Should I drop out?

I'm also on an NHS bursary scheme so does this mean I would have to pay it off?

Are you currently studying in Wales or England? If England, then it is the NHS Learning Support Fund you will have received the training grant from and you won't need to pay back any money you received for last year. This term's payment is due after 21 November, so if you do decide to leave your course you need to inform them and you will receive a pro-rata payment for the time you've been in attendance. If you leave after receiving a payment for this term, they will work out if you owe them any overpayment.

More info in the NHS LSF guidance booklet pdf that you can download from here:

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-learning-support-fund-lsf

If you resat your A level what would you hope to study?

Radiography. I wanted to do some sort of healthcare degree but podiatry just isn’t sitting well with me anymore.

Radiography. I wanted to do some sort of healthcare degree but podiatry just isn’t sitting well with me anymore.

In terms of paying back the money - this may also be a good thing to discuss with the uni. Different schemes have different rules but there may be a deadline to switch in which you wont have to pay back so i would contact either the bursary contact or your university ASAP to discuss.

I'm a second year podiatry student but for the whole summer and starting back, I've been questioning myself if I really enjoy what I do and if I even like it anymore. Some days I also realise that it was a rushed decision to study the course because I went through clearing after not achieving the grades I wanted. I'm also on an NHS bursary scheme so does this mean I would have to pay it off? I feel like I'm just stressing myself out. Any help is much appreciated. Should I persevere or should I resit a level biology? Then go back into uni?

I'm a second year podiatry student but for the whole summer and starting back, I've been questioning myself if I really enjoy what I do and if I even like it anymore. Some days I also realise that it was a rushed decision to study the course because I went through clearing after not achieving the grades I wanted. I'm also on an NHS bursary scheme so does this mean I would have to pay it off? I feel like I'm just stressing myself out. Any help is much appreciated. Should I persevere or should I resit a level biology? Then go back into uni?

I'm a second year podiatry student but for the whole summer and starting back, I've been questioning myself if I really enjoy what I do and if I even like it anymore. Some days I also realise that it was a rushed decision to study the course because I went through clearing after not achieving the grades I wanted. I'm also on an NHS bursary scheme so does this mean I would have to pay it off? I feel like I'm just stressing myself out. Any help is much appreciated. Should I persevere or should I resit a level biology? Then go back into uni?

Radiography. I wanted to do some sort of healthcare degree but podiatry just isn’t sitting well with me anymore.

Ascertain your financial situation first and foremost. Once that's done, do a really good bit of soul searching. Is it just a bit of natural uncertainty, being in a rut with your studies and angst about the future? If so, those are common and they'll pass. Did you rush in to studying podiatry because you felt you had to study something, didn't want to be left behind and feel as if you'd be a failure if you didn't follow your peers into a university degree as soon as possible? If so, then that's a bit more problematic. I did the same thing in my late teens and I really wished I'd been stronger. Taking a bit of time off the educational conveyor belt can really focus your mind and pay dividends to your future (people I now know did it and they say it was the best decision they made).

I'm not saying to drop out - it really does depend on what you're going to do medium- to long-term. If something isn't for you then that's just as important to know as knowing what *is* for you. If you're attracted to healthcare and human biology then at least you know the general area, which is a positive start. Also, if you finish the degree then at least you have something from which you can earn some money whilst working out what you want to do. I'm not going to get into my rant about podiatry in this thread because that won't help you - plus, I'm a different person with different circumstances.

The main thing to bear in mind that's it not failure to walk away from something. Sometimes it can be the best thing to do because a great many people have caused themselves problems by falling for the sunk cost fallacy and becoming paralysed by fear of the short-term.

Speak to people who have your best interests at heart, such as close family and friends. Be wary of the course lecturers because they, obviously, will be biased and try to keep you on the course. What the lecturers say could be valid, but your family and friends will only be thinking of you and you alone. It's good to make a cool, rationale, logical decision. But don't forget that your gut can give some sage advice, too.

