Do I stay on at the 6th form or go onto the institue!?

Jordie

Jordie

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Jordie
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Basically I am not enjoying the 6th form AT ALL. I was really forced into going there by my parents I had a job lined up 12k a year to start with in some sense it was an apprenticeship, but they would of kept me on, and my salary would of gone up.

Im not getting on well at the 6th form either, im struggling with most of my courses (IT and Photography) being the main ones. (Shame about photography, its just not what I thought it would be, its a challenge but im not enjoying yet another year of academic photography. I just want to go out and enjoy it without the pressures of "Oh that reminds me, I need to get some photography done") IT, thats abismal to say the least. Im really behind in it, 3/4 bits of coursework behind me and the teacher never connected, I didnt go to one lesson, and though "Just one cant hurt" Since then, I went to one lesson in December, a couple this month and never since. I have had numerous meetings with my senior tutor about what im doing.Today we established if I carry on at 6th form what I am doing. What im going to do about the lessons, and simply whether I stay or not.
English is a drag. I struggle with it so much genuinly I cannot do it. I found it hard at GCSE level. Got roped into doing it at AS level and tried to get on with it. The only lesson I really enjoy is film studies, which is a shame, because I reckon I could get so much more out of the sixth form. But I just dont physically enjoy it any more. I guess another option is to drop out now, and re-apply next academic year, giving myself enough time to sort myself out, "think" what courses I wish to do and just get on with it, and not bunk like I have this year.

Institute if I went there I would like to do either Art & Design Digital Graphics National Diploma,

Course Description
This programme is a broad based course designed to allow
students the opportunity to gain skills and knowledge in various
areas of design, digital image preparation and digital media
production. The course is particularly appropriate for school
leavers and mature students who have an interest in computing
and graphic design, producing digital design imaging for web
pages, advertising, marketing, printing and publishing.
Students with an enthusiasm for design creativity and the
manipulation of graphics and typography will benefit most
from this course. Students are encouraged to secure a work
placement within the middle summer vacation period of the
course to further their own career aspirations and ambitions.
Delivery includes taught lecture periods, academic support
tutorials, computer workshops, design studio workshops,
presentations and small group workshops.
Course Content
• Graphic design/image manipulation
• Digital photography
• Advertising design/semiology
• Interactive web design/animation
• Printing and publishing
• Page layout/magazine design
• Colour psychology
Career Opportunities
Graphic design, web page design, advertising, printing,
publishing and digital design studies.
Course Progression
Foundation degree or BA (Hons) degree.
Click to expand...

Or

BTEC National Diploma for IT
Practitioners

Course Description
A National Diploma is a combined practical and theoretical
work-related course. You learn by completing projects,
assignments and practical activities that are based on
workplace situations. This course will help learners develop the
skills they need in order to understand the variety and complexity
of the IT industry. In the second year of the course students will
have the opportunity to focus on either Networking or
Software Development through the study of specialist units
and in their IT Project. Delivery is through practical work,
classroom activities and group teaching. Each unit is individually
assessed through coursework.
Course Content
Core Units include:
• Computer Systems
• Information Systems
• IT Technical Support
• IT Systems Troubleshooting and Repair
• Organisational System Security
Specialist Units include:
• Website Production and Management
• Principles of Software Design and Development
• Advanced Spreadsheets Skills
• Advanced Database Skills
• IT Project
• Communications Technologies
• Principles of Computer Networks
• Event Driven Programming
• Computer Architecture
Career Opportunities
Students may go into careers in many IT related disciplines in a
wide variety of businesses. Roles include technicians and
technical support staff, and students may progress to
professional status in their chosen field. Areas of employment
may include business systems management, MIS, networking,
user support and software engineering.
Course Progression
Successful completion of the Diploma will enable entry onto
degree courses including the BSC Computing Solutions
(Internet or Network) at Colchester Institute.
Click to expand...

They both offer hugely what I want to delve into when I am of age to start going for a career, Although my life long dream is to be a photographer of some description. But thats not looking too great atm.

Anyways enough about me moaning and droaning. Im stuck for choices :help:
 
Jordie, if it's any help you are welcome to come and have a coffee and chat with me, and discuss your options if you want to. I can give you a lot of insight into both IT and photography careers in the real world.

