Hey Everyone
University: Edinburgh Napier
Course: Veterinary Nursing
Course Entry: 2014
Years Completed: 1 out of 4
So I went to university studying a course which I had been sure for as long as I can remember was what I wanted to do but it did not go to plan. As I'm sure you nurses out there know (human or animal) its stressful, full on and literally takes over your life.
Before I'd even got to university I was stressing about whether I'd be able to complete the course due to how intense and crazy hard we had been informed it would be so I wasn't looking forward to going at all but once there things were great for a while. Freshers week was fun even though I didn't go out that much due to no money and not really knowing anyone yet and the lectures on my course began and I was really interested and eager to learn more but slowly things started to deteriorate:
My course was 3 full days a week lectures and then self study the rest of the time (weekends included) so whilst my flat mates were out exploring Edinburgh I always had my head in a book, I knew it was going to be tough but I didn't expect to have 0% time to actually enjoy being 18 and being a student, it seemed pointless to get in debt for.
In the back of my mind I was constantly worrying was this the right course? Had I made the right decision? What if I did fail? It didn't matter what I did it was always there nagging my brain.
My course was intense written work and practical exams for the first trimester and then after that the next two trimesters were out on placement which I had to pay to get too, pay for my uniform and couldn't claim the travel expenses back. It was 12 hours between leaving home and returning for no pay, my days started at 6am and I was exhausted all the time. Placement was not as fun as I expected because of numerous things. After a while I stopped pushing myself to be hands on and just carried out the same few tasks I was comfortable with everyday. Once home from placement I was expected to do all my written work and I soon got behind.
I eventually admitted I wasn't sure about going back for second year to my friends (not on my uni course) and they were so supportive and just wanted me to be happy as they knew it had been so intense for me especially since they'd finished for summer long before me and hadn't seen me in months. My parents not so much which was understandable but eventually they came round to the possibility of me not going back. In the end the decision was taken away from me as uni withdrew me for failing one more module than was allowed onto second year. Everyone was disappointed after how much time and effort I'd put into first year me included but at the same time I was so re-leaved it was finally over.
I decided to take a year out, think about my options as I did want a degree and without sounding vain I'm smart enough to get one and I want to prove I can do it, I have until January 15th to decide if I will be returning to uni and apply but I am so confused. The chosen course would be animal behaviour as it opens so many career options and I'm no longer certain on what I want to do, its between university of Chester and Liverpool John moores university if I do go back. Animal behaviour is something I've had an interest in since college and it does make me feel excited to go back to uni but after everything that's happened I'm worried about failing again, what if I don't like my course etc.
So any advice on trying again would be much appreciated as I'm so stressed about it all and lets face it uni is supposed to be a fun experience!!!