The Pros and Cons of Deferment

[SaintCait]

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Its a decision that alot of people are facing right now, including me. I've always said that I'm going straight to uni (Do not pass go, do not collect $200!) But now that I'm actually looking at the costs of uni, that $200 is looking pretty good!

Pros:
*Work for a year= $$$$$$
*Working for a year may also mean being entitled to centrelink payments.
*The added money when finally at uni, means that theres more time for study (and fun!)

Cons:
*After working your arse off for the HSC, it's easier to stay in the study habit then give it up for a year and try to pick it up again later.
*The hardwork given during the HSC pays off straight away...you reach your goal (uni program)
*Deferment means you graduate a year later, thats a year of your life gone. You would probably earn more money in a year once you've graduated then you would in the year that you defer.

Thats only a few. I would love some opinions from anyone. Whether you've defered or not- was your decision the right one? Have your friends/yourself struggled at uni and dropped out? Would they have been better to defer?

[stalk_if_u_dare]

I really have no choice about deferring

Cos i live in the Mountains & i got an offer from La Trobe (Albury-Wodonga). I need money to move down, nor myself or my dad have money. (& thanks to my stupid job, who stopped giving me shifts at the end of Nov.).

So, for this year, do my RSA, get a job & do a TAFE course

[SaintCait]

I also have to relocate from an "inner regional" area to go to uni, hence money being the main basis of the pros.

Goodluck though, it's a shame that you don't have a choice but at the same time, your not stuck in the pickle i'm in.

[Generator]

A year gone? Ah, you're 17 or 18, right? Do you really think that 1 year from 80 or so spent working to prepare for uni will be such a 'waste' if it's necessary?

[SaintCait]

Originally Posted by Generator

A year gone? Ah, you're 17 or 18, right? Do you really think that 1 year from 80 or so spent working to prepare for uni will be such a 'waste' if it's necessary?

Okay, so that statement was a little dramatic. I guess what i mean is, i personally CAN'T WAIT until i am working in my chosen field (physiotherapy). I'm really excited to do so, and i don't like the thought of making that goal one year further away.

[Jess_L]

I finished the hsc in 2004 and decided to defer my course at uow for a year. It was a really hard decision at the time for me too because i knew i wasn't ready for uni and to move away from home but i wasnt sure if my boss could give me enough work so i could earn the $17000 for watever it is to get Youth alowance. I thought by not going to uni that year i would end up totally regretting it in a few months time and wasting a year.
But its been the best decison ever. I was given enough work and have earned enough to get Youth allowance this year, but even if i hadnt earned enough just the experience of working for year, and not having to deal with the stress of exams etc was worth it. I have grown up so much in just a year and have become more independent and confident. I know now that my decision to defer was the right decision!!! The only bad thing for me now if having to leave all my good friends at work, it would have been easier to leave straight away last year. I've become so close to them in a year that its going to be really hard when it comes time to say goodbye. Thats the only bad thing ive found about deferring.

You'll have people telling u ur mad if u don't go straight away, and others saying its good to have a break. but its really up to you. A year goes extremely quickly, it is helpful to earn some money for uni, ive found my budgeting is going to be a lot easier. But then you're also running the risk of not going to uni at all after the year is up coz u've lost interest in study etc and have gotten used to your routine. But from my personal experience its definitely worth having a year off, although it is harder to leave this year for uni i don't regret my decision one bit!!!

Hope that helps!!!

[what971]

Originally Posted by stalk_if_u_dare

I really have no choice about deferring

Cos i live in the Mountains & i got an offer from La Trobe (Albury-Wodonga). I need money to move down, nor myself or my dad have money. (& thanks to my stupid job, who stopped giving me shifts at the end of Nov.).

So, for this year, do my RSA, get a job & do a TAFE course

You can't defer then do a another tertiery study course (TAFE). You will lose your deferred offer if you undertake any other tertiery study during your gap year.

[what971]

Originally Posted by Jess_L

I finished the hsc in 2004 and decided to defer my course at uow for a year. It was a really hard decision at the time for me too because i knew i wasn't ready for uni and to move away from home but i wasnt sure if my boss could give me enough work so i could earn the $17000 for watever it is to get Youth alowance. I thought by not going to uni that year i would end up totally regretting it in a few months time and wasting a year.
But its been the best decison ever. I was given enough work and have earned enough to get Youth allowance this year, but even if i hadnt earned enough just the experience of working for year, and not having to deal with the stress of exams etc was worth it. I have grown up so much in just a year and have become more independent and confident. I know now that my decision to defer was the right decision!!! The only bad thing for me now if having to leave all my good friends at work, it would have been easier to leave straight away last year. I've become so close to them in a year that its going to be really hard when it comes time to say goodbye. Thats the only bad thing ive found about deferring.

