Quote: Tim Walker @ June 10 2009, 7:23 PM BSTExams are only a means to an end. They are meaningless in most other respects. There is a world of difference between truly understanding a subject and studying a subject in order to pass an examination. Plus, applied natural talent will eventually outshine academic achievement.
I'm buggered on two fronts then.
('scuse the phraseology.)
Quote: Aaron @ June 10 2009, 8:04 PM BSTI'm buggered on two fronts then.
('scuse the phraseology.)
"Everyone has one special gift. Everyone is born with one special thing." - Dirk Diggler, 'Boogie Nights'
How apt. 
Quote: zooo @ June 10 2009, 8:13 PM BSTHow apt.
I find it a very inspirational quote.
Never used my bloody degree for anything.
Apart for the drinking and the arsing around biggest waste of three years of my life.
Didn't help that I hated the subject I suppose.
Is all very well for people WITH qualifications to say they're not necessary. But only the people without any who've done well are really gonna make someone feel better. 
Like rich people who say money's not important.
Quote: RubyMae - Glamourous Snowdrop at Large @ June 10 2009, 12:55 PM BSTBobbins, I shall tell you what my BTEC tutor and friend told me. The only way to get a U is to turn up an hour late naked with a traffic cone on you head, cough up blood on the paper, then hand it in and dance out of the room and even then you are just as likely to get an E.
Aaaand 45% of people get a U on tomorrow's history paper. Wa-hoo. 
Quote: Tim Walker @ June 10 2009, 7:58 PM BSTTo me, the most rewarding A Level I did was English. I did my Physics, Chemistry and Biology, but the English A Level was invaluable and possibly the most fun I've ever had studying. I was pleased to have done so well in the exam, but that was only a little icing on the cake. The sheer enjoyment of the course and the fact that it influenced my life so much since then was the ultimate reward. (Admittedly, when you're doing exams this kind of long-term thinking is very hard to do!)
English. <3 
Quote: zooo @ June 10 2009, 8:19 PM BSTIs all very well for people WITH qualifications to say they're not necessary.
Never said they weren't necessary for achieving some people's goals. But they are not essential to a happy life, that's all. Exams can always be re-taken, as well.
Yep, good point.
Quote: Tim Walker @ June 10 2009, 8:24 PM BSTNever said they weren't necessary for achieving some people's goals. But they are not essential to a happy life, that's all. Exams can always be re-taken, as well.
It is a lot of hassle to re-do A Levels, in fairness.
Quote: zooo @ June 10 2009, 8:19 PM BSTIs all very well for people WITH qualifications to say they're not necessary. But only the people without any who've done well are really gonna make someone feel better.
Like rich people who say money's not important.
Oh no they're necessary in today's world. But only to get a foot through the door - as soon as you have "experience" everything else goes out the window.
But the stress of me getting them almost killed me, even now 12 years later I still get nightmares waking up thinking I haven't done enough of my final year project.
For me it wasn't worth it.
I certainly appreciate the stress of them. Like many (I suspect) I still have nightmares where I am back at school doing exams. Plus, the fact that guys on here are fretting and concerned about their exams shows that they care about their achievements. And that attitude stands people in good stead for life, whatever the results.
Quote: bigfella @ June 10 2009, 8:28 PM BSTBut the stress of me getting them almost killed me, even now 12 years later I still get nightmares waking up thinking I haven't done enough of my final year project.
For me it wasn't worth it.
Quote: PhQnix @ June 10 2009, 8:28 PM BSTIt is a lot of hassle to re-do A Levels, in fairness.
Not hassle. The sheer thought of it is trauma.
Quote: Scatterbrained Floozy @ June 10 2009, 8:37 PM BSTNot hassle. The sheer thought of it is trauma.
A-levels are the most stressful exams I've ever done. Degrees are a breeze in comparison.