I wish you well in your decision. Just remember that if you're ambitious and willing to work hard then everything will work out for you.

Hi I just private messaged you. Thank you for the help

It's only gonna get worse; if your not feeling it leave before you get into more debt. There is no bright light at the end of a podiatry course , just more uphill and struggle .

Think about it ; NHS jobs are not a given and even if u get one working as a band 5 Mon-Fri is horrendous money, todays cost of living ain't cheap. Most Nurses working B5 ; have thier wages made up with unsociable hrs pay.

Whats the alternative to working in the NHS private practice ! OK let's break this down ; you will be working in presumably a small clinic , working to make someone else rich whilst earning a modest wage. A lot of them work for themselves within a private clinic ; no holiday pay, sick pay , no promotion opportunities and I doubt u will earn enough to justify the lack of stability.

Why not open a private clinic ; personally I don't have a business brain or the drive to make somthing like that work , or the finances to back it . Some pods will be really successful in private practice however a lot will be struggling. Plus the initial expense to set up the business , support yourself whilst u build up a client base. Some would say I'm a pessimist however I'm also a realist.

In contrast ; I'm doing a Nursing degree , I already have job offers and I have just started my final yr . The health board also find graduates our first b5 gig, they are desprite for staff. I will work 3 long days (12hr shifts) leaving me 4 days off were I can work agency or on the staff bank making more money . As a B5 nurse I will also make more money than someone working B5 mon-fri , we get time and a half for sat + nights and just under double time for Sunday. Check out agency staff nurse money your talking £500 per shift , I'm literally bathing in opportunity and cant wait to get that registration . I never felt this way when I was studying podiatry.

I believe if your putting in the hard work you should be buzzing with opportunity , if you don't feel your going to change your life you need a new game plan .

If your determined to work on NHS I would recommend a Nursing course , physio or OT . Seems to be more jobs within these areas

Ah the classic "you're hurt with what I said" comment when someone calls you out for misinformation lol...

You can't say you're giving advice because all you've done is slate one profession and be super biased towards another- your only advice has been to sack off podiatry due to your own unfortunate circumstances.

And you talk about clout, how old are you? A mature individual who is training to be a healthcare professional should not even be talking about clout... god help us when people like you are somehow put in positions of power, you'll be looking down on everyone below you. I do pray for the people you work with you change your attitude and stop thinking about "clout" when it comes to working in the NHS, everyone is equally as important. I get the feeling you were not smart enough for medicine if you're interesting in clout chasing, and thank god for that.

I wish you luck as well and hope throughout your development you lose this self entitlement attitude where you think one profession warrants " much more clout" than the other. In terms of pay let's compare pay in 5 years time- only way of settling it.

Boys and girls if you want to do Nursing and you're passionate about it then do it, if you're passionate about Podiatry, OT or Physio then do it. But for the love of god don't be like this individual here who is obviously looking to fill that gaping hole of insecurity by "clout" chasing. You are going to be healthcare professionals and be in positions of trust- please leave all that school boy attitude behind if you wish to be respected and successful.

Another Student who did not do their due diligence and do their own research when they chose to do Podiatry. 99% of students are aware Podiatrists are not foot doctors- we are more than aware that we are not medically trained so why keep bringing it up in your supposed evidence backed reason in why so many people are tricked into Podiatry. In fact not once since I have been studying have I heard someone use the term foot doctor, I honestly don't know which la la land you're in or which University tricked you, please do share!

