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Original poster

I've done something stupid...

77 replies

Frequency · 24/09/2019 01:35

I've applied for and paid a deposit for and signed a credit agreement for an A Level Maths course. I was sleep deprived, ill and possibly delirious. I should not have been left unsupervised with internet access.

I took my maths GCSE three times. The first time I got an E, the second time I got a D, the third time I was sick of maths and finally realised study was my only way out. I managed a B. My tutor was just as surprised as I was. I was predicted another D.

I decided this was a fluke and convinced myself I was bad at maths and have avoided the subject ever since going on my merry way doing non-math related jobs and education.

In my sleep deprived, delirious state I decided I wanted to do a computer science degree because I like money and computer people make lots of it. I'm not mad about that decision. I quite like computers and tecchy things and understand the basics of networking and coding and programming. To get a Computer Science degree you need to math which I can't.

My sleep deprived brain thought the solution to this bump on my path to become a computer science millionaire would be to apply to and pay for A Level maths.

I'm less than 30 minutes into the first web class and I'm on BBC Bitesize going over key stage three work trying to make sense of it. I think I now understand how to expand single brackets and multiply positive and negative numbers but I'm not sure that I understand why -5 X -2 = 10. I just know it does because the YouTube video with pretty drawings told me it does.

My dilemma is do I continue with the course because I really would quite like a computer science degree or I do I hope and pray there is a cooling off period and phone ICS Learn and beg for a refund?

I don't need a certain grade to continue my plan of becoming a cyber security analyst but I do need to feel confident about math which atm I don't.

OP posts:
FuriousVexation · 24/09/2019 03:38

Thankyou happychange I hadn't seen the neg signifiers and really shouldn't be on my laptop without my glasses!

OP sounds like you have really thought this through so if this is what it takes then you go for it.

MrsMozartMkII · 24/09/2019 08:44

I'm loving your commitment to your life goals OP Grin

Here's hoping you still have the courage of your convictions when awake!

taybert · 24/09/2019 08:50

On the one hand I’m sure your plan is excellent but on the other hand, I actually have an a level in maths, but having not used it for 20 years I am certain I couldn’t teach myself to do it again, are you planning on having any tuition?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General education
Bodear · 24/09/2019 08:51

OP you sound awesome. I’m doing a kind of similar thing (different area though) and it’s bloody hard but it’s very much worth it.
Be prepared to have days when you hate it but be prepared to feel very very proud when you start achieving your goals. Good luck!!!

Duchessofealing · 24/09/2019 08:57

Do it! Back yourself - education is never wasted. I think you are awesome and inspiring. How amazing to want to get better at something you find hard, be proud of yourself. And ask why people who don’t know you are saying you can’t and are knocking your confidence.

If you’ve done it and can’t afford to eat or pay rent, that’s different, if it just means this is your luxury well what a fantastic luxury - investing in yourself! Smile

boringornot · 24/09/2019 10:57

OP, you are clearly very intelligent, and very funny. It sounds like you're perfectly able to do everything you've planned. You just need to... well, do it.

Pretend you know what you're doing. Fake confidence. Looks like that's all that's missing.

Passthecherrycoke · 24/09/2019 11:03

I’ve got to say I’m quite surprised at this. In the companies I’ve worked for helpdesk/ 1st/2nd line support isnt really a very good job. I’d imagine an apprenticeship would be a better way to get into it?

NotMyCircusMonkeys · 24/09/2019 11:06

I got an A in GCSE Maths first time round and found A Level Maths AWFUL. I got an E in the end I think (admittedly I completely lost the will with it and gave up trying). Good luck OP, but I do not envy you at all.

Original poster
Frequency · 24/09/2019 12:15

On the one hand I’m sure your plan is excellent but on the other hand, I actually have an a level in maths, but having not used it for 20 years I am certain I couldn’t teach myself to do it again, are you planning on having any tuition?

If by tuition you mean YouTube videos with bright, colourful drawings, yes, absolutely. I have a good four hour long break when I'm on nights. As long as I wear headphones so I don't annoy and confuse my co-workers I can do loads of tuition. If you mean an actual tutor, who comes to the house and teaches me without the use of colourful drawings then probably not. I don't really have time. I don't have any set days off and am often awake when others aren't due to my shift patterns.

