All the usual stuff in the news / media today, over 30 years since I got my results, seems like yesterday.
Well done to those who got the grades they wanted but when you see them being interviewed and they are going on about the course they are planning to do at Uni I end up saying to myself good luck to them as some seem to be doing completely stupid courses with little job prospects on the other side.
Quote from: LC on August 13, 2026, 08:25:22 PMAll the usual stuff in the news / media today, over 30 years since I got my results, seems like yesterday.
Well done to those who got the grades they wanted but when you see them being interviewed and they are going on about the course they are planning to do at Uni I end up saying to myself good luck to them as some seem to be doing completely stupid courses with little job prospects on the other side.
Wouldn't begrudge anyone the the uni experience even if the degree is a load of dung. You're a long time working.
Quote from: Armagh18 on August 13, 2026, 08:53:37 PMQuote from: LC on August 13, 2026, 08:25:22 PMAll the usual stuff in the news / media today, over 30 years since I got my results, seems like yesterday.
Well done to those who got the grades they wanted but when you see them being interviewed and they are going on about the course they are planning to do at Uni I end up saying to myself good luck to them as some seem to be doing completely stupid courses with little job prospects on the other side.
Wouldn't begrudge anyone the the uni experience even if the degree is a load of dung. You're a long time working.
Would agree with that, great days. And if you've got a bit about you when you go out into the world of work you'll be fine down the line. A dangerous day for some though, bit of panic set in if the grades aren't what was hoped for and maybe snatch at a course rather than be left behind. You're just a money commodity to the Uni's these days
Quote from: Armagh18 on August 13, 2026, 08:53:37 PMWouldn't begrudge anyone the the uni experience even if the degree is a load of dung. You're a long time working.
Aye best days of your life. As you say you wouldn't begrudge them it. Who wouldn't want to experience another freshers week?
Quote from: Armagh18 on August 13, 2026, 08:53:37 PMQuote from: LC on August 13, 2026, 08:25:22 PMAll the usual stuff in the news / media today, over 30 years since I got my results, seems like yesterday.
Well done to those who got the grades they wanted but when you see them being interviewed and they are going on about the course they are planning to do at Uni I end up saying to myself good luck to them as some seem to be doing completely stupid courses with little job prospects on the other side.
Wouldn't begrudge anyone the the uni experience even if the degree is a load of dung. You're a long time working.
100%. The young fella broke up with the girlfriend the night before starting uni last year. Said it was the best move he ever made ;D
Quote from: Armagh18 on August 13, 2026, 08:53:37 PMQuote from: LC on August 13, 2026, 08:25:22 PMAll the usual stuff in the news / media today, over 30 years since I got my results, seems like yesterday.
Well done to those who got the grades they wanted but when you see them being interviewed and they are going on about the course they are planning to do at Uni I end up saying to myself good luck to them as some seem to be doing completely stupid courses with little job prospects on the other side.
Wouldn't begrudge anyone the the uni experience even if the degree is a load of dung. You're a long time working.
Generally everyone seems to do alright in the end. All evens itself out. But Jesus the craic and mates you make along the way in uni are brilliant. Lived in some absolute kips in holylands all the same 😂 . Great days and great memories.
A week in the Holylands would kill me now.
Quote from: Sportacus on August 13, 2026, 09:13:35 PMQuote from: Armagh18 on August 13, 2026, 08:53:37 PMQuote from: LC on August 13, 2026, 08:25:22 PMAll the usual stuff in the news / media today, over 30 years since I got my results, seems like yesterday.
Well done to those who got the grades they wanted but when you see them being interviewed and they are going on about the course they are planning to do at Uni I end up saying to myself good luck to them as some seem to be doing completely stupid courses with little job prospects on the other side.
Wouldn't begrudge anyone the the uni experience even if the degree is a load of dung. You're a long time working.
