Wrong course,wrong decision?

Was just wondering if anyone else although it's extremely early into the academic year is regretting or thought they've chosen the wrong course? I've started the course History and although I've only been attending lectures, seminars etc for nearly a month I just can't deny or try and hide the fact that I'm not sure if I have chosen the right course. Being honest I chose History because I enjoyed it at A Level and got a respectable mark that earned me a place in a Russell Group Uni, but realistically I hate to admit it but it was a rushed decision and I didn't think it through thoroughly. I'm normally a sociable, happy person who loves meeting new people, but since arriving here and especially since starting my course I just feel so intimidated, stupid and that I don't belong here or on this course. I have interests such as fashion but don't believe I'm good enough to pursue it further. I love helping and talking to people so I have considered looking into nursing and occupational therapy but I'm worried as I haven't taken a science related A Level I will be out of my depth and stuggle & be back to my current position where I just feel I can't take it any more and desperetley want to leave. Uni is supposed to be the 'best time of your life', but it may sound overdramatic but this has been one of the longest and possibly worst months of my life. Everyone else seems happy and dealing with everything I just feel lost, alone and I can't deal with waking up every morning and crying and feeling a constant knot in my stomach then crying myself to sleep and the other 50% smiling and trying to laugh when I want to cry. I have such a loving family who want the best for me and haven't pressurised me one bit to come to uni & they're trying to help me take steps to better the situation such as going to see the student careers advisors. I just hope they don't tell me to leave it a little longer and this is normal or what do I want to do. It's so stupid but I honestly don't know and if I don't know who will and that's what scares me because I don't know what's next for me. It stresses me out that I'm upsetting my family by crying to come home every night ( let alone the fact I have a sister also here in 1st year not enjoying her course too much) so naturally I'm worried about her & vice versa. Sorry to rant & I know no one will reply I just needed to let it out as I don't know what to do I can't take it any longer. I wish I knew what I wanted to do when I was older so I had some sort of direction in life whereas I passed all of my GCSE's and 4 A Level AAAA but still feel lost and not good enough for anything just being here I have self doubt and have lost my confidence and myself.

Reply 1

sleepless steve

So much of what you've said is basically what I'm going through, you're not alone, I know this feel

I also feel like I may have chosen the wrong course. The lectures just seem boring to me, and the idea of doing some of the stuff I'm being taught for 4 years, really puts me off. The thing is, I don't know if this is 'normal' though, because when I talk to other people, they always go on about how much they're not looking forward to their lectures, work, etc.

Reply 2

meg145

Yeah I really can't think of doing this course fro 3 years, some people I've met do say they find it boring etc but then are able to do the set work and readings. I just really want to sort it out because I'm so fed up of feeling this down and ill everyday :frown:

Reply 3

Chaotica

You have loads of new things to deal with, new people, new place to live, new ways of studying so cut yourself some slack - it's not surprising that you're finding it difficult just now.

As for careers ... there's nothing to stop you doing post grad in a "caring" type career, for example you could do an MA in Social Work after your history degree. The good thing about history is that it isn't cutting you off from anything, it's not a specialist career degree so you will still have many options open to you when you graduate.

Reply 4

meg145

Thank you

That's why I was originally interested in the degree, I enjoyed it at A Level and knew for the future I would have many options to pursue such as Retail Management. I just don't think it's for me, if it was hard work but I enjoyed it I wouldn't mind, it's the fact I'm not and sit there lost or confused.

Reply 5

Chaotica

OK, so the social stuff etc. you could deal with all that if you were coping with the course?

What is so different about the subject this year? Is it the particular period you're covering? The type of history (social, economic etc) or is it the teaching style? Can you think of anything that might make it more bearable? (and don't say quitting :wink:

) For example is your course modular? Can you look for modules that particularly interest you or that might help you in the future (for Social Work, social history and social policy history would be great)?

I appreciate that you're feeling inadequate and overwhelmed by it all but really, A level results like yours don't lie, you just need to nail down what the problem is. Many of them you will be able to work around, others (like if you've just discovered you hate reading :eek:

) will present more of a problem or maybe be insurmountable. So, spend some time to try to define the problem properly - if you're feeling lost & confused do you think perhaps it's the change in learning style between A level & Uni that you're having problems with? Your Uni should have a study skills lecturer so you could book some time with them to see what might help you with the transition.

I also had a bad first trimester but by the middle of the first year I was beginning to find my feet and finally "getting" what was expected of me.

(PS: Sorry about mentioning SW again - I'm a history grad and my partner is a SW undergrad and is currently rifling through my books to find out more about the Poor Law.)

Reply 6

meg145

Thank you, yes I truly believe if I could deal with my course I could deal with Uni. I'm just not sure if I chose history because I enjoyed it at A Level and I wasn't brave enough to pursue my other interests. I'm wondering now, should I have looked into marketing degrees but I'd be anxious with some of the modules on finance & pursued my interest in that. I enjoy reading if it's something I can slowly understand and I'm interested in whereas so far I haven't enjoyed it at all.

Reply 7

heisenberghat

Hi,
Is it more the social life you hate or the actual course? My sisters applying for history at Russell Group uni's and her decision for taking it is also because she quite enjoys it at A level and got a respectable grade but this is slightly worrying now after reading this :frown:

It's only been a month so yeah I guess it's normal to dislike it and feel out of your depth!
What Uni do you go to? Is it close to home for you to visit?

Reply 8

meg145

Hi, I'm at Liverpool and I live only a little over an hour away from home so I'm pretty close. The social side I enjoy and I get on with the people I live with but I'm enjoying going out less since I've started my course. If your sister enjoyed it at A Level I wouldn't worry about her at all, it's the fact I personally think I rushed into the whole process of going to uni in the first place and really wish I'd have given myself time more time to look at other courses that maybe would have been more suited to me. I did my A Levels through the medium of Welsh so I think it's the pressure of trying to read everything, I feel as if I'm behind all of the time. If she enjoys it I'm sure she will be more than happy taking the course, elements of it I do like but I think I chose the wrong course and should have been braver choosing one I really wanted to do in the first place :/

Reply 9

Chaotica

Meg, you probably need to have a chat with your personal tutor - I'm not sure that careers advisors will be much use just now - you know you're doing a good "transferable" degree and that a change of direction after graduation shouldn't be difficult.

Get your ducks in a row before the meeting - be clear about what the problem is. They will almost certainly tell you that you need to give it more time, especially as you think you rushed into this degree in the first place but if you can show that you've given some thought to your current situation - for example a transfer to your Uni's marketing degree - it would probably help. They won't want you to make a hasty decision and, given that you think you rushed your original degree decision, neither should you.

I know that you're upset and unhappy about the course but if you can show that you've given calm, rational thought to your future it would really help your cause. Sometimes just thinking things through as dispassionately as you are able (you know, the old pros & cons lists etc.) can make what seems like a disasterous situation a lot more manageable.