One in six adults admit they are ‘embarrassed’ by their lack of education, research has revealed. A detailed report found 54% regret not working harder at school, and worry they will not reach the career highs they may well have done had they put in more effort.
It also emerged that 47% have taken action to try and improve their qualifications since they left school and started out in the world of work.
The research, by Open Study College, also found more than one in ten adults have been prevented from working in a certain field due to their lack of necessary qualifications, while one in five have fallen short on a specific job or graduate scheme because of substandard grades.
And as a result, four in ten adults have had a ‘reality check’ and realised they should have worked harder at school – with the average person experiencing this at the age of 25.
Almost a third of workers actually believe their level of education could have held them back in their career.
Steven Nash at Open Study College, which commissioned the study, said:
”This research shows most of us at some time reflect on our academic achievements.
”When you are young, it’s understandable you don’t fully appreciate the impact that your education has later-on in life.
”So it can be a blow when people apply for certain jobs, or want to undertake a course to further their career, and realize they don’t meet certain requirements.
”Many of us have moments where we think we could have done better at something, but it’s important not to get too hung up on this and there are always steps you can take to enhance your academic achievements.”
Nearly one in ten couldn’t get a place on their university course of choice due to their school grades being too low.
Missing out on jobs, courses and grad schemes pushes some to more controversial tactics – 13% of us have lied about our qualifications.
Half of those said they did it to get a particular job, 38% were too ashamed to reveal their real results and 30% said ‘everyone’ lies about results.
Nearly a third of adults have even been left red-faced in both social and work situations due to their qualifications or standard of education.
One in ten adults even admit that there is competition between themselves and their colleagues over who has the best education or qualifications.
But it comes as no surprise when a third of people said they put more emphasis on the social side of things when at school, college or university.
In fact, 27% of respondents said that their school days were the best days of their life, with an honest four in ten saying they frequently messed around in class, got detentions and failed to hand in homework.
A sociable one in five said they regularly chatted to friends all the way through lessons.
The findings also found that only 53% of adults are happy with the qualifications they gained at school, and 87% said they have only learned to appreciate the importance of education as they have got older.
Just over a third said they went as far academically as they possibly could.
Steven Nash added:
”It’s really not advisable to lie about your qualifications. It’s far better to be honest and to emphasize your other strengths.
”If there are weaknesses you wish to address we would recommend retaking exams or working towards relevant qualifications to give yourself an edge when looking for a new job or progressing in your current role.”
