I don't really know what to do. I am working, but I'd also to do something more than supermarket work with my life, but I don't know what. I spoke to the guidance counsellor at the PLC college, and explained that even if I got into DCU or UCD, I've no idea what I want to do with it, or anything. I'm just drifting right now I guess. Any ideas?

    Can I just make a suggestion first-lets put the horse before the cart, rather than the other way around. Its something that you maybe should think about, before you try to get back into academia (and possibly fail again). Just something to think about so you know you are making good decisions/choices, for yourself.

    Do you know why or have an idea why you are failing academically?


  • #4
    cloud493
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11,835 ✭✭✭✭cloud493


    Partly its cos I'm not that interested in the stuff I'm studying. Like on the leaving, I was highest in my year both times on English and History Higher level, but I failed everything else.


  • #5
    Merkin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,230 ✭✭✭Merkin


    Would you think about doing A Levels? If you're gifted in certain subjects you could look at doing three in English Lit, History and maybe Drama or Classical Studies and then use that to access a good university course. I think if you're unsure, it's often a good idea to look at what you're good at and take it from there. Even if you do an Arts degree, you still don't have to have a very clear career trajectory f what you want to do but an Arts degree is a good starting point for lots of careers.


  • #6
    dellas1979
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,128 ✭✭✭dellas1979


    cloud493 wrote: »
    Partly its cos I'm not that interested in the stuff I'm studying. Like on the leaving, I was highest in my year both times on English and History Higher level, but I failed everything else.

    I hear you.
    If I have an interest in something, Ill ace it. If I dont, I barely scrape by (Ive no interest to try memorise something Ive no interest in). Id do the bare minimum. But like most people, Ill do it/apply myself/endure it if it means getting onto something I do want to do.

    Well done you!
    You have to be a very good writer to get very high grades in English and History (which I think you know. Which maybe in your mind meant Journalism might suit you). But this doesnt equate to being good or being interested in something like Journalism.

    So, would it be assumed then that your "interests" lie along the lines of English and History? And if so, is there a particular area of these you'd like to learn more about (i.e., poetry/literature, ancient history...)


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  • #7
    cloud493
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11,835 ✭✭✭✭cloud493


    Yeah. Not ancient history really, more modern, say 19th century on. I'l read anything though, in regards to English.


  • #8
    dellas1979
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,128 ✭✭✭dellas1979


    So why not apply yourself in these?


  • #9
    cloud493
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11,835 ✭✭✭✭cloud493


    Theres not many PLC's in this, so I'm finding.


  • #10
    Bafucin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 642 ✭✭✭Bafucin


    cloud493 wrote: »
    Hi guys, looking for some advice.

    I did the leaving in 2011, failed, went back and repeated, failed again. Went onto a PLC in journalism, didn't like that so I started another PLC in liberal arts for access to university, failed that as well. Now I don't really know what to do. I am working, but I'd also to do something more than supermarket work with my life, but I don't know what. I spoke to the guidance counsellor at the PLC college, and explained that even if I got into DCU or UCD, I've no idea what I want to do with it, or anything. I'm just drifting right now I guess. Any ideas?


    Work out why you are not applying yourself. No one fails so consistently without effort.

    You are drifting because you lack commitment the next thing you start commit to finishing. Even if it is not what you want to do forever.
    Partly its cos I'm not that interested in the stuff I'm studying. Like on the leaving, I was highest in my year both times on English and History Higher level, but I failed everything else.

    You need to tough it out. Seriously you just have to do it or you will not get the choices you want and be continuously drifting. You are drifting now because you could not get a course you liked and do what you liked because you could not tough out a year or two of some stuff that was not your favorite. That is just going to repeat itself unless you change that.

    It is not about finding out what you want it is about you developing the gumption and characteristics to be able to go after what you really want.


  • #11
    tenifan
    Closed Accounts Posts: 523 ✭✭✭tenifan


    cloud493 wrote: »
    I did the leaving in 2011, failed, went back and repeated, failed again. Went onto a PLC in journalism, didn't like that so I started another PLC in liberal arts for access to university, failed that as well. Now I don't really know what to do. I am working, but I'd also to do something more than supermarket work with my life, but I don't know what. I spoke to the guidance counsellor at the PLC college, and explained that even if I got into DCU or UCD, I've no idea what I want to do with it, or anything. I'm just drifting right now I guess. Any ideas?

    Some points:
    - What's so bad about supermarket work? Someone has to do it.
    - you don't have much luck with exams. Why would you want to go to university? 4 years of perhaps 100+ tests, exams and assessments.
    - what are your passions / talents / skills? What are you good at?

    You're still fairly young so plenty of time to figure things out. Instead of rushing in to full-time education, it might be an idea to do a few evening courses while working in the supermarket. Maybe something I.T related. Intro to plumbing or tiling. First aid. Childminding. Landscape gardener. Flower arranging. Do a few evening courses and figure out where your strengths and interests are.


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  • #12
    cloud493
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11,835 ✭✭✭✭cloud493


    Theres nothing wrong it, I'm very grateful to have a job. Just that I hoped I'd be do more with my life.


  • #13
    LegacyUser
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    cloud493 wrote: »
    Hi guys, looking for some advice.

    I did the leaving in 2011, failed, went back and repeated, failed again. Went onto a PLC in journalism, didn't like that so I started another PLC in liberal arts for access to university, failed that as well. Now I don't really know what to do. I am working, but I'd also to do something more than supermarket work with my life, but I don't know what. I spoke to the guidance counsellor at the PLC college, and explained that even if I got into DCU or UCD, I've no idea what I want to do with it, or anything. I'm just drifting right now I guess. Any ideas?

    You will have to prove to yourself that your attitude towards academics has matured before you consider making a return to college.

    It would be rare for a person to like every single module/subject involved in school or college but you can't just selectively avoid studying the ones that don't appeal to you.

    You have failed the LC twice and a PLC once, not a chance you would cope in UCD or DCU unless you make steps to change the way you study. It's another level up entirely to earn a degree at a university. You haven't even succeeded at level 5 yet.

    I've spent a few unsuccessful years in 3rd level education myself, some of it was disrupted by illness which had an impact on my capability to deal with the work. Personally, I realise from experience that currently there is little point in me trying another course for the sake of it, when the same thing may repeat itself again.

    Maybe some time in the future, I will return but not until I'm convinced I can keep on top of things.

    Best of luck with your future choices, just make sure you're ready this time.


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