September Sadness |
Maybe you decided not to apply, maybe you didn't get a
place. Maybe you don't want to go, perhaps you don't want to go yet. Whatever the reason,
you may well be among those tinged with a ''September Sadness'' as friends, brothers,
sisters, cousins, girl/boyfriends head off to university or college. For my part I gave it
a whirl, but after one term at Nottingham University I came home uni wasn't for me. Even
so every year I can't help but feel a bit ''left behind'' as people I know leave for a
world beyond Sheringham. As it stands, about a third of young people in the UK go on to
higher education. The government estimates that on average graduates earn up to £400,000
more in their working lives than people without degres, and are half as likely to be
unemployed. Add to that the chance to be free of parental constraints, meet new people,
try new activities, and really actuate your social life. It's not all roses however! A
survey in September 2002 by the National Union of Students found that the average student
has just £29.11 a week to live on. After paying rent, that's £13 less than 18-24 year
olds claiming Job Seeker's Allowance, calculated by the government as the minimum amount a
single person can live on. Some find themselves working almost full time around studying,
but on average students graduate £10,000 in debt.
That's part of the reason I chose not to continue, I hated the idea of owing so much
money, that someone is there waiting to claim it back, as of 2006 the situation looks set
to worsen with the proposed introduction of ''top-up fees'', whereby uni's can charge up
to £3000 per year in tuition fees. At the moment the level is set at approximately
£1,050 year. Students can expect to graduate up to £21,000 in debt and this still does
not reflect the true cost of studying in the UK, which is nearer £5,000 a year or even
more, depending on the subject and institution. It might well be then that you desperately
wanted to go on to higher education, but since 1997 the abolition of maintenance grants
and the introduction of tuition fees, students parents are now expected to foot the bill,
a tall order perhaps? No surprise that the proportion of working class people going to uni
is extremely low. There's some hope however if you want to be a teacher or a nurse, the
government may fund degrees for those entering the public sector.
However it's heartening to know that there's a wealth of alternatives out there.
Experience speaks for a lot and work-based training such as the ''Modern Apprenticeship''
scheme for 16-24 year olds allows you to LEARN & EARN. These are available via wide
range of trades-eg. Agriculture, beauty, catering, leisure, or say for example that you
want to be a book- keeper (after A levels) through part-time study whilst working, by 21
or 22 you could be qualified and earning £20,000 a year AND have been earning in the
years before. There are also specific intensive ''short courses'' that can give you a real
head start via the world of work, but must be industry-recognised. The careers centre
(North Walsham) has course listing and advice here. If you've got a head for business
''The Prince's Trust'' & ''Livewire'' offer grants, loans and advice to unemployed or
disadvantaged people under 30. It's also possible to start at the bottom (e.g. as an
office junior or post room worker) and then climb the ladder. If promises of training or
development fail to materialise though, it's time to move on. Or you can opt for
long-distance study whilst working. An Open University degree will take longer and cost a
little more than a conventional degree, but is a huge demonstration of self-discipline to
any employer. Remember too that if you don't get to where you want to, it's always
possible to return to study as a mature student.
So, sad as I might feel as my own little bro heads off (to the glories of digs with
well-stained carpets, I hear), I'm glad to say I don't feel too left behind.
Anna Clayton |
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Teen+ Scene
YOUR Column
YOUR interests. |
E-mail Confusion
Joe loves to create confusion. One Tuesday he sent an e-mail memo to his
secretary that said, "I'll be back in the office three days before one week after the
day after tomorrow."
When would he be back?
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The picture above shows the Bishop family and some friends
outside their fish and chip shop. Audreys father, Henry Bishop, bought two cottages and
made them into the towns second chippy. The opening hours were: 6pm to midnight, every
evening except Sundays. The first being in Wyndham Street where
Dodmans now is. It was owned by Audreys Grandfather, Robert 'Black Bob' Bishop which was
opened around the 1900s. Back then it was allowed to have chip
shops on the High Street.
The chip shop in Co-op street was owned by the Pegg family after the Bishops, followed by
Dick Martins around the early seventies. It's now known as Dave's Fish Bar &
Restaurant. Does anybody remember anything else about the chippys of Sheringham, if so,
please let us know.
Photo supplied by Audrey Chapman
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Dear @ Sheringham
Thank-you Vic (issue 23) for championing my cause. Unfortunately, thanks to the Grass
Cutters who reported it to the Hedge Cutter, not I might add the N.N.D.C; the hedge had
been cut before the article was published. To be fair, I did have a postcard from the
N.N.D.C. 3 days after the hedge had been cut to say it would be attended to.
Perhaps they have had a new issue of stamped envelopes delivered. Keep up the good work
Vic. Mrs D
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