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Higher education

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

Original poster

BA (hons) Business Management

10 replies

unidegreeforme · 04/09/2023 19:13

Regular poster, changed my name for this thread...

As my username suggests I have got an unconditional offer to a good uni to do a graduate apprenticeship in Business Management. I will still be working FT and I am equally excited and terrified.

Im in Scotland and in all honesty I have no clue what I will be doing. Its a while since Ive written an essay, Ive no idea how/what to do for a dissertation and Harvard referencing gives me the fear!

I would like advice for ahem the more mature (49) student. This is a 4 year study.work course. I know I have the brains, I just need some guidance please.

OP posts:
HewasH2O · 04/09/2023 20:43

Get a couple of books on academic writing. Find out when the library is offering tours for new students and make friends with the librarians to help you find what you need. Most of all remember that you have so much experience that you will shine. Good luck!

Original poster
unidegreeforme · 04/09/2023 20:46

thank you so much. the library open day is Wednesday - and I can't attend BUT I will absolutely get some books. I did buy a book on academic writing years ago, I will see if I still have it.

OP posts:
HewasH2O · 04/09/2023 20:51

You will understand the relevance of what you are studying and will be able to put it into context. A valuable skill.

Rollinghill · 04/09/2023 20:55

Ooh I discovered recently that there are websites to help you with referencing. No idea if it's allowed or not but saved me loads of time!

fortyfifty · 05/09/2023 07:58

Don't be scared to ask the library for help. Uni libraries have academic support staff in place now who can support students with how to research, write and reference their essays. Even if you can't make the library induction, you can make appointments with them (usually) to get that support. Reference management software makes referencing easy. Learn the habit of using it early on.

JellicleCat · 05/09/2023 17:49

There will almost certainly be a range of online material prepared by your university on how to use the library, write an essay, do referencing etc and possibly also some skills sessions on these. Younger students tend to opt out of these (yes I know not all students do) while mature ones go for all the help available. If you don't automatically receive information from your course about this I'd seek it out from your course leader, personal tutor or via the library. Don't worry about the dissertation, it's not till fourth year and there will be lost of help available at the time, I'm sure.
Good luck and enjoy your course.

Original poster
unidegreeforme · 05/09/2023 19:07

Today I did online induction and it was so useful and there is lots and lots of help available to us for everything we need. Now all I need is a good mentor for the work side of things and Im good to go.

OP posts:
TizerorFizz · 05/09/2023 20:49

Why don’t we make sure young people get these apprenticeships? They get so few of the degree apprenticeships available and they are very competitive because adults take the places who already have jobs and frequently degrees. I’m quite bemused as to why this happens to the extent it does but young people need these apprenticeships more but firms won’t create the jobs needed it seems.

Good luck op, though. I do recognise this isn’t down to you.

HewasH2O · 06/09/2023 20:26

Actually these apprentices are designed to give anyone eligible access to the training and skills they need to develop their careers. OP still has the best part of 20 years in the workforce and can undoubtedly benefit from the opportunity.

OP please ignore this narrow minded post. You haven't stolen a degree apprenticeship from anyone.

And @TizerorFizz if you have concerns over training opportunities for young people please start your own thread instead of trying to hijack or disrupt one started by someone who wanted a confidence boost.

QueenAstrid · 06/09/2023 20:46

Hi OP, I graduated from this degree course with a 2:1 this year. I also did it alongside a full time job, but my degree course was just 3 years. I’m 46 and I wasn’t the oldest by a long way. Will you get any time from work to study? I bought loads of cheap second hand books from eBay or World of Books. Plus there are loads of useful online resources.
I hadn’t done any academic writing in years, but soon got used to it, and the referencing. My tutors were really approachable and gave great constructive feedback. Hopefully yours will be the same. Good luck!!

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