BassGroove wrote:I did my college during high school. It wasn't a post secondary though, it was a full 21 credit hour college program. I never had to go back to my highschool except for NHS. Though it was just an Associate's degree, I would never regret it. College was much more rewarding than highschool (at least I think it was). I already have a job in my field now, and am currently debt free because the sponsors for the program paid for all of it.
Looking back, I really wish I had gotten more college credit while I was in high school. I didn't really see it as an option for me until my last year when I took two "dual-credit" courses which gave me high school and college credit simultaneously. I should've at least gotten a few more basic classes in while it was cheap
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
I probably could've shortened my graduation time by about a semester and saved a bunch of money. Luckily, I've had some scholarships to keep me afloat thus far, but I had to take out my first student loan this semester :/ But good for you on taking an opportunity like that! It sounds like it really paid off
Lifio13 wrote:
If I hadn't failed Chemistry, I could have been doing Advanced Higher Chemistry, which is what I wanted to do, because it gives an example of first year uni stuff. Unfortunately, I'm even beginning to wonder if I have the grades capable of going into Uni this year, and I'm wondering if going through College first might be a better option.
It doesn't help when the Career's Advisor aren't really helpful. They give me stuff to do which is meant to show my strengths and stuff, but how is that meant to help me decide what I want to do? Speaking of which, our Register/Tutor/Whatever you want to call it Class had a talk from one of them today and it felt like you were being spoken down to more than anything. It made me feel more terrible about my grades than anything. In fact, they suggested I go into full time employment. Doing what? I know straight after Summer Next year I want to be in University(Or College if I'm not good enough and get down right rejected.).
You'll have to forgive me for not knowing the complexities of the Scottish school system compared to my own, but I'm guessing you're talking about something like a junior/2-year/community college. I've had plenty of friends who have done that for a number of reasons, partly because its cheaper and partly because they weren't sure if they were ready to jump right in to the whole University system. After they finish, they can either decide to go into employment, or transfer into a larger University.
In the end, its really all up to you. Getting a degree is a pretty demanding thing, both financially and time-wise, so seeking employment right away might be a better option in the end if you weren't sure you could do well. But, if University is what you really want to do, then by all means man, go for it! Attending a university is an amazing experience, and you can really open up a lot of doors for yourself if you stay on top of things. That being said, if you're willing to take on the risks and costs that come with going to a University, you should definitely make sure you're pursuing something you absolutely love. It'd be a real bummer if you spent so much time struggling in classes for years and you just end up in a career you're not happy with. Life's too short not to be happy. Plus, it really helps your grades as well as your overall experience if you're
genuinely interested in the things you're being taught. If you love the courses you're taking, studying and coursework really aren't as bad as they might seem to other people, and you'll be more likely to end up with a job you're happy with. All things considered, you should really explore
all your options to see what would work best for you, but if you have something you know in your heart you really want to do, then don't let anybody stop you, man.
Lifio13 wrote:
One thing I don't like about my school though is that they really encourage all the really intelligent people to do well, but they don't really do anything for anyone else. Most of the staff at the school are lovely though and encourage us to do really well, after spending nearly six years with some of them, I consider some of them friends more than teachers.
Sadly, I think this is a problem in a lot of places. :/
Nobody likes a bad teacher or staff-person, but I'm glad you managed to find some diamonds in the rough. That's kinda why I want to be a teacher actually. Being around college students, it seems like almost everybody can remember at least one or two teachers in their past who left a good impression on them and either got them interested in a certain field, or reaffirmed the interest they already had. I know I had one. Someday, I want to be that teacher that one of my students will fondly remember after they graduate. Changing the world one person at a time, as corny as it sounds/is :p