You'll have people telling u ur mad if u don't go straight away, and others saying its good to have a break. but its really up to you. A year goes extremely quickly, it is helpful to earn some money for uni, ive found my budgeting is going to be a lot easier. But then you're also running the risk of not going to uni at all after the year is up coz u've lost interest in study etc and have gotten used to your routine. But from my personal experience its definitely worth having a year off, although it is harder to leave this year for uni i don't regret my decision one bit!!!

Hope that helps!!!

Nice, Jess.

[stalk_if_u_dare]

Originally Posted by what971

You can't defer then do a another tertiery study course (TAFE). You will lose your deferred offer if you undertake any other tertiery study during your gap year.

Well La Trobe didnt say anything about that, they just said, write them a letter explaining that we're deferring.

Well i better send them a email..anyway, its only a certificate III

[Tuna]

That was a good option as well Jess_L. People come from different background so there's no solution about money problem.

If you're a hard worker(seriously) then you have no trouble at all finding a part-time job whilst completing your degree. It does take a lot of effort if you're studying 16 hours or more at university. In the end it is worth it. You haven't wasted your time plus you're going the right direction in terms of career path.

If you have made friends outside whilst deferring then that is good. No question about that. You can basically make friends anywhere.

You do make more money once you have graduated. The difference is substantial if you're hitting the top jobs. Miners make 100k per year after graduated so to the people who specialised in Actuarial Studies, 80k. If you're not doing that then don't worry.

Text books cost a lot if you don't work. I personally found a job straight after the HSC and I earned enough money to go on a holiday. So depends on you. Really...

[Jess_L]

I finished the hsc in 2004 and decided to defer my course at uow for a year. It was a really hard decision at the time for me too because i knew i wasn't ready for uni and to move away from home but i wasnt sure if my boss could give me enough work so i could earn the $17000 for watever it is to get Youth alowance. I thought by not going to uni that year i would end up totally regretting it in a few months time and wasting a year.
But its been the best decison ever. I was given enough work and have earned enough to get Youth allowance this year, but even if i hadnt earned enough just the experience of working for year, and not having to deal with the stress of exams etc was worth it. I have grown up so much in just a year and have become more independent and confident. I know now that my decision to defer was the right decision!!! The only bad thing for me now if having to leave all my good friends at work, it would have been easier to leave straight away last year. I've become so close to them in a year that its going to be really hard when it comes time to say goodbye. Thats the only bad thing ive found about deferring.

You'll have people telling u ur mad if u don't go straight away, and others saying its good to have a break. but its really up to you. A year goes extremely quickly, it is helpful to earn some money for uni, ive found my budgeting is going to be a lot easier. But then you're also running the risk of not going to uni at all after the year is up coz u've lost interest in study etc and have gotten used to your routine. But from my personal experience its definitely worth having a year off, although it is harder to leave this year for uni i don't regret my decision one bit!!!

Hope that helps!!!

[hipsta_jess]

Was there a reason you felt the need to post that twice?

[what971]

Originally Posted by stalk_if_u_dare

Well La Trobe didnt say anything about that, they just said, write them a letter explaining that we're deferring.

Well i better send them a email..anyway, its only a certificate III

'stalk_if_u_dare', on page 94 of the UAC 2006 Guide,

'If you undertake degree studies or certain levels of TAFE study other than HSC courses during your deferment year, your offer may lapse. Check with each institution to ascertain specific policies'

You should really ring your Uni to find out more about this.

[ur_inner_child]

i didn't defer, but since a year has gone by since the hsc, i feel i have a clearer understanding of what i want, and what it is like to work full time and actually understand it as a "life" aspect.

because of this, as well as the fact that i normally finish things i start and regret nothing, i want to try for COFA after my music degree in usyd

[SaintCait]

Thanks guys i understand what your saying.

I know, with all my heart, that i will never in a million years change my mind about what i want to study at uni and which career path i wish to take. I know that. So when you say a year clears your mind-thats not needed for me.

It does come down to the individual, your right. I know that i want this enough to do it, so i've decided not to defer. I know i can make some sacrifices, stick it out and make it.

Thanks guys! :-)