PM me if you want to meet up again and I'll set aside some time in my busy hectic life. :lol:
 
That would be nice heppers :) Cheers for the offer. Really need to get out with the camera again. Its been a while :)

I'll PM you tomorrow. Im far too tired to do any more.

Speak shortly Jordie :)
 
No problem. Might be late evening before I get chance to reply.
 
Only YOU know the answer to this one!
As I mentioned in your previous question about whether you should do an apprenticeship or go to sixth form - I was practically 'forced' into going to 6th form by my mother. I did well at GCSE level, and passed every exam with an A or B, but I just wasn't interested in staying on and going to sixth form. I started off with 4 A Levels and by the end of my 2 years, I was down to 2 as I basically was not interested in being there. I failed both A Levels. I found sixth form a complete waste of 2 years of my life - all to satify my mother (who was not happy that I failed my A Levels :lol: ).

I think you ultimately have to do what makes YOU happy, not what makes others happy.

After leaving sixth form, I worked in a pharmacy for a year, then went to Uni to study midwifery - something that I actually wanted to do for myself, and I've been doing my dream job for the past 13 years now :)

I still regret going to sixth form though!
 
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Jordie

To be brutally honest I cant see any point in changing to the course at the institute unless you are willing to do the work. You will still have to motivate yourself to attend lectures and do your assignments. Getting a good education is not just about enjoying yourself. It is work.

When you leave education you will have to work much longer hours than you need to do at sixth form or college and a lot of the time you wont be enjoying your work. If work was fun people wouldnt have to be paid to do it.

Only you can choose which of the two courses you would like to do but I imagine both would include stuff that wasnt fun and involved sitting for hours writing up coursework.

I know I probably sound like your Mum but I have done A levels,a BSc degree, Msc degree and a diploma.I had to work hard for all of them and motivate myself to do the written stuff when I really didnt want to.

Having said all this, it sounds as if the English is too hard for you. Maybe you could stay in the sixth form but give up the English and concentrate and work hard on your other subjects.
 
ladysue said:
To be brutally honest I cant see any point in changing to the course at the institute unless you are willing to do the work. You will still have to motivate yourself to attend lectures and do your assignments. Getting a good education is not just about enjoying yourself. It is work.
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Nods head vigourously in agreement. There's a lot of slog involved in education, university was worse than 6th form for me even though I was studying computer systems engineering which was an extension of my hobby, there was an awful lot of boring stuff, tedious assignments and more than one absolutely dreadful lecturer as well.

I'm probably the last person to give advice, but I'd say to the OP to study what interests you while you have the opportunity, it's a lot easier at your age than it will be in 10 years time when you need to work full time to support yourself. Most importantly, whatever you decide to do, whether stay where you are or enrol elsewhere, attend and do the work no matter how uninterested you may be. (nearly failed my 2nd year at university through not attending lectures given by boring lecturers and only scraped an average pass grade at the end of year exams, which was a wakeup call and so I worked in the 3rd year to get the 2.1 I wanted).
 
ladysue said:
a lot of the time you wont be enjoying your work. If work was fun people wouldnt have to be paid to do it.
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Depends what you ultimately end up doing, I suppose! I have a job I love, and can't imagine doing anything else :) But then I AM in a huge minority ;)
 
minimeeze said:
Depends what you ultimately end up doing, I suppose! I have a job I love, and can't imagine doing anything else :) But then I AM in a huge minority ;)
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Just checked to see what you do. Midwifery, I'm sure, is a very rewarding profession. I'm glad to hear you enjoy it. Unfortunately most jobs are either boring or stressful, at least some of the time and I imagine that you had to study and write lots of assignments in order to qualify.

