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

Timetable problems - By which I think they mean that the English teachers would be teaching A-level English students when there space in the timetable for us on the access course.

I was thinking that was going to be studying English [which I know I could do well in, even if it took a few weeks for me to get back upto speed on it]. And Media Studies, which I suspect would involve dissecting films and newspapers and the like, which I'm confident I could have done well with a little guidance and being pointed in the right direction...
And History, which I figured if that after the first few weeks I didn't see myself as enjoying or bridging the gap between GCSE and this, I could switch to Education instead.

Is there a lot of difference between 'A' level and access course English? Could you somehow get access credits by attending the 'A' level classes?

I am sure you'd be perfectly capable of doing 'A' level English, if the texts inspired you.

Still, Psychology and Sociology are fascinating too. I did 'A' level psychology. I reckon you'd enjoy it, though you might get irritated by the lack of scientific rigor in places.

Well if I were taking A-levels I go for English, rather than English Lit, but the difference is that A-levels are tought over 2 years rather than the one year for Access and as such of course are structured and graded and reviewed differently.

Sociology is interesting, but the social theories they teach, in my limited experience are a bag of ballcocks...

I do like your swear words, Kamanchi.

Yes, sociology's full of ballcocks, but it's still interesting.

I can get playful with the things at times…

Not long after joining the course I have to start thinking about uni application... At the mo I don't really feel that Uni is right for me, but I get the sense from those involved in my care that they think differently... They all seem to have convinced themselves that I'm actually intelligent.
I'm not. I'm mundane. I'm not completely stupid, but that doesn't make me bright or intelligent.
Of course I will put in an application in case I feel differently about the idea in a years time as I wouldn't have to accept any offers.
Though I doubt anything I could right as a personal statement and all that selling oneself stuff would attract offers...

You do come across as one of the sharper tools in the box.

Academically, I think you'd cope fine with uni, and I'd say it's more the stress factor you'll have to consider when the time comes to decide. Unless you have good time management skills and can motivate yourself to study 9 to 5 every weekday, the work would have to be deeply inspiring if it's not going to grind you down. In the humanities, it's not so much that the work is hard, as that there's a lot of it.

As to the personal statement, it depends on the course and the university. In some cases, it's more of a formality, because it's expected that many students will drop out during the first year; so they over-book placements for the sake of the funding they bring the university. That's how I got into the uni I wanted.

I'm told mature students who have done access courses get preferential treatment, because it's assumed that they're more likely to actually do the work. So as long as your statement thingy is coherent and displays an interest in learning the subject, you should be fine.

You wouldn't believe how many average people go through university...

It's only the extremes that are visible, we average are just there to be a background for the brilliant and the idiots.

I hope you find a subject that inspires!

Milla

My ability to excercise self-dicipline is patchy... I can control myself too well in ertain behaviours and others I feel powerless to adapt my behaviour to reaching a goal. And as for organizing myself...... not good at that at all...

Better pick a subject with clear directions and defined portions of work each day then!

Milla

Well hopefully the experience gained from studying the Sociology and the Psychology and the History will allow me to improve those skills... Which could be needed in a workplace even I don't run off to join a University.

It will improve, yes. And sometimes it is easier to just do things because someone else wants you to, than to dig out that 'want to' in yourself and get started...
I'm forever lazy, but I also have this drive not to disappoint people, so usually that wins. Except now, when I should be w*rking...

Milla

I do confess to doubtingthat have the attributes required to be a good student.

Well, you've got plenny o' time to decide.

I start the access course in about a fortnight.

Try it. If you don't like it, quit, but chances are you'll like it!

Milla

I couldn't quit unless it was affecting my health.

Really? That sounds like a strict rule? Because of funding maybe?

Milla

No... *I* couldn't quit unless it was affecting *my* health.

Ah, a choice! Makes some sense.

But you don't need to decide about going to uni straight away, do you?