Worrying about getting into uni (terrible grades)

no-fat-chicks

Well I was thinking of doing a music technology course because I've been improving in that subject this year. Not really thought of anything else but uni because of my dad, he lives far away from me and thinks i'm a genius even though i've told him i'm not good academically. He wants me to go to university and i personally do want to go.

I think my grades are because i am easily distracted when studying and find it impossible to concentrate and remember facts in exams.

Ps. thanks for the quick replies :smile:

Well, first of all, forget what your dad thinks or wants. It's your life, not his.

Secondly, be honest with yourself. You may say you want to go to uni but what would be the point? Even with your grades, I'm sure you could still find a bottom rung university that would find you a spot on some course or another but then, why spend 3 years to acquire a third rate degree from a third rate university?

Couldn't you find something that you could really enjoy and excel at and spend 3 years immersed in that instead?

Reply 22

Origami Bullets

19

How many such jobs are available such year, how many people go after those jobs, and would it be possible for you to train on the job / through college or otherwise not through university?

There are some degrees that over recruit massively - I believe that there are 40 times as many new Media Studies graduates each year as there are vacancies in the sector.

Reply 23

OP

Origami Bullets

What were your GCSE grades, and were you working then? If so, how many hours?

200 points would be CDD

No i wasn't working during my GCSEs but i didn't revise for my exams either but i got:

3 B's
5 C's
2 D's

Although many people on TSR would consider these grades crap, I'm quite proud of myself lol

Reply 24

OP

Well I think i will apply for music tech courses on UCAS, work my ass off this year and If I get good A-level results I will decline my offers, take a gap year (and possibly do a course with the Open uni) and then re-apply for UCAS next year?

or would you think thats a terrible idea?

Reply 25

yesioo

3 B's
5 C's
2 D's

You have your 5 A's to C's which is what counts :smile:

. Do you have at least a C in Maths and English?

You won't get into a great Uni OP, but seeming as you've cut your hours down and if you get your act together you could most likely try to get onto a 200 points course?

Marjons in Plymouth ask for EE.

However, do you really want to go University or do you feel that because everyone else is doing it you have to? I suggest you go and speak to your careers advisor :smile:

Well I think i will apply for music tech courses on UCAS, work my ass off this year and If I get good A-level results I will decline my offers, take a gap year (and possibly do a course with the Open uni) and then re-apply for UCAS next year?

or would you think thats a terrible idea?

I think this is a good plan.

Reply 26

OP

yesioo

However, do you really want to go University or do you feel that because everyone else is doing it you have to?

I want to go to university so that I will end up with a higher paid job in a subject I enjoy doing.

And I got B in GCSE maths and C in English language (D in literature).

Also, my plan has a major flaw....what if my A-level results are bad?

Reply 27

yesioo

I want to go to university so that I will end up with a higher paid job in a subject I enjoy doing.

And I got B in GCSE maths and C in English language (D in literature).

Also, my plan has a major flaw....what if my A-level results are bad?

It may not happen, it all depends on the degree you gain and what you do with it.
If you get bad results you can always retake.

Reply 28

WildBerrySpirit

no-fat-chicks

My As grades:

Government & politics(Overall>E):
Unit 1> D
Unit 2>U

Music Technology(Overall>E):
Coursework>D
Exam>U

Biology(Overall>E):
Unit 1>C
Unit 2>U
Practical exam>D

Chemistry(Overall>E):
unit 1>U
Unit 2>U
Practical exam>C

I've dropped chemistry and I'm re-taking unit 2 of politics and biology and the music tech exam.

Just worrying that I won't be able to get into uni because i'm not good at exams and get terrible marks!!!

Then prepare to do better at your exams. It's not that you're not good, maybe you just don't know to structure your exam, make it flow properly and constructively? If concentration is a problem, get it sorted; force yourself to get motivated and get on with it.

Reply 29

Origami Bullets

19

no-fat-chicks

Well I think i will apply for music tech courses on UCAS, work my ass off this year and If I get good A-level results I will decline my offers, take a gap year (and possibly do a course with the Open uni) and then re-apply for UCAS next year?

or would you think thats a terrible idea?

