Should I stay or Should I go...

[funkychicken]

I'm thinking about leaving school at the end of this year (year 10) and doing a apprenticeship as a woody. (properly called a Wood Tradesperson or Craftsperson)

So the question is...

Is leaving school early a good choice?

[Burnsy]

First, no one can really tell you what to do, it is a choice you will have to make based on what you want for your future - think in at least 30 years time. One thing I tell all my students is that above all else, ensure your future includes choice. The happiest people are usually those with the most choice and variety. Whether that is provided by your undertaking a trade that has many offshoots and choices of work locations and work tasks, or it is provided by your always doing your best and making yourself a worthy employee in many industries and professions.

I am 37 and my current position of Primary School teacher is the longest time I have ever held the same job (4 years). I have worked in mining as an Environmental Scientist and run (and still do on the side) my own business in Landscape Construction amoungst many other varied things such as truck driving. The current trend is for people to move jobs frequently and work in many different industries. Think about whether this is something you may want to do and whether the trade you chose will facilitate this.

Too many people get hung up on the qudos of a particular job and base their decisions on that - high pay, high profile etc. Been there done that, believe me, it is not for everyone.

My advice to anyone chosing a career or wanting to leave school is simple. If you want a job working with a shovel everyday and sweating your guts out that is great (I quite enjoy this and would not swap the time I spent on a shovel while Landscaping full time for anything) but........ make sure you have choices, a fall back or something else you can do if you do want to opt out of a job after a period of time.

Best of luck with your decision,
Mike

[abitfishy]

As much as what you might want to do does not need yr 12, I think everyone should complete school. You leave more mature, with a slightly better idea of 'life'. Its easier to go on and have it than leave and regret it.

I hated school and wanted to leave too. I stayed on and am pleased I did.

[q9]

My opinion is that you are going to limit yourself severely if you leave before finishing year 12. Plenty of 18/19 year olds change uni courses after the first year as they have a change of heart or decide what they thought would be interesting to study doesn't suit them. That's ok for them. They can get a lot of course credits etc.

In your case, if after a year you don't like it, it will in all probability mean going back to school if you want more options or hoping you land another job. How comfortable would you be with going back to school a year on? The problem with getting another job is you are going to be competing with people that have finished year 12.

At your age it might seem like a long time, but another 2 years is pretty much nothing. Another option might be to get yourself a school based apprenticeship/traineeship. We have put a few students on over the last couple of years and it works out quite well. In some cases it leads to a drastic re-think of career aspirations when they find out the fun part of the job only makes up about 2% of the day, and the crap stuff 98%. It might be a little late for you to start this year though.

[manoftalent]

leaving school early may seem like a good idea now, but later on down the track you will regret it very much so ...as an employer, I can tell you now and quite honestly ....I would pass you over for someone that has completed yr 12.., and many other employers would share my opinion, so that places you way back at the end of the line in the job hunt if several candidates are going for it ....not the best place to be thats for sure .....my advice is simple, you have a long life in front of you, dont start it by handicapping yourself, its hard enough to get the job we want, without doing that to yourself.

[joe greiner]

What they all said. You'll maximise your choices by completing formal school and obtaining your diploma. And even then, most of us have had our careers selected by a semi-ignorant 18-year-old. (No offence intended) Stay flexible, and best of luck.

Joe

[Steve Fryar]

I agree with Manoftalent.I am a supervisor with an oilfield contractor and if it came down to you an the other guy who completed year 12,he would get the nod.
I am sure there are ways now days where you can complete a trade while still at school.Maybe someone can clarify this.
I finished year 12 and nver regretted it.I did however regret wasting 2 years at uni.The whole tertiary education thing wasn't for me.I could have completed my degree but like you,I just wanted to get my hands dirty.
Cheers,Steve.

[underfoot]

what they all said, FC
I finished year 12 and then started an apprenticeship as a patternmaker.
the boss was an old German bloke who had mates in patternshops all over the place,
towards the end of my time he sent me out on a journeymanship,
that is ,I spent a week or two at a whole bunch of different workshops,
I will never forget that experience, it has been invaluable.

