ok, so before the top up fees were implemented, and the culture of debt that now enshrines the majority of students

That culture has been around for a long time though its nothing new, and it is too easy for students to get into debt infact we have a system that actively encourages it.

it is possible to go through Uni without getting into extravagant amount of debt but most students don't/won't make that happen preferring to build problems for themselves when the graduate instead.

i hate to say it, but there are loads of part-time jobs about thats what people who don't want to end up in debt do, thats what i did!

i'm sorry, but i've been there, done it, worked through uni and come out without an over-draft! anyone who comes out with a sob story is either lazy or too interested in gettting pi$$ed to work!

no sympathy!

Spot on, there is no reason people can't study and work, especially as most course you are lucky if you are expected to attend lectures for 10 hours a week.

The problem is too many people see Uni as a chance to party for 3 years rather than taking it seriously and looking to the future benefits it can hold.

The only debt I had when I left uni was from my student loan, I worked every hour possible (and my course wasn't as "easy" in the hours department as a lot) to ensure that I could support myself through the course, yes I missed out on a lot due to it - I hardly went to any matches for the 3 years - but at least other than the student loan I am not left in debt now as a result.

My nephew lived at home and didn't have a car or a booze habit. Three years studying art and 10 quid in debt.

Bingo.

University at one point actually meant something. Now anybody can go to Uni and get a degree by doing little more than getting bladdered every night.

are you assuming that i graduated with an overdraft? i worked some crazy hours in order to be able to avoid the levels of debt some of my friends are in.




most people wouldnt describe there university overdraft as a sob story though. the level of debt that most students take on has been normalised into the university lifestyle.

and well done for getting back to your stereotyping

Actually I got a degree by getting bladdered every night, but I was a smart @r$e capable of learning under those conditions. Also beer was 50p a pint and I got a grant. It has prepared me perfectly for the job I do now where I have to travel and sit in bars with sales people and customers and carry on a sensible conversation after five steins of Bavarias finest (or like last night eat and drink at one of London's finest resteraunts and manage to talk for 4 hours to a potential customer I last met 20 years ago, where my final words were - " Mike, you are a complete t***"icon_wink.gif.

I wouldn't say I get much help from families, unlike quite alot who lived in halls last year. One lad (and he now works around 20 hours a week)in the 2nd year still gets 300quid from his Dad every month, just like he did the first year. Others got around 150/200 a month off parents.

I was made to work, wasn't allowed to get an over draft (If I did, I would have to start helping pay the bills).

Not got a loan this year either, but I can support the evidence that people do spend most of their student loans on luxuries such as going out, buying designer clothes, or paying for a summer holiday.

Without sounding like a boring fart, the money left over on my 1st years loans went straight into my ISA.

One lad I know had 3 over drafts the 1st year and his attidude was "I don't mind been around 25grand in debt after 3 years because When I graduate I'll earn loads, and pay it back easily"

I hate getting sterotyped with students but I'll laugh at all those when they are still paying thousands back in over a decades time.

i think we had a similar uni experience and also have a similar outlook on what the best way to approach university is, probably due to our parents

but your argument that

really asserts my point, that we now live in a society where 25 grand of debt by the age of 25 is the norm.

Or alternatively .. we live in a society where around 50% of school leavers go on and do a degree qualification and get a higher education.

What is this right? Since when?

i agree about thick people at uni, but nothings new with the drinking culture. i go to an old boys event every year for the uni rugby team and the old boys are worse than the new lads - the new lads cant afford to live it up like they did when student unions were doin silly prices.

as for the carnegie trust, are you sure about that? i heard recently leeds met were in tons of debt due to their investment in sport and new buildings.

Nice one twice.

I now find you compelling. You'll have to live with the burdon m'lud.