As a parent of students as well as a university administrator, I
must say I am horrified at the lack of understanding shown by
some of my colleagues and I would like to make a few points.
Most universities think that students should not work for more than
15 hours a week. Unfortunately a large number of national
retailers, supermarket and fast food outlets aren't very keen on part-
time workers who work less than 16 hours a week because of the
on-costs involved. If you happen to be studying in an employment
black spot you may have to work 20 hours or more. Some
employers threaten students with bad references if they seek to
vary their hours to meet coursework deadlines
Some universities are incredibly insensitive to working students -
they don't even stagger coursework deadlines.
If I had to manage on 810 grant and 2735 loan I'd be worried stiff
about how I was going to cope - and that's with 25 years of
housekeeping experience. It would certainly effect my ability to
work and my health.
Slowing down the rate at which you study may be a solution but
not if it bars you from entitlement to grant and loans etc. Age-
banding by some employers means that if you take too long to
graduate you're not even considered for the job.
Inexperience leads to bad decisions. Many students don't
appreciate the intellectual demands of third year modules.
Because they've managed to hold down a job for the first two
years, they think they'll manage it in the final year. They struggle
on for too long and when they can't deal with the pressure from
both debts and exams, they crash spectacularly.
As a parent, I'm paying out a lot to get my three children through
university. I'm not about to throw my money down the drain. I
expect universities to be sensitive to mine and my childrens' needs
and I shall avoid those which don't appear to want to do so. I don't
think I'm alone.
--
Caroline Armstrong James - Planning Officer
Tel. 0171 911 5857
University Of Westminster
309 Regent Street, London W1R 8AL
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