Here's what I suggest.

finish year 12, then,
you know there is a lot of serious talent and experience on this forum,
I reckon some of them wouldn't mind volunteering a small piece of their time
( a few days, a week or so) to show you what they do, experience their skills, workspaces and work ethic etc.

Finish school, then do a journeymanship, travel Australia for a while
shed hopping,

I'll start,
FC you are welcome to spend some time in my sculpture studio/pattern shop
cheers John

[weisyboy]

i left school in year 10 and have never looked back.

but it depends on the person i have always hated schooli nevver lisend and i even skiped year 9. passed year 10 with streight Cs.

im now working for myself earning $360+/day doing what i love outdoors all day, with no formal training. it might be bloudy hard work but i love it.

[Calm]

FC

There is no right or wrong answer.

Last December my 17 yo daughter (year 11) said she didnt want to go back to school and do year 12. I told her if she had a full time job she didnt have to go back. If not she was doing year 12. She didnt want to work with computers or in an office so she went and got herself a job at Bartletts tarps in a factory.

She wants to be a policewoman or air hostess and reckons if she waits until she is 22 or 23 she can get into the police force. I dont think she will get into the air hostess because they pick 3 out of 400 at each session and the year 12's will get it. But that is her decision. She loves the job she has and i see her staying there until she tries out the police force in 4 or 5 years time.

My reasons - I figured if she didnt want to be at school especially year 12 she would not really work hard and get a good enter score so she would gain nothing. If she found the job she would be motivated and suceed.

For you i say the same if you have a job dont go back to school if you dont go back and maybe even do a tafe/school course and get the apprenticeship part way through the year.

You can always be a "mature age" uni student at 21 and dont need to have finished year 12.

Good luck on your decision..

[Howdya do that]

i left school in year 10 and have never looked back.

but it depends on the person i have always hated schooli nevver lisend and i even skiped year 9. passed year 10 with streight Cs.

im now working for myself earning $360+/day doing what i love outdoors all day, with no formal training. it might be bloudy hard work but i love it.

I think things have changed a little bit since you left school. please dont take offence.

Funky chicken, my son is in year 11 and is also contemplating leaving school and I am doing my utmost to keep him there but like everyone else say's no one can make you. are you sure you want to be a wood craftsperson for the next 30 years.

Finish year 12 and then do your apprenticeship. Once you have that HSC the option of college or university is always open to you.

For the record, I left school in year 10 and started my working career putting up fences and I was a bloody idiot.

I'm guessing that Weisyboy is around the same age. Back then year 10 was the benchmark, HSC optional and few went to college or UNI. Now I think year 12 is the benchmark, college or uni optional and few do there masters.

Just one more thing. My boss recently said "the school of hard knocks just does not cut it any more. All of our future employees must have a solid education"

[RufflyRustic]

Hi FC

Definitely finish Year 12. It will give you a better standing for your future, whatever you chose to do. It is much easier to finish your schooling now than to come back later. Having finished Grade 12 will also help you if you decide to attend a school/college/tafe for a woodworking course or diploma. Apprenticeships still include a component of study and Year 12 will help you get through that part as well.

Good luck!

cheers
Wendy

[Rossluck]

I agree with Wendy.

It's simple. You're young and have plenty of time to make up your mind about what you want to do. There is a tendency for society to force you into a decision NOW. Don't let anyone pressure you; you have tons of time. In the mean time stay at school and work towards Uni. If you get to the end of year 12 and still don't know what you want to do, go to uni and do a general degree. Do a degree in the arts or science or info tech or business or whatever is the most attractive or least objectionable to you.

Your final two years of high school and three or four years at uni will probably be the best years of your life. You'll build friendships and knowledge that will last you to the end.

When you have a degree you can then decide what you want to do in life. Maybe you could travel. But there is absolutely nothing wrong with a 22 year old uni graduate deciding to begin a career as a craftsperson working with wood or whatever.

[BobL]

Funky, Have you actually tried working for a couple of weeks somewhere near or in the area you are interested in. Before the next school holidays see if you can tee up for someone to take you on (if necessary for no pay, just treat it as an educational opportunity). Don't just look at what you do - look around at what the others are doing on the job and ask yourself is that is what you want to be doing . . . . . . .

