Should I stay or Should I go...

[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, 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. 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 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.

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 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!

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:

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.

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) 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.

[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.

yes, this is reason enough to finish your VCE....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


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


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


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