I'm being really irrational

Hi, advice really needed before I go insane :frown:

Basically, I need to know how long I have to decide on my firm/insurance offers (well it will actually be just the firm cos I did my A-levels 2 years ago so have unconditional offers). I'm really stressing out about whether or not I will be ready to go to uni in October 2007. I do not want to end up making the wrong decision.

I applied to study politics after dropping out of maths/physics at Warwick. If I had an offer from Warwick then I would have chosen to go there as I feel I need to be around people I know. I got rejected from Warwick so my choice is between Birmingham and Keele but I don't know where I want to go yet and I am really worried about making the wrong choice as I know this is my last chance. I really don't want to end up dropping out again.

The reason for asking this question is that my decision making skills have not been too great recently. I sometimes end up thinking that I did the wrong thing in dropping out (I dropped out cos I was miserable on my course but have since been diagnosed with depression so did this influence how I felt at uni). I know that I am passionate about politics and am really looking forward to starting the course but I also am really scared about going somewhere where I don't know anyone just in case someone accidentally messes with my emotions and I don't know where to turn (I have a really good support network at Warwick).

I know the first time I applied (2005) that the deadline for choosing firm/insurance choices was at the end of April but I do not feel ready to decide where I want to go so soon. I am also still awaiting one decision (York).

Sorry for that rant. I know I'm being really irrational here but this is really stressing me out. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, also any information about support networks at either Birmingham or Keele.

Thanks in advance.

Reply 1

kellywood_5

The deadline for replying to your offers depends on when you hear from your last choice, so if you're still waiting for York, you won't have to decide until May or June. Go to open days if you haven't already and talk to people in the TSR subforums at those unis because that should help you decide. In terms of support, there should be something in the prospectus or on the website about it, but most unis have things like counselling and advice lines.

Reply 2

Aj_deity

As you're still waiting on an offer, you'll have a later deadline than people whose offers came through on May 9th- how much later, I cannot remember, but a month at least after York comes through.

As for your worries... well. You could agonise all day about what made you drop out from Warwick, but at the end of the day you have dropped out, it's done and you need to look ahead to what you're doing this year. Spend some time looking at the websites of the places and courses you're considering, and see which ones get you most enthused. Look at second year options, think about opportunities to specialise in parts of politics you think you'll find really interesting. Consider the location and surroundings of the uni- I'm sure that Birmingham and Keele will both give very different experiences when it comes to nightlife and the like. You might have more luck finding out what the support is like first-hand if you post in the relevant subforums of the two universities?

And then, when decision time comes, the best thing you can do is go with your gut instinct. If you've researched thoroughly, one of them must leap out just that little bit more than the other, and that's the point at which you've got to close your eyes and click on that little "submit replies" button.

Have faith in yourself, and don't get too worked up. You're obviously making good decisions by reapplying and not just wallowing in misery over leaving Warwick, so keep going!

Reply 3

mtbab

becuase you're still waiting on you final choice you deadline date won't be until June 5th i think it is. but bear in mind the deadline dates to apply for loans (which is April 26th if you are NON means tested and end of june if you ARE).

Reply 4

WokSz

If you go to Birmingham, you will still be near to your friends in Warwick. I might consider that factor if I were you.

Reply 5

mtbab

having a quick google i see that Birminghams Student Support and Counselling Service seems really helpful and established so they'll be on hand to help if needs be.