Before I had finished year 10 I had done the following jobs for more than 2 weeks:
Sales assistant in a clothing store
Supermarket shelf stocker
Gardener
Plumbers assistant - cleaning out sewage tanks
Concrete slab maker
and Toy koala bear stuffer!
Every one of the jobs convinced me I should stay on in school.
Then before I left year 12 I had been a
Sales assistant in a shoe shop
Cement brick maker
Builders labourer
Doing these jobs convinced me I should go to Uni - during those years I worked as a,
Delivery man (beer)
Cray fish processor,
Night Watchman and
Builders labourer.
Tutor

Cheers

[wheelinround]

Funky it should be your choice
you while doing your time as an apprentice will still be going to school usually for a further 3 to 4 years if you finish in year 10 if you finish year 12 you still have to do the same course for the same period even if you have credits such as Industrial Science subjects etc.

I left in year 10 back in the early 70's, did my apprenticeship and got offered to teach at TAFE with in the first year of finishing:doh: Thank goodness I never took it on, I couldn't stand sitting around for days on end to teach one or two classes a week.:;

:roll:Mind you I did sit around a lot but driving around the eastcoast touring and getting paid for it 25+ years of enjoyment a job I loved. When back at the depot it was back into the tools again enjoying almost every minute.

Many apprentices have gone on from year 10 to become CEO's, owners of their own companies, Commanders of Australian Forces, Prime Ministers even. There is no reason you cant still do year 12 at TAFE as well as your apprenticeship if you want taking only 12 months not two years and doing just the subjects you want.

You will if you want to learn do just that for the rest of your life how you choose to do it is just that your choice. You have learnt from this forum and given back just as much from what I have seen.

:2tsup: good luck it is a tough one these days so many people believe your dumb if you don't have year 12 papers a Uni degree or paid over $60k. It only takes a flash in life situations to change any of that.

[Barry_White]

I will be 70 next month and have had over 35 occupations during my working life. (And still working BTW). The trouble is I let a 15 year old kid decide what I was going to do for the rest of my life without the wisdom of older people. At that age my father had opted out of family life and was dead two years later.

My first choice of occupation was to be a plumber but my mother said you don't want do that it's too dirty. So I picked an occupation off a list and didn't even know what it was about. Patternmaking something even my mother didn't know what it was so couldn't say one way or the other. Now a dying trade.

My advice is seek out advice from older people, do an aptitude test as some of the others have said go and do some work experience but by all means go to at least year 12 because by then you will be letting at least an 18 year old rather than a 16 year old making a rest of life decision and year 12 will give you many more options.

If you do decide to do a trade do a transportable one like electrician, plumber, fridge mechanic, motor or diesel mecahnic.

[Howdya do that]

I will be 70 next month and have had over 35 occupations during my working life. The trouble is I let a 15 year old kid decide what I was going to do for the rest of my life without the wisdom of older people. At that age my father had opted out of family life and was dead two years later.

Well said:2tsup:

[ss_11000]

stay at school mate, you've got the brains to do well and those extra two yrs at school will help if the apprenticeship doesnt work out...you can still do the apprenticeship after yr 12 anyway

[Terry B]

I would not employ someone (given a choice) that didn't have the "stickability" to complete there schooling. I would be worried that they wouldn't complete whatever training was needed for the job. I only employ a small number of people but am yet to employ someone that hasn't finished school.

[watson]

Good advice Stirlo!

[Groggy]

The general opinion seems to be to complete year 12. I agree and will add that if you decide to go back to study for some reason later in life it will most likely have year 12 as a pre-requisite.

It IS possible to be successful by leaving school early and there are a number of people who will point out the success stories. What I rarely hear though is the comparison between how many leave early and how many actually 'make it'. The odds are well and truly against you.

My qualifications for saying this? I left school early in year 11. Had to go back to night school for two years to complete year 12, then attended uni at nights to get what I wanted. If you try to go back to study after a break of a few years it will be very hard to do.

