My education dilemma.....what to do??
Discussion
As some of you may or may/not know I'm supposed to be studying a National Diploma in Motor Vehicle Studies and Motor Sports.
However, I say supposed as I really am too ill to attend college. I never started in September, my mum kindly went over and enroled my place for me.
I cannot see my self being fit and well enough to attend the college for the next few months, it may well be longer.
The college have said they will re-assess the situation after Christmas.
My best mate is also doing the same course and is not at all enthusiastic about it but that may just be him, I don't know.
The college really don't seem too bothered about me as they haven't sent any work home for me to do, I've emailed my tutor (did that couple of months ago) and still have had no reply.
The dilemma I'm in is that if, when they re-assess the situation they say "oh well come back when your ready bla bla", I feel I've missed ALOT of work considering I haven't been in at all and have missed 4 months of work, but they don't seem to be doing much, apparently.
The other thing which they could say is that it's going to be best if I take this year out and try and recover.
I don't mind doing that but I don't want this year to be a wasted one.
I was wondering for basically any advice on the matter and if anyone knows of a sort of correspondance course in my subject, I highly doubt it due to the 'hands on' experience element of it, I'm just extremely worried about wasting this year and not doing anything constructive with myself, it's bad enough as it is and I've only been ill since August, another year of doing nothing will kill me.
I warmly welcome any advice given as I'm at a fork in my road so to speak and don't know what to do.
Thanks in advance everyone, and sorry for blabbing on a bit, I'm just rather worried at the moment.
Graham
>>> Edited by Graham.J on Wednesday 1st January 02:37
However, I say supposed as I really am too ill to attend college. I never started in September, my mum kindly went over and enroled my place for me.
I cannot see my self being fit and well enough to attend the college for the next few months, it may well be longer.
The college have said they will re-assess the situation after Christmas.
My best mate is also doing the same course and is not at all enthusiastic about it but that may just be him, I don't know.
The college really don't seem too bothered about me as they haven't sent any work home for me to do, I've emailed my tutor (did that couple of months ago) and still have had no reply.
The dilemma I'm in is that if, when they re-assess the situation they say "oh well come back when your ready bla bla", I feel I've missed ALOT of work considering I haven't been in at all and have missed 4 months of work, but they don't seem to be doing much, apparently.
The other thing which they could say is that it's going to be best if I take this year out and try and recover.
I don't mind doing that but I don't want this year to be a wasted one.
I was wondering for basically any advice on the matter and if anyone knows of a sort of correspondance course in my subject, I highly doubt it due to the 'hands on' experience element of it, I'm just extremely worried about wasting this year and not doing anything constructive with myself, it's bad enough as it is and I've only been ill since August, another year of doing nothing will kill me.
I warmly welcome any advice given as I'm at a fork in my road so to speak and don't know what to do.
Thanks in advance everyone, and sorry for blabbing on a bit, I'm just rather worried at the moment.
Graham
>>> Edited by Graham.J on Wednesday 1st January 02:37
I don't know how good the diploma course is or how long. There are some things you need to ask yourself.
How useful is the actual course to you. I see your rebuilding a westy, what is this course teaching you that you don't know already and can't read about in a book?
Is this course recognised or have a direct route to a relevant apprenticeship or further education?
How well regarded is this course REALLY?
I would suggest that you could take the year out and build your car, but l don't know how ill you are (hope you get better as soon as'!) While you can't attend the course is there anything else you can do towards your career goals in the meantime?
How useful is the actual course to you. I see your rebuilding a westy, what is this course teaching you that you don't know already and can't read about in a book?
Is this course recognised or have a direct route to a relevant apprenticeship or further education?
How well regarded is this course REALLY?
I would suggest that you could take the year out and build your car, but l don't know how ill you are (hope you get better as soon as'!) While you can't attend the course is there anything else you can do towards your career goals in the meantime?
i can't even post a picture....cool site,especially the catalogue pose photo.Did you do all the work making it?Err i hope your getting sponsership for that there "big" sticker on the westfield.
As requested then www.grahamjyoung.co.uk although I did notice a few spelling mistakes which need to be changed.
The course I'm doing will run on into higher education at university and a degree will be had.
I really don't know much about the course but they don't seem too bothered about me not being there, I can learn all there is to know about motorsports from my MSA Blue Book, but there are some things on the mechanics point of view which I don't know.
Edited to add, I did get a bit of help on setting up the domain and the site and everything from Steve (egomeister), and when the HTML went pear shaped and some stuff needed to be done Darren (Shadowninja) gave me a hand, both are praised in the links section.
>> Edited by Graham.J on Wednesday 1st January 13:08
The course I'm doing will run on into higher education at university and a degree will be had.
I really don't know much about the course but they don't seem too bothered about me not being there, I can learn all there is to know about motorsports from my MSA Blue Book, but there are some things on the mechanics point of view which I don't know.
Edited to add, I did get a bit of help on setting up the domain and the site and everything from Steve (egomeister), and when the HTML went pear shaped and some stuff needed to be done Darren (Shadowninja) gave me a hand, both are praised in the links section.
>> Edited by Graham.J on Wednesday 1st January 13:08
hiya mate.
How ya doing? Have you considered this...
When you get better, get yourself a job, part time or whatever, earn a bit of cash. Start the corse from new in Sept. It may seem like a wasted year, but it wouldnt really, employment, uni's etc really value work experiance! And you will have cash for your car/uni/booze/girls. Thats what I think I would do, but good luck whatever you choose.
Alan
How ya doing? Have you considered this...
When you get better, get yourself a job, part time or whatever, earn a bit of cash. Start the corse from new in Sept. It may seem like a wasted year, but it wouldnt really, employment, uni's etc really value work experiance! And you will have cash for your car/uni/booze/girls. Thats what I think I would do, but good luck whatever you choose.
