[jeebers]

Hi Everyone,

I am looking for a bit of advice. 23 years old and started to study biology at college at AS level, and ended up leaving with a D after the second year of attempting, I just had too many problems and couldnt focus on my education, and paid the price.

Left college with barely an AS worth mentioning, studied Chemistry, Builogy and IT and left with AS levels equating to D,E and an embarrising U for chemistry.

I have recently decided I want to move away from deskwork in the future and want to get out to something a bit more 'me' and to do that, I really need to start getting some education.

So, I want to teach myself Biology A levels. With a family to support, I cant drop work, so need to keep that going. Equally, with little capital, I cant afford to go and pay for any courses, as I dont believe you can get any funding to assist with education at A levels out of full time education...

So I wonder - is it even going to possible? I moved a long way away from where I took my full time course 6 years ago... I dont want to waste any more of my life, and really want to get out there...

So can anyone help? how can I get myself the qualifications to get somewhere, with the least amount of cost, and still keeping a full time job going to support the family?

Much appreciated

Jeebers

[jeebers]

I hope that its a case of theres no one out there who can advise, as opposed to the lack of responses meaning that there is no chance at all of managing to do this? lol

Anyone at all able to suggest?

[sammy-lou]

(Original post by jeebers)
I hope that its a case of theres no one out there who can advise, as opposed to the lack of responses meaning that there is no chance at all of managing to do this? lol

Anyone at all able to suggest?

Hello,

Good on you for deciding to do that. I think it can be done, but I'm not going to lie - it won't be easy. I've struggled enough with studying A Level Biology in the conventional 'two years at college' way.

There are various online resources, such as SNAB (which I don't personally like, but it does really talk you through it) which you have to sign up for. That will help especially with core practicals.

The coursework also might be quite difficult to do alone.

The basics of learning the content will be doable - CGP revision guides are a life saver for most of us doing the course!

I'd say, if you really, really want to do it, then go for it! But when finances allow I would try to get some extra help where you think you need it most.

Good luck

(Also you should really look in to which exam boards course you want to sit, as they're all slightly different some may be slightly easier to self-teach)

[qiaoyu.he]

(Original post by jeebers)
Hi Everyone,

I am looking for a bit of advice. 23 years old and started to study biology at college at AS level, and ended up leaving with a D after the second year of attempting, I just had too many problems and couldnt focus on my education, and paid the price.

Left college with barely an AS worth mentioning, studied Chemistry, Builogy and IT and left with AS levels equating to D,E and an embarrising U for chemistry.

I have recently decided I want to move away from deskwork in the future and want to get out to something a bit more 'me' and to do that, I really need to start getting some education.

So, I want to teach myself Biology A levels. With a family to support, I cant drop work, so need to keep that going. Equally, with little capital, I cant afford to go and pay for any courses, as I dont believe you can get any funding to assist with education at A levels out of full time education...

So I wonder - is it even going to possible? I moved a long way away from where I took my full time course 6 years ago... I dont want to waste any more of my life, and really want to get out there...

So can anyone help? how can I get myself the qualifications to get somewhere, with the least amount of cost, and still keeping a full time job going to support the family?

Much appreciated

Jeebers

I have done A-Level Biology the 'conventional route'. Providing that you are motivated, which you seem to be, the course could probable be done for < £100. Decide which exam board you're going to sit it with and buy a book accredited by them. It will teach you all the core materials. Then, just find a local exam centre that will take you, and it will cost something like £15 per exam and you'll need to take about 6 exams.

It will be hard, especially if you're job is full time, but definitely possible.

Good luck

[andrew_c]

(Original post by jeebers)
Hi Everyone,

I am looking for a bit of advice. 23 years old and started to study biology at college at AS level, and ended up leaving with a D after the second year of attempting, I just had too many problems and couldnt focus on my education, and paid the price.

Left college with barely an AS worth mentioning, studied Chemistry, Builogy and IT and left with AS levels equating to D,E and an embarrising U for chemistry.

I have recently decided I want to move away from deskwork in the future and want to get out to something a bit more 'me' and to do that, I really need to start getting some education.

So, I want to teach myself Biology A levels. With a family to support, I cant drop work, so need to keep that going. Equally, with little capital, I cant afford to go and pay for any courses, as I dont believe you can get any funding to assist with education at A levels out of full time education...

So I wonder - is it even going to possible? I moved a long way away from where I took my full time course 6 years ago... I dont want to waste any more of my life, and really want to get out there...

So can anyone help? how can I get myself the qualifications to get somewhere, with the least amount of cost, and still keeping a full time job going to support the family?

Much appreciated

Jeebers

I think its possible, the only part as other have stated that will be hard and the practicals or coursework. Just make sure you do past papers and get 2 textbooks so you can check with both.

[jeebers]

Hi All,

Well thank you all for your replies.

I managed to do some AS level at college, unfortunately sucked greatly with D,E, and U for my cores the problem was I just had far too many distractions at the time, and just could focus, I know that the thought of doing it again is going to be tricky, but if its possible, I really want to get it done!

qiaoyu.he, you mention the course can be done for under £100? I presume this is the self taugght line with the purchase of all the books etc? or are you referring to just the exams?

Sammy Lou, thanks for the mention of SNAB, certainly worth a look in! when you say getting help, I presume you mean sort of a "private tutor"? does anyone know roughly what the cost of these would be?

I just think its crazy that the cost of the college course is about £1500 + Exam Fee's + VAT!

[sammy-lou]

(Original post by jeebers)
Hi All,

Well thank you all for your replies.

I managed to do some AS level at college, unfortunately sucked greatly with D,E, and U for my cores the problem was I just had far too many distractions at the time, and just could focus, I know that the thought of doing it again is going to be tricky, but if its possible, I really want to get it done!

qiaoyu.he, you mention the course can be done for under £100? I presume this is the self taugght line with the purchase of all the books etc? or are you referring to just the exams?

Sammy Lou, thanks for the mention of SNAB, certainly worth a look in! when you say getting help, I presume you mean sort of a "private tutor"? does anyone know roughly what the cost of these would be?

I just think its crazy that the cost of the college course is about £1500 + Exam Fee's + VAT!

Private tutors for A Level biology are difficult to find and expensive, unfortunately! My parents were lucky enough to come in to some money recently so have been able to afford to get me a tutor, but she costs us £45 per hour. I think generally they'll range from £30 - £50, although obviously there will be exceptions to that.

[glitterphobia]

(Original post by jeebers)
Hi All,

Well thank you all for your replies.

I managed to do some AS level at college, unfortunately sucked greatly with D,E, and U for my cores the problem was I just had far too many distractions at the time, and just could focus, I know that the thought of doing it again is going to be tricky, but if its possible, I really want to get it done!

qiaoyu.he, you mention the course can be done for under £100? I presume this is the self taugght line with the purchase of all the books etc? or are you referring to just the exams?

Sammy Lou, thanks for the mention of SNAB, certainly worth a look in! when you say getting help, I presume you mean sort of a "private tutor"? does anyone know roughly what the cost of these would be?

I just think its crazy that the cost of the college course is about £1500 + Exam Fee's + VAT!

After coming out of A-Level Biology from college and getting two Us in my second year I decided to be self taught. I knew I could do it, I just think the teaching at the college was awful. I'm currently studying for my exam on the 15th june and I retook the other exam I got a U in in January. I got a B in that exam - the highest result I've ever got from A-Level even though I only gave myself a month to cram for the exam. So it definately can be done. I think once you get into it, it's actually a very interesting subject that keeps you occupied. Just make sure you make use of the internet resources, get a few books off ebay and you're sorted.

Good luck