[Cruzi]

If you leave now and do the apprenticeship, you have one shot to make it work, albeit a good trade.

If you stay, you expand your options if the trade turns out to be not what you thought it would be.

[Woodlee]

Here's my story I'm not recommending you stay at school or leave ,this is just my experience.

I left school at age 15 ,I completed 3 rd year High school only ,didn't have my HSC, started an apprenticeship as a Fitter and Turner after convincing the employer that I was better with my hands than with my brains and didn't want to return to school .After completeing a five year apprenticeship I spent a number of years working in toolmaking and also maintenance work .I completed a few extra courses on hydraulics ,part time .I was moving from job to job constantly ,working in different factories as a maintenance fitter or tool maker ,I was very unsettled and silly as a buckled wheel .


In 1980 Moved to the Territory and started work in the mining industry and spent 9 years there (longest job I had until then was 2 years ,not counting the five year apprenticeship) ,then onto the power generation industry for 12years . While working in these jobs ,I was learning constantly ,then I had the opportunity to do a part time University course in management ,which I completed .I also did a lot of operational and maintenance courses on turbine and reciprocating engines and gained a certificate in high voltage switching, and engine drivers certificate.

Finally I grew tired of the heat ,noise and filth working in power stations and travelling from one side of the country to the other .The job was also very boring at times as we sat around for months on end , waiting for something to break so that we could fix it.
A job came up in Defence in an engineering section so I applied and got the job .Now I drive a desk ,have a number of people working for me and am on a very good salary.I doub't I would have got the current job with out my experience and trade back ground .
Since being in this current job I have completed courses in Accounting , Financial Management , Budget Planning and Financial Auditing etc.
I have been around a bit and have worked in numerous jobs ,I don't regret leaving school early ,but as you can see I have spent considerable time back at "school" doing courses to advance my knowledge ,I must add that all the extra schooling cost me nothing except effort as it was all paid for by my employers both financially and time wise.

Kev.

[weisyboy]

I think things have changed a little bit since you left school. please dont take offence.


they couldnt have changed mutch in the last 2 years could they:?.

i love being my own boss and i lobve fencing and all the other bits that i do.

[Optimark]

I left school at 13½ years of age, probably not the best thing to do, but I didn’t have an option at the time. On the one hand, I have always regretted that I wasn’t able to do higher education; on the other hand, my life probably wouldn’t have been as eventful as it has been.


I travelled and lived by myself from the moment I left school, that was my situation and it was the early sixties. Many things have changed, pieces of paper are now required for a lot of jobs, in those days, if you could do the job, you got the job. Not so, now!


That said, I now own my own business, which is extremely successful, all of the people I have hired have no formal qualifications, which is interesting as I think about it right now. I didn’t go out of my way to hire people without formal education, I just hired those who could do, and do, do the job.


If you are capable of doing higher education, higher than you currently have, then I think you should seriously think of staying in the education system whilst you are still used to being educated. It is quite hard to get back into learning mode, especially if you aren’t really the studious type.


All of that said, it’s your decision in the end.


Mick.

[Master Splinter]

Having provided the same advice to my son recently....

It's pretty easy to pick up tertiary qualifications (plenty of scope for mature age students, online/remote learning, part-time hours, out of work hours, recognition of prior learning and so on) at a later date if that's what you want to do; I know a number of people who have done a trade and then gone on to get degrees at a later stage of their life, but I'm yet to meet someone who started with uni quals and has managed to successfully pick up a trade at a later date (especially in the more protected trades such as plumbing and electrical work).

And as for hiring...the very worst worker I've ever seen had four degrees (the guy was basically at the stage where he was looking at doing another two or three units to qualify for yet another degree...he had all this knowledge, but was unable to actually do anything outside of an academic context). Some of the best workers have come straight from year 10. So it all depends on the person!

[flynnsart]

I suppose you would have to take into account what you are like at school. I know my daughter probably wasted her grade 11 and 12 years, she was not of the studious kind. Think my boys needed it, for the maturity that the extra time brings.

Have you looked into School based apprentiships? Do you have an actual job lined up? Can you go there during the holidays and do some work experience? So often our dream of what we think we want is far from reality. Look at that young fella on the forum that up stakes and went down to Tassie for a course and everything fell to poop for him.

We all have different niches to fill and we just got to find the one that fits us, some dont find where they belong until late in life. (Carl is very lucky that he has found what he loves to do so early, my hubby is only now finding what he likes to do at age 52)

Not everyone can benefit from a few extra years of schooling no matter what anyone says. But think long and hard, some wont take apprentices that havent got year 12 under their belt.

Donna

[manoftalent]

Apart from all the advice that has been given (mine included), do a test scenario.....write down three occupations, that you have a mind to go for, I say three because sometimes we may want to be something but just not may be able to "cut it"...I always wanted to fly, but alas I was passed up by the airforce, so I joined the army instead, ....out of the three occupations ......do the "math", go and find out what is "required" in each chosen career, and basically find out yourself what some here have been trying to point out....

you owe it to yourself to do this, as with anything in life, by all means make a decision, but be it an informed one .....

[funkychicken]

I'll soon be going for a talk to a woody about doing some work experience (setup by the school). This woody makes million dollar, bought by famous people pieces, privileged to even step inside his workshop kinda thing.
So I'm veery lucky to have this oppurtunity.

If this woody happened to take me on as an apprentice, I'd be doing it as a school based apprenticeship an then maybe full time if he wanted me there full time and if things were right for that.

Oh and..I Haven't been told his name yet:doh:


My situation:
I'm failing Math because I find it pointless and irrelevant and impossible
I'm failing English because of...lack of trying really. But it is kinda hard to try hard at something you hate and when the teacher annoys the heck out of you
I'm passing Graphics, Woodwork, Junior catering with flying colours
I hate school; the monotony, the stupidity, some of the people, the uniforms, the boredom, etc.

Notice how some people seem to work well with school and others just don't..

As Master Splinter and my boss said, some people who do really well in school and uni are absolutely useless when it comes to real life.

I've got the whole rest of the year to decide so there's no rushing the decision


Thanks for the input everyone

[RETIRED]

I hate school; the monotony, the stupidity, some of the people, the uniforms, the boredom, etc.Kind of like working but the hours are longer.:D:rolleyes:

[RufflyRustic]

I'll soon be going for a talk to a woody about doing some work experience (setup by the school). This woody makes million dollar, bought by famous people pieces, privileged to even step inside his workshop kinda thing.
So I'm veery lucky to have this oppurtunity.


I know who this is. If you get work experience there, you will be far, far luckier than you could ever imagine.

If you don't do the maths, how the heck are you going to count all your money, figure out what to charge for a woodwork item, and if you go further than you can currently imagine, I don't doubt you'll need maths ability to calculate angles and such for your future intricate projects. And no, using a calculator isn't the quick or right answer. Ability to do maths in your head, simple additions, divisions etc is essential. You may hate maths - I did too - but I made sure I learnt enough so I didn't lose the ability to work out the calculations that I'd need in life. Figuring interest on my money, checking the home loan interest, checking the shopping bill on the spot as I know it was wrong (and it was!)

English - suck it up and just learn it. Being able to talk correctly and read lots of big words, is actually a help in life. For example, using grammatically correct English will help in communicating with people for whom English is not their first language. They have been taught 'by the book' and talking with them 'by the book' actually helps you deliver your message quickly and clearly. Try it sometime, you might be surprised at how difficult it actually is, to not use jargon and colloquialisms in your speech.

Reading the newspaper, reading a book, reading a woodwork plan, etc etc etc. You need English for all of these. English is important for teaching you the finer aspects of the language. How many of us enjoy repartee, the subtle use of words that mean one thing up front, but have many other hidden meanings. An appreciation of the English language is something that you may not realise until later in life and by then, it's much harder to go back and learn the finer points.

School isn't just about the content of the subjects, 1+1, abc. It also teaches you skills and abilities that you can use elsewhere in your life. How to think things through, how to approach a problem, how to continue with something even though you hate it as you know the sooner you get it done, the sooner it's over and you'll have accommplished that for yourself, using your own self-discipline and motivation.

Words from the wise:rolleyes:, dear FC. I appreciate how much you feel at present, but please don't give up. It is worth it and you'll never get these days of learning delivered on a plate so easily again.

cheers
Wendy

[TomH]

Funky,

I'm with the stay camp.

It might not seem like it, but it's easier to do the time now rather than later.

I've known a couple of tradies who have wanted to continue their education after the trade. One guy - carpenter wanted to progress into project management, 6 years of uni later and he has a degree at the age of 28. Second guy, the best fitter I've ever employed - I reckon he could communicate with machines (like the horse whisperer, only for machinery), left school for exactly the same reasons you are talking about. Just turned 28 and realised that he was not happy fixing machines and wants to design them, but needs to understand about the physics of materials for the stuff he is looking at. So back to uni... For 6 years part time...

They really struggled with not having a year 12 education. There are a whole load of concepts (particularly in the mathematics side) which are useful - and that's the extra 2 years from year 10 - year 12.

The common thing about both of these guys is that at the time they decided to do more study, they both were working full time, married or close to. Part time study sucks. You are shattered from a tough day at work, feel like going out with your mates, going for a surf etc etc, but you have an assignment due. And when you are mature age, you have too much riding on it to fail.

Try and stick it....it's only two years.....what ever you decide throw everything at it. It's not worth doing something half baked.

It might also suprise you but there are also just as many frustrating people at work as school. Only you just have a choice at school. And some of them are called customers...bossess....

Cheers,

Tom

[wheelinround]

If my memory serves me right FC you already have been working at a Mill (re should I build a new shed thread) do you get paid for that??.

So you know what working for someone else is like on a casual basis, its fun new and your away from the hassles of school.

You already work with machines and repair them (Busted Bandsaw thread), (Lathe out a whack thread) and of course your wood work. Your computer literate and so far not bad with english, I have seen Unis students do much much worse.

Doing the work experience is about the same in many cases students are doing the work and not getting paid for it.:doh: slave labour in my books and not really like going to work every day as your not treat the same as if you were.

Ok so maths sux do you feel that with a heap of help you can improve beyond basics is there anyone who may be able to assist you. The internet is excellent.

You have proved you have the skills to solve problems and work out a resolve even if you had to ask questions.

You organised a Forumite day at your place maturity :2tsup: I don't know many 15 year olds who could get adults to do such as this.

Unlike another moron who's going through to year 12 who organised a rage party and got world wide exposure.

Or The Engineers not one but many who have had disasters look at the block of flats that fell into a hole in Sydney.

Dr's who can't diagnose unless they read a text book, leave instruments inside patients, cut of wrong body parts. Does this mean they have the skills attained by doing maths and english.
Hey we even have a Prime Minister who had to call people to a summit to ask what should he do for the next few years in governing a country.:doh:

All these people still do courses after leaving school to keep up with changes in laws, and design regulations.:;

I suggest you take a serious look at the TAFE course's you would do and find out whats the go with each subject you'll be surprised Maths is in each one and English you have to read and write also.

These will be available on line I guess in QLD like in NSW.

[martrix]

I'll soon be going for a talk to a woody about doing some work experience (setup by the school). This woody makes million dollar, bought by famous people pieces, privileged to even step inside his workshop kinda thing.
So I'm veery lucky to have this oppurtunity.




I know who this is.

Million dollar pieces? I havent heard of any craftsmen in America let alone Australia regularly achieving 7 figure sums for hand-made furniture. I have been involved in at least 2 dozen multi-million dollar boutique store projects through out the globe and have seen some of the figures on individual hand-made fixtures, one of them being close to half a million for 2 entry doors.

Who is this wonderous craftsman?

[AlexS]

If you can get a work-based apprenticeship that sounds good. Don't ever think that you've ever reached the end of your education. Learn as much as you can at school, but you may find, as I did, that study is much easier and more fun as you mature (even maths!). Don't ever think maths is useless! Have a look on here at how many times people have asked for help with mathematical problems - coopering, compound angles etc.
Good luck with your future.

