Asking some advice for a uni dropout
Discussion
Background- I managed to get some good GCSEs and did a foundation year which I manage to go to study mechanical engineering in Lincoln!
Found it struggling at first year (16-17) and failed it. Do another year and passed to year 2. (17-18)
Failed all exams in year 2 (18-19) however did some good coursework work. Take a year out (19-20) to decide what to do next. Decided to drop out at 2020.
What should I do next? My mental health is fine I managed to get some support. I am feeling like in a crossroad...
Found it struggling at first year (16-17) and failed it. Do another year and passed to year 2. (17-18)
Failed all exams in year 2 (18-19) however did some good coursework work. Take a year out (19-20) to decide what to do next. Decided to drop out at 2020.
What should I do next? My mental health is fine I managed to get some support. I am feeling like in a crossroad...
megaphone said:
What do you want to do? Do you want to stay with engineering or do something else? Most important thing is to start working and earn some money.
Obviously I am looking for different jobs. To stay in engineering? I am pretty unsure. I always adjust my expectations, I recognise being an engineer is impossible for me because it is too difficult. I may consider to do a diploma in my later life. I also think about care industry and social work as I like people with additional needs. I got quite a lot of dreams but I need to make sure what I want to do and the means to achieve it (money). Money is not a too big issue in terms of keeping afloat as I am living with parents. I just don’t want to waste parents money on studies anymore."engineer' is a pretty broad brush... maybe you need to find the right aspect that you can get on with and try that route.
take a look here https://www.notgoingtouni.co.uk/
and at things like apprenticeships - if you're more suited to course work type assessments rather than exams.
take a look here https://www.notgoingtouni.co.uk/
and at things like apprenticeships - if you're more suited to course work type assessments rather than exams.
megaphone said:
What do you like to do? Hobbies? Interests?
I am learning how to use GIMP and blender to build models for game, i also like bus, plane, and train spotting. I may consider to learn to drive a bus. However I have to say, to learn something new in free time is very different to devote 3 years of intense study and costs up to 30k. Life is quite a bumpy ride but I am glad with understanding parentsNurburgsingh said:
"engineer' is a pretty broad brush... maybe you need to find the right aspect that you can get on with and try that route.
take a look here https://www.notgoingtouni.co.uk/
and at things like apprenticeships - if you're more suited to course work type assessments rather than exams.
Thank you! You are the candle in middle of the darkness!take a look here https://www.notgoingtouni.co.uk/
and at things like apprenticeships - if you're more suited to course work type assessments rather than exams.
Are you too old to get an apprenticeship? I dropped out my A levels and did a BTEC as I'm pretty dense academically. This got me a Higher apprenticeship that then paid for my HNC, HND, Foundation Degree, BEng. Would highly recommend this route if you're lucky enough to find an employer who will support you through it. I now have a degree in engineering that I'd never have got through uni as the college essentially wouldn't let us fail or our employer would stop paying them with new apprentices.
Loads of guys on my course were 30+ and sent by their employers on day release so don't give up hope in engineering just because you dropped out of uni.
Loads of guys on my course were 30+ and sent by their employers on day release so don't give up hope in engineering just because you dropped out of uni.
Drezza said:
Are you too old to get an apprenticeship? I dropped out my A levels and did a BTEC as I'm pretty dense academically. This got me a Higher apprenticeship that then paid for my HNC, HND, Foundation Degree, BEng. Would highly recommend this route if you're lucky enough to find an employer who will support you through it. I now have a degree in engineering that I'd never have got through uni as the college essentially wouldn't let us fail or our employer would stop paying them with new apprentices.
Loads of guys on my course were 30+ and sent by their employers on day release so don't give up hope in engineering just because you dropped out of uni.
I am just 23. Loads of guys on my course were 30+ and sent by their employers on day release so don't give up hope in engineering just because you dropped out of uni.
Jonathan01n said:
I am just 23.
That should be fine, I was 19 when I got my apprenticeship but other guys have started at your age I think. Unfortunately it's probably the worst it's been in a long time in the job market to be looking for a job, but have a look on the .Gov apprenticeship website. I know my employer goes to careers fairs too so probably worth a try there? I would've failed all my uni exams but colleges who provide apprentice degrees on day release are a lot more lenient and help you through the exams. (think open book classroom exams not large halls in silence).
