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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Anyone else starting college in September?

15 replies

MrsMeow · 18/08/2010 17:47

I'm starting a full time access course this Sept, so thought it would be good to see if anyone else is off to college, moral support and all that!

Have you had any info through? I've had a few bits, and a letter asking me to go and enrol between 1st-8th Sept, but that's it. The control freak in me is getting edgy because I don't have a start date yet! I'm also nervous because of my age (30 - don't want to be the oldest there!) and because I need to know how long the days will be due to after school childcare.

Good luck to anyone else starting :)

OP posts:
OmNomNom · 19/08/2010 16:34

Hiya, I did an access course a few years ago and would thoroughly recommend it.

I would guess the timing of your classes will depend upon the subjects you pick. At my local college, the some classes were in the evenings and some during the day between 9 and 3 to try to accommodate everyone. I would guess that you have a course administrator, instead of worrying perhaps it would be worth giving him/ her a quick call to ask any questions re timetable and enrollment that you have. I would guess that if enrollment is until 8th September, proper classes would start the following Monday?

Give them a call, let them know that a timetable and start date would help so you can organise child care, I'm sure you'll find the answers you need.

Good luck. Smile

OmNomNom · 19/08/2010 16:35

doh, excuse the typos and slightly bizarre sentence order, must learn to proof read before hitting post Grin

Abip · 19/08/2010 18:31

Hi mrsmeow. I am starting college in september and 29 with two school aged children. Like you I am slightly nervous as I have had nothing through and I dont even know what day I start or officially how many days a week it is ! going to TVU to do a diploma in construction and the built envionment. Which college are you going to?

MrsMeow · 20/08/2010 17:45

Thanks both :) OmNomNom my course is classed as full time, but is actually just Mon, Tues, Weds. I think 9-3 ish but I need to be certain before I start! I'm not even sure if I need pens, folders or anything! It's an access to nursing course that I'm doing.

I'm glad you enjoyed your course, I'm really excited about it! I think I'll try and get there on the 1st to enrol, and will call them next week just to double check everything.

Abip good luck with your course :) I'm going to my local college, it's only a small one so doubt you will have heard of it. I'm sure we'll both be ok once we get into the swing of things, but isn't it worrying thinking about it all?!

OP posts:
Abip · 25/08/2010 08:23

Very worrying mswmeow. I called them yesterday as still nothing through. I have resigned from my job to do this course as its fulltime for 3 years. Doing mobile hairdressing in between college to earn money but wanted to do one day a week at the job i resigned from as its guarenteed money, but because i have no information I am stuck !

lowrib · 30/08/2010 11:23

Abip, I had the same problem when I applied for my access course - I need to know which days I was in for work, and they couldn't even tell me if it was 2 days or 3 at college until very near the start date!

I'm having similar problems now I'm going to uni.

Your problem is that the publication of college timetables is designed for youngsters with no real family/work commitments, and it's standard practice to give you your timetable in the first week of term. Which is a bugger for anyone trying to organise childcare for example.

However, someone in the college will have some idea when your course days are. The timetable is most likely already written, if only in draft form. You need to find that person.

I found the information I needed by asking to speak to the people in my department, explaining my situation, and asking for any information they could give me, however limited. I have repeated the same process for uni. So although I only just got a provisional time table this week, I've known for a few weeks that I wouldn't be in on Fridays or Wednesday afternoons because I managed to get through to someone in my department who knew this, and this has really helped with organising childcare.

It might not be easy, as people will be on holiday, but be polite and insistent and keep trying, and you should be able to get some info out of them.

If you're worried you're not actually down for the course, I would advise also askng to speak to someone in your department to check they've got your name down.

HTH and good luck. I had a great time studying, I'm sure you'll love it. Smile

lowrib · 30/08/2010 11:24

Oh sorry, I see you've got the enrolment letter, so you are down for the course, phew!

BTW be prepared for enrolment to take forever, it did at my college!

