Access course gaining distinctions whilst working 3 days a week: possible?
Hi thanks for stopping by,
So I want to get onto a decent degree in engineering or surveying and either need a levels or access. I wasnt motivated at school and thus dont have the a levels i would need. But now im ready to work up to a good career. The sooner i can get to uni the better and since access can be done in a year i was leaning towards that.
The best courses seem to want 30 credits at distinction and 15 at merit AT LEAST. I would need to work 3 full days a week (weekends and one weekday) in order to pay rent and afford living costs.
That would leave 3 full days a week plus some evening time after work although i'll be tired so not that much. I will need one day off each week or it'll kill me.
Am I right in assuming that im unlikely to fit in enough work to gain the necessary grades? Perhaps I would be better off spreading it over 2 years or doing a levels instead? Seems like if i was gona do 2 years i might as well just do a levels, what do u reckon?
Im prepared to work hard but Im only human. I've been out of study for a while so am not up for working myself to death every waking minute. Not worth destroying my health and sanity. If it has to be 2 years then so be it, although one year would obviously be better if its possible.
Would love to hear advice from people who managed to hit the high grades on an access course, as well as people who had to work for a living alongside their course. And any other tips for success. Thanks a lot!!
So I want to get onto a decent degree in engineering or surveying and either need a levels or access. I wasnt motivated at school and thus dont have the a levels i would need. But now im ready to work up to a good career. The sooner i can get to uni the better and since access can be done in a year i was leaning towards that.
The best courses seem to want 30 credits at distinction and 15 at merit AT LEAST. I would need to work 3 full days a week (weekends and one weekday) in order to pay rent and afford living costs.
That would leave 3 full days a week plus some evening time after work although i'll be tired so not that much. I will need one day off each week or it'll kill me.
Am I right in assuming that im unlikely to fit in enough work to gain the necessary grades? Perhaps I would be better off spreading it over 2 years or doing a levels instead? Seems like if i was gona do 2 years i might as well just do a levels, what do u reckon?
Im prepared to work hard but Im only human. I've been out of study for a while so am not up for working myself to death every waking minute. Not worth destroying my health and sanity. If it has to be 2 years then so be it, although one year would obviously be better if its possible.
Would love to hear advice from people who managed to hit the high grades on an access course, as well as people who had to work for a living alongside their course. And any other tips for success. Thanks a lot!!
It's doable. If you know you're the kind of person who can set time aside to work and resist procrastinating then you can do it. I've not quite had the same commitments as you but one person on my course works more days, has kids and gets distinctions on pretty much everything. I think those with more commitments are better at managing their time because they have to be.
Since you're looking at something like engineering you need to be sure you can cope with Access because that will involve a fair bit of science on the Access course. If you're relatively familiar with it then your in a much better position. I study Biology, Chemistry and English on my course and the science subjects are more difficult, particularly early on in the course when your thrown into the deep end.
If at all possible try and find out the topics that you'll be studying on the Access course and then purchase a couple of books covering some of those areas and read bits of it over the Summer. It may not all make sense when you first read it but it will give an idea of the kind of thing that will be required of you on the course and it should make things a little easier because you will already be familiar with parts of the course.
Since you're looking at something like engineering you need to be sure you can cope with Access because that will involve a fair bit of science on the Access course. If you're relatively familiar with it then your in a much better position. I study Biology, Chemistry and English on my course and the science subjects are more difficult, particularly early on in the course when your thrown into the deep end.
If at all possible try and find out the topics that you'll be studying on the Access course and then purchase a couple of books covering some of those areas and read bits of it over the Summer. It may not all make sense when you first read it but it will give an idea of the kind of thing that will be required of you on the course and it should make things a little easier because you will already be familiar with parts of the course.
It is entirely possible to get distinctions if you are organised and persistent.