Jonathan01n said:
megaphone said:
What do you like to do? Hobbies? Interests?
I am learning how to use GIMP and blender to build models for game, i also like bus, plane, and train spotting. I may consider to learn to drive a bus. However I have to say, to learn something new in free time is very different to devote 3 years of intense study and costs up to 30k. Life is quite a bumpy ride but I am glad with understanding parentsWould it be the worst thing in the world to find some developers, call them and ask if they can give you any pointers? Look on LinkedIn* for the relevant person, either in development, or maybe HR.
I'm sure you'll find someone to have a chat with along the lines of: "This sounds like what I'd like to do for a living, would you mind if I ask about it? I know I'm probably not qualified right now, but if a job came up in 2 years time, what do you think I should do or study between now and then to make sure I'm a decent candidate?" There may be job fairs nearby (OK, maybe not RIGHT now) or trade shows that it would be worth your while attending.
*I just spent 30 seconds on LinkedIn and can now name you 3 Cambridge-based game developers (near me) and their career history. I won't, because I'm sure they won't want their names plastered on here by a stranger, but it's not as hard as you think. Just call the company, ask for the person, be polite and if they're busy, then fair enough, you've lost nothing.
Drezza said:
That should be fine, I was 19 when I got my apprenticeship but other guys have started at your age I think. Unfortunately it's probably the worst it's been in a long time in the job market to be looking for a job, but have a look on the .Gov apprenticeship website. I know my employer goes to careers fairs too so probably worth a try there?
I would've failed all my uni exams but colleges who provide apprentice degrees on day release are a lot more lenient and help you through the exams. (think open book classroom exams not large halls in silence).
Thank you for your advice.I would've failed all my uni exams but colleges who provide apprentice degrees on day release are a lot more lenient and help you through the exams. (think open book classroom exams not large halls in silence).
01WE01 said:
Do you have A levels and are you fit-ish? Would an officer career in the forces suit? - If you like the concept of engineering or tech but not prolonged intensive study there are plenty of options to get hands on experience, learn management skills and find a niche...
A colleague of mine was a tech in the RAF. He absolutely loved it, only left due to medical reasons.01WE01 said:
Do you have A levels and are you fit-ish? Would an officer career in the forces suit? - If you like the concept of engineering or tech but not prolonged intensive study there are plenty of options to get hands on experience, learn management skills and find a niche...
The forces won’t take me because I have health conditions which precludes me, but thanks anyway What sort of engineering are you looking to do? If you're looking at the precision/production area then an appenticeship would definitely be the way to go. There would still be some college but it's usually day release as the job is much more hands on
The main drawback to precision/production engineering is that it can be bloody boring, all the college blurb you see is sexy F1 and jet fighter parts, the reality is making batches of same boring part several times a year. One of the parts I make I made the prototype of 25 years ago...
The main drawback to precision/production engineering is that it can be bloody boring, all the college blurb you see is sexy F1 and jet fighter parts, the reality is making batches of same boring part several times a year. One of the parts I make I made the prototype of 25 years ago...
I did an advanced GNVQ in engineering when I left school, which was an A-level alternative course back then. Pretty much every lesson was maths related and I really struggled to get through it so don't feel bad. Afterwards I decided that there was no way I going to work in that field. Some people in my class had the right sort of brain for it and breezed through it. If it doesn't come naturally to you then try another field.
Jonathan01n said:
Obviously I am looking for different jobs. To stay in engineering? I am pretty unsure. I always adjust my expectations, I recognise being an engineer is impossible for me because it is too difficult. I may consider to do a diploma in my later life. I also think about care industry and social work as I like people with additional needs. I got quite a lot of dreams but I need to make sure what I want to do and the means to achieve it (money). Money is not a too big issue in terms of keeping afloat as I am living with parents. I just don’t want to waste parents money on studies anymore.
Be aware that care work can utterly destroy the soul. I have many many friends who went down that route and ended up hating it within a year or two. Not because of the people you are caring for, bit because of the way the care system is run in this country. It is an admirable pursuit but please do talk to some actual carers before applying. Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff