About to go to college (part time)
Discussion
I thought like and hard about this and I've decided to give it a go.
I'm about to start a college course, part time, mainly evenings but some daytime hours also.
Approx six hours a week classroom time with an expectation of around two hours "homework" for each hour of classroom time. Making about 18 hours a week of studying in various forms.
Covers areas related to the industry I work in (IT) in which I'd like more skills and knowledge...predominantly around security but also an element of programming, though not to any high level.
Bit of a risk this, I'm 23 and my previous stint at college (full time) ended when I was 19. I passed but only just because I'm not really academic and found the whole homework / revising stuff a massive chore. However by the same token I'm pretty good at getting stuff done even when I can't be arsed to do it, I just force myself, so I should be ok.
Work are happy to help with hours changes where required (not that often as it's mainly evenings) though I am funding it myself. Course is only one year so I ought to be able to stick it out and get to the end.
I'm about to start a college course, part time, mainly evenings but some daytime hours also.
Approx six hours a week classroom time with an expectation of around two hours "homework" for each hour of classroom time. Making about 18 hours a week of studying in various forms.
Covers areas related to the industry I work in (IT) in which I'd like more skills and knowledge...predominantly around security but also an element of programming, though not to any high level.
Bit of a risk this, I'm 23 and my previous stint at college (full time) ended when I was 19. I passed but only just because I'm not really academic and found the whole homework / revising stuff a massive chore. However by the same token I'm pretty good at getting stuff done even when I can't be arsed to do it, I just force myself, so I should be ok.
Work are happy to help with hours changes where required (not that often as it's mainly evenings) though I am funding it myself. Course is only one year so I ought to be able to stick it out and get to the end.
Never a bad move. I did three years as a part time "mature" student. Like you funded myself but with adjustments by my employer.
If its only a year it will be over before you know it. Remember its only 39 weeks term time and there's always a few easy weeks to begin and end with.
Most noticeable thing for me was being the oldest on the course(s). The age difference for you will be much less but I guarantee you will get fed up with the "kids" messing around while you are trying to work!
If its only a year it will be over before you know it. Remember its only 39 weeks term time and there's always a few easy weeks to begin and end with.
Most noticeable thing for me was being the oldest on the course(s). The age difference for you will be much less but I guarantee you will get fed up with the "kids" messing around while you are trying to work!
21TonyK said:
Never a bad move. I did three years as a part time "mature" student. Like you funded myself but with adjustments by my employer.
If its only a year it will be over before you know it. Remember its only 39 weeks term time and there's always a few easy weeks to begin and end with.
Most noticeable thing for me was being the oldest on the course(s). The age difference for you will be much less but I guarantee you will get fed up with the "kids" messing around while you are trying to work!
Thanks. Yes there's a mixed age range on this course. Everyone is male - I guess that's still an IT thing.If its only a year it will be over before you know it. Remember its only 39 weeks term time and there's always a few easy weeks to begin and end with.
Most noticeable thing for me was being the oldest on the course(s). The age difference for you will be much less but I guarantee you will get fed up with the "kids" messing around while you are trying to work!
From the enrolment and welcome day there are about ten lads aged about 18-20, then there's me and two others who are 23-24, three older blokes in their fifties and one bloke aged 68.
I started studying towards an HNC in Electrical Engineering last week, and my lecturer told me that he expects us to do 3 hours of studying for every hour in class.
I think you only need to read over notes / do homework and then spend time on stuff you need to do extra revision for.
My mate teaches HNC Civil Engineering and said he expects his students to do 4-5 hours of studying outwith evening class.
I think you only need to read over notes / do homework and then spend time on stuff you need to do extra revision for.
My mate teaches HNC Civil Engineering and said he expects his students to do 4-5 hours of studying outwith evening class.
350zStee said:
I started studying towards an HNC in Electrical Engineering last week, and my lecturer told me that he expects us to do 3 hours of studying for every hour in class.
I think you only need to read over notes / do homework and then spend time on stuff you need to do extra revision for.
