The Student Room Group

Dislike my course

Scroll to see replies

Original post by madmadmax321
and has used some of this years sfe and they class that having used 2 years worth now


but he didn't use all of it ..its paid in instalments ...
Original post by 999tigger
If he has used any part of a years finance then that counts as a years worth of entitlement for funding purposes.


even if only 2000 pounds was paid for his first semester by student finance, it still counts as a complete second year ffunding ??
Original post by study beats
but he didn't use all of it ..its paid in instalments ...


Yes but partial payments count as a a full year of used funding when reapplying

so if the op has used 1.3 years of funding money wise, sfe would count that when working out what they are entitled to as 2 years used
Original post by study beats
even if only 2000 pounds was paid for his first semester by student finance, it still counts as a complete second year ffunding ??


Yes :smile:
Original post by Anonymous
I'm in my 2nd year doing a computer science degree but I'm starting to realise that I don't really like computer science at all. When I applied I loved programming, it was something I did everyday for fun but now I really don't like it. I don't want a career where I'll be sitting infront of a computer all day writing code and not interacting with people. I've found that days where I spend most of my hours programming make me awkward around people and I have noticed this trait in my peers as well. E.g. the stereotype.

My day consists of waking up, eating breakfast, going to a couple of lectures then going to the library to catch up with coursework then going to sleep at 2am. Repeat, repeat everyday for 3 months. Its not that im socially awkward, its just that I'm not smart enough for this course and all this studying is making me into a recluse. I have to mentally grapple with the math for hours to remotely understand it and even then I still do really bad on the math exams.

There's no support. Tutors are unfriendly and unhelpful. They try to get rid of me as quick as possible when I ask for help at the end of the tutorial. I don't have any friends to ask for help because I never had time to bond with people since I'm always studying.

I'm thinking of dropping out, going back home and getting a job in retail for a year. Reapplying for a different course at a different uni so I won't be miserable for the rest of my life working towards a career that isn't suited for me.

The only problem is student finance. I believe I'm entitled to a grace year. The degree I'm doing right now is 4 years long. I completed 1 year. I'm halfway through the first semester of the second year. The degrees I'm considering are 3 years long. I'll be in more debt but atleast I won't be depressed doing something I don't like.



Lets go through this again because you dont sound as though you know what you wish to do.

1. Work out if you can remedy the shortfall of your course, get friends, get on top of work etc?

2. If the problem is the course, then consider if a transfer to a different uni is worth it and what advantages that will give. Consider course structure and location.

3. If neither 1 or 2 will work, then you need to consider leaving. Because of your funding situation, then you will be at degree-1. Ive suggested how you can remedy that.

4. The other alternatives are a transfer into a different degree for year 2, but it needs someone willing to take you or getting a job and saving up the fees you will need. Another alternative would be moving your credits to the OU.

5. Unless you sort something out then you will need to resolve funding for year 1.

6. If you are unable to work anything out then you can always suspend your studies and have a think about the whole thing, then possibly return next year.

7. You need to start getting to grips with the situation and maybe decide over Christmas. If you return into term 2 then thats more fees you will be using up.

8. Go and talk to student welfare.
Original post by study beats
even if only 2000 pounds was paid for his first semester by student finance, it still counts as a complete second year ffunding ??


For entitlement purposes. YES. I think I pointed it out in my very first post.
Original post by 999tigger
Lets go through this again because you dont sound as though you know what you wish to do.

1. Work out if you can remedy the shortfall of your course, get friends, get on top of work etc?

2. If the problem is the course, then consider if a transfer to a different uni is worth it and what advantages that will give. Consider course structure and location.

3. If neither 1 or 2 will work, then you need to consider leaving. Because of your funding situation, then you will be at degree-1. Ive suggested how you can remedy that.

4. The other alternatives are a transfer into a different degree for year 2, but it needs someone willing to take you or getting a job and saving up the fees you will need. Another alternative would be moving your credits to the OU.

5. Unless you sort something out then you will need to resolve funding for year 1.

6. If you are unable to work anything out then you can always suspend your studies and have a think about the whole thing, then possibly return next year.

7. You need to start getting to grips with the situation and maybe decide over Christmas. If you return into term 2 then thats more fees you will be using up.

8. Go and talk to student welfare.


I greatly appreciate the effort you've put into helping me out. If I knew you in real life I would give you a gift.
I think your first two points make the most sense for me. Dropping out and picking an entirely new course carries too much uncertainty. What if I end up disliking it more than my current course? Then I'm screwed.

I've decided I'm not going to change course. I'm going to try and make this work. I've been reflecting about this all day. All of this is my fault, not the course. I've been sleeping until 12pm at times, missing some tutorial classes and early morning lectures. Apart from freshers week I haven't made a continued effort to socialise with people, maybe I should become more easy going about things. My bad habits are what thats set me back and I've been looking for a scapegoat. I need to be real with myself, I'm not a kid anymore I'm 20 years old :smile:

Even if I find out I still hate programming. Doing CS doesn't mean I have to be a programmer there are many more career opportunities out there for CS graduates. I'm almost half way through my degree there's no point stopping now. If I got a first last year I can do it again and again.
Original post by Anonymous
I greatly appreciate the effort you've put into helping me out. If I knew you in real life I would give you a gift.
I think your first two points make the most sense for me. Dropping out and picking an entirely new course carries too much uncertainty. What if I end up disliking it more than my current course? Then I'm screwed.

