University/College - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

scottishbhoy · 06-11-2006, 07:15 PM

Just going on from the other thread there about what you do. Im kinda stuck in a rut at the moment, just wondering if anyone else is in the same boat. Been at University for 4 years now, but only completed 3 years and dont know if im going back this september which would mean a year out ( working abroad thank god) then coming back and trying to get into university again to either change my degree (dont liek the one im doing ) or do another year to finish off the one im doing.

God knows why am posting this, just seeing if anyone is the same boat. I mean thats me done 4 years study and im up to debt to my eyeballs, working two jobs at the moment stressing out about money and all that shit - if i go back to uni it will cost me even more (even if i try to pay off as much as possible while im working now).

Anyhoo, god knows what im trying to say, just looking for some kind of advice :D

GrahamP · 06-11-2006, 09:17 PM

im not exactly in the same boat, im about to start my third year at school, but i will be eventually. if i had the option, which i dont, i would be taking a few years off and working abroad, saving some cash, and enjoying my youth. work will never end, but once you get a degree you typically have to justify that with a real job, if you are still in college age, then you can do anything you want!

**bluepea** · 06-11-2006, 09:29 PM

Gah, I'm pretty close... been in and out for the last three years and motivation is dwindling after I broke my ankle and dropped out spring semester... I want my degree, I just don't want to have to earn it... I already took time off to go to Europe.

**lauren313** · 06-12-2006, 09:35 AM

I've just finished my 3 year degree, and am taking some time out next. But then I have to make the decision whether to start working, or doing further study.

I want to go to uni again to train as a mental health nurse, but I keep wondering if I can hack another 2 years at university (luckily, as a psychology graduate, I'm able to take a fast track course, which is 2 - 2.5 years, rather than 3).

Money isn't really an issue, as nursing students get huge bursaries from the NHS and get fees paid for, but I'm still so unsure!

I know it's a great move career-wise, but while everyone around me is moving on into jobs and stuff, I'd still be at uni!

**Jen05** · 06-12-2006, 11:55 AM

I know what you mean. I have one week to accept my spot in the teaching program at my university, which is another 2 years, then my career as a teacher (hopefully!) I thought of taking a year off, but have decided to go straight into the program (I think!) My thinking is I'll try and take advantage of my last 4 month summer next year and go away again, but I'm also thinking that when I graduate it'll be hard to find a permanent job right away, and I'll only be 22, so why not teach abroad or something like that, or find a term position and travel? I figure, we're young, there's tons of possibilities, and there's no "right" way to go. If you can't get taking a year off out of your mind, I say go for it!

Echeverry · 06-12-2006, 01:37 PM

Well I think I was on the same boat (kinda), I've been taken classes from Mortiss & Julliard (here in NY) to Le Cordon Bleu (In Orlando & Miami) But all of a sudden I changed my Mayor from Culinary Arts to Linguistics (Modern euro-asian bullshit & diction and something else). I don't happen to have all the entire "financial issue" but still the time and stress come pretty much the same. My best Consejo: Just chill don't think it too much cause it will stress you out, think what is the best for you and will be better in a future.

**beergal** · 06-12-2006, 02:18 PM

I have just finished three years of my degree im off for the summer and start my pgce in September. For me the last 3 years have gone past so quick completing another year isnt phasing me

**lauren313** · 06-13-2006, 09:48 AM

Briley, the three years have gone so quick for me too! That's what I'm hoping to find if I get a place on another course.

I've decided to definitely apply for the mental health nursing degrees, but now my dilemma is which places to apply for! The course isn't offered at many universities (only about 12 or so), and I have two "definites", and four "maybes". You're only allowed to apply to four places, and I'm stuck! My "maybes" aren't really appealing to me toooo much, so I dunno which to choose! I don't want to limit myself by only taking half my choices!

**beergal** · 06-13-2006, 10:43 AM

Lauren where are you thinking about studying?

Im staying here in liverpool but im sure that when i qualify i will have to move to get a job

astro25e · 06-13-2006, 11:26 AM

echeverry, linguistics is sweet. even though i say i hate it because i've taken so many diction and linguistics classes, it's still secretly very interesting to me. have you taken a class on the history of the english language? it's good stuff.
but anyway, i've changed my major so many times its not funny. do what you want to do, even if it does take longer. i started out music performance, then music therapy, then speech pathology and now i'm doubling in music and anthro. it's true, i have no idea what i'm going to do with that degree, but it's the stuff that i'm the most interested in and hopefully i can figure out something that will make me happier than someone working in a cubicle all their life. unless they want to work in a cubicle that is...