My mate teaches HNC Civil Engineering and said he expects his students to do 4-5 hours of studying outwith evening class.
Thanks. Homework is what bothers me. I'm not very good at it...home is for relaxing not working. That said I am prepared for it and will just knuckle down and get it done, whether it takes me two hours a night or five!I think you only need to read over notes / do homework and then spend time on stuff you need to do extra revision for.
My mate teaches HNC Civil Engineering and said he expects his students to do 4-5 hours of studying outwith evening class.
Apparently this course is quite intense so we've been warned to prepare for considerable amounts of homework at fairly short notice, depending on where the class is up to. There isn't much flexibility for "catching up" if people fall behind as the timescales are too tight for that.
I mentioned in the Obsolete Skills thread that I'm quite a fountain pen enthusiast, though since finishing college four years ago I rarely get them out these days. So going back to college will be an excellent opportunity to get some of them out and mess about with them again.
There's going to be tons of writing to do and a fountain pen is ideal.
I've got an old and battered one that fills up from an ink bottle, it's a bit messy to write with and tends to get ink on your fingertips but it is really comfortable to hold when writing for long periods so I think I will use it for college work. I have nicer fountain pens but they will get bruised and battered being taken to college all the time.
There's going to be tons of writing to do and a fountain pen is ideal.
I've got an old and battered one that fills up from an ink bottle, it's a bit messy to write with and tends to get ink on your fingertips but it is really comfortable to hold when writing for long periods so I think I will use it for college work. I have nicer fountain pens but they will get bruised and battered being taken to college all the time.
Edited by zarjaz1991 on Tuesday 8th September 15:16
First day proper will be Monday but there's an "induction day" tomorrow during the afternoon (why do they do that when it's predominantly going to be an evening class? Oh well) where I'll get to meet the three lecturers and also my new classmates.
Some of the younger lads are apparently on the course because they flunked the equivalent module on their full time course at some point previously. Not sure whether this means they will be a pain in the arse as they don't really want to be there, or very dedicated because they are giving up their evenings to have another go and won't want to mess up a second time. Hopefully the latter, but if not I'll soon have something to say.
Some of the younger lads are apparently on the course because they flunked the equivalent module on their full time course at some point previously. Not sure whether this means they will be a pain in the arse as they don't really want to be there, or very dedicated because they are giving up their evenings to have another go and won't want to mess up a second time. Hopefully the latter, but if not I'll soon have something to say.
zarjaz1991 said:
Thanks. Homework is what bothers me. I'm not very good at it...home is for relaxing not working. That said I am prepared for it and will just knuckle down and get it done, whether it takes me two hours a night or five!
Apparently this course is quite intense so we've been warned to prepare for considerable amounts of homework at fairly short notice, depending on where the class is up to. There isn't much flexibility for "catching up" if people fall behind as the timescales are too tight for that.
From experience, the best place to study isn't your house. Go to the library and find a spot to sit and study.Apparently this course is quite intense so we've been warned to prepare for considerable amounts of homework at fairly short notice, depending on where the class is up to. There isn't much flexibility for "catching up" if people fall behind as the timescales are too tight for that.
A lot of the courses are based heavily on textbooks (less so for hnc), but it's still a good idea to ask your lecturer what books will help you. I added "library time" to my university timetable, the library is open until 2am so spent many hours in there!
MethylatedSpirit said:
From experience, the best place to study isn't your house. Go to the library and find a spot to sit and study.
A lot of the courses are based heavily on textbooks (less so for hnc), but it's still a good idea to ask your lecturer what books will help you. I added "library time" to my university timetable, the library is open until 2am so spent many hours in there!
Yep this sounds like it might be a good option for me. Doing homework at home is probably going to be a struggle, even though I live alone so no actual distractions.A lot of the courses are based heavily on textbooks (less so for hnc), but it's still a good idea to ask your lecturer what books will help you. I added "library time" to my university timetable, the library is open until 2am so spent many hours in there!
Well the induction day was interesting but a bit weird. Really did feel like going back to school, which is not really a "good thing".
