General Chat

No Dan, I didn't go, in my day it was not expected for secondary modern pupils to go to university. Schools were streamed in those days & I was in the top stream but I left school at 15 with no qualifications & went into retail. I hated school. I always enjoyed the jobs I have done, wouldn't have stayed anywhere that I didn't enjoy. Unfortunately,in my opinion, too much emphasis is put on academic qualifications these days. Some people are academic & others are more practical. My two eldest left school with a handful of GCSEs & are doing fine. My son is working as an ambulance technician, training to be a paramedic. My daughter is the financial controller of a multi million pound company. My youngest daughter is dyslexic but once this was acknowledged at age 18 she went back to evening classes & studied hard to improve her exam results. She then went on to do a university course to become a nurse. I really think it depends on what you want to do. If you have no idea, then maybe university is a good plan until you can decide what you want. Vivienne xx

Me. Parents said uni was only for boys, as girls should get married and set up home a few years after leaving school and therefore, it would be wasted! Brother was offered the opportunity to go, but turned it down! Well, 43 now and not married yet, although in a wonderful relationship with my soul mate. Have carved out a career for myself and have my professional qualifications. And who boasts about what I have achieved - yep, mum! AL

Left school at 15,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,so i didnt get to uni

Well done Willow - I think the motivation is really strong when you are a mature student. Jay

I took a year out before going to college and here I am 12 yrs later of partying, marriage and a little sprite and no midwifery qualifications.......really regretted not getting on and doing it...........but when little sprite has grown up and is of an age where he won't burn the house down if I leave him for a few hours (don't trust his dad for that never mind him! LOL) I am going to do it come hell or high water it's what I wanted to be and still do.........and midwives are pretty thin on the ground up here...well district ones are coz we are so remote!!! But apart from that I'm surviving......got a my own house that's 1/2 paid for already.........own car not on a loan or hire purchase....and have a good savings account and we don't live a fancy life but we're comfortable............I have watched little sprite through his early years (best thing ever!) coz we've been able to afford for me not to go back to work yet...............so I'd say yes I've managed ok!! RDA.x.

I did as a mature student and I graduate this year with a 2.1 in Psychology.

yep Dan, blimey - elephants never forget do they lol The only job I could get when I left College was as a Typist for a v small travel agent, who got bought up a year later by Thomas Cook business travel. They didn't need a typist, so I had to train to work in business travel. Spent 13 years there in the end - horrid extremely pressurised job, I'd never go back to it and would never have chosen it as a career in a million years. I just didn't have much choice as the only qualification (apart from Os and As) I had was this Secretarial Diploma and after a year of doing 'just' typing, I had lost all my shorthand skills. Maz. XX

Me, I didn't go either. Never took exams, was removed from school and sent out to work!! Nanna-M :(

I didn't go and I don't think I've done too badly for myself althugh I do tend to be the exception rather than the rule in my line of work - and I have had t work my way u doing the menial stuff for years which was very boring (and quite brain numbing when you know you can do harder stuff better than the university graduates) I'd been given a place at a posh uni (as long as I got the grades) but my A Levels were driving me mad so I quit. Fortunately my Mum was very supportive despite me shattering TONS of her dreams by not going Had I gone to uni I'd have been a lawyer - but I MUCH prefer what I ended up doing

I was accepted for uni, but didn't go (long story!). I ended up at the local college and did an HND and then I did a part-time post-graduate course a few years later. I'm glad I did what I did and don't think uni would have been my cup of tea. I had a good career, which I could have carried on with but got disillusioned (another long story!).

And a travel agent person too I recall Miss Maz.

I didn't - had pressure put on me by parents not to go away from home. I really wanted to be an archaeologist or librarian and at the time I would have had to live away to do the degree. I do sometimes think how different my life would be if I had stood up to them and just gone - the guilt trip has been used ever since to make sure I stay within a few minutes drive. I ended up going to Poly in London and doing a secretarial course instead, then got into travel and never used my A Levels or secretarial skills. Mind you, I wouldn't have my lovely children if I had gone down a different path, so I suppose life hasn't turned out too bad! Oh and I did end up working part-time in a library! Maz. XX

No I didn't, despite being in the top class at school & constantly being told I was throwing my life away! I could not run out of those school gates quick enough. Have since done some study but don't think I could commit to the standard that is needed for a degree. I have worked with lots of uni students & graduates over the years & have to say many come across as all brains & no common sense, maybe I have just been unlucky in meeting the wrong people!!

No I didn't & have needed counselling ever since because I feel I was so deprived ! *Sobs into hanky* pmsl :0(( Joan

I didn't go to uni, nor have I got any qualifications, yet I have done things, met people, been places that majority of people will never do. Unfortunately there was a price to pay finally and that is why I banged on about qualifications on the other thread.

Straight out of school with my 'o' level English Language and Literature, into nursing, had to pass entrance exam... Had ten wonderful nursing years before I got married..

I didn't my sister did. I have grown up feeling very inferior because of it, but then I have 3 lovely children and she has none, me I'm more practical and she is more academic. Will never push my children into going if they want to thats fine if not thats fine too

Hayley - pmsl x

No I did not go, I wonder how many people who did go to Uni actually end up doing a job that a) they wanted to do in the first place and b) required the degree. xxhugxx

sorry Ann thats why I,m doing GCSE in English oh will never pass coz can't read......lol