[fenderbelly]

failing at math not liking English, stay at school mate. 2 years at school is a piece of cake to being on the dole for 2 years.

Lots of good advice been offered on this thread,read it through and then read it through a week later.

At the end of the day the decision is yours alone.

[RufflyRustic]

Million dollar pieces? I havent heard of any craftsmen in America let alone Australia regularly achieving 7 figure sums for hand-made furniture. I have been involved in at least 2 dozen multi-million dollar boutique store projects through out the globe and have seen some of the figures on individual hand-made fixtures, one of them being close to half a million for 2 entry doors.

Who is this wonderous craftsman?


Here you go (http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/showthread.php?t=30131&highlight=boucher)Martrix, best I can do considering they do not have a website (that I know about or have come across)

Cheers
Wendy

[q9]

But it is kinda hard to try hard at something you hate and when the teacher annoys the heck out of you

You're going to love working life then! :D

Nah, if you get a school based apprenticeship, then you are there for 2 more years anyway. Enjoy the ride.:)

[Burnsy]

was spot on with this:
Quote:
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Kind of like working but the hours are longer.:D:rolleyes:

FC, you will come across more DHs and other tossers than you can poke a stick at during your working life (my frustration is that I still have about 30 years of work ahead of me so I know I have to meet more:doh:) so stay at school and enjoy yourself.

At school you have the chance to walk away and go to another class or area of the school after 50 minutes or so. In the real world you have another 8 hours to put up with and listen to that person before going home to do it all again the next day. Use your schooling to improve your communication, social skills and patience so that when you do get a job with someone you can stand you have the skills to get on with it and not allow them to get to you.

Oh and did I mention the girls, schools are full of girls, trade shops and building sites are not, enjoy it while you can.
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[martrix]

Oh and did I mention the girls, schools are full of girls, trade shops and building sites are not, enjoy it while you can.
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yes, this is reason enough to finish your VCE.:D...the parties, oh the parties. Definitely some of the best times of your life.

[funkychicken]

I must have been very lucky to get my job at the mill; I enjoy the work, my boss is a great bloke and the customers I deal with aren't too bad
Oh and I get paid to work, unlike school where I (parents) pay to work:doh:


See I'm smart (high distinction in national english and science test, distinction in math test) And it's not really relevant but I was on Australia's Brainiest Kid..
I'm already know most of the math I'll use in life, it just annoys me when I have to do things like
12-x^2 -2xy = 0
Instead of math that I'll use in life (money, percentages, trig etc.) I can understand those things.


And yeah...I could put more effort into english, I'm not bad at it, it's just that most of the time we aren't even doing english:doh:


As I previously said, I've got the rest of the year to think about it...



Yeah...girls..parties.......Not something I'm really interested in at the moment...

[Burnsy]

See I'm smart (high distinction in national english and science test, distinction in math test) And it's not really relevant but I was on Australia's Brainiest Kid..
I'm already know most of the math I'll use in life, it just annoys me when I have to do things like
12-x^2 -2xy = 0
Instead of math that I'll use in life (money, percentages, trig etc.) I can understand those things.


And yeah...I could put more effort into english, I'm not bad at it, it's just that most of the time we aren't even doing english:doh:


As I previously said, I've got the rest of the year to think about it...



Yeah...girls..parties.......Not something I'm really interested in at the moment...

FC, I may be wrong because my experience lies with the WA system and this was 20 years ago but I believe that as of next year is where you get real choice.

At school I too did the top level math and saw it as not relevant and uninteresting so as soon as I got the chance I dropped my subjects down to the bare minimum to gain a university entry should I want to go and made sure the non specified subjects (not math and english) were the subjects I was most interested in. This meant I was doing three subjects that I would have to do well in to gain university entry and left me 3 subjects to fill with things I wanted to do and was interested in, so I did two manual arts units and tech drawing.

In the end I went on to university based on the levels I achieved but have to say that I enjoyed school a whole lot more than many of my peers who played the odds and did additional teriary entrance subjects and as such did alot more homework and were alot less interested in the subjects they had to do.

