If you’ve never come into contact with any of this before
you’re just confused about everything
University or university of applied sciences, credits, fellow students.
Things can be overwhelming
Obviously, the learning curve is steeper and the content more complex for A-Levels
But there are ways to catch up
The university offers preparatory courses in maths, for instance
I knew from the start it wouldn’t be easy
My lack in grammar school knowledge has always been the biggest problem
But thanks to her friends‘ support, Aileen now is in her sixth semester.
The former secondary modern school student has taken her master craftsman’s
diploma and studies engineering at HsH, a highly mathematical subject.
All this without a university-entrance diploma
Her practical experience, gained during her training, is a great advantage.
Coming straight from school, I have no vocational training.
So whenever we’re dealing with machine parts
with bearings she’s really good at explaining them to me.
I’d say we complement each other.
It was Aileen‘s twin sister who prompted her to go to university.
A decision that has opened up new opportunities for her.
After getting my master craftsman’s diploma,
I considered going for a degree in business administration,
but then I wouldn’t need to go to university anymore.
But because that didn’t quite cover my field of interest,
I dropped the idea and tried to get into university instead.
The now 26-year-old informed herself about her options at HsH.
Soon it became clear that her chances for being admitted were good.
But Aileen also had to learn
that things are not always what you expect them to be.
I was more interested in the technological side of things,
like new process technologies or materials
Instead I had to go through all these formulas
before I could actually find out what I wanted to know.
This requires swotting up on the basics.
But it can be done, thanks to tutorials and the professors‘ experience.
Aileen‘s motto is:
Just keep going, and try to get your bearings.
Even if at first you might fall on your face, because it all gets to be too much,
you will soon get the hang of things.
Take some time to get prepared and don’t stress yourself out.
Just take one step at a time.