Want to drop out of LSE

Your reasons are more justified than others - often on TSR we see people who are just a bit homesick and who are surprised that they haven't made best friends within a month of being at uni, which is entirely normal.

I'll go through a few points in bullets though
- what are your other modules in? It's entirely normal to have some modules that aren't explicitly politics, such as political philosophy or economics. You really should have looked at the module list more carefully though
- will you still have to do non-politics modules next semester / year?
- don't forget that there are many inter-collegiate societies, so it's not limited to the LSE ones

However, the glandular fever needs rest to recover from (I assume you've seen your GP), and it seems that you really are struggling with the workload (are you sure you aren't over pressuring yourself?) You might be better off at another Russell Group university that is a bit less pressurised, taking a gap year out to recover from the Glandular Fever and reapply (this time, read the course modules properly!). I wouldn't bother redoing the Maths GCSE unless you have a C or below, because I'm yet to see a uni politics course that requires anything more than a B. Similarly, the French A Level is probably something that should only be done for enjoyment, and if you think you can get a good grade in it (B+). Alternatively, you could see if your local college or other adult learning centre offers any French courses for enjoyment. An internship is a good idea though.

Would the workload be any less at Bristol or other top unis?

From what I've heard LSE is pretty special and very good at giving out ridiculous amounts of work. My friend's academic adviser even admitted that LSE like to teach you the hard way. It's not just the work load, it's lack of social life/sociable atmosphere too, the two don't really go hand in hand very well.

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You could see whether any universities will accept a transfer after your first year (or maybe even first semester). Grit your teeth and get through that, then transfer.

Depends to what extent you can take more of the LSE, but it may mean a lot less disruption.

Stop moaning and get on with it. LSE is one of the top social science universities in the world, it will look great on your CV. I was there this evening for a lecture. I wish I could afford to do a masters there....

I'm aware of this, but it's making me hate my life. In the long run I really don't think it's worth it.

sorry mate, i was a bit harsh with you. i dont know you but please listen to me. I am 40 years of age and a teacher. Learning gets easier, it's all abit new for you so u are understandably under pressure. i would stick it out, in a few years u qwill realise that was the best thing to do.

Like the above poster, I would have advised you to stick it out and get a transfer ready for your second year, but with you having Glandular Fever and all it complicates matters some what. Can you transfer during term time?

It would be absolutely fine to drop out and start a fresh in sep 2013. It's only a year and if it will make you happy, not just in the immediate sense, but for the next 3/4 years of your life, then perhaps that is the sensible option.

In need of some unbiased advice.

I am currently in my first year of studying Government at LSE and I hate it. I'm living in halls and have made some really good friends, but that is pretty much the only good thing I can say. I HATE the atmosphere of the university and the majority of the people who aren't the ones I've made friends with. I can't get on with any of the people who are on my course because they're all ridiculous snobs and know it alls, the type who go 'oh no I didn't even do the reading' then you get into class and they practically recite The Communist Manifesto word for word (or any other political literature - I'm not starting a debate here).

In addition, the course itself really isn't what I expected and I'm not enjoying it at all. Of my four modules, only two of them are actually Government and of those two I only really enjoy one of them. The rest of it I don't find interesting at all, and I hate the two outside options - what is the point?! I came to study Politics not to spend half of my time on two other random courses!

The general aura of LSE is horrendous. Once freshers' week is over they do nothing to encourage university life. I've joined three societies and only one of these is actually beneficial.

I'm generally extremely unhappy. The workload already in the first week was obscene, and while I knew this about LSE and was prepared, I thought it'd still be possible to have a social life - it's not. If my immediate next door neighbour in halls didn't happen to be a good friend, I would never see anyone because I am constantly doing work.

Every day I have to do reading until at least 10pm in order to have done the bare minimum. I've asked my class teachers and other students for tips about reading and note-taking but nothing they've suggested has worked in the slightest.

To summarise - I'm incredibly depressed. I've been physically sick at least four times in the last month due to stress and anxiety. I've developed glandular fever which I'm unable to rest and recuperate from because I have so much work to do all the time. I get absolutely NO chance to rest and relax no matter how hard I try to put aside time for this, it's impossible.

At the moment I feel hopeless. My mum is perfectly happy for me to do whatever makes me happy, my dad on the other hand sees me as throwing away a massive opportunity if I drop out. While I see his side of it, I don't think I can manage 3 years feeling so intensely unhappy. Talking to friends and socialising is not a long term solution and this is really the only thing that anyone has suggested to help me.

While I'm perfectly aware that LSE is amazing and I should be grateful, I don't see why I would waste 3 years hating life in order to get a degree I'm not even that interested in. I feel as though I was rushed straight from A Levels into the university process with no time to think about what it would actually be like and I'm convinced I should have gone to Bristol instead and would be far happier there.

If I drop out, I will probably apply for different universities for next year, and in the mean time do voluntary work, a French A Level, resit my Maths GCSE and possibly try to find an internship.

Anyway, I'd simply appreciate any thoughts on the matter.

Background information:
Female, 18, also applied to and got an offer from Bristol, Exeter, Surrey and Goldsmiths, studied A Levels in History, English and Politics and got 3 A*s.

This would be a viable option, but I think my main issue is that I don't feel happy to be at university AT ALL at this moment in my life, never mind which one in particular. Maybe I should've made that clearer in my original post, but I generally feel as though the transition from school to university was far too rushed and I did not make a well-educated decision about the course or university.

Hey. I really feel for you. What I would say is, I understand where you are coming from and the dilemmas you are facing! So many people would die to go to LSE, and I can understand why it would be hard to drop out straight away, but here's something worth noting. I have heard that at a LOT of unis, they often make the first year especially hard and dull on purpose so to, in effect, get rid of the students who don't want to be there, then, apparently, from the second year onwards, things get much more interesting and fun. Maybe don't think of it as three years of the same 'torture,' but a year to 'test' you and then two years left of a good experience.

If you were going to drop out, would you apply for similar courses the next year? If so, which could lead to similar career prospects, in all honesty, another 2 years of your life is not THAT much in the grand scheme of things, especially if it does get better! Think about all the amazing career opportunities you may have if you stick it out at LSE, which you could probably get from other universities too, but it's just that 'Went to LSE' kind of claim you can make that can make you stand out from the crowd at times!

Basically, what I am trying to say is, if you have long term goals and aspirations in your career and what you want to do, I would maybe try second year, and if you still really hate it, either drop out or just try to stick it out for your future's sake. If you are not so career/future orientated, in the sense that you don't exactly know what you want to do yet, for example, something to do wtih the Government degree, then maybe it would be best to drop out, take a step back from things and re-evaluate what you want to do! You look like a very able student and no matter what happens, I am sure that you will do well, even if you don't go to LSE! . Good luck and hope you are okay!

You are simply making all excuses to drop out, whatever people suggests, you still want to justify your decision wanting to leave.

Workloads are heavy at many uni. We didn't get thro' our degree by doing little work. You are not the only person who found uni. difficult but people stuck with it. As with not getting on with other students, do you think you can choose your colleague at workplace, grow up. For the reading issue, may I suggest a Speed Reading Course.

Having said the above, may be you are not destined for uni. It's a shame that you wasted a place at LSE when someone else would be very happy to have.