BB FANS

as I am going to be in 6th year next year I have been thinking a lot about unis and stuff and I was wondering if you lot could maybe tell your opinions on a couple of things.

I want to end up as a primary teacher but I don't particularly want to do a degree in that for the risk factor, would a french degree be a good idea to gradgually become a primary teacher by doing a post grad in it?

I am just sooo confused. I have been to the career advisor at school last year in 4th year but she didn't help all that much.

and also, any of you that moved away from home to go to uni do you think it was a good thing to do?

I have more questions but I am too tired to think!

Jezi im going to uni next year but staying at home as I dont have that much confidence around people. Im not sure about the degree bit as im doing a different 1 to you but im sure people will be able to help you on here

Brings back memories

I think it's good to have a degree done, whatever it is - why do you think it's risk factor to do a degree in primary teaching? You can still have your french degree, and if your location is in UK, it's worth it. Why don't you see your career advisor more often? Anyway, you're the one who has to make a decision after all.

To go to uni gives you more opportunities in your life after uni - that's why it's good thing to do. But life itself gives you lots of learn to after your degrees as well. And some people just don't live in a city with uni on it, so some people just have to move away from their homes to get their uni degrees. Some like to move abroad to study as well.

Some people goes to uni after they have worked already for the years in some profession. And that's good thing too.

Do whatever you feel most confident in or drawn to. IMO if you like languages it's always a good thing to have because you can apply that to loads of jobs and it opens up doors. I understand after your course you can then do a "converter" year which then entitles you to teach. It's great that you know what you want to do - many people don't.

Jezi you must do what you feel is right. do you mean by the risk factor involved in doing a primary education degree is that you will be stuck in teaching forever if you do it and won't be able to change careers later? Or that you really like French and would have to give this up? I can give you my experience if it is any help.
I had to make a similar decision, always loved history but wanted to be a primary school teacher. Anyway my career advisor advised doing a history degree then a PGCE which I did. A decision I have never regreted. However I will say that a PGCE is extremely intensive and very hard work. You do not have as much knowledge to begin with as someone who has completed a teaching degree for 4 years, but it shows you are up to a certain standard. You are always learning in teaching all the time anyway and you get very well supported in the first year of your job which you have to pass to attain qualified status. There is nothing like learning on the job. Friends say they are glad they did the 4 year course as they felt more prepared but if you are willing to work hard you soon catch up. At the end of the day you have got to have a way with children to be successful. Alternatively you could apply for a placement in a school for a year and learn on the job, (this is once you have a degree,) we have a student in school at the moment doing this not sure how it works, but I could find out if you want me to.
As far as doing a French degree I don't think there would be a problem getting on a PGCE course especially as they now teach French in primary schools, although you can check this with individual universities.
It is up to you whether to go away to university or stay at home. There are pros and cons to both, I went away and loved my time at uni. However there are major financial worries these days that you do not have so much more of if you live at home. Or do they do the course you want to do at your local university? Mine did'nt. Anyway keep your options open for now and talk it over with your parents, friends and teachers. Hope this has been of some help I will stop rambling now. One thing I can definately say is I have been teaching for around 8 years now and enjoy it tremendously, it is hard work but the rewards are great! l

Bad ones? Care to share?

Uni is ace....6 hours a week, no need to take a year out afterwards, I've never had a year in!

So you want to be a student and learn french

*a team of eight men jump on blagman, gaging him they drag his convulsing body from the room*

OK, this thread can now continue, I've hidden the trouble maker

I nearly went ot Exeter uni...guess I had a lucky escape

I was due to go to university to do a degree in computing, but got stuck in traffic getting to my mates house (we were supposed to be going together as we were doing the same course) on the induction day - by the time I got to his house his sister told me he'd already left - so I turned round went straight back to my summer holiday job which Id only left the week before.

I then wrote off to all the local computer companies asking if any would take me on as a trainee engineer, luckily it only took me a month to find one and I got fully trained and earnt a good wage! Jobs Ive had since have not been interested in qualifications but experience which I have plenty of now, four years more than Id have had if Id done a degree in computing which really only taught programming and stuff that I wasnt interested in anyway!

I still believe I got stuck in traffic for a reason that day as Ive never looked back since

And now you have a good programming traffic lights ?

It's a bit of long story but here's the shortened version of it. The Career Guidance teacher was telling me about all these courses and was pressurising me into going to courses and so was my Mum. As nobody from my family went to uni I had nobody to confide in (and I've hardly ever being away from home). I had only 5 weeks to apply and was under extreme pressure and stress sometimes even suicidal. Anyways, with the college/uni application deadline and the all-important Leaving Cert. Exams (Irish A-Levels if you like) coming up the stress and pressure got too much for me and I became ill (vomitting and developed coldsores on and in my mouth) as a result I wasn't able to eat and lost a lot of weight. Family members who don't see me much were shocked when they saw how much weight I lost especially in the face. I was too ill to concertrate on my application and put down the first course I could think of (Media Studies). I passed my exams and was due to start uni on Sept. 20th but along with the stress of the previous year and a bit of cold feet, I decided to defer it for a year and see what happens.

So is that where you are at the moment, in that year?

I have to say, many young people have a lot of pressure put upon them to go to Uni. I never had any pressure and really respect my parents for that. They actually suggested I didn't go, which is quite unusual. It meant I had a job whilst friends of mine built up debts (and put off working in the 'real world') for years. Meanwhile I was enjoying a great job which paid well which I enjoyed immensely. My parents and siblings are all proof that you can "get somewhere" in life without qualifications. We have all been successful in different ways without the pieces of paper. And I'm not just talking about Uni level.

It's each to their own, but not everyone is cut out for Uni. Although it's a great experience by many accounts, it doesn't necessarily give you the "ticket to life" that you may expect. It can be a negative experience for some.