Stick with it, work hard on weekends with something that interests you instead of at the local fast food store and increase your choices for the future.

By the way, I wanted to leave school at 15 to be a carpenter but my father said that until I finished year 12 he would not support my getting an apprenticeship. I am glad he said this.

Cheers,
mike

[manoftalent]

The human mind is the best tool available today, underrated and hardly used to its full potential, it can work with you or against you, its been on "autopilot" since the day you were born, recording every moment of your life, in sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell, and believe it or not ......we ignore 95% of its input ....if I said how does fresh bread smell like .....all of the forum members here could close their eyes, concentrate for a moment and acctually recall the smell in detail....same goes for a simple long divison math problem, if you concentrate hard enough, you could work it out in your head .....and the same goes for anything in life .....if you really want to do it ....you will....you just have to "want" to give it a go.

I dont want to sound like I am preaching, young man, but my two sons "have been there and done that" and against my advice made big mistakes, one of them has moved back home, and at 24 yrs of age brings in a poultry $7.70 per hour as an apprentice (until he gets some prior learning recognition) and even then will struggle to make $10 an hour until he qualifies in three yrs, no he didnt do well at school, even though I spent a small fortune with private tutors to no avail ...and I only have to look at his face to know ...he's kicking himself now, and lucky he has parents that support him, because on his own ......he would never make it.

[ss_11000]

mr chicken

i think, that if old mate can get 750K plus for some furniture, go and learn the ways thru a school based apprenticeship.

also, seriously consider whether or not you will need a UAI...they're good to have but not essential. not having a UAI gives you more freedom to choose what subjects you wish to do next yr ( assuming you continue thru ).

[wheelinround]

Beside the academic reasons to stay on to year 12

Austudy Cash for spending on tools girls booze etc:(

or save it and blow it all on one week of pure fun at schoolies week down the Gold Coast:?

3 months holiday each year plus pupil free days, study leave time, teacher strikes :;

[BobL]

But it is kinda hard to try hard at something you hate and when the teacher annoys the heck out of you.

Treat that as good practice for a typical boss or supervisor you will get when you start working.

[artme]

Treat that as good practice for a typical boss or supervisor you will get when you start working.
Well said BobL!!

Andrew, it is not always easy to see the point of what you are doing In the here and now.
I would advise a school based apprentiship If that is possible. It may well help you to focus and sort your way through what is a very normal, if anguished, process.
You still have time to think this through more thoroughly and have shown courage and wisdom to bare your soul and ask for advice on this forum.
Put that courage and wisdom to further use before you make your decision.
Remember, we all posses perfectly good retrospectoscopes. They show the good, the bad and the ugly in equally sharp focus.

[funkychicken]

Thanks for all your input guys and gals

As I've already said, I've got the whole year to decide, so we'll see..

Another benefit to staying is my "friend" (just a friend:p) is coming back in year 12..


Did somebody mention money for tools???

[wheelinround]

No no one mentioned money for tools

or

TAFE fee's & Text books or transport costs, work cloths, lunch's

[echnidna]

Well theres no reason why yu shouldn't moonlight while you're serving out your time at school,
a coupla suggestions,

Enter competitions (for the fun of woodworking)
Write magazine articles (good english practise)

[funkychicken]

Well theres no reason why yu shouldn't moonlight while you're serving out your time at school,
a coupla suggestions,

Enter competitions (for the fun of woodworking)
Write magazine articles (good english practise)

Magazine articles..There's an idea (always miss out on the competitions:doh:)

[LotteBum]

I think it depends on whether you like school, how you're doing and most importantly, if what you want to do requires year 12.

Personally I hated school with a passion and left at the beginning of year 11 having not completed one single assignment. After trying various different things and having a heck of a lot of fun, at 20 I went back and did yrs 11 & 12 at TAFE in one year. That was the best thing I've ever done. Going back when I was that little bit older was the best thing I could have done as by this time I was committed and driven and did exceptionally well.

Leaving school is not the worst decision you'll ever make. It might be the best. But think it out first and promise yourself you'll go back when you're a bit older if being a woody doesn't work out for you.

Cheers,
Lotte