Jolly japes in July (only if they are frugal)...!

[needastrongone]

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That's really interesting that you have that view. I did a science degree at a Russell Group University (but not Oxbridge) and it was a standing joke there that humanities subjects were easy and required little time commitment. I always used to argue with people who said that because I thought it was a very patronizing attitude, but obviously I've never done a humanities degree so I don't know.

In science, we had a lot of classes (frequently 3 hours of lectures and 3 hour long lab every day) and a lot of homework, and we were hard at it all the time. I found the step up from school to University very significant. I know that in our place the first year was set very hard because they wanted to drive out any students early on, who wouldn't be able to manage the whole degree course, rather than have them limp through several years and then fail.

In the dentistry course I know that in the first day they put a severed human head on the bench at the front so that they would scare off any kids who weren't tough enough to make it through the whole course. I'm glad I didn't do dentistry.

Like Em I know there were subjects I couldn't have done, for example maths. I just would have found it too dry. And I didn't do physics because I used to get bored at physics class in school and end up cramming the whole year in the last week. I don't think that would have worked well at University.

Wreck it really sounds to me as though some courses are very different from others and that a lot of it depends on how much you yourself are interested in the course. Perhaps it would be worth talking to people have done the specific course that you are interested in?

I did a medical based course. I couldn't have done art, no interest in that at all.

They had us in 9-4:30 then I drove home & worked 4 hours in a shop at night. We had shorter holidays than other courses & we didn't finish the last year until late July even though we'd done our finals.

Hello, just caught up last three pages.

Find the degree discussion really strange, as someone who is just about to graduate with first class honours from a reputable although not Russel Group uni, I found my degree very difficult and had to work very hard. Plus at my uni retention rates for mature students is absolutely appalling, which is definitely a failing of the uni, but also clearly doesn't indicate that mature students tend to find the degree courses really easy, because if they did, surely most of them wouldn't be dropping out? Both of my parents went to university as mature students (my dad for the second time, my mam for the first, studying part time at an ex-poly) and both of them found their courses very challenging despite them being totally different subjects. I don't think any of my friends who went to uni would say their degree was not challenging, and I'm not sure that people who say uni is not difficult have really thought about how that statement places a value judgement on people like me who are saying their degree was very difficult - is it just that we are not as capable as these mythical people who breeze through their studies? As that would be very offensive (and untrue - I have a verbal IQ in the 'gifted' range, and still found my degree challenging).

And breathe.

Mine would be medical based in what I'm doing now. I'll have the chance to speak to people who've done it in September when we have our annual forum so will do that.

That sounds fab Wreck.

Meadow I totally hear what you're saying. I worked my socks off too and was powerfully knackered at the end. I'm not really sure what's going on with the others' situations and am wondering whether it's better just not to get into a fight about it. Wreck's plan to ask people who've done it seems to fit the bill nicely.

I was sponsored to do a radiography degree, it was a great opportunity and a good mix of classroom and practical. I'd really recommend it.

I think hard is very difficult to quantify, I have a business degree and a radiography degree so a BA and a BSc, both 2:1. I found the business harder as there were no obviously right or wrong answers a lot of the time.

I'm a non degree-er here. I did a cadetship, like an apprenticeship, year at college, off to sea, repeat for four years. Paid by my company all the way through. I am only qualified to HND level, in a subject that has literally no bearing on real life! Even though uni was free then, and I had a place at Newcastle, I knew my parents simply could not support me through uni. So it was degree + working full time to live, or paid through college and guaranteed job at the end. It was a no brainer for me.

My hat goes off to anyone who can study enough to get any sort of degree, whatever subject.

I have been spendy. We went to pick up our glasses today, any my shoes. I have ordered a pair of prescription Oakleys sunglasses!! £235. I am beyond excited, so sad!

Mucked up my first lay bet yesterday, and lost £26 of my £60 or so profit from this week. Am cross as it was a silly mistake. But nearly £9 to come back tonight.

Don't get my wrong. Mine was tough. No doubt. But if I was to do a more sciencey subject I wouldn't cope.

I personally found the jump from degree to my law quals more challenging. But then I was working full time too... so maybe that's why.

Again it all depends on the person I guess.

I think you've got the right idea though wreck speak to those who've done it. And again as always kudos to you and all of you guys who work in medical healthcare. Heroes the lot of you xx

Back from the stables. Sad saying goodbye to everyone and the ponies but only temporary.

Spent £8.20 at the school fair. £2.00 of that we found on the floor

£65 lidl
£28 wilkos

£58 peacocks on some work clothes and something for each dc

£149 on glasses, £40 sainsbury.

I haven't got a degree so can't comment.

Home made pizza for tea. National trust tomorrow

£30.30 on take away Chinese, it is our wedding anniversary tomorrow so we are celebrating this evening. We'll also rent a movie from Sky. We were planning to go out but as we couldn't risk the children being ill we cancelled.

