Not the normal worries i.e. are they alive? are they doing any work? are they eating properly? BUT will they ever get a job when they graduate and consequently be able to pay back this student debt they are building up. This week in politics, with the Lord Browne reportout, there has definitely been a huge focus on the whole university ethos. Whilst it is an incredible experience from the student’s viewpoint, i.e. living away from home, extremely long holidays, and when at university not much academic work (unless you are a medical student) particularly in the first year! Bliss for them!! However with Lord Browne suggesting the removal of the cap on university fees this can only mean an increase in future student debt which is all very well if there are going to be jobs for these students to enable them to pay back this debt.
Husband and I listened last night to the programme on Radio 4, The Graduate,following the progress of 4 young people who graduated from Leeds University and Leeds Metropolitan last June………..and it did not give us much hope for the future of our girls. One graduate with a Bio-Chemistry degree (youngest daughter’s chosen subject) was looking now to go into sales inspired by their job in a mobile phone shop, whilst at university, which was taken on to subsidise their loan. We wondered what the point of their degree was then, it seems like it is going to be wasted which is such a shame.
I am not against further education as a better educated country must be preferable butI am surprised that in this new report there is no suggestion to reduce the length of a degree course from 3 years to 2. It would entail slightly shorter holidays but surely this would be sensible as these students are meant to be preparing for a working life of, perhaps, as little as 3 weeks holiday per year. Since everyone is concerned with the debt these students are building up then less years at university and shorter holidays would also be preferable particularly as, in the latter case, there do not seem to be as many casual jobs available during the holidays for these students to supplement their funds. Many students like to travel during these long holidays but in the tough financial times ahead these plans may not be financially viable.
The government needs to persuade businesses to sponsor more students as this would also give students an aim whereas at the moment they must all be wondering what is the point in working hard as there won’t be a job at the end of all this studying except for a limited few.
Many of my friends are questioning whether their younger children, still at school, will go to university but there are not many other options. Apprenticeships seem to be non-existent and the old adage of joining a firm at the bottom and working your way up is all very well if you can find the company to take the risk on an 18 year old fresh out of school.
All I can say to my two is work your hardest as the better your degree the more likely you are to find a job – what else can I advise them????
Now going to listen toYou and Yourson Radio 4 discussing should students pay more for their university education……….and so the debate goes on.