Has anyone had to take a year out/go part-time at uni because of mental health?
What was your experiences with this?
I'm in my third year and really struggling with depression and anxiety, ideally I would like to change to part-time to make the work more manageable, which has been recommended by my tutor.
But then it seems to be financially disastrous. That seems to leave me almost no money, which could cause even more stress than it resolves, and if I intermit that seems to take away all funding for the year. I rang student finance but they were so unhelpful and the woman seemed to think that I would have to pay back my loan immediately if I were to take a leave of absence.
So distressed. Any help/advice would be much appreciated.
I'm in my third year and really struggling with depression and anxiety, ideally I would like to change to part-time to make the work more manageable, which has been recommended by my tutor.
But then it seems to be financially disastrous. That seems to leave me almost no money, which could cause even more stress than it resolves, and if I intermit that seems to take away all funding for the year. I rang student finance but they were so unhelpful and the woman seemed to think that I would have to pay back my loan immediately if I were to take a leave of absence.
So distressed. Any help/advice would be much appreciated.
Hey, sorry you're feeling so bad. I had a rough time during my third year and suspended studies. last year I had depression and bad anxiety which made it impossible to study.
I suspended studies at the end of semester two although I'd been having difficulties all year - and all through uni i guess. Anyway, although its already a few weeks into the year you still have quite a lot of options. I don't know what problems you're dealing with but there are less drastic things you can try before going part time or suspending. Have you sought treatment for your mental health issues? because i think that should be your priority really. Have you discussed extensions for any work due soon? or spreading deadlines out so they don't all come at once? if you work with your uni there are many things you can do to make things less stressful. Although they should have already, your tutor should refer you to your uni support services (if it has any) and that can make it much easier to get help.
I don't know much about going part time but if you decide to suspend studies for a period or semester or an entire year I can give you some info. As far as student loans and things go I didn't have to pay back my loan, but i think you do have to pay back any grants immediately. You wont get any more funding after you suspend - so i guess you get to keep your first loan instalment but wont receive the other 2. Other things to be aware of is paying rent on your accommodation, especially if you're private rented, and possibly paying council tax. Talk to someone from your uni and/or from student finance to check all this.
I know its the beginning of the year and carrying on the whole year feeling like this may seem overwhelming but the good news is you have time to turn things around. Although it may not seem it, with work piling up, but you've got quite a lot of time to make these decisions. Don't rush into things, especially if you're not well. Start looking for treatment for your depression/anxiety, talk to your friends, family and your uni - they can't help you if they don't know.
If you have any more questions let me know
I suspended studies at the end of semester two although I'd been having difficulties all year - and all through uni i guess. Anyway, although its already a few weeks into the year you still have quite a lot of options. I don't know what problems you're dealing with but there are less drastic things you can try before going part time or suspending. Have you sought treatment for your mental health issues? because i think that should be your priority really. Have you discussed extensions for any work due soon? or spreading deadlines out so they don't all come at once? if you work with your uni there are many things you can do to make things less stressful. Although they should have already, your tutor should refer you to your uni support services (if it has any) and that can make it much easier to get help.
I don't know much about going part time but if you decide to suspend studies for a period or semester or an entire year I can give you some info. As far as student loans and things go I didn't have to pay back my loan, but i think you do have to pay back any grants immediately. You wont get any more funding after you suspend - so i guess you get to keep your first loan instalment but wont receive the other 2. Other things to be aware of is paying rent on your accommodation, especially if you're private rented, and possibly paying council tax. Talk to someone from your uni and/or from student finance to check all this.
I know its the beginning of the year and carrying on the whole year feeling like this may seem overwhelming but the good news is you have time to turn things around. Although it may not seem it, with work piling up, but you've got quite a lot of time to make these decisions. Don't rush into things, especially if you're not well. Start looking for treatment for your depression/anxiety, talk to your friends, family and your uni - they can't help you if they don't know.
If you have any more questions let me know
I'm currently on a leave of absence for depression, between my first and second years of undergraduate study. The biggest financial issue for me was paying council tax, which came to almost £900, so it's definitely something you'll have to look into even if you change to part time study. Luckily I did have savings so I'm going to be able to make it through this year, but it sounds like you might need to get a job during a leave of absence to cover your expenses, which might not be feasible depending on the nature/severity of your depression.
For me, taking a leave of absence has been really useful so far because I've been able to take things at my own pace (a lot of my issues were triggered by stress, so removing the second biggest stressor in my life was a good step to take). But it sounds like there might be a lot of financial complications for you, and if you don't have a good plan of what you want to do in your time out then you could end up just being directionless and lethargic, which could make your depression and anxiety worse.
I've found Student Finance singularly unhelpful with all of this, but your tutor might be able to give you more information about the financial consequences of a leave of absence, and if your uni has a counselling service I'd advise seeing someone to discuss the other options you might be able to take instead of taking time out from study.
I think that's all I have to say - sounds like Higgs is much better qualified to answer your questions, but I just wanted to put my two pennies in ( :
For me, taking a leave of absence has been really useful so far because I've been able to take things at my own pace (a lot of my issues were triggered by stress, so removing the second biggest stressor in my life was a good step to take). But it sounds like there might be a lot of financial complications for you, and if you don't have a good plan of what you want to do in your time out then you could end up just being directionless and lethargic, which could make your depression and anxiety worse.
