[Geneticgeek]

Hey all,

I've received an unconditional offer onto the Web Technologies course for 2012 at Portsmouth Uni, I applied super late, after being told by a local college that I most likely couldn't receive funding to go back and do A levels (I've been out of school for 2 years and have done various qualifications since then such as Microsoft certifications, but never a full A level equivalent course. I've had full time jobs for most of the last few years).

There are a couple of things that are putting me off though - Most others who will be attending uni will have come from college or 6th form. I haven't been in full time education since July 2010 and I'm worried I'm going to struggle to adapt to the academic life style. I know a basic amount of computing in most areas, but I'm worried I might get overwhelmed.

What do you guys think? Has anyone else come from a non-educational background? I need an outsider opinion, with the little information I've given Should I take this opportunity, or spend another 2 years, 3 days a week in college?

[UPPSY]

yeah I am at uni now after a poor show at GCSE level I worked for 14 years and applied and they said yes

[sliceofcake]

I'm not from a non-educational background but I did isolate myself in years 8 and 9 by becoming home schooled. In year 10 I went to college to study my first year of GCSEs (which was usually a course for people who did poorly in their GCSEs and needed to get basic Level 1 qualifications). I was really nervous at first because I hadn't been around people my age for a few years. I can't lie to you, it was a struggle at first to get used to the college's routine and all of the people but you adapt quicker than you think.
Then after my GCSEs I moved away, too late to enrol onto a Level 3 course. I moved back later in the academic year but that meant another year away from people my age so again I was really worried when I started college for my Level 3. Again, you get used to things sooner than you think.
I know our situations are quite different but I think you can see the point I'm making. I suggest you just throw yourself into this opportunity and get everything you can from it. You may get overwhelmed by the work but you'll cope and you'll learn and eventually you'll wonder why you worried. Just take the work as it comes.
After now spending a total of just over 4 years in college I cannot see why anyone would choose to stay an extra few years. It's a safe choice but personally I'm sick of it and desperate for new challenges and a change of scenery.

EDIT: Oh wow, apologies for rambling! TLDR; I'd say just go for the university

[Geneticgeek]

(Original post by sliceofcake)
EDIT: Oh wow, apologies for rambling! TLDR; I'd say just go for the university

Haha don't apologise it wasn't too long at all! I appreciated the lengthy answer, it has given me comfort. It was just what I needed. Thank you for reassuring me

[Shelly_x]

(Original post by Geneticgeek)
Hey all,

I've received an unconditional offer onto the Web Technologies course for 2012 at Portsmouth Uni, I applied super late, after being told by a local college that I most likely couldn't receive funding to go back and do A levels (I've been out of school for 2 years and have done various qualifications since then such as Microsoft certifications, but never a full A level equivalent course. I've had full time jobs for most of the last few years).

There are a couple of things that are putting me off though - Most others who will be attending uni will have come from college or 6th form. I haven't been in full time education since July 2010 and I'm worried I'm going to struggle to adapt to the academic life style. I know a basic amount of computing in most areas, but I'm worried I might get overwhelmed.

What do you guys think? Has anyone else come from a non-educational background? I need an outsider opinion, with the little information I've given Should I take this opportunity, or spend another 2 years, 3 days a week in college?

I would start to try and learn the content (if you know it) now, as it will make the transition easier. My bf started uni in sept having not been in education for a while and it wasn't easy for him.

[Geneticgeek]

(Original post by Shelly_x)
I would start to try and learn the content (if you know it) now, as it will make the transition easier. My bf started uni in sept having not been in education for a while and it wasn't easy for him.

What did he study, if you don't mind me asking? Had he done anything in the area he was studying previously?

[Shelly_x]

(Original post by Geneticgeek)
What did he study, if you don't mind me asking? Had he done anything in the area he was studying previously?

Hes studying Electronic Engineering with a Foundation year. He has studied an engineering course but it didn't include any maths or physics, which is what he struggled with.

[Origami Bullets]

Lots of people take one gap year, and a few take two (particularly for medicine). Although it can be a bit of a change of gear, people do get back into it without too much difficulty, and invariably your grades in first year don't count towards your final degree grade anyway.

[Geneticgeek]

(Original post by Origami Bullets)
Lots of people take one gap year, and a few take two (particularly for medicine). Although it can be a bit of a change of gear, people do get back into it without too much difficulty, and invariably your grades in first year don't count towards your final degree grade anyway.

Oh don't they? I haven't looked into how the grading system works. I've also heard that the first year for most computing courses in some unis is the same for all courses, to get everyone up to speed.

[Origami Bullets]

(Original post by Geneticgeek)
Oh don't they? I haven't looked into how the grading system works. I've also heard that the first year for most computing courses in some unis is the same for all courses, to get everyone up to speed.

Typically the weighting of the different grades towards your final degree are
1st year = 0%
2nd year = 25%
3rd year = 75%

Because so many people come with different A Level subjects, different syllabi, etc., it's fairly normal to just spend the first year getting everyone up to speed.