Yeah...I'm told the system on the continent is quite infuriating. The thing I like about the British system (I don't know about the American one much) is that we specialise a lot earlier than in the rest of Europe. That is to say, I'm taking 5 subjects right now, whereas people in say France at my age will be taking one exam which basically covers everything. I can see how that might be "to make people more balanced," but if I suck at say Maths, I don't want to keep having to study it for another 2 years and then -never- use it after that.

Agreed, in a way. Went to a regular high school for 9th-10th, and a special Academy for 11th-12th (Associate of Science degree, along with my HS Diploma) - www.nwmissouri.edu/MASMC

Neat school - just wish I hadn't wasted the last two years. Fortunately, I believe I've grown as a person a lot in the past year or so (becoming... ::gasps:: ::whispers:: an adult (slowly, but surely, damnit)). Now to get some free-ride scholarships (not gonna happen).

Potential careers I've been interested in, to varying degrees, in no particular order (some due to interest, others due to $$) - Actuary, Cryptology, Computer Programmer, was once interested in Mathematics Professor, but I can't teach. More will be added later.

...what's cryptology? Also, yay computer programmer. That's what I'm going to try and be. Doubt I'll have much success, but the only other field I'd even have a hope in, I don't want to do. 'cause I'm not terrible at French, but I don't ever want to move out of England or anything, and to take a degree in it you -have- to go abroad for a year from what I hear. Yep, I'm that neophobic.

Also, as one of my friends pointed out to me earlier, anyone find it ironic how a topic about me posting too much has lead into a big spammy discussion about education with me posting loads of times anyway?

Nika sticks out her tongue and says, "The point was, it wasn't that difficult a decision."

I had like 10 subjects for my final tests before going to university (we have bachelor degrees and 5 years careers in the university). Half of them were languages, philosophy and history. The other half, specific for the career I wanted to do. I liked that even we scientific people had to study some "non-cience" subjects, because otherwise you end up being a great programmer unable to write a comprehensive text in anything that isn't a programming language. Too much specialization scares me.

And the university is supposed to prepare you for your laboral life in the future, but they don't take into account subjects so important as "Yoga: A practical aproach to really stupid customers". Reality develops so fast (at least in the computers world) that the university has no hope of being up to it. But it teaches you to think, to me at least.

Oh I don't know, I LIKE specialisation. I'm just remembering being depressed every Wednesday because I had music and art and couldn't do either of those subjects to any level to save my life. It's demoralising, so I think being able to pick your own preferences, and ONLY your own preferences, is important.

I see what you mean about life skills and such, but I've yet to find many teachers A )Adept enough to actually teach things like...stress release things 0_o and B )That can keep control of a younger group of students that think it's pointless . Okay, granted, I went to an all guy's school, so that doesn't help (SHHH Ingrid), but it can't be THAT different at lower levels.

The way it works here is good, I think. The subjects are divided into two lists, one of the humanities and one of science/maths type stuff and you have to pick at least one from each list out of the 4-6 subjects that you do each year (You've gotta do at least 10 subjects in total over 2 years). You also have to do one of the English courses, and there's a lot of pressure to do a maths subject in most cases.

Anyways, it lets people specialise while discouraging them from specialising too much .

Yeah, but Nika's from Western Australia, they don't count over there.

Go NSW!

FYI I just finished Yr. 7 so neeneh

(Yes I reply to posts made months ago, because I'm special)

C'mon people, the Brits rule over all.

Who cares if we have less money, less army, and a spineless government that cannot do anything for itself (can I be like, killed for that?). We still rule.

All come to Hull. Yes that's right, Kingston-Upon-Hull. Worst education, highest rates of teenage pregancy, highest crime in the country outside of London. but hey, I got 2 As in science t'other day. Get in!

PS If MI5 get on the phone asking for a manjanaia, hide the message pretty please?

There was this book, top 50 crap towns in England, Hull was number 1. Hee.

I think my town was number 11.

Don't forget the 90% Rainy weather and foggy weather

Well, better than the 100% rain in Wales. At least in England we get sun twice a year. (Maybe.)

Hell ya, Hull comes no.1 at all the bad stuff. It rules!

I want an avatar. Like Shiri's donkey

90% of the days with bad weather? and when do you go to the beach? I really wouldn't survive there.

Heh, we don't, we go back to where I used to live in sunny Italy!

The weather's not THAT bad, but even if it was, I wouldn't care, I spend ALL my free time on Lusternia and forums nowadays anyway. With the curtains shut. And the door closed. (Yes, I'm agoraphobic. No, I'm not a mushroom. Yay Spanish complexion. )

Shiri, your signature contradicts your post-count rank. I your signature it says that you are the rank of transcendant, while you actual rank is "Way too many posts".

Oh, that's a good point. *updates*

I'm telling you.. his post count should officially say Damn! or something.