[Jonah Ramone]

Here are the pages I have created so that students who are having problems at university can read other people's experiences, hopefully as a way of putting their problems in perspective: Those who dropped out of university and Those who are sticking it out.

Feel free to post up more experiences in this thread and I will undertake to move them across onto the wiki. Thanks to everyone who has contributed so far. Those who have earnt riches should be receiving them in the near future. Unfortunately, due to overwhelming response, no more riches will be offered for new contributions. See the content in the spoiler if you wants some hints on the sorts of things to include.

Spoiler:

Show

Are you having problems at university? And how did you overcome these problems?

If you have experienced problems in any of the following areas, I'd like to hear from you how you managed to overcome these problems - or if you're currently experiencing these problems, how you are attempting to tackle them. If you could state whether you are still in uni/reapplying/or doing something else having dropped out, that would be useful too

Here's the list of things I've come up with as reasons why you may not be enjoying university. Of course, if you have another one to add, please do! Thanks

• Your university may not live up to your expectations
• University life may not 'live up to the hype'
• The course isn't what you wanted/expected
• Lack of motivation/interest
• You want to change course but can't
• Work load is too much
• You may be failing/struggling to keep up and understand the work
• The academic staff aren't amiable/helpful enough
• You're struggling to keep on top of your finances
• Severe homesickness
• Loneliness, or you haven't made as many friends as you hoped you would
• Can't handle an LDR (long distance relationship)
• Depression
• Family bereavement
• Medical reasons
• Perhaps you want to take a break or get some work experience before doing your degree
• You may feel you want to go to a "better" university
• You may not be ready to take so much responsibility
• Stress

[weet_ABI_x]

Last year I made friends with a literal psycho in halls who proceeded to destroy my year slowly bit by bit. Not sure if that's specific to uni though or just life!

[Glee]

great study!
i know i'll be reading

[Antimatter]

Being stalked, living with dealers.

[llys]

• stalkers at societies or in halls

[llys]

(Original post by Antimatter)
Being stalked, living with dealers.

Haha. LOL. see above. :-)

[Sabertooth]

Being lonely.
Depression.
Unable to cope with the workload.

How did I solve it? I got my CPN to get in touch with the mental health services at my uni to negotiate extensions to deadlines and so if I'm not in seminars I don't get kicked out. Can't do anything about the loneliness though, I've joined societies and tried speaking to people at lectures but it's all for nothing.

[-XxX-]

They give us some kind of coursework or exam every week. I like the course and stuff but the workload.....
HOW TO COPE: the list that they give you with extra reading on it? Do it. dont pin it up on your noticeboard and think "tomoroow for sure..."

My flat are anti social. Every time you walk in its like theres a funeral going on.
HOW TO COPE: Go to other peoples flats and only come home to sleep.

I thought it would be a problem that I dont drink alcohol
It isnt, everyone loves everyone

People in our flat dont take responsibility to tidy up after themselves and our cleaners are crap
HOW TO COPE: i havent got round this on yet...we judt do our own dishes and leave everyone elses but that doesnt solve the mess in the kitchen problem

[hannahhi]

Struggling to keep on top of finances, but getting there now.

[Singh_2]

I haven't enjoyed my time much due to disability. I'm having to rush home for hospital appointments etc and I've missed a lot of lectures. I've also been depressed because of my situation, and it doesn't help that there are barely any other first years in my accomodation. I'm living with four 2nd/3rd year students.

I'd recommend talking to your personal tutor and disability centre within the uni asap. They really do help and things such as note takers can be put in place if, for example, you can't take notes properly.

I am going to resolve my problems by staying positive. I thought about giving up and applying again next year but I'd rather stick it out. I have been offered the choice by the uni to come back next year if I wish and have a gap year.

Hope this helped.

[Aqualung]

# University life may not 'live up to the hype'
# The course isn't what you wanted/expected
# Homesickness (not severe)
# Loneliness, or you haven't made as many friends as you hoped you would
# Can handle an LDR (long distance relationship), just don't want to
# You may feel you want to go to a "better" university
# Awful flat/housemates

I'm still in uni (2nd year). God knows why.

[PhoenixFortune]

A combination of loneliness, halls being rubbish, and the course not being what I wanted it to be.

Since I dropped out, I have a part-time job and am reapplying to a uni closer to home for 2010.

[Flavity]

Issues with commuting - general headaches everyday.

Overcome it by accepting that thats just how its going to be from now on.

Also attempting finding different routes if possible adds variety I guess.

Oh and the peace when you do get home makes up for the crappy commute.

[Annie72]

My problem isnt even on the list!. But suffice to say I actually loved uni, but sadly had no choice than to drop out.

[Singh_2]

(Original post by Annie72)
My problem isnt even on the list!. But suffice to say I actually loved uni, but sadly had no choice than to drop out.

What happened? If you don't mind me asking.

[Singh_2]

(Original post by fire2burn)
People who become manically attached to you. You have a 5 minute convo with them after being shoved in a group with them and suddenly they're your best friend, adding you on facebook, adding your friends on facebook, tracking you down on other websites like TSR and chatting to you there, finding out your mobile number without you telling them, and then texting you at 3am proclaiming themselves to be bored and that you should come over to visit them. Then texting constantly when you don't reply as thought they're some needy puppy.

Utter utter weirdo.

How did you deal with this person stalking you?

[Jonah Ramone]

(Original post by Singh_2)
I haven't enjoyed my time much due to disability. I'm having to rush home for hospital appointments etc and I've missed a lot of lectures. I've also been depressed because of my situation, and it doesn't help that there are barely any other first years in my accomodation. I'm living with four 2nd/3rd year students.

I'd recommend talking to your personal tutor and disability centre within the uni asap. They really do help and things such as note takers can be put in place if, for example, you can't take notes properly.

I am going to resolve my problems by staying positive. I thought about giving up and applying again next year but I'd rather stick it out. I have been offered the choice by the uni to come back next year if I wish and have a gap year.

Hope this helped.

This is exactly the sort of post I'm after, thanks

(Original post by Annie72)
My problem isnt even on the list!. But suffice to say I actually loved uni, but sadly had no choice than to drop out.

Add your problem then! What happened?

[Melissa_xo]

Not finding the people in my halls to be my type of people.
Good course/people on the course. Just the halls really.
Bored when no lectures are on.
Missing home so I have to go home every weekend...

[Timmead]

n/a

[idesofmarch]

For me the course wasn't what i imagined and i realised i wasn't committed to it after only a few weeks. I then decided a more general science degree was for me and after many sleepless nights and discussions with people, I decided to drop out.

Although the main reason was that the course wasn't for me, there was also homesickness and not feeling ready to begin studying again.

As for dropping out itself and sorting everything out once you're home, there is very little information available and student finance tell you different things each time you call.. so that is probs just as stressful as deciding to drop out lol.

I'm now reapplying for 2010 entry and have a part-time job to see me through the year!