h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I've just spent a merry hour finding out how to go about going back to College - got an interview with Broardstairs on the 24th of this month

And I've discovered something I didn't know about my qualifications -

when I did my day course for the ITECs when I decided I wanted to be an aromatherapist, no-one told ME that they were a Level 3 type course
which is sort of between A levels and a degree in Old Money

So according to the nice Careers Guidance Bod at Broardstairs, I'm already regarded as having the equivalent of a degree, due to the "Science Based subjects" I took ten years ago;

and this means (a) I may not have to go thru the introductory part of the course (no bad thing)

and (b) -and this is the bit that amazes me- I'm regarded as having a qualification in a science based subject


Now; I've always regarded "science" as one of those subjects that was too complicated for me to understand. And I don't really approve of the archtypical Scient's credo of "How does *this* work"...and all those painstaking comparitive tests to prove (nine times out of ten) the bleedin' obvious

(A recent TV documentary on "Does Accupuncture work" is a good example
- it's been going for over 5,000 years, and there's filmed evidence of Open Heart Surgury being performed with NO general anesthetic and the patient's not only calm and feels absolutely no pain but recovers enough to walk out of the hospital and lead a normal life within a fortnight, using Accupuncture in place of the GA

Of COURSE accupunture works - look at the evidence of your own eyes and experiences and make a decision...don't anylise it for heavens sake! And don't try to scientifically define Ch'i before you believe in its existence. G'AARGH! Scientists!)

It's not just the fact I've got quite an impressive qualification in a "science" based subject that amazes me....it's the fact that I've been sitting quietly on the equivalent of a degree (because I've got a total of 4 Diplomas) and not realising it.

That's the freaky bit!

It doesn't make me one jot or tittle better than anyone else and the only real use I've had for those certificates is to cover up damp patches on the walls with 'em.

But

It's rather nice to realise I've got a couple of bits of paper that prove to the world I'm fairly bright



If I've been sitting on a degree for the last ten years and not even realising what I'd achieved, then possibly the only thing that having one could indicate is that I'm a bit slow on the uptake in some things!

Ah well; I get there eventually - and it feels rather jolly good.

Even if it *is* ten years late!