Get Good Braiiinns - Go Back To College

How to get good Braiiinns…

An Educational post

Step one: Quit your job. It sucks and you know it. You’re undervalued and underpaid. Your mind has turned to mush. If I have to say ‘Hi this is Shanice in sales’ (without lisping) one more time, I think I may implode! Also, the free selection of biscuits and unlimited trips to the coffee machine do not make up for bitchy colleagues and coma inducing tasks…even if they are Hobnobs!

Step two: Think about step one. If you have ‘Responsibilities’ such as a bills, online quests or pets, I wouldn’t jump right into that one without arranging yourself. The best thing to do is to move back in with your parents. They have nice food, interwebs and laundry services.Also, as they have your embarrassing baby and teen photos, it's best to keep on their good side!

Step three: Explore your Educational options….or just read the ones I made, just for you;

Access Courses – These are best for older students (19+) who want a career change. It’s a one year course in a subject of your choice (such as Business, Health and Social care, Teaching etc.) which will give you the skills necessary to go to University. I’ve been working as an Administrator Assistant which is sooo boring but now I’m about to start an Access to Education Studies so I can become a Primary Teacher! Yay me! The qualification I will receive at the end of my year is highly sought after by many universities as the course includes exams and coursework but also a placement is needed in your field as well as lots of time for private study, group sessions, trips and one-to-one time with tutors. They also brush up your Maths and English skills with weekly workshops. It’s very diverse and fast paced. You can look on the Access website for general information but its best to check around local colleges.

Cons: A heavy workload. You are advised not to go into employment as you need all the time you can get for studying.Not every college offers this course and there is alot of competiton at the ones that do.

Apprenticeships – A great way to get qualifications and money too. Most organisations will take on their apprentices on completion of their course. It’s a great way of getting hands on experience in an area that you enjoy and this way you can test to see if that specific career is the one for you.It's best to register on the Apprenticeships website to get regular updates.

Cons: Most apprenticeships start around May-June and are snapped up fast by school leavers. The next main occurrences of apprenticeships are early January. There are some that are available all year round such as Business and Retail .

Short Courses – There are many available from Business to Baking. Most are flexible with negotiable hours. They start from one day courses to six weeks depending on the type.This is best if you want to study whilst working.

A-Levels –Yawn…The ‘normal’ route to college. It’s really boring, I’ve tried before. As A-levels are mainly exam based with the rest being course work, most universities are uninterested in them due to their ‘lack of experience gained during the course’. Example: It’s all good learning about ‘Baking’ but what good is that if you don’t know how to apply it in real life i.e. actually bake a cake?

Cons: 16-18 year old Justin Beiber fans usually go for this route

'cheesy smile, not included'

If you don’t want to get back into education, you could try these options:

Create & Sell – If you own a sewing machine and imagination and a pencil you should do this. Make cute little plushies, sell your artsy doodles or make accessories and sell them on Etsy. There are big bucks to be gained for homemade, unique gifts!

Bake – Make a cake stall and set it up at a local school, public event or shopping centre. If you have a child, put some bows in their hair and help them sell cakes to get that ‘aww how cute factor’. This method doesn’t work well with boys…

Ebay/Gumtree – Sell your stuff. Minimalism is so fashionable right now…

Sell your skills – If you are good at creative pursuits such as designing or writing, why not set up a free website and advertise your skills. It is great way of getting extra money.

Become a mystery shopper - Get paid to go to the shops and restaurants you like. All you have to do is submit your review to them. Once you have gone through their application process, you’re ready to go.Retail Eyes,Grass Roots & Mystery Shopper UK have lots of easy tasks to do for good prices.Whats best is that if you have to review food, they will refund you for your meal and pay you on top of that!

Step Four : Do you like waffles? Go to the next step.If not, shame on you.

Step Five: If none of the above worked for you, play the lottery.

Has anyone else just quit their job before and started fresh? How did it go?

I’m doing it at the moment and I would value your experience :D