Working 3 days a week is likely not to exceed 30 hours per week in actual work time. Use your lunch breaks and commuting time to read or review material. Once you know when assignments are due, schedule any holiday time from work you have to give yourself some dedicated study time, a day off a week before a deadline is a good idea. You will typically have less than 21 hours a week of contact time in college. So you have plenty of time on paper to spend doing the additional study and allow yourself time off. Consider getting up early before college and reading material relevant to the classes you are attending that day. You will get far more out of a class you are prepared for. Being confident to ask questions in class will also help. Try to have assignments complete a few days before the deadline. Submitting at the last minute adds to stress and if something comes up at the last minute, you may miss your deadline.
Prepare yourself over the summer for the English and Maths elements of the course, if hou are confident in this area, you may be able to use the time allocated to these subjects more effectively. You should be able to borrow books from the library which cover the GCSE material, the Access course equivalent will be at a similar level.
If you have previously prioritised socialising over studying, this will need to change for the duration of your Access course if you want to achieve your goals. The teaching part of Access is only about 7 months, once you take Christmas and Easter into account. So ask your friends and family to support your studies by being understanding when scheduling meet ups etc. But do your part by being organised about your studies and if you need help, ask early, don't suffer in silence.
When I had to work and study at the same time, being organised was key and resisting the urge to procrastinate, made for a positive study experience. Even when I could study exclusively, unless you are organised, time has a nasty habit of slipping away. The only difference is you don't have work as an excuse for not getting it done.
Good Luck.
Working 3 days a week is likely not to exceed 30 hours per week in actual work time. Use your lunch breaks and commuting time to read or review material. Once you know when assignments are due, schedule any holiday time from work you have to give yourself some dedicated study time, a day off a week before a deadline is a good idea. You will typically have less than 21 hours a week of contact time in college. So you have plenty of time on paper to spend doing the additional study and allow yourself time off. Consider getting up early before college and reading material relevant to the classes you are attending that day. You will get far more out of a class you are prepared for. Being confident to ask questions in class will also help. Try to have assignments complete a few days before the deadline. Submitting at the last minute adds to stress and if something comes up at the last minute, you may miss your deadline.
Prepare yourself over the summer for the English and Maths elements of the course, if hou are confident in this area, you may be able to use the time allocated to these subjects more effectively. You should be able to borrow books from the library which cover the GCSE material, the Access course equivalent will be at a similar level.
If you have previously prioritised socialising over studying, this will need to change for the duration of your Access course if you want to achieve your goals. The teaching part of Access is only about 7 months, once you take Christmas and Easter into account. So ask your friends and family to support your studies by being understanding when scheduling meet ups etc. But do your part by being organised about your studies and if you need help, ask early, don't suffer in silence.
When I had to work and study at the same time, being organised was key and resisting the urge to procrastinate, made for a positive study experience. Even when I could study exclusively, unless you are organised, time has a nasty habit of slipping away. The only difference is you don't have work as an excuse for not getting it done.
Good Luck.
(edited 10 years ago)
Yes it is doable is you are organised and remain focused. I have 3 children and am sitting Maths and English GCSE alongside an access course and I have gained all but one modular at distinction so far.
Thanks everyone for your advice, very encouraging. By switching a few things round i should be able to create a decent amount of free time to put the work in.
I'll be working part time (around 26hrs) whilst doing a full time Access course. I don't think it'll be easy, but I think if you have the determination and passion then you should be fine. 
Access course aren't difficult at all. You should be able to get more than the required distinctions
I'm working 35 hours a week at the moment whilst doing a full time access course, including two late nights on a Monday and Friday after attending college in the morning. Its is possible to get distinctions as long as you are willing to put the work in. I'm 27 and don't go out half as much as I use to so I do have time to study at home when needed. I'm on 41 distinctions out of 41 at the moment and I am pretty confident that I will carry this on in my remaining units. I too need 30 distinctions and 15 merits for my offer at The Uni of Sheffield, for computer science. Its all about commitment. Good luck
Hearing stories from others who are in the same boat is very helpful and confidence inspiring, many thanks and hope u all reach your goals
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