I've found Student Finance singularly unhelpful with all of this, but your tutor might be able to give you more information about the financial consequences of a leave of absence, and if your uni has a counselling service I'd advise seeing someone to discuss the other options you might be able to take instead of taking time out from study.
I think that's all I have to say - sounds like Higgs is much better qualified to answer your questions, but I just wanted to put my two pennies in ( :
Original post by usamakhanlodhi
The biggest financial issue for me was paying council tax, which came to almost £900, so it's definitely something you'll have to look into even if you change to part time study.
I'm currently suspended until January 2014 but i recently moved back to the town where I study and am living in private rented accommodation. Did you speak to the council about getting exemption? I have heard that the council where I am lets students who suspended for medical reasons remain exempt from council tax. However I haven't applied for exemption yet and I got a bill the other day.
Thanks for the replies!
I'm also worried about council tax, and getting accurate information from student has finance has felt like I'm trying to get blood from a stone. I spoke to a woman on the phone who couldn't sound more disinterested/bored about something that has been giving me sleepless nights. I will definitely have to contact the council about reduced council tax or exemption.
I would ideally prefer to change to part-time study but if that cuts all of my funding, then I don't think that will help because getting a job isn't very feasible when I can't even handle university. I read that the some people have managed to stay registered as full time students and then study part-time but I doubt that I would be so lucky.
Thanks for your replies again! I really don't want to give up on uni altogether but this is really making me feel worse everyday.
I'm also worried about council tax, and getting accurate information from student has finance has felt like I'm trying to get blood from a stone. I spoke to a woman on the phone who couldn't sound more disinterested/bored about something that has been giving me sleepless nights. I will definitely have to contact the council about reduced council tax or exemption.
I would ideally prefer to change to part-time study but if that cuts all of my funding, then I don't think that will help because getting a job isn't very feasible when I can't even handle university. I read that the some people have managed to stay registered as full time students and then study part-time but I doubt that I would be so lucky.
Thanks for your replies again! I really don't want to give up on uni altogether but this is really making me feel worse everyday.
I hot advised to interrupt during my 3rd year after being diagnosed with depression but refused, i got extenuating circumstances for some modules and ended up failing so now resitting 2 modules on a part time basis with no lectures. Uni has really helped me with it all
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Original post by Higgs308
I'm currently suspended until January 2014 but i recently moved back to the town where I study and am living in private rented accommodation. Did you speak to the council about getting exemption? I have heard that the council where I am lets students who suspended for medical reasons remain exempt from council tax. However I haven't applied for exemption yet and I got a bill the other day.
Really? I spoke to a council lady when the bills came through and she said that while I had a discount as the only non-student living in the house, I would still have to pay council tax for the year if I wasn't in full time study. I'll do some more research, though - thanks for mentioning it. It's really hard to get information out of anyone...
I've had many years out/half years out.
I never got round to it myself but I would suggest applying for DSA disabled students allowance as this should help a little with money.
I never got round to it myself but I would suggest applying for DSA disabled students allowance as this should help a little with money.
Original post by usamakhanlodhi
Really? I spoke to a council lady when the bills came through and she said that while I had a discount as the only non-student living in the house, I would still have to pay council tax for the year if I wasn't in full time study. I'll do some more research, though - thanks for mentioning it. It's really hard to get information out of anyone...
Some councils have a exemption for council tax if someone has a severe mental disorder. You need to get a form for this from the council and get your specialist or therapist to fill in part of them form
Also I've read that if you're on DSA, you can claim Housing Benefit
If you're not currently an enrolled student, you can apply for JSA or ESA.
If you're on either of these, you should get a big reduction in your council tax bill. E.g. you'd only have to pay 10 or 15%, depending on your council.
If you're on either of these, you should get a big reduction in your council tax bill. E.g. you'd only have to pay 10 or 15%, depending on your council.
Hey
I should have graduated last July, but due to various mental illnesses, including agoraphobia and panic attacks, I knew that taking a break was my only option. Instead of withdrawing or suspending, I instead applied to the exam board for an extension. They required a lot of information, and I had to have a few statements from my lecturers, but I have now been given until May 2014.
Now, the financial side. Due to my difficulties, I am unable to work. Due to my out of attendance status, I am no longer entitled to student funding. Yet, due to being classed as a student in the eyes of the government, I am not entitled to any benefits.
If this degree means everything to you, and you have the fight in you to complete it whilst staying physically and mentally healthy, then I would suggest an extension.
I will warn you, though, to do your research first. Turn 2 Us is a fantastic charity whom will point you in the right direction with regards to grants.
I hope this has helped, and you get things sorted
x
I should have graduated last July, but due to various mental illnesses, including agoraphobia and panic attacks, I knew that taking a break was my only option. Instead of withdrawing or suspending, I instead applied to the exam board for an extension. They required a lot of information, and I had to have a few statements from my lecturers, but I have now been given until May 2014.
Now, the financial side. Due to my difficulties, I am unable to work. Due to my out of attendance status, I am no longer entitled to student funding. Yet, due to being classed as a student in the eyes of the government, I am not entitled to any benefits.
If this degree means everything to you, and you have the fight in you to complete it whilst staying physically and mentally healthy, then I would suggest an extension.
I will warn you, though, to do your research first. Turn 2 Us is a fantastic charity whom will point you in the right direction with regards to grants.
I hope this has helped, and you get things sorted
x