Alan
Right, I've managed to dig out my course content:
CORE UNITS
Essential working practices & Customer Care - year 1 - P*
Vehicle Systems - year 1 - P*
Vehicle Electronics - year 1 - P*
Fault Diagnosis & Rectification - year 2 - P*
Project - year 1&2 - P*
Vehicle Science & Maths Principles - year 1 - T**
SPECIALIST UNITS
Engine Technology - year 2 - T**
Vehicle electrical systems - year 1 - P*
Electronic petrol injection - year 2 - P*
Electronic ignition systems - year 2 - P*
Engine Management systems - year 2 - P*
Diesel fuel injection - year 2 - P*
Light Vehicle transmission systems - year 1 - P*
Vehicle electronic ancillary & information systems - year 2 - P*
Light Vehicle steering, braking & suspension - year 1 - P*
Mathematics for Technicians - year 2 - P*
Science for Technicians - year 2 - P*
Introduction to E-Commerce - year 1 - P*
* P = Portfolio assessed unit
** T = Externally assessed through the I.V.A
CORE UNITS
Essential working practices & Customer Care - year 1 - P*
Vehicle Systems - year 1 - P*
Vehicle Electronics - year 1 - P*
Fault Diagnosis & Rectification - year 2 - P*
Project - year 1&2 - P*
Vehicle Science & Maths Principles - year 1 - T**
SPECIALIST UNITS
Engine Technology - year 2 - T**
Vehicle electrical systems - year 1 - P*
Electronic petrol injection - year 2 - P*
Electronic ignition systems - year 2 - P*
Engine Management systems - year 2 - P*
Diesel fuel injection - year 2 - P*
Light Vehicle transmission systems - year 1 - P*
Vehicle electronic ancillary & information systems - year 2 - P*
Light Vehicle steering, braking & suspension - year 1 - P*
Mathematics for Technicians - year 2 - P*
Science for Technicians - year 2 - P*
Introduction to E-Commerce - year 1 - P*
* P = Portfolio assessed unit
** T = Externally assessed through the I.V.A
Graham.J said: The course I'm doing will run on into higher education at university and a degree will be had.
Good lad. The key thing is to get a qualification that is recognised. e.g. First get a qual that the uni recognises so youy can go there. Then get a degree/other higher qual that is recohnised on two counts.
First count: An acronym that employers understand. e.g. HND/ Degree etc. That way even if you do not continue in the field you study in you will have a certificate to prove that you are capable of learning things to an advanced level. Employers value that.
Second count: In your chosen industry - its something people in it recognise and value.
The FIRST count is the most important for flexibility throughout life.
I had a year out in the middle of my degree. I got a job. The work experience was relevant and valued by later employers. I'd consider doing that once you're well enough...and start the course again next year.
The money is useful. And the experience well worthwhile.
IIRC you're suffering from M.E.?
My Missus was struck with this 14 years ago, she still has to be careful not to overdo things even now - but it's not too much of an issue.
The main thing we've learnt over the years is not to try & rush things. If you're feeling tired - rest, trying to ignore it & carry on regardless only prolongs things.
Concentrate on your health & don't worry about the course, you can always start again next year. I know it might seem that you're gonna waste a years college - but it won't really matter in the long run (I pissed a complete years worth of college away & it didn't matter a jot!)
BTW - I read that one of the London hospitals (St. Thomas'??) had developed a program to help young people recover from M.E.
The article was in the Daily Mail (I didn't buy it - honest) a couple of months ago.
My Missus was struck with this 14 years ago, she still has to be careful not to overdo things even now - but it's not too much of an issue.
The main thing we've learnt over the years is not to try & rush things. If you're feeling tired - rest, trying to ignore it & carry on regardless only prolongs things.
Concentrate on your health & don't worry about the course, you can always start again next year. I know it might seem that you're gonna waste a years college - but it won't really matter in the long run (I pissed a complete years worth of college away & it didn't matter a jot!)
BTW - I read that one of the London hospitals (St. Thomas'??) had developed a program to help young people recover from M.E.
The article was in the Daily Mail (I didn't buy it - honest) a couple of months ago.
Thanks everyone,
Don, I did my work experience (when I was 15) at Porsche, I was told that if I was older they would probably keep me on as I was able to get on and do the jobs on my own. I may ask if I could do some sort of work when I'm better, although I'm sure how I'd go about that.
Leadfoot, yes I am suffering from M.E. and it really is difficult not to do too much as I'm normally extrememly active. It's like an olympic sprinter having their legs chopped off temporarily.
I heard on Radio 2 that they are now taking M.E. as a proper illness as before they believed it was psychological. I will have to find out about that article, thanks!!
S2N, thanks, I think I'll take this year out and recover to be fitand well to start again in September.
I've already done 5 assignments for the course which they sent home to me.
Ah well, this year will give me some time to rest, recover, race and work when I am better.
Cheers all,
Don, I did my work experience (when I was 15) at Porsche, I was told that if I was older they would probably keep me on as I was able to get on and do the jobs on my own. I may ask if I could do some sort of work when I'm better, although I'm sure how I'd go about that.
Leadfoot, yes I am suffering from M.E. and it really is difficult not to do too much as I'm normally extrememly active. It's like an olympic sprinter having their legs chopped off temporarily.
I heard on Radio 2 that they are now taking M.E. as a proper illness as before they believed it was psychological. I will have to find out about that article, thanks!!
S2N, thanks, I think I'll take this year out and recover to be fitand well to start again in September.
I've already done 5 assignments for the course which they sent home to me.
Ah well, this year will give me some time to rest, recover, race and work when I am better.
Cheers all,
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