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Original poster

If you have done an access course, can you read and answer this please ?

35 replies

NuttyMuffins · 12/04/2007 11:42

Am looking at doing an access to teaching course this sept but cannot decide between full time and part time.

I am a single mum and have 3 kids aged 9,7 and 4. The 4 yr old starts school this sept too.

I originally wanted to do the course full time over 1 year, mainly because I have no patience and the quicker it's done the quicker I can get to uni, but there are a few cons to full time too.
The 3 kids would need to go to after school club for about 45 minutes every day as although the full time course finnishes at 3, it can take ages to get home.
I am not at all keen for ds to start full time school and then be adding 45 minutes on to his day.
The other con is that I am starting driving lessons soon and will need to fit one of those in every week and weeekend lessons aren't really an option for various reasons.
Oh and it would mean me doing all of my work at night after the kids have gone to bed, which is normally when I collapse exhausted on the sofa.

The pros to the part time over 2 years are, one day a week so wouldn't need after school club as my mum could collect kids and give them their tea.
I would still be available to go to Ds's plays, workshops etc which is imortant to me as I went to all of the dd's activities at that age.
I could do my work on the days off college and still fit in driving lessons and a days volunteering at a school/nursery.

The cons to part time are that it takes an extra year.

So, have you done an access course ? Did you do it full time or part time and which do you think is better ??

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admylin · 12/04/2007 15:47

I haven't done one (also thinking about it but not decided!) but I would say the part time one is best because you would enjoy the being a mum side of things aswell and as a mature student what's another year after waiting so long to start anyway? That's what I would say if it was me doing it that is, I've waited so long for it to be my turn to study so I want to take my time and enjoy it and not be exhausted and stressed. I suppose the only factor to hurry it would be the better job prospects and more money to be earned after it all!

Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 12/04/2007 16:03

Just to add to your mix - I did Fast Track Access. One year, one day a week, lots of home study. I'm assuming this isn't available at your college?

admylin · 12/04/2007 16:07

That sounds great, have to remember that when I'm investigating in future for myself!

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NomDePlume · 12/04/2007 16:13

I recently quit an access course. I was doing it P/T with 3 kids, a big house that needs upkeep and a DH who works away a lot and it was very challenging. Academically I was/am up to it, but fitting the work in and staying motivated was very, very difficult indeed. If I were to go back to an access course in the future (unlikely), I would definitely do it p/t again. Full time left me with too much to juggle.

NomDePlume · 12/04/2007 16:16

Full time would leave me with too much to juggle. Sorry.

The deadlines were tight and having 3 big assignements running parallel to each other was hard going. Especially given that the workload would ramp up around studyweek/out of term times leaving you with tons of work to do over the holidays which was nigh on impossible when all the kids were at home all day.

NomDePlume · 12/04/2007 16:16

I can only imagine what the workload for the f/t course would be.

admylin · 12/04/2007 16:32

Out of intrest, did you ever finish studying then? I'm just starting thinking about it and can't even decide what to do but it must be a great feeling when you've got the degree in your hand, even if you don't use it!

Original poster
NuttyMuffins · 12/04/2007 17:16

Part time definatly sounds like the better option then.

I think I would definatly be more relaxed doing it part time, plus i don't want to feel like i have chucked myself in at the deep end, and i think i would do with full time.

OP posts:
MiaWallace · 12/04/2007 17:36

I'll go against the trend and say full time.

I'm currently studying on an Access course full time (3 days a week).

My personal tutor has told me that very few part timers return for the second year (out of 15 last year, only two returned this year and both have since dropped out)

Plus the p/t, who are currently doing their first year, were all really jealous when the f/t started to receive university offers. The majority of them said they wished they had at least attempted to do the course f/t

Why don't you try it f/t to begin with and if it gets to much drop to p/t?

Original poster
NuttyMuffins · 12/04/2007 17:49

The access course my college run though is 5 days for full time not 3. If it were 3 i'd do it.

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FioFio · 12/04/2007 17:50

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FioFio · 12/04/2007 17:51

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Original poster
NuttyMuffins · 12/04/2007 17:52

Full time is one year, 5 days a week, and roughly 9:30/10 - 3:00.

Part time is 1 day a week over 2 years, 9:30/10 - 5 ish.

OP posts:
MiaWallace · 12/04/2007 17:57

How does that work? Why does it take 5 days a week f/t yet the equivalent to 2 days a week p/t

Original poster
NuttyMuffins · 12/04/2007 18:01

Well from what I already know of the college, the workload is equivilent to 3 days and last year they were thinking of having it over 3 days but changed their minds.
Instead what they do is give you a timetable where you may have a lesson at 9:30 until 11 but then have 2 hours free and then have another lesson.
They just spread the whole thing out over a week and you go to the lessons you have picked and the ones you have to attend and not the rest.

Would be much better to put it all into 3 days. but they won't.

OP posts:
MiaWallace · 12/04/2007 18:25

At least that timetable would allow you hours during the day to complete any set work, then you wouldn't have to find the time in the evening when you have the children to care for.

I just think, from what I've witnessed, it's difficult to return after a long summer away from studying. If you feel you have got the commitment to do so go p/t, but personally I think its would be difficult to maintain my enthusasium for the course for two years.

sidey · 12/04/2007 19:23

I did my access course part time which was 2 nights a week

jofeb04 · 12/04/2007 20:42

NM,
I am doing the Access to Nursing, but doing it part time (two nights a week).I feel this is better for me as my two children are pre school age. There is alot of work to do, but prefer this then being in college all day, every day and then doing coursework on weekends etc.

HTH

giddyfeet · 12/04/2007 21:09

As a single mum with 3 kids I would recommend you do it part time so that you don't over stretch yourself.

I did an access to higher education course that I started in 1999. I started it as a one year course but with juggling looking after my one son then aged 5 I was forced to go part time. My tutor advised against it but I said it was that or I give up altogether.

So I ended up doing it over 2 years, alongside getting gcse maths and english, and a computing qualification too. And I have to say it was the best thing I ever did.

I went on to gain a good degree in 2005.

I am now seriously considering doing a PGCE to give me a good career. I'm not sure what the future holds but at least now I have done the access and subsequently the degree I have options.

Go for it.

Original poster
NuttyMuffins · 12/04/2007 21:11

Yeah thats what I am thinking giidy, don't want to start full time and then have to swap to part time because it's all too much.

Think part time is the way to go for me

OP posts:
MiaWallace · 12/04/2007 21:30

Good luck, I hope you enjoy it. Keep us updated on how you get on

giddyfeet · 13/04/2007 14:48

Good luck nutty muffin, I'm sure you'll really enjoy it!

custy · 13/04/2007 15:05

i too go with trend bucking.

10-3 isnt a long study day - its just right with a break for lunch.

i bet you make good friends and have a blast - the kids may miss out for a year.

but the benefits will be huge.

i bet my arse if you do it part time, life will get in the way and you wont finish

full time 10 -3

sept to june - not even a proper year!

take the LEAP NUTTY

MiaWallace · 14/04/2007 14:57

Yay someone agrees with me.

JodieHoney2005 · 14/04/2007 19:14

Hiya

I am on the Access to Health course studying full time, DD who is two goes to nursery.

I'm only in college one full day a week and thats only 9:30-2:30

I have days that finish at 12 and soem that don't start till 12-2.

I am sure you will be able to cope, I could'nt do two years I just wanna get to Uni, which I am in Sept yay doing nursing!

The work load is hard I have just done two essays in two days and I have biology exam next week and my finals next month, so hard going but worth it.

Good luck, I am sure if you start the full time if its too much you can go part time

Jodie