Why not apply for deferred entry, so that you can start after your gap year, but still apply this year?

Reply 30

Tsukuyomi

no-fat-chicks

My As grades:

Government & politics(Overall>E):
Unit 1> D
Unit 2>U

Music Technology(Overall>E):
Coursework>D
Exam>U

Biology(Overall>E):
Unit 1>C
Unit 2>U
Practical exam>D

Chemistry(Overall>E):
unit 1>U
Unit 2>U
Practical exam>C

I've dropped chemistry and I'm re-taking unit 2 of politics and biology and the music tech exam.

Just worrying that I won't be able to get into uni because i'm not good at exams and get terrible marks!!!

i will not lie does are crap grades, but look on the bright side, if i were you id retake unit2 of government and politics this january along with music tech exams, plus try and improve your coursework on music tech, and retake unit 2 biology, if all goes well you could then think about retaking other modules were you got c/d in june

Reply 31

Tsukuyomi

one last thing, list all your unit grades as pending.. for your own good

Reply 32

lorietta

I know this may sound extreem but have you thought of retaking year 12? My friend did this as he had crap grades, but when he retook the whole year he really knuckeled down and got BCC for his second lot of AS's and is doing well so far this year.

Another option would be to do a foundation year at a uni which would mean an extre year of studying, but you can get student finance for all four years. I know people who are doing this who are finding it incredably rewarding, and getting good grades.

I know a lot of people are saying "is uni for you" and all of this stuff, but it sounds like you have a really good plan, the problem with things like media degrees is they are too vague and the media industry apparently prefers graduates from courses such as "film and TV production" but music tech sounds a lot more specific and could leed to a rewarding career. It might be good to try and find some experience in this area, perhaps over the summer.

Reply 33

OP

lorietta

I know this may sound extreem but have you thought of retaking year 12? My friend did this as he had crap grades, but when he retook the whole year he really knuckeled down and got BCC for his second lot of AS's and is doing well so far this year.

Another option would be to do a foundation year at a uni which would mean an extre year of studying, but you can get student finance for all four years. I know people who are doing this who are finding it incredably rewarding, and getting good grades.

I know a lot of people are saying "is uni for you" and all of this stuff, but it sounds like you have a really good plan, the problem with things like media degrees is they are too vague and the media industry apparently prefers graduates from courses such as "film and TV production" but music tech sounds a lot more specific and could leed to a rewarding career. It might be good to try and find some experience in this area, perhaps over the summer.

I really really would like to avoid retaking my As year again, much rather do a foundation year at uni.

I really appreciate the people who are helping me, unlike the ones that are basically saying i'm **** and not to go uni etc...

Reply 34

llys

17

If you want to do Music Technology, you might consider switching to a BTEC National Diploma in Music Technology. Or you could finish your A-Levels and then apply for HNDs or Foundation degrees in Music Tech. These make up the first two years of university-level study, and are probably easier to get onto than a BSc. You can then go into a job or top-up to a BSc (one more year of study).

For example, this Foundation degree in Music and Sound Technology at Bournemouth University (not a bad uni for creative subjects) only has entry requirements of 80-120 UCAS points. If you do well you can top up to their BSc (Hons) Music and Audio Technology. However, a foundation degree is probably enough to get a job as a technician in sound recording/radio production (my guess).

Reply 35

petitepiaf

I'd say you have a few options- you could resit either year 12 or 13, whilst making sure you cut down on work and really study hard, or see if you can take a foundation year. Don't go to a university/course you're not happy with or will be of no use to you! Good luck :smile:

Reply 36

OP

UPDATE:

Just to let y'all know I've actually received an offer from Hull University, asking for 220 Points.

Think I could make it ?

:smile:

still waiting for a reply from my other choices.

Reply 37

Origami Bullets

19

no-fat-chicks

UPDATE:

Just to let y'all know I've actually received an offer from Hull University, asking for 220 Points.

Think I could make it ?

:smile:

still waiting for a reply from my other choices.

Congratulations!

Reply 38

OP