MrsMeow · 05/09/2010 17:56

Hi AbiP :) sorry, I forgot all about this thread until today, has been a mad few weeks!

Have you heard anything more about your course yet? I went to enrol a little while ago and got my timetable. It looks like I'll be doing Mon 9.00-3.20, Tues 9.00-3.20 and Weds 9.30-2.45 one week and 1.15pm finish every other week. My tutor is v lovely though and has told me that they will fit round me if needs be, which is good because to put my 2 DC in after school club 2 days pw would cost me £120 per month! So I will be leaving early on Mondays & Tuesdays and as long as I make the work up, it's ok with them.

Let me know how you get on :) Good luck again everyone! I start on Weds Shock

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Mspontipine · 09/09/2010 21:44

Hi there MrsMeow - just to add my two pennethworth - it may be possible to get help with any childcare costs you have while doing your course. I recently did Access course and because it finished at 3 and needed to collect son at 3.15 (really tight timings) I booked him into our afterschool club 3 days a week. College had a fund (which most have I would have thought) that you can apply for financial help and they covered 100% childcare costs, including the day school was closed for polling. I qualified for fund as claiming IS but even those working and getting WFTC and EMA or ALG could get it too.

It really helped as course was pretty intense and every minute counted really. Missing half and hour etc meant missing valuable assignment guidance etc etc and though they may be fine with it personally I'd recommend you miss as little as possible. As school club was paid for for one hour it also meant I could get a bit of work done in library, chat with tutors or other students etc etc

All the best with your course :)

MrsMeow · 16/09/2010 21:03

Hi Mspontipine, sorry, I've only just seen this.

I have applied for help with childcare, but haven't heard anything back yet. I might ask on Monday actually.

I did my first full week this week and it worked out ok. We finished early on the Monday and on the Tuesday I've managed to get DC into after school clubs. They will only run until October though so will have to rethink for then!

Thanks for your advice :) How did you find the course? I'm excited about the challenge but a bit scared about all the assignments!

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Abip · 07/10/2010 22:24

Hey MrsMeow ! Forgot all about this thread ! I went on holiday and when I got back had a call to come in. Had to pay £1200 for the course which was more than I expected. Its full time mon - wed 9 till 4.30 and friday 9 - 4.30. I really cut it fine as the kids breakfast club start at 8.10 and I have to be in college by 9 and its 25 miles in rush hour !!!! I must admit I am finding finances very hard. I do not get any funding as DP earns a decent wage but not decent enough to support the whole family as have his children here too. The hairdressing side has been quiet for a couple of weeks so am working at the job I left on thursdays as I am off from college. Its so tiring and by the time I get in from clients after college the children are in bed :( Still it will all be worth it in eight years time when the Industry has hopefully picked up and I really enjoy the course! :0 How are you getting on ?

MrsMeow · 30/10/2010 10:37

Hey Abi :) Only just seen this sorry. I so understand what you mean about rushing around and the child care issues! I'm having to leave early twice a week which isn't ideal, but I can't justify £200 childcare costs a month for the sake of half an hour twice a week!

I'm glad you're enjoying your course though. I've met some fab people on mine, it's VERY intense though, a bit of a shock really just how much work is required! It's definitely got my brain working again though and I keep repeating the mantra "it will all be worth it"!

Hope you're ok :)

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Abip · 18/11/2010 20:34

Hey Mrs meow ! Sounds as though your enjoying your course thats great! Yes mine is very stessfull and full on but enjoying it even if it is financially crippling! And who said christmas could come so quick (hmm)

HarbourSeal · 21/11/2010 18:24

Hi! I've started college to resit all my highers for medicine (fingers crossed) next year. Applications are away, but I'm finding college (plus work, volunteering, social commitments and family commitments) a real drain on my will power.

Plus the fact my college is a dive and it really depresses me.

Abip · 22/11/2010 20:04

Ah bless you hs. Which college are you at? It is financially crippling me. Trying to work is killing me!And then the DCS x x

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