Anyone else giving/given up an apprenticeship/good job to go to uni?

This is interesting because I'm considering doing an apprenticeship over a university degree. I'm honestly unsure what I want to do, even if I was to go to university I still wouldn't know what I want to do. I've got a HUGE interest in computers and originally I thought computer science would suit me down to the ground, but maths was never my strongest subject and I believe it's very maths based. Another huge interest of mine is engineering and how things work, I've always enjoyed taking computers apart and re-building them, I find reverse engineering the best method of learning, but once again it's a maths based subject and I'm worried I'll be overwhelmed significantly.

Does anyone know if Open Days are a good place to go to get a general idea of a course, or whether they are more useful to decide if you like the university as a building and it's facilities?

Any input would be appreciated greatly. I really really have no idea what really interests me, and I know that sounds stupid, but it's true. I think that's one of the reasons I'm more inclined to do an apprenticeship in engineering rather than go to university, because at least then if I don't like it I've not lost out on anything other than time. I'd much prefer that than have a student debt under my name. At the same time doing an apprenticeship is great for the next 5-8 years, but after that I'm worried I'll hit a brick wall and won't have much future prospects in the job. I would like to be able to support a family but at the same time not feel like every worked penny is going to everyone but myself, so future promotion prospects are a big ambition of mine, I want to be able to keep climbing up the ladder with the hard work I put in.

AHHHHHHH!!!!

This is interesting because I'm considering doing an apprenticeship over a university degree. I'm honestly unsure what I want to do, even if I was to go to university I still wouldn't know what I want to do. I've got a HUGE interest in computers and originally I thought computer science would suit me down to the ground, but maths was never my strongest subject and I believe it's very maths based. Another huge interest of mine is engineering and how things work, I've always enjoyed taking computers apart and re-building them, I find reverse engineering the best method of learning, but once again it's a maths based subject and I'm worried I'll be overwhelmed significantly.

Does anyone know if Open Days are a good place to go to get a general idea of a course, or whether they are more useful to decide if you like the university as a building and it's facilities?

Any input would be appreciated greatly. I really really have no idea what really interests me, and I know that sounds stupid, but it's true. I think that's one of the reasons I'm more inclined to do an apprenticeship in engineering rather than go to university, because at least then if I don't like it I've not lost out on anything other than time. I'd much prefer that than have a student debt under my name. At the same time doing an apprenticeship is great for the next 5-8 years, but after that I'm worried I'll hit a brick wall and won't have much future prospects in the job. I would like to be able to support a family but at the same time not feel like every worked penny is going to everyone but myself, so future promotion prospects are a big ambition of mine, I want to be able to keep climbing up the ladder with the hard work I put in.

AHHHHHHH!!!!

This is interesting because I'm considering doing an apprenticeship over a university degree. I'm honestly unsure what I want to do, even if I was to go to university I still wouldn't know what I want to do. I've got a HUGE interest in computers and originally I thought computer science would suit me down to the ground, but maths was never my strongest subject and I believe it's very maths based. Another huge interest of mine is engineering and how things work, I've always enjoyed taking computers apart and re-building them, I find reverse engineering the best method of learning, but once again it's a maths based subject and I'm worried I'll be overwhelmed significantly.

Does anyone know if Open Days are a good place to go to get a general idea of a course, or whether they are more useful to decide if you like the university as a building and it's facilities?

Any input would be appreciated greatly. I really really have no idea what really interests me, and I know that sounds stupid, but it's true. I think that's one of the reasons I'm more inclined to do an apprenticeship in engineering rather than go to university, because at least then if I don't like it I've not lost out on anything other than time. I'd much prefer that than have a student debt under my name. At the same time doing an apprenticeship is great for the next 5-8 years, but after that I'm worried I'll hit a brick wall and won't have much future prospects in the job. I would like to be able to support a family but at the same time not feel like every worked penny is going to everyone but myself, so future promotion prospects are a big ambition of mine, I want to be able to keep climbing up the ladder with the hard work I put in.