I was just trying to get across to Jordie that life and work can be hard sometimes and that he needs to apply himself if he wants to succeed..
 
this might sound like a strange idea, but isnt this the sort of thing you should be discussing with family and friends rather than on a forum?
maybe i'm getting old fashioned lol :)
 
Gary said:
this might sound like a strange idea, but isnt this the sort of thing you should be discussing with family and friends rather than on a forum?
maybe i'm getting old fashioned lol :)
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the internet has no vested interest ;)
I have told my darkest secrets to people I met online, people I will never meet int he 'real world'
 
I was in a similar boat (this might go off topic, I'm in rant mode). I personally found the art classes very one minded. The A level art classes were not very broad and to be totally honest with you the required trips to Tate Modern to look at upside down toilets and chopped up cow just isn't art to me. The whole "Wow, that's an inspirational approach to drawing a pencil, here's an A*." Compared to the "Yeah, its a photograph, here's a C." Just didn't make much sense. I argued that photography is art, the teacher didn't see it that way. Narrow minded ******* **** *****. I remember speaking to my parents about it and they suggested dropping out and going to college. My dad had the courtesy to pay the teacher a visit, he didn't want me there. I can only imagine what he said. So, I went to the local college, had a look around and enrolled for the following year. It was the best choice I made when it came to my education. I did a Multimedia ND. A 2 year course which consisted of Photoshop, Flash, Dreamweaver and Photography (35mm). It was a fantastic course which allowed me to develop a solid understanding of photography and design. Following this I enrolled for a degree and voila. I'll never ever forget the day that teacher told me that I wasn't going to become anything. I would beg for the chance to see her again and give her what for, the silly ****.

So, now that's over, the point of my story is this; Broaden your horizons and do what you think is best. If A levels are not your thing do something else. A ND is equivalent to 4 A levels (I think), its specialized and your going to be building the foundations of a career sooner than you think. From my experience a university (if you go down this route) are more interested in seeing your passion and skills for the subject (this was the case for me, I have no GCSE's as I studied in Belgium and returned to the UK prior to finishing school, they only issue a High School Diploma when you graduate at 18, its weird, but I am well educated, its complicated,...). Going to them with a specialized course in A or B will be far better than a few broad A levels.

This is obviously from my own experiences, having lived in a few countries, studied in various languages and educational systems. You are better discussing this in more detail with a career adviser and parent/s.
 
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Theres only so much training you can do, go for the real deal and start a photography business. :)
 
david1701 said:
how have we made it this long without cracking an 'institute' related funny :D
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I was just thinking the same thing myself. Seems like a prime target. I've missed reading this until now, else I would have got one in, maybe.
 
Hi Jordie, I cant really offer so much in advice I'm afraid, atleast no more so than what others have already suggested.

However, you should really aim to get your plans sorted out sooner rather than later - I know its easier said than done, but you don't want to end up regretting things in the future.

I can sympathize though, at least you have some idea of what you want and were you want to head with it.
When I was your age 4-5 years ago I had no clue what I really wanted to do, I went through 6th form and hated it, got fairly poor results with subjects I didnt even want to do. I then went to collage for a year to do an art foundation (had to do it for my uni degree) - this was possibly the biggest waste of time I have EVER had in my life. I then ended up at Uni doing Illustration which I thought would be good... I was very wrong, nothing like what I had expected - maybe my own fualt, but still... In my final year now, still hate it with a passion and cant wait for it to be over lol. It was only at the end of my fist year at uni I discovered my real passion for photography, and realised that's ultimately where I wanted to end up (of course its to late to change course :()

I guess if I could do things again, I would have missed out 6th form, done a few years at collage doing photography or whatever they call the course. Then headed to Uni to do Photography or Creative Lens media they call it sometimes. Some people would say Uni is a waste of time, but I think its a very valuable time for meeting new people and really finding yourself. (of course the booze, women and partying is a bonus :thumbs:)

My advice... don't do a me :p - have a really serious think about what YOU really want.

P.s sorry for spelling and grammar I've not slept for going on 2... or is it 3 days now due to finishing my dissertation and having flu.

Hope you sort things out :)
 
david1701 said:
how have we made it this long without cracking an 'institute' related funny :D
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It's taken all my strength to resist it...


Jordie........................


try a mental.....hang on......no. I'll be nice. :lol:
 
Cheers all. :) And Chris trust you... Oh wait you resisted :lol:

I went into my old school today and picked up my GCSE certificates, talked to my head of house, and she was like talk to your mother, and discuss whats best. I dunno why I posted on here, TBH I think I was looking for a second opinion if you know what I mean. I bloody forgot to go get a prospectus from the insitute which is opposite my old school :bang:

Anyways Cheers for all your guidance. Im going to head off now meet friends in town and do what teenagers do best and get completely MASHED!
 
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