My sister paid me some money she owed me so that pays off my next account and for a giant map I have bought for Wilf's wall. We are going to put stars on all the countries we visit. So far we only have Scotland and Menorca, but we will tick off France in August. I am hoping that will encourage us to go to some interesting places over their childhoods. Tick off as much as possible :)

I used to teach at degree level. Foundation degrees are more vocational than many, but not all, degrees. They are usually combined with work and are very well regarded qualifications. Trouble is not many people have heard of them. They started in the '90's to try to bridge the gag between academic qualifications and vocational ones because in some people's minds vocational qualifications were less valued. This is unlike places like Germany.
Go for it Wreck. It is a brilliant qualification to have. And it is brilliant news if your work are funding it as they must really value you. And you haven't been there very long have you?
NSD....meeting all bloody day. At least it's rained a bit on the garden.
Putting tomatoes and courgettes in the freezer so I have them for soup/ casseroles in the winter.

It took me about 6 years to get my degree was def hard work but thats more because I was doing it at the same time as working and raising a child single handedly!! I always said after I had completed my degree that I wouldn't do any more studying but dunno its good to challenge the grey matter I guess.

Am knackered today, have been looking after my dads dog again and for some reason he has decided to poo on my kitchen floor every friggin night last night I was up with dog at 3am and again at 6am like having a baby!! Worked all day and it was too busy so all in all

Spent £1.80 on drinks and also £1.80 on a plant that has a very pretty yellow flower.

I've a friend that did her degree in social work while being a single mum to 3 kids and working. She has an amazing ability to cope with pressure but also never stops. We are currently sat in a field doing our competing but she works full time too, as well as being away most weekends and going on holiday abroad on Tuesday for a week, which she hasn't thought about yet!! I would be a jibbering wreck at this stage!!

I've friends that are doctors, one waltzed though his whole doctorate and has also the most astonishing ability to be relaxed and deal with pressure. He's been a CD for 10 years as he seems to handle it. His wife, also a Doctor, went to Oxbridge and, despite being top of her year each year, found the pressure and stress immense.

I'm in the middle of those extreme examples, but did all my degree based qualifications while working. I found the juggling harder than the work to be honest.

I'm not sure if there's a right answer but I'm wondering if this is a factor. Which isn't a criticism, as I've stated, I'm not always great myself at this.

NSD as I'm in a field

It's funny that the ones that feel the pressure are the ones that are getting the top grades. I was aiming for a pass all the way along too, but just seemed to judge it wrong and get top marks and indigestion every single time. I think my FIL would say "some do, some don't" at this point.

I nearly had an NSD but I bought a licence for Minecraft for ds as there is apparently a Minecraft Beaver badge.

Mm, again its very interesting and individual isn't it. All three of my examples below got firsts. All cope with more pressure than me!

I guess we are all different and that is a cool thing

And I've driven my lorry a long way today and DD didn't finish prom until midnight, we left at 5am, I'm off to bed!!

Now teenage girl and prom, that's stress

I've been at the family BBQ. Food was good.

I'm about to go to bed too. Tomorrow I'm going spinning first thing then we're taking the dc and two friends to macdonalds and to see despicable me 3

I think I might go to bed myself. Absolutely knackered after a busy few days!

I think there's been a bit of confusion about my moving. I was offered the house on the 8th of June, so nearly 3 weeks before we moved. I started packing on the 23rd and moved the 28th. All of downstairs and the bathroom are sorted now, bar pictures/things to hang on walls and 6 loads of laundry have been done since yesterday. Just bedrooms to do tomorrow.

Evening all. Interesting discussion about degrees. I found some parts easier and some parts more difficult probably down to specific interests. I couldn't do a PhD. I have a few friends who have and I just wouldn't have the discipline.

NSD.

Snuggly when I started my PhD I felt totally at home but I also felt as though I couldn't have done anything else, so it was just as well I got my place there. It's an odd thing the business of finding one's place in the world. I suppose we're all still doing it, one day at a time. It must be very odd to be over 90 years of age and still navigating all the changes.

I think taking a degree is like most of education. How easy a person finds it is often to do with personality, fit with the subject, how settled we are in life, our inate work capacity, and our expectations of ourselves.
As Need says..we are all different. And we all change. And I am so glad about that.
I love this thread. Everyone is really supportive and friendly.

Evening everyone. Sorry, been a bit busy.

Today £130 for 2 day karate training for each of the girls (£45 each) including £20 each for them to grade tomorrow.

£4 parking at the hospital to visit my mum who had surgery on Wednesday. £14 in M&S at the hospital. Sold for lunch tomorrow, chicken wings for the girls, fruit and apricots for my mum.

I think you're absolutely right Copper. I'd be interested to know what kind of teaching you did, but maybe it would be hard to explain and keep your anonymity.

I was an 18 year old who went to uni for the social life and got a 2:2.

What I have been more proud of were a couple of qualifications I've done recently which were A level standard. One was really dull so passing the exam was good, the other was a real slog because of the amount of work and trying to fit it in with the day job and having children. So achievements are really personal and these qualifications are more relevant too

Yesterday's spends
£35 Tesco
£9 refund on clothes but then spent £5.60 of it
£3.40 parking

Today should be a NSD. Taking DD to a birthday party and she had another yesterday. Working through our stash of bargain toys in the cupboard and forbidden DP to buy any more as the cupboard is so full.

Hope everyone has a good Sunday