AHHHHHHH!!!!

Thing is, you can't do an Apprenticeship after obtaining a Degree, but you can obtain a Degree after an Apprenticeship. You're also correct; I dropped out of Computer Science as it is very mathematical based. You could always do a part-time degree while working after your Apprenticeship? I'm going to be studying part-time after mine (if I get took on, which I am) Otherwise, you could do it full-time after obtaining the apprenticeship experience and qualifications. I think it's the wisest choice.

This is interesting because I'm considering doing an apprenticeship over a university degree. I'm honestly unsure what I want to do, even if I was to go to university I still wouldn't know what I want to do. I've got a HUGE interest in computers and originally I thought computer science would suit me down to the ground, but maths was never my strongest subject and I believe it's very maths based. Another huge interest of mine is engineering and how things work, I've always enjoyed taking computers apart and re-building them, I find reverse engineering the best method of learning, but once again it's a maths based subject and I'm worried I'll be overwhelmed significantly.

Does anyone know if Open Days are a good place to go to get a general idea of a course, or whether they are more useful to decide if you like the university as a building and it's facilities?
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AHHHHHHH!!!!

I'm giving up a $110k job that I hate in the US to move to London and go to uni and switch careers. I'm sure most people think I'm crazy to do that.

I think I have to take an access course as I never even went to high school (!), I just have my GED diploma. I'm not even sure what I want to do yet, I'm thinking psychology.

This is my plan this year.

I'm currently year 3 of an apprenticeship, I've finished the main modern apprenticeship qualification and am now in my first year HNC which I am doing purely because my workplace want me to.

It suddenly hit home a few months ago that this isn't what I want to do with the rest of my life so I've applied to uni.

I am still unsure if i'll go through with it, and just wanted to know if anyone else is/has gone through the same?

I'm giving up a $110k job that I hate in the US to move to London and go to uni and switch careers. I'm sure most people think I'm crazy to do that.

I think I have to take an access course as I never even went to high school (!), I just have my GED diploma. I'm not even sure what I want to do yet, I'm thinking psychology.

Seriously giving up a $110k job to study Psychology in the UK? Why don't you just do part-time in the US? If they allow that?

The availability of psychology jobs, especially in the UK is asymptotic to zero. Fair enough if you hate your job and want to try something different. But I wouldn't say that giving up a 110 k USD job for psychology is a good idea.

I'm not sure what I want to do to be honest... I just know I don't want to be in IT anymore. I've been struggling with the good salary vs. happiness dilemma for years now.

Should I just take A Level courses at a college?

Why would you do that.

If you have a 110k paying job, I assume you've already done your pre-uni qualifications. So I see no point in you doing A levels, it'd be essentially redoing what you've already done.

I think you're slightly confused about the British education system, because of the wording. For example, when we say "College", it doesn't mean the same thing here as it does in the USA.

A levels are pre-uni courses. Bit like your idea of a high school.

A levels will not qualify you for a grad job.

You do A levels at Colleges and Sixth Forms.

You do University courses at university. What I mean by that is, "Going to college" in American stance isn't the same in the British education system.

Overall, the British edu system goes in level:

Level 1 (Low graded elementary GCSE qualifications (E and D grades))
Level 2 (High grades at secondary school GCSE qualifications (A* - C grades))
Level 3 (Pre uni qualifications and apprenticeships such as A levels which you do at college or sixth form)
Level 4 (Bachelor degrees and advanced apprenticeships)

So if you're keen on doing something academic in the UK, you should be aiming for uni courses, not A levels.

To apply to, or research, level 4 courses in the UK, go to www.UCAS.ac.uk

G'luck

P.s. I'm very sorry if I sound patronising in this: I'm assuming that you've been to school in the US and that you're not sure about the british edu.sys.

You don't sound patronising, no need to apologise.

I understand the UK system. I make six figures but I never made it past Level 2. I want to go back to school because I'm not happy. Worst case, I can always go back to my current career.