BOOMBAYAH Posted April 25, 2022 Posted April 25, 2022 I’m 20, living in England, studying in London and have been thinking of dropping out for a while. I started university when I was 19, during the peak of the pandemic, and basically hated it but thought maybe it was more to do with the pandemic and online class and not the actual university. So I took a year out and continued where I left off, but I still dislike being at university, and especially dislike my course (zero passion for it). I did try to transfer to a course I have high interests in beforehand, but they had no more spaces so I was stuck with my original course. Honestly, the main reason I haven’t dropped out fully yet is because my family would be on my neck about it, and they just wouldn’t understand if I told them I simply have no passion or drive for that specific sort of learning environment, and also because if I drop out and don’t find anything to do (I’d really want to do art direction, web design, graphic design etc) then I might have just wasted my early 20s not doing anything significant + not have a degree to at least fall back on. As of right now, I’m just very depressed and university is making it so much worse (I was struggling mentally during my break but noticed I was much more productive and happy). I’m not sure what to do, so what do you guys think? Should I drop out and try to pursue something on my own terms or tough it out for another 2 years (*cries* lol).
ariananext Posted April 25, 2022 Posted April 25, 2022 I think you should find a way to do what you really like. Even if you hold on and graduate, you still won't like the job you'll get with that degree. I don't think you should drop out at all because the issue seems to be the course and not the effort. My boyfriend dropped out after a couple of tries in different courses, and unfortunately he didn't have an easy way finding a job, and even when he did it's obviously not as "comfortable" as mine is.
SimpleKindofLife Posted April 25, 2022 Posted April 25, 2022 You need to do what you need to do to preserve your mental health. Please don’t let anyone’s opinions deter you from that.
Thinking Of You Posted April 25, 2022 Posted April 25, 2022 (edited) BAD. Do not do it. It’ll be over faster than you can blink. It’ll be in your rear view mirror. My friend from university dropped out just as COVID started (we were both in the same graduating class) and now I’m about to graduate next Saturday. Do not do it. It goes by so fast. I went through it all in college mentally. It was very tough for me. Just don’t do it. It gets better. EDIT: Keep yourself occupied with your favorite hobbies on the side so that it can be somewhat enjoyable. Edited April 25, 2022 by Thinking Of You
Seiko Oomori Posted April 25, 2022 Posted April 25, 2022 i started school fall 2019 and then when covid hit i dropped out because i didn't wanna pay for zoom school (art school so i wanted to use facilities in person and materials) and i still haven't gone back to school since i'm in the same situation where i feel like im wasting these years working minimum wage while i watch my friends work towards graduation. i wish i had a family that was more on my neck for this stuff as i have like no parental support for school cus neither of them went to uni, so in the end maybe them being on your back could work in your favor and give you the motivation to make the period in between when you might drop out and go back to school more focused? all ill say is its so easy to fall in the pit of i'll go back next month, next semester, next year... desperately trying to break out before i'm an old haggard *****
#Beautiful Posted April 25, 2022 Posted April 25, 2022 its always a good idea if thats how you feel. dragging yourself through university because someone else wants you to is pointless, dont waste any more time
The Next Day Posted April 25, 2022 Posted April 25, 2022 (edited) Your degree is only the beginning, after that you will work 40+ years in a job that's somehow related to your subject. So even if you punish yourself with 2 more years uni, it's only getting worse if you have no passion for the topic you're studying. So, think of it as a long-term decision first, not whether you'll do sth "significant" in the next 5 years. If you know what you would really love to do, pursue that. Can you study what you love at your current uni? Change the course. Or find a different uni. Or even **** university if your desired career path doesn't need a degree. Whatever you do, have a plan where you want to head next and how you can get there. Present that plan to your parents. We'll always have to put in work and effort, but it's worth it. Better you graduate older and be happy with your degree and future job then be young and miserable for the rest of your life. Edited April 25, 2022 by The Next Day
#Beautiful Posted April 25, 2022 Posted April 25, 2022 and dont be fooled, you 100% do NOT need university or any paid for degree in order to have an amazing career in life. degrees do NOT guarantee you a job or a career, at all, in the slightest. most employers are looking for skill and experience. so build on that. teach yourself graphic design from youtube, take a sketching course, draw random stuff, anything related to your passion is one million times more useful and productive than any forced effort like the one you're doing right now. if you dont want to move back with your parents look for a job, doesnt have to be related to your passion, something easier that doesnt take all of your energy so while youre producing capital and are able to pay for rent and bills you also have time and energy to invest and expand on your skill thats related to your passion. dropping out saved my life, not everyone needs to go to college or university, a lot of these schools are not very good at all and are very toxic environments that amount to no actual result in the end
BTS Posted April 25, 2022 Posted April 25, 2022 I’m in a similar situation. I dropped out around covid. Took a year out working and am now back in college. I kinda hate it. I shouldn’t have wasted so much time. I’m mad at myself that my friends are almost graduating and I’ve so many years left ahead of me. If you’re gonna switch courses switch now. Stop wasting time. These are the years for messing up and making mistakes. Switch to the course you wanna do now. But don’t abandon university altogether.
