I think I picked the wrong college course.

The Friendly Newcomer

Hi
I'll give a bit if a back story first.

I started in University three years ago and I completed my first year arts course (IT, Maths, Psychology and Italian).
However then I took two years off due to illness.

I started 2nd year this week in a new Software Development course in a closer college which I was able to do because my first year IT results makes me elligible for 2nd year in the new college.
I am still eligible for the grant which is vital for me because without it I wouldn't be able to afford college.

However now I feel like IT might not be for me. I find it kind of boring.
I mainly picked IT because it was all that I could pick using my first year results.

I have been looking at other courses and I think Early Childhood care and Education seems very interesting.

I love helping people and I love kids.

For me to go for the above course I would have to drop out and start from scratch which would result in me losing the grant which I cannot afford.
Also I am nearly 21 and if I was to wait until next year to start a new course, I will be an old first year compared to others starting.
I just wish I had picked a different course when I finished my leaving cert when I was 17.

I am feeling quite down about the whole thing.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks

bee06

You're nearly 21 not 91! You'll only be 3 years older than the other students which is a very small gap in the scheme of things and you probably won't be the only one who's a bit older. I have a friend who went and did a child care course when she was 25 and she said it was the best decision she ever made.

Trust me, you don't want to stick with what you're doing now, get an IT job that you hate and end up in ten years time wishing you did the childcare course now.

LegacyUser

Can you afford to do a PLC rather than going into college course again? I mean my PLC only cost a 400euros for the year, but don't count me on that advice, my memories a bit hazy since I don't my PLC years ago.

Also you mention your afraid about about being a old first year? OP, I found even since the recession began and people began losing jobs,
there is more of an increase in either mature students studying ages between 30 and upwards, or either younger adults between ages of 20 and 29.
On my course last year, I think there was only two or three people aged between 17 and 19, which used to be the typical ages of college students, the rest of us were in our 20s with the oldest being 29. So don't worry about it.

LegacyUser

Have you only just begun this course? If you are not happy then there is no point in continuing.
If you drop out before the end of September then it won't impact on your fees. No? Have you spoken to the fees office?

IvoryTower

"For me to go for the above course I would have to drop out and start from scratch which would result in me losing the grant which I cannot afford"

Are you certain of this? If the course in is the same college, you meet the requirements and the new course isn't full, I would think you could talk them into letting you switch. I saw students in my year switch course even a month or two into the semester.

Speak to everyone you can on the matter, lecturers, college guidance counselor, department heads for both courses. Someone should be able to help you and at least you'll get as much information as you can to help make a decision.

I started first year at 28, don't worry about age, there are people of all ages in every course.

The Friendly Newcomer

IvoryTower wrote: »

"For me to go for the above course I would have to drop out and start from scratch which would result in me losing the grant which I cannot afford"

Are you certain of this? If the course in is the same college, you meet the requirements and the new course isn't full, I would think you could talk them into letting you switch. I saw students in my year switch course even a month or two into the semester.

Speak to everyone you can on the matter, lecturers, college guidance counselor, department heads for both courses. Someone should be able to help you and at least you'll get as much information as you can to help make a decision.

I started first year at 28, don't worry about age, there are people of all ages in every course.

I am going into 2nd year though.

IvoryTower

Ah okay. Doesn't that mean when you finish 1st year on another course you'll be eligible for the grant again when you get to second year on your new course?

To be honest, id probably be looking at getting a part time job and maybe even a loan for fees if possible. Then if there's any hope of the grant at a later stage(when you get to second or 3rd year) then that would help you out, but you wouldn't be relying on it.

The Friendly Newcomer

IvoryTower wrote: »

Ah okay. Doesn't that mean when you finish 1st year on another course you'll be eligible for the grant again when you get to second year on your new course?

To be honest, id probably be looking at getting a part time job and maybe even a loan for fees if possible. Then if there's any hope of the grant at a later stage(when you get to second or 3rd year) then that would help you out, but you wouldn't be relying on it.

Yeah, I rang SUSI and they said I will have to cover myself financially for first year.
I won't get either the fees or the maintenance part of the grant for first year but should for second year.

IvoryTower

part time job?

Or you could take a year or two out to save

You have your whole life to work after you get your degree, there's no rush

The Friendly Newcomer

IvoryTower wrote: »

part time job?

Or you could take a year or two out to save

You have your whole life to work after you get your degree, there's no rush

Thanks

I have been told a PLC is a good idea to help you sort out what you want to do.

buzzb123

Hi OP . I think it's wise to sit back and think your options through.

I was two years into a programme, one year off graduating but I knew that course or job I would get wasnt for me.

I'm starting from scratch another degree at 30. I didn't want in 10 years to look back and regret taking the ' easy ' option.

I think even the fact I am trying to do Something that could make me happy is more wise than staying on a path that I knew would make me miserable.

Go with your gut and most importantly make an informed decision.

You are still young. I wish I knew what I wanted as young as you.

Best of luck.

The Friendly Newcomer

Thanks for all the advice. I am hoping to drop out of my course and do a FETAC level 5 and decide throughout that year what i really want to do and then start first year again next year.