I guess whether first and second line tech support is a good job depends on your current job. Mine is 10p per hour above NMW and involves mostly evenings, weekends and nights. I think you have to have worked there many millions of years to get the Monday to Friday day shifts.

I don't hate my job. I will miss the residents and my co-workers but I won't miss working nights and weekends. The helpdesk jobs I saw online were for £18-20k p/a so not brilliant but not worse than I'm on now. Probably about the same money but for less hours.

OP posts:
Bodear · 24/09/2019 12:42

You sound driven and enthusiastic OP so I’m sure you’ll do well.

managedmis · 24/09/2019 12:44

No idea about your math conundrum but you certainly are an engaging writer!

Passthecherrycoke · 24/09/2019 12:46

It might be an idea to look at apprenticeships? I mean I am a bit lazy but if I were you I’d be looking for the easiest and fastest route to your dream job, not spending years doing things that aren’t required

managedmis · 24/09/2019 12:46

I already have an A level in that. I got an A.

^^

Yup

NoisingUpNissan · 24/09/2019 12:49

I think you're awesome.

I do this on coursera, sign up for a fuck load of courses.

There's a uni in America that does. MBA for 2k, try that one next!

Baguetteaboutit · 24/09/2019 12:54

I like the cut of your jib, op. With this kind of optimism you could inspire a whole army of sleep deprived mnetters to put aside trivial matters like money, logistics and lack of natural talent and do it anyway. I'd buy that book.

Original poster
Frequency · 24/09/2019 13:01

I can't afford an apprenticeship and I'm fairly certain UC/HMRC would frown upon me leaving full time employment for something that pays less than my monthly rent, plus, as previously mentioned I like money. I want more of it, not less of it.

Can you do apprenticeships as an adult?

OP posts:
Frouby · 24/09/2019 13:04

I wanna do a course now. Also got a B in GCSE maths and am sort of sad I didn't do it at A level. I missed the last 6 months of school more or less, then turned up for exams and got a B in maths which surprised everyone but me the most.

Just do it OP. Even if you don't pass (am sure you will) at least you will have more understanding at the end of the course than what you do today, right now.

Passthecherrycoke · 24/09/2019 13:05

Why would it pay less? You said you only get 10p above minimum wage?
IT Apprenticeships in my company pay well in excess of that.

It’s also full time employment. Adults can do apprenticeships, and companies love them for IT. Investigate it you might be pleasantly surprised

Original poster
Frequency · 24/09/2019 13:09

I might do that, @Passthecherrycoke, thank you.

OP posts:
SouthernComforts · 24/09/2019 13:09

Good luck! I love maths, I got an A* at GCSE, and distinctions when studying maths modules at Open Uni. I got a D at AS level though, I remember it being very hard (personal circs may have contributed a bit too, but it was tough).

RaininSummer · 24/09/2019 13:12

Love your aims. I teach Functional Skills and last year I had several learners who were on an apprenticeship with a local IT company doing cyber security and support etc. I know they were on more money than the usual apprentices so you may want to look around. Some of them didn't even have GCSE Maths.

OneAutumnMorning · 24/09/2019 13:19

Haha! Go for it!

I got E in foundation maths GCSE. It's my weakest area. Now I want to go to uni and I need a C so need to re-take it. I'm bricking it Grin...

milksoffagain · 24/09/2019 13:20

I think -2 x -5 = 10 because two negatives make a positive? No idea really...

TheresTheFlyingFuckIDontGive · 24/09/2019 13:29

I also got an A at Maths GCSE (before the days of A grades or I'd have an A), and struggled with A-Level, ended up with a C at Maths A-Level and a D at Further Maths A-Level. I swore that it wasn't Maths at all, but some random shit.

VanGoghsDog · 24/09/2019 13:30

Good for you, go for it!

I'm just setting out on my maths GCSE aged 51. I'm really hoping to sit the exam in May but assume it will need to be May 2021.

I agree re the apprenticeship too though. Have a look, adults can do them. At my last co we paid £18k to IT apprentices, no age limits. (You can also go on to get your degree through the apprenticeship programme, free).