**lauren313** · 06-13-2006, 01:07 PM

Briley, my definite choices are University of Central England (Birmingham) and Kingston. At B'ham, the NHS bursary is about £5800 per year, and at Kingston it will be about £6800. But then accommodation at B'ham starts at £50 p/w and Kingston it starts at £81.50!!! Money is definitely going to play a role in my choice. The B'ham campus is in Edgbaston, near the botanical gardens, so it looks quite nice.

My "maybes" are Worcester (almost a definite I think!), Essex, Wolverhampton and possibly King's College, London. Probably not there though.

It's so tough!

Have you always lived in Liverpool? Or did you move there for uni? Will you be sad to leave it behind? It's so exciting that you're starting your PGCE soon!

scottishbhoy · 06-14-2006, 12:55 PM

God knows what am going to do, was speaking to a tutor at queens university in belfast and he said he would would help me get into queens in belfast which i would love, wouldnt be until next year which would give me time to get back on my feet financially in 6 months and travel/work next january until i start.

If i finish my PGC id want to teach abroad first deffo and then try and get a job in belfast. Deffo relocating there anyway, lived in glasgow for 4 years now and id like to move out of the place.

Thing is, im not one for staying in the same place too often. I hate it :D

**LostFarmboy** · 06-14-2006, 03:56 PM

I spent 3 years at uni, got my degree, got an ok job in my field, worked there for 1.5 years, took time off and travelled the world for a while, came back and started working full time again in my field. Next month, while still working full time, i'm going back to uni to further my qualifications after 3 years away from the study. See, i plan on satisfying both my career and travel goals in the one hit. I'll finish my studies then use them to aid in my dream of working in another country. So, while my goal of working abroad will be getting satisfied, so will the strengthening of my resume, which will help me further my career at some point in the future.

....so, you can have your cake and eat it too. Although i don't know why you would have your cake and not eat it, that would just be rediculous, wait, i guess that's the whole point of the saying. But, when i get chocolate for easter i generally don't eat it, i don't have much of a sweet tooth, so that's a case of having my chocolate and not eating it........i have no idea what i'm on about, i'm hungover and tired and at work, i will go now

**bluepea** · 06-14-2006, 05:36 PM

I enrolled with South New Hampshire University, which is a traditional university that has incorporated some online/distance learning degree programs. I want to get the degree done, just on my time, so this will hopefully help. I've taken online classes before and enjoyed them... so maybe finally, next year, I'll have my degree.

**MolsonGirl** · 06-14-2006, 06:53 PM

I'm in a similar boat except that I'm done 4 years of school and I'm looking to go back or move countries entirely... ruts come in life no matter where you are.

Echeverry · 06-15-2006, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by astro25e@Jun 13 2006, 11:26 AM
echeverry, linguistics is sweet. even though i say i hate it because i've taken so many diction and linguistics classes, it's still secretly very interesting to me. have you taken a class on the history of the english language? it's good stuff.
but anyway, i've changed my major so many times its not funny. do what you want to do, even if it does take longer. i started out music performance, then music therapy, then speech pathology and now i'm doubling in music and anthro. it's true, i have no idea what i'm going to do with that degree, but it's the stuff that i'm the most interested in and hopefully i can figure out something that will make me happier than someone working in a cubicle all their life. unless they want to work in a cubicle that is...

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:greenguy:
First of all THANKIES! Naw I would not be able to work in a confined space (NEVER), besides if stuff with my studies never go right I have my family biz (Hehehe) :greenguy: Still I know what you mean that's may plan actually (Staying in College as long as I can) You are doubling in music or Euphony(I think I'm the only one that would get this one)? But yeah I'm doing my thing and I do plan on finishing with the Culinary art, but in the future, I already have like 64 Cred's and I'm a 4.7 (Imagine if I actually payed interest??)

:greenguy:

mikhiel · 06-19-2006, 08:16 PM

I just finished 3 years of university a year ago, and I am now I'm completing the first of 4 years of dental school. I definitely feel stuck in a rut. This is all so confining. I'm going to need a huge trip at the end of all of this. I'm really hoping to find a way to use my profession globally.

**The Monsignor** · 06-20-2006, 08:37 AM

< fixing to go back to Uni after a 10 year hiatus. There've been a lot of points in my life where I felt that I was just simply spinning my wheels and going nowhere. Those tend to be the most difficult, cause it's hard to convince yourself there's some light at the end of the tunnel.

Worse yet, the fear of becoming some cube dweller really makes you question the reason behind your efforts!

I dunno where I was going with this other than to point out that things do move forward again, and you'll most likely get this feeling again in your future... It too shall pass...