Should I drop out from Cambridge BA Geography?

Hi,

I'm currently two terms in my 1st year of Cambridge Geography and I'm dreading going back. In the first term, I thought I made a mistake and that Geography wasn't for me but then over the Christmas holidays as I did reading at my own pace I realised I just hate the structure of Cambridge Geography.

I only have 8 lectures a week and it feels like I'm teaching myself everything so I don't understand how people call this a world-leading educational institution. That isn't to say I'm not struggling with the workload, because I have ADHD and it takes me years to finish the reading. I'm still getting all the work done and I did good in my mock exams, but I'm getting really fed up with the lack of support here. I have about 8 supervisions a term whilst my friends doing Geography at different colleges or entirely different subjects have supervisions ranging from 16-35 a term. I wish I had more essays and more contact hours. I don't understand where my 9k is going here.

I'm especially annoyed at the way they teach Physical Geography. The course structure on the website said it was accessible to those of us that didn't do Sciences or Maths at A-level, but in reality it's not. The lectures for topics like Tectonics and Atmospheric Science are too mathsy and sciency for me and I don't mind having that in place but what I mind is they have no additional support for those of us that didn't do maths or sciences - the department's reply to this is that you can just drop physical geo in 2nd year but I don't want to do that I just wish they gave me more guidance on learning physical geo when you don't have the background in A-levels. The coding and coursework is also really bad - the coding I entirely taught myself through Youtube and the coursework is a mess like I don't understand??

On the social side of things, I didn't realise how embedded alcohol is in the UK's culture. It's almost like a cult here, where every occasion needs some wine or vodka or gin and tonic. I'm also hating it here for this reason, because a lot of people here can't socialise without alcohol or can't get close to you without alcohol and I don't drink. I have managed to make some good friends, but they all do NatSci or CompSci or something intensive and so they never have time to hangout.

I know plenty of people would kill to be in my place, but I just don't see myself enjoying another two years of this. It frustrates me because I know I do enjoy Geography, just not the way it is taught here. I thought about transferring, most likely UCL into 2nd year but I am scared of people telling me I'm going to regret this and I know that people do have a bias for Cambridge in job applications, etc.

I would appreciate any advice/tips <3

Hi,

I'm currently two terms in my 1st year of Cambridge Geography and I'm dreading going back. In the first term, I thought I made a mistake and that Geography wasn't for me but then over the Christmas holidays as I did reading at my own pace I realised I just hate the structure of Cambridge Geography.

I only have 8 lectures a week and it feels like I'm teaching myself everything so I don't understand how people call this a world-leading educational institution. That isn't to say I'm not struggling with the workload, because I have ADHD and it takes me years to finish the reading. I'm still getting all the work done and I did good in my mock exams, but I'm getting really fed up with the lack of support here. I have about 8 supervisions a term whilst my friends doing Geography at different colleges or entirely different subjects have supervisions ranging from 16-35 a term. I wish I had more essays and more contact hours. I don't understand where my 9k is going here.

I'm especially annoyed at the way they teach Physical Geography. The course structure on the website said it was accessible to those of us that didn't do Sciences or Maths at A-level, but in reality it's not. The lectures for topics like Tectonics and Atmospheric Science are too mathsy and sciency for me and I don't mind having that in place but what I mind is they have no additional support for those of us that didn't do maths or sciences - the department's reply to this is that you can just drop physical geo in 2nd year but I don't want to do that I just wish they gave me more guidance on learning physical geo when you don't have the background in A-levels. The coding and coursework is also really bad - the coding I entirely taught myself through Youtube and the coursework is a mess like I don't understand??

On the social side of things, I didn't realise how embedded alcohol is in the UK's culture. It's almost like a cult here, where every occasion needs some wine or vodka or gin and tonic. I'm also hating it here for this reason, because a lot of people here can't socialise without alcohol or can't get close to you without alcohol and I don't drink. I have managed to make some good friends, but they all do NatSci or CompSci or something intensive and so they never have time to hangout.

I know plenty of people would kill to be in my place, but I just don't see myself enjoying another two years of this. It frustrates me because I know I do enjoy Geography, just not the way it is taught here. I thought about transferring, most likely UCL into 2nd year but I am scared of people telling me I'm going to regret this and I know that people do have a bias for Cambridge in job applications, etc.

I would appreciate any advice/tips <3

It sounds like you are facing a number of challenges at Cambridge and it's understandable that you are feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. It's important to remember that it's okay to feel this way and that you are not alone in your experiences.

Here are a few suggestions that may help:

Speak to your academic advisor or tutor: They are there to support you and can provide guidance on how to manage your workload and address any concerns you have about the course structure. They may also be able to connect you with additional resources or support services.

Explore resources outside of Cambridge: There are many resources available online, such as video lectures and tutorials, that can help you learn the material at your own pace. You could also consider taking an online course or finding a tutor to help you with specific topics.

Connect with others who share your interests: It can be helpful to connect with others who share your passion for Geography, whether it's through online communities, local clubs or events, or even starting your own study group.

Consider transferring to another university: If you feel like Cambridge is not the right fit for you, it may be worth exploring the possibility of transferring to another university. UCL is a reputable institution with a strong Geography department, and transferring may give you the opportunity to find a course structure that better suits your learning style and interests.

Take care of your mental health: It's important to prioritize your mental health and well-being, especially when facing academic and social challenges. Be sure to take breaks, engage in activities that you enjoy, and seek support if needed.

Ultimately, it's important to remember that you have the power to make choices that are best for you and your well-being. It's okay to make changes and try new things, and you don't have to feel guilty about it. Best of luck to you in your journey.

Did you use chat GPT for this response? just curious

It sounds like you are facing a number of challenges at Cambridge and it's understandable that you are feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. It's important to remember that it's okay to feel this way and that you are not alone in your experiences.

Here are a few suggestions that may help:

Speak to your academic advisor or tutor: They are there to support you and can provide guidance on how to manage your workload and address any concerns you have about the course structure. They may also be able to connect you with additional resources or support services.

Explore resources outside of Cambridge: There are many resources available online, such as video lectures and tutorials, that can help you learn the material at your own pace. You could also consider taking an online course or finding a tutor to help you with specific topics.

Connect with others who share your interests: It can be helpful to connect with others who share your passion for Geography, whether it's through online communities, local clubs or events, or even starting your own study group.

Consider transferring to another university: If you feel like Cambridge is not the right fit for you, it may be worth exploring the possibility of transferring to another university. UCL is a reputable institution with a strong Geography department, and transferring may give you the opportunity to find a course structure that better suits your learning style and interests.

Take care of your mental health: It's important to prioritize your mental health and well-being, especially when facing academic and social challenges. Be sure to take breaks, engage in activities that you enjoy, and seek support if needed.

Ultimately, it's important to remember that you have the power to make choices that are best for you and your well-being. It's okay to make changes and try new things, and you don't have to feel guilty about it. Best of luck to you in your journey.

Bruh thanks for the chatGPT reply