I have now met most of my classmates properly...there are ten lads aged between 18 and 19. Shamefully, only five of these have their own cars, which I find disappointing. By that age they should be driving, but perhaps that's just me.
A couple of people around my age (23) then some older blokes in their fifties and one older chap of 68. Seemed to get on well with them all and they seem a decent bunch.
List of recommended text books provided, there's six of them in total so not too bad. A warning (again) that the homework requirement for this course is fairly intensive and is monitored, so if you don't do it you risk being chucked off the course.
And that's it...Monday evening is the first "proper" session, 6-9.
I have now met most of my classmates properly...there are ten lads aged between 18 and 19. Shamefully, only five of these have their own cars, which I find disappointing. By that age they should be driving, but perhaps that's just me.
A couple of people around my age (23) then some older blokes in their fifties and one older chap of 68. Seemed to get on well with them all and they seem a decent bunch.
List of recommended text books provided, there's six of them in total so not too bad. A warning (again) that the homework requirement for this course is fairly intensive and is monitored, so if you don't do it you risk being chucked off the course.
And that's it...Monday evening is the first "proper" session, 6-9.
So I am now officially a college student again, for the first time in four years or so. 
Seemed very strange, and after about 20 minutes of going through the basics, expectations, rules, regulations and general stuff like that, we pretty much got straight into it. We've all bought the required text books by now so off we went.
The lecturer goes at quite some pace. I'm sure I don't remember it being that fast last time I was at college, but perhaps it's just that I'm four years older! We were advised from the start to take plenty of notes, so I have very quickly needed to get back into the swing of note taking and basically doing tons of writing in a very short space of time. After almost three solid hours of this my hand was aching quite badly at the end...and I've no real idea if my notes are relevant, or even legible when I revise at a later date.
I did feel a bit like a schoolboy to be honest, but I'll get over that.
A considerable amount of homework has been set already so we've really hit the ground running. As a guide we were told it should take us about six or seven hours to do, this first batch has to be done in time for next Monday when we have the same lecturer again.
However we have a different lecturer on Thursday evening, different part of the syllabus, who will also set his own homework so already there seems to be an awful lot to do. I need to be disciplined and get the homework started quickly.
There is also a mini-exam after four weeks. This is the point at which people can "drop out" if they don't feel it's for them, and only pay fees for the four weeks. After that you become liable for the full year. However, it's also the point where, if you don't pass the exam, you don't get to continue on the course. We have been reassured that the exam is "not that challenging" though.
Seemed very strange, and after about 20 minutes of going through the basics, expectations, rules, regulations and general stuff like that, we pretty much got straight into it. We've all bought the required text books by now so off we went.
The lecturer goes at quite some pace. I'm sure I don't remember it being that fast last time I was at college, but perhaps it's just that I'm four years older! We were advised from the start to take plenty of notes, so I have very quickly needed to get back into the swing of note taking and basically doing tons of writing in a very short space of time. After almost three solid hours of this my hand was aching quite badly at the end...and I've no real idea if my notes are relevant, or even legible when I revise at a later date.
I did feel a bit like a schoolboy to be honest, but I'll get over that.
A considerable amount of homework has been set already so we've really hit the ground running. As a guide we were told it should take us about six or seven hours to do, this first batch has to be done in time for next Monday when we have the same lecturer again.
However we have a different lecturer on Thursday evening, different part of the syllabus, who will also set his own homework so already there seems to be an awful lot to do. I need to be disciplined and get the homework started quickly.
There is also a mini-exam after four weeks. This is the point at which people can "drop out" if they don't feel it's for them, and only pay fees for the four weeks. After that you become liable for the full year. However, it's also the point where, if you don't pass the exam, you don't get to continue on the course. We have been reassured that the exam is "not that challenging" though.
I'm back to college tonight, starting a 2 year level 4 course at the age of 58. I've passed the level 2 and 3 courses, but they were not too demanding - a couple of hours homework a week on average. This year there will be more homework, Saturday workshops, and at least 100 hours on placement.
