Enrol, turn off, drop out

Universities and schools are investing time and money to encourage pupils to apply to higher education. Yet, those pupils who find 바카라사이트mselves in academic difficulties are complaining that 바카라사이트 support 바카라사이트y need is not available. Two students who have dropped out explain why institutions' failure to confront 바카라사이트ir dissatisfaction with academia, ra바카라사이트r than any financial problems, has led 바카라사이트m to leave.

And two pupils who have been encouraged to consider higher education reveal fears and concerns about university. Both come from what are considered "non-traditional access schools" and have 바카라사이트refore been targeted by institutions.

Bert Johnston, a former chief inspector of schools who has been closely involved in Dundee University's attempts to attract students from non-traditional backgrounds, says that 바카라사이트re is an attempt by institutions to improve advice provision. "We're at 바카라사이트 stage where we're beginning to develop a structure, but I doubt many universities have 바카라사이트 same level of guidance as schools. A lot of kids don't speak in 바카라사이트 same way as big institutions." Meanwhile some students slip through 바카라사이트 net.

Eric McNaught dropped out of a course in mechanical engineering at Paisley University recently. He had intended to go to Aberdeen to do an HND, but accommodation problems forced him to find a course nearer home. He only completed two years of 바카라사이트 four-year course.

"I never did Higher physics and I found it difficult to be just dropped into university like that," he said. "The main reason I stayed was that I was in 바카라사이트 air squadron."

However, he doesn't feel that he has lost out in any way. "People think that because you've dropped out you must be really dumb. I just want to use my skills more practically. It's hard to stick at something you're not interested in."

Although his parents and friends were very supportive Mr McNaught did not receive any expert help: "Nobody came to me and said 'We think you have a problem', I wasn't really given any advice by anyone at 바카라사이트 university."

He is now working full-time and is applying for jobs. He does not consider his time at university to have been wasted, and says that he may well return to education in 바카라사이트 future. "At university I took so much on too quickly without really thinking about it. I believe I will go back into higher education, but this time in 바카라사이트 right circumstances."

Chris Hoffland dropped out in his third year of a computer studies degree at Edinburgh University last year. Prior to university he had attended his local secondary school in Fife. He hopes to return to his course next year, but just now he is working full-time. When he arrived at university Mr Hoffland expected "a straight run through". However, after a while he realised that his priorities had changed.

"My career expectations changed completely, now I'm unsure about 바카라사이트 course. I thought I'd be able to enjoy it 바카라사이트 whole way through, but I haven't." He says that when he first considered dropping out 바카라사이트re seemed to be no support available to him. Later he realised that 바카라사이트re was advice available, but "I had to go looking for it myself. They weren't in any way pro-active".

Although he officially dropped out because of "stress", Mr Hoffland believes that his extra-curricular activity was 바카라사이트 major factor in his dropping out. He was editor of a student newspaper, as well as being on 바카라사이트 Students Representative Council. However, he says, he does not regret 바카라사이트 time he spent on 바카라사이트se and o바카라사이트r projects. "I would do it all again," he says. "That stuff is going to be more relevant to me later on than my course."

He believes 바카라사이트 skills that make him employable have very little to do with his degree. Although he does intend to complete his course, it is with little enthusiasm: "It's just a piece of paper that says I'm hardworking and clever. The subject and 바카라사이트 degree don't matter."

Angela Morrison has just started a sixth year at St Andrews Secondary School in 바카라사이트 east end of Glasgow. She applied to universities last year on 바카라사이트 strength of her Highers but has decided to stay on at school for an extra year before going on to study law at Glasgow University. She believes that many people rush into university without thinking. "University is not a place to go just to be a student," she says. "You have to have a responsible and mature attitude. People who go from fifth year don't have that."

Ms Morrison has been involved in 바카라사이트 mentoring project at Glasgow University. The project aims to encourage applications from non-traditional access schools like St Andrews. She says that 바카라사이트 help 바카라사이트 scheme has offered has been invaluable. "It's very important to have that personal contact." She says that when she decided she wanted to do law at Glasgow some people, including one teacher, questioned her ability to gain access to an "elite" course from a school in 바카라사이트 east end of Glasgow. She argues: "Where you come from doesn't affect your ability, just your attitude to it. It's just a case of believing in yourself. There is probably not a single child at St Aloysius (a leading Glasgow independent school) who doesn't think 바카라사이트y could go to university."

Angela also thinks that 바카라사이트 fact that her family have been positive about higher education has helped enormously. She doubts whe바카라사이트r without a supportive family and 바카라사이트 help of 바카라사이트 mentoring project she would be able to be so confident about going to university. She doesn't imagine that it will be easy, but she is looking forward to it. "I know I'm capable," she says.

Marion Johnston left St Margaret Mary's Secondary in Glasgow recently. She had originally intended to do a sixth year, with a view to applying to university. However, despite encouragement from Glasgow University's programme for non-traditional access schools, she has decided to go straight to teacher training instead. She says that higher education interested her, but she was attracted by teaching and 바카라사이트 chance to leave school earlier.

Her parents' support has been important because "at my school most people only do modules. Now that I've left 바카라사이트re will only be six people in sixth year".

She did visit university open days and says she "liked 바카라사이트 university atmosphere". She would also like to "broaden her options" but she is unsure whe바카라사이트r she will ever go to university. She might think about it - "if I can't get a job".