To study or not to study?

rtm: 3+1 =4 years to get your master --> that's nice
Over here it is 4 years to get your bachelor and 2 more years to get your master. But over here, if you're smart, you can reduce it down, maybe 4.5 - 5 years.
But yes, definitely a degree is one of a few pieces of paper that are worth spending years for.

Really, I never knew that, I guess it's just cos we learn a lot quicker over here

I just did a little googling and it looks like our A levels are considered <i>roughly</i> one or two years further then a US (I assume your location) high school diploma.

You have to have A levels before starting your degree so it does nearly even out, and skipping a year is practically unheard of in this country, even if you are <b>really</b> smart.

Yes, I'm from the U.S., easy enough.
1 question though, how many years of school would get you to A levels?
To get a hs diploma here would take 12 years in total. So most students go to college when they are 17 or turning 18.

I didn't mean skipping, but testing out of the courses. Many highschools over here offer college-level courses and during college, you can "test out" of certain courses: if you feel you know everything about the course, you can ask the department to give you a test, if you pass you will gain the credit for that course.
Hmm, i'm too sleepy, sorry for the lousy writing.

Hmmm, I'm beginning to think studying is a waste of time too. I've just finished my first year of my Computer Science Degree @ Glasgow Uni and its been such a boring / easy year for me. I think next year will be just as easy, I learnt half the stuff they are teaching over 5 years ago so i just sit and sleep in Lectures and/or play with my iPAQ PPC

If i'd went the other route and started my own business rather than going to Uni, I think i'd be making the same money 4-5 years up the line with or without a degree. Then again, the risk of going to Uni is much less than starting up my business.

If you've got a dream, I say go for it and don't waste time sleeping in lecture halls all year...IMO.

whos_wee_dug?

lol, working IS overrated. 48 hour weeks, not much time for anything else. Sigh......... Why did I get a job again.......?

Oh yeah, I needed money. Curses! If only everything were free!

A levels = end of 13th year.

Dude, school sucks, but untill u meet girlz. Iam a sophmore in high school of Murrow

yeah girlz rock

A level = 13years. Ah, I see.
Let's do the math here

U.S. UK
12 12 years = HS diploma 13 13 years = A Level
4 16 years = Bachelor 3 16 years = Bachelor
2 18 years = Master 1 17 years = Master
2-4 20-22 years = PhD ???????
(years of studying)

That's crazy. 17-18 years of school to get your master degree. And if you pursue a PhD degree, it would be 20-22 years of your life. That's like 1/4 (that if you live until you turn 80) of you life spent sitting at school. Those years should better be worth it.

PErsonally, I went through high school and grade shcool w/o lifting a finger and Ive gotten by fine, but Im working 2 jobs atm to afford tuition and living expenses, but I really have no idea if this will all be worth it or not. Im not even entirely sure what I want to do for a living yet.