I funded myself for level 2, but have a 24+ loan for this course.
I funded myself for level 2, but have a 24+ loan for this course.
clockworks said:
I'm back to college tonight, starting a 2 year level 4 course at the age of 58. I've passed the level 2 and 3 courses, but they were not too demanding - a couple of hours homework a week on average. This year there will be more homework, Saturday workshops, and at least 100 hours on placement.
I funded myself for level 2, but have a 24+ loan for this course.
I wish you all the best with it. I think I am going to find the workload on mine a struggle, given my full time work committments, but I am determined to get through it.I funded myself for level 2, but have a 24+ loan for this course.
Well this is going to be fairly challenging, not so much in terms of the subject matter, which I find pretty straightforward as I'm in the industry and much of it is what I do anyway. it's the workload, in particular the homework, much of which seems to be "busy" work designed to make sure you are simply doing homework for the required number of hours! I am conscious though that most of the students are 18 / 19 year olds, so I guess the whole thing is geared towards them. There's only a few "older" students, and I'm the youngest of those at 23, if that makes sense.
Most of the homework is set with it due a week later, so I've just handed in the first batch. I spent most of the weekend doing that, along with the second batch that's due on Thursday. An awful lot of it is handwritten as well, which seems funny for an IT-related course but apparently us IT types would be too adept at cheating so the work is skewed towards being hand written to make plagiarism that bit harder...guess that's the society we live in.
I finished Sunday night with a sore right hand from the many hours of writing out written work and notes, but I suspect I'll get used to it.
Most of the homework is set with it due a week later, so I've just handed in the first batch. I spent most of the weekend doing that, along with the second batch that's due on Thursday. An awful lot of it is handwritten as well, which seems funny for an IT-related course but apparently us IT types would be too adept at cheating so the work is skewed towards being hand written to make plagiarism that bit harder...guess that's the society we live in.
I finished Sunday night with a sore right hand from the many hours of writing out written work and notes, but I suspect I'll get used to it.
At the risk of endlessly replying to myself and therefore looking a bit sad.....
It's gone 1.30am on Monday night / Tuesday morning. I've neglected my homework for over a week so tonight was the time to catch it up.
I started at 6pm and I've been writing / scribbling notes for over seven hours. I've completely had enough and so I'm going to bed. Luckily, I don't have to be up particularly early in the morning.
It's gone 1.30am on Monday night / Tuesday morning. I've neglected my homework for over a week so tonight was the time to catch it up.
I started at 6pm and I've been writing / scribbling notes for over seven hours. I've completely had enough and so I'm going to bed. Luckily, I don't have to be up particularly early in the morning.
Wow sounds like times have changed, I remember my HNC/HND being a piece of piss, doing nearly all work in class time with hardly any homework. It only got slightly demanding doing the degree.
I suppose trying to stay awake whilst the lecturer would try and PowerPoint you to death was always a challenge
I suppose trying to stay awake whilst the lecturer would try and PowerPoint you to death was always a challenge
rossmc88 said:
Wow sounds like times have changed, I remember my HNC/HND being a piece of piss, doing nearly all work in class time with hardly any homework. It only got slightly demanding doing the degree.
I suppose trying to stay awake whilst the lecturer would try and PowerPoint you to death was always a challenge
Yeah this course has a big emphasis on homework because it's part time evenings so fewer hours of class time.I suppose trying to stay awake whilst the lecturer would try and PowerPoint you to death was always a challenge
The work isn't hard, as such, there's just an awful lot of it. We're expected to do about two hours of homework for every one hour in class, and that doesn't include revision or writing up notes.
To be fair last night's marathon was because I had about ten days' worth of homework to catch up on. I should have done it earlier but let some of it build up due to being busy at work. I have to hand it in tonight, hence a marathon session last night. My own fault entirely.
My fingers are sore from all the writing....it's the most writing I've done in one night since leaving full time college four years ago....and I've got a massive blue ink stain on my middle finger, where the pen rests (I write with a fountain pen). Didn't even notice it til I'd finished.
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