You say it's mundane with limited scope. There is so many different pathways you can take and specialise... you can do MSK, diabetes, sports, MSK, Forensics, surgery and many more. I do agree some pathways like Forensics and Forensics there are limited spaces but still I have found numerous individuals on Linkedln who are currently training in those pathways, so they do definitely exist! We are aware there are limited spaces in those pathways and we don't choose Podiatry based on the assumption we will become Surgeons or the supposed "foot doctor". For the advanced pathways you do need to be a high achiever and intelligent, so naturally a lot of people are capped. Why blame the profession for your own fault of going to a poor University for Podiatry where the course was not taught at the expected level and where the majority of the people (maybe including yourself) have to stay content with doing the "mundane tasks" after qualifying because they do not have mental capacity to take on more advanced academic and practical studies. Of course it's going to be mundane if you stay at band 5 forever, that is why you do more studying so you can specialise, why question the profession when it's in fact your lack of motivation and intelligence that stop's you advancing to the less "mundane" tasks?

Again, where's your hard evidence that every single Podiatry Staff member at University fell into Podiatry as a 2nd or 3rd choice? Honestly what a far fetched and ill thought of comment to make, is this the intelligence of this generation of students. Your detective work is nothing more than asking 1 or 2 lecturers at your University, which you've smartly taken to mean the whole population. Do you not think to use that intelligent brain of yours to think that some individuals finish their podiatry career or are teaching while they work? Even if some people want to go straight into teaching- whats it to you, get off your high horse.

Boys and girls, we know we are not "foot doctors" and medically trained. The job will be mundane if you choose not to take on advance studies and specialise but if you have the motivation and mental capacity, you will more than succeed. Please don't be like this individual who assumes the profession is mundane just because they lack the motivation/mental capacity to progress to the more advanced Pod roles. Any job is mundane if you stay at the same level forever.

And I do agree there are people ripping others off for basic treatment because they are leaches and have 0 morales. I don't agree with this one bit but not everyone is like this and you do get this in any health profession.

Another Student who did not do their due diligence and do their own research when they chose to do Podiatry. 99% of students are aware Podiatrists are not foot doctors- we are more than aware that we are not medically trained so why keep bringing it up in your supposed evidence backed reason in why so many people are tricked into Podiatry. In fact not once since I have been studying have I heard someone use the term foot doctor, I honestly don't know which la la land you're in or which University tricked you, please do share!

You say it's mundane with limited scope. There is so many different pathways you can take and specialise... you can do MSK, diabetes, sports, MSK, Forensics, surgery and many more. I do agree some pathways like Forensics and Forensics there are limited spaces but still I have found numerous individuals on Linkedln who are currently training in those pathways, so they do definitely exist! We are aware there are limited spaces in those pathways and we don't choose Podiatry based on the assumption we will become Surgeons or the supposed "foot doctor". For the advanced pathways you do need to be a high achiever and intelligent, so naturally a lot of people are capped. Why blame the profession for your own fault of going to a poor University for Podiatry where the course was not taught at the expected level and where the majority of the people (maybe including yourself) have to stay content with doing the "mundane tasks" after qualifying because they do not have mental capacity to take on more advanced academic and practical studies. Of course it's going to be mundane if you stay at band 5 forever, that is why you do more studying so you can specialise, why question the profession when it's in fact your lack of motivation and intelligence that stop's you advancing to the less "mundane" tasks?

Again, where's your hard evidence that every single Podiatry Staff member at University fell into Podiatry as a 2nd or 3rd choice? Honestly what a far fetched and ill thought of comment to make, is this the intelligence of this generation of students. Your detective work is nothing more than asking 1 or 2 lecturers at your University, which you've smartly taken to mean the whole population. Do you not think to use that intelligent brain of yours to think that some individuals finish their podiatry career or are teaching while they work? Even if some people want to go straight into teaching- whats it to you, get off your high horse.

Boys and girls, we know we are not "foot doctors" and medically trained. The job will be mundane if you choose not to take on advance studies and specialise but if you have the motivation and mental capacity, you will more than succeed. Please don't be like this individual who assumes the profession is mundane just because they lack the motivation/mental capacity to progress to the more advanced Pod roles. Any job is mundane if you stay at the same level forever.

And I do agree there are people ripping others off for basic treatment because they are leaches and have 0 morales. I don't agree with this one bit but not everyone is like this and you do get this in any health profession.