Would agree with that, great days. And if you've got a bit about you when you go out into the world of work you'll be fine down the line. A dangerous day for some though, bit of panic set in if the grades aren't what was hoped for and maybe snatch at a course rather than be left behind. You're just a money commodity to the Uni's these days
Absolutely. At the end of the day they're only kids, if they don't go to uni it's not the end of the world and if they do go and find it's not for them then theres plenty of other options. I'm sure we all know plenty of people who have done extremely well for themselves without a degree
That's exactly it. Go to Uni/Tech and enjoy your early 20s. Some might stick it out; some might not. And it probably won't matter.
Quote from: LC on August 13, 2026, 08:25:22 PMAll the usual stuff in the news / media today, over 30 years since I got my results, seems like yesterday.
Well done to those who got the grades they wanted but when you see them being interviewed and they are going on about the course they are planning to do at Uni I end up saying to myself good luck to them as some seem to be doing completely stupid courses with little job prospects on the other side.
University isn't just about technical qualifications for work.
Sure it's great craic...
Do a course that you know has limited prospects of actually following in a role within that 'sector'. Generate serious debt, plus financial burden on your parents, stress on yourself throughout because you maybe picked the wrong course but stick it out cause you know you might let people down leaving or changing
I'm definitely in the camp of doing a college degree course that is and will lead you into a role within the field of work you wanted
Doing it just to have the craic and experience, friendships but never following through on the area of your course is bollox..
Completely speaking from experience btw
I definitely blame parents (including myself) that allowing them to be 'free' to enjoy, you're only young once blah blah I think will have knock on effects when those sectors are looking people that had been projected to work and fill these roles.
Apprenticeships allow for free qualifications
Apprenticeships, traditionally in the manual labour market are being matched by the professional side, still getting a degree at the end with experience of being in the job.
It's like people who never went to college never had a good time ;D
I'm similar MR2 I wouldn't be advocating for my kids to go to Uni unless it's something they were actively interested in that was vocational like medicine/law/accounting/physio/slt etc.
When I went it was "go do something in computers" and I ended up doing half business half IT and was proficient in neither when I got a proper job. I didn't need a degree to do the job I have now.
I absolutely enjoyed my time at Uni and had a blast but a 10 hour a week course and coming out with £30-40k odd debt is a waste of everyone's time!!
Quote from: screenexile on August 16, 2026, 11:56:39 AMI absolutely enjoyed my time at Uni and had a blast but a 10 hour a week course and coming out with £30-40k odd debt is a waste of everyone's time!!
As you say, unless related directly to a job that you are fully invested in/vocational, its an expensive folly for 2 or 3 years out of life
Quote from: tiempo on August 16, 2026, 10:08:57 PMQuote from: screenexile on August 16, 2026, 11:56:39 AMI absolutely enjoyed my time at Uni and had a blast but a 10 hour a week course and coming out with £30-40k odd debt is a waste of everyone's time!!
As you say, unless related directly to a job that you are fully invested in/vocational, its an expensive folly for 2 or 3 years out of life
Middle-aged conservative thinking certainly has its place. So does 18 year old, you get one shot at this shite thinking.
We're deadly people for wanting to die with a shitload of money to pass on to the next cnut. And then he does the same. Fcuk that.
18 years old picking courses and deciding what you want to do for the rest of your life. I'd say a small enough percentage would work out that way. And sure a lot of the time 18 year olds will do what they want anyway as they know better than their parents.
These apprenticeships are a good job to be fair. My nephew got one with a construction firm. He will be coming out with no debt and a head start with his career. But he will miss all the craic and life skills you learn from carrying on in a student house.
As I said, I don't know how you could decide at 18 years old what you want to do for your career. I'd of course be encouraging my lad to pick something worthwhile and something that will lead into a good job etc. but I'll also be encouraging him to do at least a few years in the middle of the craic. Then do the whole travelling carryon round Australia or somewhere and avoiding serious work for as long as he can. I know I learned more from doing those things than any uni degree.
Life can be short and brutish.
