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AIBU?

To think DD isn't bright enough for university?

111 replies

AlisonJD1975 · 14/08/2017 22:57

There's lots of university threads at the moment so figured I'd ask.

DD is getting her results this week (Maths AS Level and Psychology and Sociology A Level). She failed her AS Level Maths so they said she could retake it as she was doing okay in the other subjects. She is expected to get a U in the AS Level Maths and Cs in the A Level Psychology and Sociology.

She has a conditional offer for an extended bachelors degree so it's 4 years long and she needs to get 2 Ds for that.

I'm just a bit worried that she won't really cope and I actually just feel quite sad. In life I really just want her to be happy and in a good job.

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manglethedangle · 14/08/2017 23:00

What subject? If it's maths, then yeah, that's a bad idea but sociology or something and a monkey could do the under grad- turn up, listen, read the book, hand in paper and shell pass.

ImperialBlether · 14/08/2017 23:00

I used to be an A level teacher. I think she should have a look at advanced apprenticeships - if she's a hard worker but not particularly interested in academic work, she could start work and be at a massive advantage in three years' time when her peer group graduates.

QuackDuckQuack · 14/08/2017 23:01

What is the degree in? Given the cost of doing a degree, I'd only consider one that improves job prospects - either a necessary vocational one or an academic one from a well regarded university.

ImperialBlether · 14/08/2017 23:01

Umm Sociology is not seen as an easy subject!

wobblywonderwoman · 14/08/2017 23:02

Could she take a year out and get another ALevel

nina2b · 14/08/2017 23:03

Today 23:00 manglethedangle

What subject? If it's maths, then yeah, that's a bad idea but sociology or something and a monkey could do the under grad- turn up, listen, read the book, hand in paper and shell pass.

Hmmm - that "shell pass" speaks volumes.

Kpo58 · 14/08/2017 23:03

It really depends on can she write long essays and lots of them?

Aeviternity · 14/08/2017 23:03

Is there really going to be any value in an extended Bachelors (red flag to an employer) that only requires two Ds (so, poor course at a poor institution?) She's basically paying to delay life. It's not like she's paying to add value to her CV or to educate herself for four more years, as it can't be a great course with such low entry, and she doesn't sound like she enjoys academia.

Contrary to popular belief there are few courses where 'a monkey could turn up, read a book and pass'. Obviously some are more rigorous than others, but if she's a U-grade student she won't last 6 months. Realistically she'd be unlikely to earn enough credits for the second year.

What does she want to do, and is it time she jacked in the Uni thing and focused on work experience and getting a job? Going to Uni just for the sake of it fell out of fashion years ago.

AlisonJD1975 · 14/08/2017 23:04

I probably should have mentioned the degree! It's Psychology and Counselling.

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TheFairyCaravan · 14/08/2017 23:04

This sounds familiar, have you posted about it before?

sonjadog · 14/08/2017 23:05

Depends on which course and what plans she has afterwards.

Redactio · 14/08/2017 23:05

In my youth (a long time ago) about 1 in 10 of us went to university, the rest got jobs or apprenticeships, and went on to live normal and fulfilling lives.
University attendance is not essential to happiness and getting a job straight from school gives you a head start over graduates. Plus I managed to get my employers to pay for my part time degree courses.

sonjadog · 14/08/2017 23:06

You posted about this before? She wants to be a social worker, right?

AlisonJD1975 · 14/08/2017 23:06

She does enjoy learning and very much so actually and it's a normal bachelors with a foundation year and that's why the entry is so low it isn't a bad university. I'm just not sure she's really cut out for university based on her grades. I don't know what to think really...

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Flatpackback · 14/08/2017 23:07

Mangle that's simply not true and quite a harmful thing to say. It's undermining for those who put blood, sweat and tears into their degrees and also to those who are led to believe that anyone can pass no matter what. Plenty will never have the ability or application to achieve a degree and it's high time we stopped making those that can't feel total failures because "a monkey could do it".

AlisonJD1975 · 14/08/2017 23:07

No, I haven't posted before? No, she doesn't want to be a Social Worker. She would like to work for CAMHS.

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sonjadog · 14/08/2017 23:08

Sometimes a change of educational setting and maturity change how students do dramatically. If she wants to do this course, then support her in taking it.

AlternativeTentacle · 14/08/2017 23:08

It's so good to see a mother so supportive of her daughter.

manglethedangle · 14/08/2017 23:08

ninab typing on my phone whilst feeding DS so I think I can be forgiven a missed apostrophe. I have a first in my undergrad (sociology and social policy) and a distinction in my master's (social work). And shit A level results. They're two different animals. My A levels are the hardest thing I've ever done.

munchkinmaster · 14/08/2017 23:09

What kind of job do you get with that. Would psychiatric nursing not be a better option?

cowbag1 · 14/08/2017 23:11

Psychology degrees (or at least those accredited by the BPS) are very maths heavy. That being said, a psychology degree gives a good foundation and lots of transferable skills that can be used in a variety of jobs.

She needs to be realistic though; careers in psychology are ridiculously competitive and difficult to get in to and a career in counselling usually takes years to get off the ground (when you have a bit of maturity on your side too).

Ellisandra · 14/08/2017 23:11

Is she only committed financially to the foundation year?
If so, I'd say she may as well do it.
One year of fees (especially if she can live at home and you can afford that?) isn't going to kill her financially long term, and if she can't cope with the foundation year then she'll know.
I'd be far more concerned if she was going into a poor course at a poor institution on 2x DD straight at first year degree level.

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cowbag1 · 14/08/2017 23:12

That doesn't mean she's not cut out for uni though.

AlisonJD1975 · 14/08/2017 23:12

Yes, she doesn't have to continue after the foundation year but she doesn't plan on living at home as the university is a couple of hours away.

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4691IrradiatedHaggis · 14/08/2017 23:14

but sociology or something and a monkey could do the under grad- turn up,

Coming out with a statement like that you've surely never actually done a sociology course!!

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