Cloudy Posted April 25, 2022 Posted April 25, 2022 (edited) I can only talk from my on experience. I forced myself through 6 years of double degree and I hated every second of it. When I tell you signing up for university it's my biggest regret in life I'm not kidding you. After everything was over I felt completely lost and empty because I had no passion for any of that stuff, I had no idea what to do after, it completely ruined my confidence plus self esteem and left me feeling like a disappointment and that I wasted so many years of my life for nothing. I also had love for art, drawing and designing, but I felt pressured to go for the usual "prestigious" career path, but now I feel it's kind of too late to pursue that. So I'd say that if you really hate it and you have the drive to pursue what you like go for it and don't waste years forcing yourself through something you clearly hate. And don't feel bad about quitting or feeling like a disappointment because at the end of the day you will feel profesioally and personally more accomplished pursuing something you like instead of wasting years on a university that will only make you miserable, take your money to end up not learning ****. Edited April 25, 2022 by Cloudy
BGXKB Posted April 25, 2022 Posted April 25, 2022 You gotta do what’s best for you. A degree and a quarter million dollars debt wasn’t best for me.
thankfulforkelly Posted April 25, 2022 Posted April 25, 2022 If it’s affecting you this much, then it isn’t worth it. Your well-being is more important than a degree. If you were near the end of your degree I would recommend sticking it out, but two years left is quite a long time. If you do decide to drop out, there isn’t any shame in it. I would just consider trying to make a solid plan of what you will do instead, even if that’s something like working to save up to go travelling.
Archetype Posted April 25, 2022 Posted April 25, 2022 1 hour ago, BOOMBAYAH said: I’d really want to do art direction, web design, graphic design etc Go get a degree in this instead, or better yet, go study HCI (UI/UX) and minor in graphic design or art direction. Try transferring again and make a very strong case for yourself, and do not accept (there are no spots available). The question should be, “When will slots be available?” and “When can I start?”. You need to show ambition that you really want to switch or else nothing is going to be done about it. Worst case scenario is that you take another gap year/semester and apply to transfer, or you apply to another school for the majors I mentioned. Regardless, get your degree but get it in something you actually care about.
EtherealCat Posted April 25, 2022 Posted April 25, 2022 quit but make sure you have like a job or a place on a different course secured before you quit, itll be better for you but also keep your family happier
liam13 Posted April 25, 2022 Posted April 25, 2022 As someone who dropped out, way before the pandemic, I’ll give you this advice: ask yourself: do you REALLY want to? A few other questions you should ask yourself are: - What will you learn after dropping out? (I was asked this and I answered, but what matters is will you stick to your plan?) - Will you regret your decision later? (This is kinda hard to answer at this moment though. I do regret sometimes but if I were given a second chance, I still wouldn’t go to uni) - You’ll need a job for a living right after dropping out, what’s it gonna be? Why don’t i give you advices instead? Because our lives are different, i can only give you questions because I was asked or I asked myself those. I know how hard it is to find a decent job without a degree, maybe it’s different where i live, but usually a degree is required. I literally spent days just to look for jobs that didn’t ask for a degree (actually there’re a few jobs but you might not want them, eg: CS). So think about this too. Must be a hard time for you, I wish you the best of luck
davorincek Posted April 25, 2022 Posted April 25, 2022 I say pick something different if its affecting you so much. Where you are now its like climbing up a ladder, but the ladder is put against the wrong tree
P.O.P Posted April 25, 2022 Posted April 25, 2022 Do you pay for your university? If yes, is it a huge burden? Do you think you can use that money in a better way instead?
BOOMBAYAH Posted April 25, 2022 Author Posted April 25, 2022 50 minutes ago, Archetype said: Go get a degree in this instead, or better yet, go study HCI (UI/UX) and minor in graphic design or art direction. Try transferring again and make a very strong case for yourself, and do not accept (there are no spots available). The question should be, “When will slots be available?” and “When can I start?”. You need to show ambition that you really want to switch or else nothing is going to be done about it. Worst case scenario is that you take another gap year/semester and apply to transfer, or you apply to another school for the majors I mentioned. Regardless, get your degree but get it in something you actually care about. I tried to get into the UI/UX course but that was the one without slots + they also said it would’ve been best if I started at the start of the year since I’d have missed a lot. This is the final semester so I think I might just finish this whilst also thinking about what to do. But yeah I really feel like a robot sometimes, just waking up completely depressed + doing something I have absolutely no passion for. I emailed the university about the art direction course so I’ll be sure to put up more of an argument for that one and see if I can transfer for second year. 5 minutes ago, P.O.P said: Do you pay for your university? If yes, is it a huge burden? Do you think you can use that money in a better way instead? I don’t personally pay, I’m on student loans so I’ll have to pay it back once I graduate and start earning money. But yeah either way I’m definitely paying for it which is also another layer of stress. 59 minutes ago, thankfulforkelly said: If it’s affecting you this much, then it isn’t worth it. Your well-being is more important than a degree. If you were near the end of your degree I would recommend sticking it out, but two years left is quite a long time. If you do decide to drop out, there isn’t any shame in it. I would just consider trying to make a solid plan of what you will do instead, even if that’s something like working to save up to go travelling. Yeah I think what I’m going to do is just focus a lot on the creative stuff and create a great portfolio and put it out there. Although my parents are very overbearing about education + would straight up shame me if I let university completely, they would never kick me out or make me do something I don’t want to so I would at least have time to figure things out.
