How Can A Drop-Out Go Back & Acquire Higher Education?

Hello Nairalanders,

I just learned of this forum from a friend. Wow, it's very interesting and educative. You are doing a great job.

I would like you guys to please advice me on what to do. I was not privileged enough to acquire good education because of poverty. I dropped out of secondary school without taking WAEC examinations because I was angry at life and I wanted to make a better life for myself and my family.

After dropping out of school I managed to travel to Bulgaria. Initially, I did menial jobs. At a time, I developed business relationships with some traders in Nigeria and some other African countries and started supplying them with goods. So money started coming in and my family back home started smiling.

To make a long story short, I am now 33 year old and a holder of Bulgarian passport. As from January 2007 Bulgaria will become a member of the European Union. So I would like to relocate to the UK to see if I can go back to school.

Please advice me on how I can brush myself up and acquire higher education over there.

Thanks in advance.

@Bulga

Go ahead and make your dreams a reality. What you need is Pre-Access and/or Access courses. The courses are aimed at adults (minimum age is 19) who want to study but don’t have the necessary qualifications to get into higher education. They’re an ideal way to get back into the study habit by introducing you not just to the subject but how to learn at this level. Access courses are provided in the UK by many further education colleges, as well as some universities, and take up to a year to complete. However, they are flexible and some people take their time and study over two years.

You’ll usually be able to study full or part-time. In between, you’ll study on your own or meet up with others on your course, and this is all part of what the course is about. You’ll be introduced to the study skills you need, such as taking notes and revising, writing essays or reports and researching topics in the library or on the internet.

Access courses start off with a gentle introduction to study, but by the end you'll have all the knowledge and skills you need to progress to higher education and achieve the qualifications you’re aiming for. You will have also spent a year or more studying alongside people who have goals and aspirations like yourself, which can be a great source of support.

This is the right route for you, get in touch with some colleges and universities over there and obtain the information you need, they will point you towards the nearest course that's right for you

Courses usually cover a broad subject area, for example, business, science or humanities (which touches on geography, history and other subjects). This means you can begin to study even if you’re not yet sure what course or qualification you eventually want to aim for. Your tutors on the course will be able to help you make the right choice and help with any application to higher education you decide to make.

Check out the following link for more information www.ocnlr.org.uk/accessdirectory/help.html

Besides, as an European Union student, I believe you will qualify for financial support.

Good luck my dear.

I have a friend that was dropped out from school by the step mother.

I know what she is going through right now, the despair and all that, She speaks well but could not read nor write. There are times she would just sit and start crying with the thought of not having a secondary school education.

Please is there anywhere where she can learn how to read and write, and probably get a high school education, so that she get her O'levels.

very simple!!!!!go to any school you wish to study and make an enquiry,if you meet up with the school requirement ,fine!!!!!!!!!!!!!,then ask for the next thing to do.

Hi there

Go ahead and enquire about the requirements in that particular country if one wishes to study. I dont see a problem with you continuing your education. There's no age limit in education and everyday we learn something new.

Believe in God, he's always there to listen.

Good luck

it start with determination followed by endurance and persistence
In short before seeking any information be sure it what you want and it is for the right reason then be enthusiastic about it. When you feel enthusiastic, nothing can stop you! http://www.mindjuicezine.com/mjtoday.html
Gooing back to school after a while is not that easy
but can be done

Just follow your dreams. It is never too late to go to school. Be determined and you will get there.
Good luck

Your best bet, if you reside abroad would be to contact your local community colleges and explain your dilema. They would, most readily accomodate you. For Nigerians, I don't know, how the system works, how about contacting the local/branch office of the Ministry of Education?

Goodluck.

hi guy,
You want to take your career to the next level; and the prospect of becoming a student again - especially when you already work a 24/7 job - is overwhelming. But don't rule school out yet! It is possible to return to school while balancing your personal and professional responsibilities.
You go ahead and follow ur mind.

I'm happy for you and I'm glad you want to go back to school. Simply make enquiry in any school you desire,

You can also check the internet for information.

i'm delighted for you, please follow your dreams, i know this must have been in your heart for sometime, and you actually could have done it before now but you kept putting it off.
i want to believe you're about to actually do it NOW
come on man, you can do it.
yes its a lot of hard work but since when did hard work kill anybody?
i am impressed by your write-up, it speaks of intelligence and i believe that YOU CAN DO IT
good luck, brother.

well, since i hv an idea on how d education system in the u.k works the best thing to do is go into one of the colleges and apply 4 a level 2 qualification or equivalent which is basically gcse/waec then u build it up from there
or
you can do something more vocational, depending on the college, u're likely to be spoilt for choice and will be offered flexibility that way you work and learn, but make sure u get loads of info before making applications so u know what options you have,
gudluck.

@bulga,
Congratulations on taking the first step by asking for help. Once you legally enter the UK, you can take up a college course at any college in your borough. Most of the courses are free (EU Residents only) and your age is an advantage.
if you think you are up to the challenge, you can even start a university degree immediately at any British university. Your age qualifies you automatically and your business experience is an advantage. I wish you the best.

u've got the determination so i guess it shd be easier for u to go back and go through school.

pick up where you left off and Keep focus.

with the determination to further your study
without determiantion i dont thinj a drop out stand any chance at all

I thank you all for the responses and the support am getting. They mean a lot to me.

At present, I am conducting careful research that will enable me to choose a course (access or vocational) and an institution I will study at. Besides, I have packed my belongings, I am waiting for January to relocate to London. So there's no element of procrastination.

Once again, thanks. I will keep following this thread so any advice you give will still be highly appreciated.

Bulga:

I thank you all for the responses and the support am getting. They mean a lot to me.

At present, I am conducting careful research that will enable me to choose a course (access or vocational) and an institution I will study at. Besides, I have packed my belongings, I am waiting for January to relocate to London. So there's no element of procrastination.

Once again, thanks. I will keep following this thread so any advice you give will still be highly appreciated.

I believe you gat no more problem , you've made the very right decision, CONGRATULATIONS MAN!

@ Bulga

I came across another post of yours in the career section where you talked about going for nursing or printing technology. Man, I have seen that you are very very serious about changing the direction of your life. I admire your determination and once again, I congratulate you for making a sound decision that can only make your circumstances better.

Once you get to campus you will be amazed at the many mature adult students you will see! So ignore how some people look at you for not being in the same boat as everyone else. Know inside, that in the back of their minds or the depths of their heart, they have respect for you for going through with this despite difficulties and for being unique, brave and intelligent.

Good luck, brother.

@Lioness
Please why only icon most of the time?

Happy New Year to you and to other Nairalanders.

she uses it when she aint gat nothing to say