The Student Room Group

Problems with Access course

Hi all,

In September I began undertaking a Level 3 Access to H.E. course in Art and Design. I had previously undertaken a BTEC Foundation Diploma in the subject, however I almost dropped out of this for a multitude of reasons, which I won't go into here.

Now, three years later, I was back at the same college, in the same building, once again studying Art and Design. Being three years older (and a mature student) alongside other mature students, I assumed that it would be a much more friendlier environment. Not the case. The group I am in are an odd bunch, and I feel that some of them are there just for something to do and I am struggling how some of them were even considered to be accepted onto it.

One guy just comes in and sleeps on his desk. When he's not doing that, he talks about stuff completely unrelated to the work, such as drugs. Another lady, who's in her mid-forties, is extremely aggressive toward the class and when somebody challenged her on this, she became extremely defensive toward him. Another lady, who clearly has learning difficulties, will just randomly approach people and discuss whatever seems to be on her mind. I am feeling slightly disappointed that there is nobody on the course I feel I can have an intelligent discussion with.

Then there are problems with the course itself. The two tutors are split between three separate groups, consisting of around 30-50 students. This includes the Level 2 Access, Level 3 Access and the Level 4 Professional Practice groups. Because of this, if I have a question or a query, I am often afraid to ask because the tutors are busy with other students. I also had high ambitions of doing a lot of computer based work this year, however despite the college having hundreds of computers available for use, the tutors seem to have no knowledge of how to use Photoshop, Illustrator, etc. despite them being available to use. This is not helped by the fact that the elder tutor of the two who's almost seventy(!), seems to believe that computer based artwork is 'just a fad'.

My main interests have always laid with animation for sometime, and I had hoped to use some animation software at the college in order to do this. I had even offered to pay for the software myself, which as a student, I would have been eligible for a discount for. Despite this, the college are unable to provide me with a concrete answer as to whether I can use it on their systems or not. As I do not have my own laptop, I am unable to consider the option of installing it on my own computer and using it at the college. Nevertheless, I am astounded that a specialised art college do not have any provisions to provide animation tuition or facilities for its students.

Regardless, the whole point of me joining the course this year was to progress my drawing and painting skills. I had applied to three Arts universities last year, AUB, Bournemouth and Uni. of Herts, and all three rejected my portfolio due to poor standard of observational life drawing work. Despite submitting this feedback to my tutors for their consideration, I am just spending my time drawing silly storyboard sketches when I really want to get into some proper life model drawing/painting.

Whilst the course has a life model drawing element to it, last week's life painting session got off to a bad start when some paint brushes I had ordered, specifically paying extra for first class postage, did not arrive in time and arrived late for an unknown reason. Similarly the painting canvas I had ordered was not the correct one, although it would do for this purpose. I had never painted before and was not told what to get. I feel as though I have been given little guidance on how to make my drawings work, with the tutor suggesting I need 'blind faith' to make it work. This advice, I feel, isn't good enough. One would not measure an object 'with blind faith' so why would somebody apply the same logic to drawing? I cannot understand this.

I have asked to meet with the Head of School as soon as I can to try and resolve the matter, however she has stated that due to Ofsted inspectors, she is incredibly busy and would be unable to do so until the following Thursday. Because of this, I have decided to 'strike' and stop attending the course until the matters have been resolved. It seems to me that nobody seems interested in helping me continue and succeed on the course. When I am in class, I am finding the work boring, dull and pointless. Perhaps in this case, it is not for me.

I am finding myself becoming dejected with the course and frankly, a drudgery. I am considering withdrawing if the issues are not resolved and as I have stated to staff, I cannot carry on like this.

I would be interested in anybody's thoughts/opinions on this whole fiasco.
(edited 8 years ago)
Interesting scenario to which I am sure every self respecting student can in some way relate.

First, I don't see what the strike achieves other than further distance yourself from the course, teachers, and classmates. If there were several of you it would be different.

My guess is every access course has it's fair share of dossers. The course is designed for people who 'college did not work out for the first time round' ie drop outs and those who left at 16.

I dont know anything about art but it in my access class a couple of us who want to get ahead sort of peer review each others work. Maybe this is something you can try? To some extent you are just going to have to try and overcome the difficulties through getting books from the library and relying on youtube.
The matters specific to Art & Design I can't advise on, since it's not my area of expertise.

Presumably, you chose this course because it can potentially get you onto a/the degree course you want to do. If so, it's very unlikely that that has changed. Therefore, you just have to focus on your efforts and getting to where you want to be. Believe me, I know how frustrating it is when you want to take your studies seriously and you look around you and see your fellow students not giving it much effort. But you can't control what they do, only what you do. So, you just have to grit your teeth and get on with it.

Same almost certainly applies to the college and its facilities. My FE college where I did Access to Humanities has a pretty naff selection of humanities resources. I made the best of it and now I'm at a uni that has very good resources. So that's what you have to use as motivation to get through these trying times.
Why are they going to help someone who never comes into college? You mentioned you are on strike. Talk to your teachers your student rep your personal tutor.

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