BOOMBAYAH Posted April 25, 2022 Author Posted April 25, 2022 I honestly posted this thread not expecting much advice or anyone to take me seriously, so I just want to say thank you to all of you guys. This is something I’ve been struggling with for almost 2 years now so I truly appreciate the time you’ve given to advise me.
Rev8 Posted April 25, 2022 Posted April 25, 2022 Sis, almost everyone is like that after school. A lot of kids dont know what they want after finishing school..I had to go 5 years between universities and work, to know what I wanted. Now I am actually giving a **** (which wasnt the case when I first started something random) Dont feel bad for feeling this way. Your parents should understand u and support u to follow something U like. Follow what U want since U will feel bad in the future if u dont do it now. Dont give a Duck about if u wasted your early years, u arent going to die! U still have so much to live! Make this effort for your Future self!
NOW Posted April 25, 2022 Posted April 25, 2022 I would try really, really hard to stick it out in school and waitlist all the classes needed before dropping. I've been there and not having the classes you need because you get last dibs is truly disheartening when you don't have other choices. Another thing you could do is see what other general classes are available that you can take in the meantime that will fulfill the degree requirements for what you're trying to transfer into, or what classes in other depts work as an equivalent to a class that's unavailable right now. You could also look into this UX Design program from General Assembly if you decide to leave your university and take something bootcamp-related like it. I've heard good things about it from people in the US, not sure how different it is for England: https://generalassemb.ly/education/user-experience-design/london
dirrtydiana Posted April 25, 2022 Posted April 25, 2022 imma call you over here to numb the pain i got a bad idea forget about it, forget about him, forget about me
BOOMBAYAH Posted April 25, 2022 Author Posted April 25, 2022 24 minutes ago, NOW said: I would try really, really hard to stick it out in school and waitlist all the classes needed before dropping. I've been there and not having the classes you need because you get last dibs is truly disheartening when you don't have other choices. Another thing you could do is see what other general classes are available that you can take in the meantime that will fulfill the degree requirements for what you're trying to transfer into, or what classes in other depts work as an equivalent to a class that's unavailable right now. You could also look into this UX Design program from General Assembly if you decide to leave your university and take something bootcamp-related like it. I've heard good things about it from people in the US, not sure how different it is for England: https://generalassemb.ly/education/user-experience-design/london Yeah I think my plan right now is to just focus on changing courses + also building my skills and portfolio in web design + graphic design, also learn some coding too. I don’t see myself finishing my current course (unless by gods grace I REALLY push through for 2 years) so I’m gonna work really hard at finding alternatives and changing courses. Thank you for the recommendation, I’ll definitely check that out!
Gerardo Posted April 25, 2022 Posted April 25, 2022 If you have a plan on what to do after dropping I would say you should do it because A) you don’t like your course B) your mental health is important and C) you would be working on or adding experience to your CV, but if you really have no plan, I think you should either try to change your course or keep staying college, ik some people say they hate their classes/career/course but it could go by fast and your degree will definitely help you get a job in the future, I’m about to start uni, and most of the advices I have heard is that finishing college/uni it’s always the best to do even if your not extremely passionate about it I think you’ll know what to do, wishing you luck
NOW Posted April 25, 2022 Posted April 25, 2022 6 minutes ago, BOOMBAYAH said: Yeah I think my plan right now is to just focus on changing courses + also building my skills and portfolio in web design + graphic design, also learn some coding too. I don’t see myself finishing my current course (unless by gods grace I REALLY push through for 2 years) so I’m gonna work really hard at finding alternatives and changing courses. Thank you for the recommendation, I’ll definitely check that out! You might also wanna check out this resource, which lets you schedule video calls with Designers all over the world, and you can have them be mentors or just ask for any advice about portfolios, breaking into the industry, etc.: https://www.adplist.org/ It definitely feels less stressful when you have people rallying for you and a community of people in the work you're trying to do. Good luck!
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