Enjoy that time in life. And if you're not sure of the pathway, go for it anyway. You've been sitting in a classroom since the age of 4.
Quote from: ONeill on August 16, 2026, 11:05:03 PMLife can be short and brutish.
Enjoy that time in life. And if you're not sure of the pathway, go for it anyway. You've been sitting in a classroom since the age of 4.
Starting to see reminders coming up on socials about 2 years since the passing of Caolan Finnegan. If that's not a reason to go out and live a little im your youth then I don't know what is.
Thankfully, there are many pathways for young people to follow these days and each direction benefits each one of them. The student loan is a mess but is unlikely to ever to be paid off unless you are earning mega cash. Young people have opportunities now that many didn't have in the past which is good.
Quote from: JimStynes on August 16, 2026, 10:36:40 PM18 years old picking courses and deciding what you want to do for the rest of your life. I'd say a small enough percentage would work out that way. And sure a lot of the time 18 year olds will do what they want anyway as they know better than their parents.
These apprenticeships are a good job to be fair. My nephew got one with a construction firm. He will be coming out with no debt and a head start with his career. But he will miss all the craic and life skills you learn from carrying on in a student house.
As I said, I don't know how you could decide at 18 years old what you want to do for your career. I'd of course be encouraging my lad to pick something worthwhile and something that will lead into a good job etc. but I'll also be encouraging him to do at least a few years in the middle of the craic. Then do the whole travelling carryon round Australia or somewhere and avoiding serious work for as long as he can. I know I learned more from doing those things than any uni degree.
Would not swap it for the world.
It would seem more and more students are just commuting every day, I might be wrong but from what I hear the whole university social scene is not maybe what it was years ago.
Quote from: LC on August 17, 2026, 08:18:37 AMQuote from: JimStynes on August 16, 2026, 10:36:40 PM18 years old picking courses and deciding what you want to do for the rest of your life. I'd say a small enough percentage would work out that way. And sure a lot of the time 18 year olds will do what they want anyway as they know better than their parents.
These apprenticeships are a good job to be fair. My nephew got one with a construction firm. He will be coming out with no debt and a head start with his career. But he will miss all the craic and life skills you learn from carrying on in a student house.
As I said, I don't know how you could decide at 18 years old what you want to do for your career. I'd of course be encouraging my lad to pick something worthwhile and something that will lead into a good job etc. but I'll also be encouraging him to do at least a few years in the middle of the craic. Then do the whole travelling carryon round Australia or somewhere and avoiding serious work for as long as he can. I know I learned more from doing those things than any uni degree.
Would not swap it for the world.
It would seem more and more students are just commuting every day, I might be wrong but from what I hear the whole university social scene is not maybe what it was years ago.
Probably cheaper to stay at home than rent etc. but you'll miss the banter.
Advantages and disadvantages.
Would there still the same amount of young ones going to uni there days?
Quote from: JimStynes on August 16, 2026, 10:36:40 PM18 years old picking courses and deciding what you want to do for the rest of your life. I'd say a small enough percentage would work out that way. And sure a lot of the time 18 year olds will do what they want anyway as they know better than their parents.
These apprenticeships are a good job to be fair. My nephew got one with a construction firm. He will be coming out with no debt and a head start with his career. But he will miss all the craic and life skills you learn from carrying on in a student house.
As I said, I don't know how you could decide at 18 years old what you want to do for your career. I'd of course be encouraging my lad to pick something worthwhile and something that will lead into a good job etc. but I'll also be encouraging him to do at least a few years in the middle of the craic. Then do the whole travelling carryon round Australia or somewhere and avoiding serious work for as long as he can. I know I learned more from doing those things than any uni degree.