I've decided I'm not going to change course. I'm going to try and make this work. I've been reflecting about this all day. All of this is my fault, not the course. I've been sleeping until 12pm at times, missing some tutorial classes and early morning lectures. Apart from freshers week I haven't made a continued effort to socialise with people, maybe I should become more easy going about things. My bad habits are what thats set me back and I've been looking for a scapegoat. I need to be real with myself, I'm not a kid anymore I'm 20 years old :smile:

Even if I find out I still hate programming. Doing CS doesn't mean I have to be a programmer there are many more career opportunities out there for CS graduates. I'm almost half way through my degree there's no point stopping now. If I got a first last year I can do it again and again.




1. Go and talk to student welfare. Talk to tutor.
2. Work out changes you can make in habits an how you use your time that can give you more sleep, more social life and generally feel happier3. Dont beat yourself up, thats just another version of whats got you where you are. be kind to yourself , take responsibility for choices that are aimed at improving your life.
4. If things arent working out next term then do as i said and you are at degree -1 with the chance of doing CPR.

Its just a case of you looking through all the options and understanding what your real choices are. Put 2-3 hours a day aside to improve mental health and social life. It might be gym, walks, socialising, work experience, read a book, music, just start introducing more balance and then you might see things with the clarity you need to.
Original post by 999tigger
1. Go and talk to student welfare. Talk to tutor.
2. Work out changes you can make in habits an how you use your time that can give you more sleep, more social life and generally feel happier3. Dont beat yourself up, thats just another version of whats got you where you are. be kind to yourself , take responsibility for choices that are aimed at improving your life.
4. If things arent working out next term then do as i said and you are at degree -1 with the chance of doing CPR.

Its just a case of you looking through all the options and understanding what your real choices are. Put 2-3 hours a day aside to improve mental health and social life. It might be gym, walks, socialising, work experience, read a book, music, just start introducing more balance and then you might see things with the clarity you need to.


Counselling services at my uni are fully booked. I'll arrange a meeting with my personal tutor to go over my problems. I'll also go to my GP to discuss any mental health problems.

I think fixing my habits will be the easiest parts but making friends as a 2nd year is going to be hard because everyone is in their cliques now. I've never been in this situation before where I have no friends. I had lots in college.
Original post by 999tigger
1. Go and talk to student welfare. Talk to tutor.
2. Work out changes you can make in habits an how you use your time that can give you more sleep, more social life and generally feel happier3. Dont beat yourself up, thats just another version of whats got you where you are. be kind to yourself , take responsibility for choices that are aimed at improving your life.
4. If things arent working out next term then do as i said and you are at degree -1 with the chance of doing CPR.

Its just a case of you looking through all the options and understanding what your real choices are. Put 2-3 hours a day aside to improve mental health and social life. It might be gym, walks, socialising, work experience, read a book, music, just start introducing more balance and then you might see things with the clarity you need to.


My head is so messed up right now, it just wants a magic pill to solve the problem. I don't know what I want but I know for sure I don't want my current situation to continue for the next 2 years.

Even if I don't get CPR I think I'd be happy working in retail for a couple of years to save up for my first year. Anything is better than this, I've had recurring suicidal thoughts over the past month. I'd never give into them because I've only lived 25% of my life, I've got the whole 75% left to enjoy.
Original post by Anonymous
My head is so messed up right now, it just wants a magic pill to solve the problem. I don't know what I want but I know for sure I don't want my current situation to continue for the next 2 years.

Even if I don't get CPR I think I'd be happy working in retail for a couple of years to save up for my first year. Anything is better than this, I've had recurring suicidal thoughts over the past month. I'd never give into them because I've only lived 25% of my life, I've got the whole 75% left to enjoy.


All the more reason to get things on record and then you cna take a break from studies and get your head together. You arent happy and cant see things clearly. If you have a year away without the pressue then that should be enough breathing space to help you understand what you want.

Ut is indeed difficult to make friends, but some people have the knack, care less and just put themselves out there. if it isnt at the uni then join a local club/ society in the city you attend. Book welfare anyway and just go when it becomes available. You can make it possible to take a break and all you will lose is a bit of time.

Not as bad as you fear.
Original post by 999tigger
All the more reason to get things on record and then you cna take a break from studies and get your head together. You arent happy and cant see things clearly. If you have a year away without the pressue then that should be enough breathing space to help you understand what you want.

Ut is indeed difficult to make friends, but some people have the knack, care less and just put themselves out there. if it isnt at the uni then join a local club/ society in the city you attend. Book welfare anyway and just go when it becomes available. You can make it possible to take a break and all you will lose is a bit of time.

Not as bad as you fear.


You're right, I should take time out and work. Maybe 1 year or even 3. Retail will make me more outgoing, when I return to uni I won't be the same recluse as I am now. Even if I get CPR I'll still take time out. Its not too late to start my career at 23. Besides lots of my sixth form friends moved back home after graduation without employment.

Its better stopping now and accepting the chance of losing 1 years funding than graduating with a 3rd class and having very little chance of a career.

Quick Reply

Latest