But you don't miss out, I was working and out every night with my mates and had money to buy the stuff without annoying he parents, this goes completely against what I actually encouraged my kids to do btw ;D
Coming from a different generation getting a job, house and looking to finish up working with no debt was the norm, I can't see the kids nowadays being able to afford buy their houses pay off their debt and being able to save and live a decent life with the economy as shite as it is now
Extortionate rents around the Holylands, the amount of crime and shite around it and the even more extortionate rents in student halls will put plenty off staying up in uni
How much is the average rent in the halls and Holylands nowadays?
Quote from: marty34 on August 17, 2026, 09:30:14 AMHow much is the average rent in the halls and Holylands nowadays?
Young fella going to Holylands this year despite our protestations. 400 a month in Holylands with bills on top vs 8 grand for a year in Halls last year but the latter cost was all-in.
Quote from: Armagh18 on August 17, 2026, 09:16:17 AMExtortionate rents around the Holylands, the amount of crime and shite around it and the even more extortionate rents in student halls will put plenty off staying up in uni
I think the cost is putting people off the most. High rent for crap housing, overall cost of living is way up, nightlife isn't what it was either.
Quote from: Tony Baloney on August 17, 2026, 09:37:04 AMQuote from: marty34 on August 17, 2026, 09:30:14 AMHow much is the average rent in the halls and Holylands nowadays?
Young fella going to Holylands this year despite our protestations. 400 a month in Holylands with bills on top vs 8 grand for a year in Halls last year but the latter cost was all-in.
Are the houses any better than they were 25 years ago? It doesn't look it from the outside
Quote from: Tony Baloney on August 17, 2026, 09:37:04 AMQuote from: marty34 on August 17, 2026, 09:30:14 AMHow much is the average rent in the halls and Holylands nowadays?
Young fella going to Holylands this year despite our protestations. 400 a month in Holylands with bills on top vs 8 grand for a year in Halls last year but the latter cost was all-in.
Halls have obviously increased since my daughter went to Elms, in fairness my wife could have told me anything with regards to costs and I'd have no idea..
From what I am hearing the Holylands is a complete dump these days.
Don't want our ones mounting up the debt but at the same time I would be a hypocrite if I was trying to convince them to commute when I know that craic I had there back in the day. I know a few at work who had children that stayed in Belfast for the first year and then commuted thereafter, maybe not a bad idea.
If our ones in years to come were going to move to Belfast I would be directing them towards Stranmillis.
Quote from: clonian on August 17, 2026, 09:50:25 AMQuote from: Tony Baloney on August 17, 2026, 09:37:04 AMQuote from: marty34 on August 17, 2026, 09:30:14 AMHow much is the average rent in the halls and Holylands nowadays?
Young fella going to Holylands this year despite our protestations. 400 a month in Holylands with bills on top vs 8 grand for a year in Halls last year but the latter cost was all-in.
Are the houses any better than they were 25 years ago? It doesn't look it from the outside
Probably no different i.e. a wide range from places you wouldn't keep hens in to really nice spots. I haven't seen this place he's going to on University Ave. When I lived there 25+ years ago the biggest dumps were University Ave and Fitzroy.
Even where my daughter is livening now (Melrose) they aint students anymore, I don't go into the house, they don't use the kitchen, its a complete dump.. They took it on for another year like WTF!
I've no words to whoever is in charge of how people are meant to be living in these slums and get away with it, it would not be surprising that long term illnesses from living in the conditions isn't a big factor on these kids
You would avoid Holylands at all costs. There are some good HMOs but alot of streets are disgraceful. The demographic has changed. Botanic Ave is very rough as well.
Stranmillis, Annadale or Ormeau would be better places to rent.
Quote from: Delgany 2nds on August 17, 2026, 10:19:45 AMYou would avoid Holylands at all costs. There are some good HMOs but alot of streets are disgraceful. The demographic has changed. Botanic Ave is very rough as well.
Stranmillis, Annadale or Ormeau would be better places to rent.
Was on Botanic in a car snaffling a Boojum for about 15 mins while waiting on someone a couple of weeks ago and it was a grim sight about the place. Had heard as much from friends over the years but it still surprised me.