Former drop out, support and advice would be nice :)

It's starting to surprise me how many others there are who dropped out because of mental health problems. It's very reassuring for all of us I think I wanted to do nursing originally but I couldn't afford the access course and in the end I don't think it's really for me. Honestly I would tell the truth of why you dropped out- because of your health. It's important this taboo gets broken, and also it's nothing to be ashamed of. Now you are presumably in a better place to make a commitment to a course because you have life experience to tell you when you're ready to make a big decision like returning to university

I am thank god but it took me 4 years to get well enough. Unfortunately I will have these problems for the rest of my life which is something I've had to come to terms with. I think certain peoples views on here is why people with depression/anxiety etc are so scared to admit they need help. If you could snap out of depression there would be no need for antidepressants or psychiatrists since 1 in 4 people suffer from mental health problems.


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Thought I'd post about my experience:

I've been working since I was 16 in a retail job, and went into HE at the age of 19 but it was completely the wrong time for me. I wasn't in the best frame of mind and I had chosen a course that wasn't for me but I had thought it would progress onto what I had eventually wanted.
Due to depression and a home life that demanded full time work I left the course during the second year, my weight sky-rocketed (I hit 24 stone) and I went down a really dark path which took years to break out of.
A recovering opiate addict and self harmer later, I've managed to drop 7 stone over two years and my life did a complete 180, I am the happiest I've ever been, Ever.

I got an unconditional offer to a University to study a HND (which I would progress into a topup) in a course that not only interests me but is something that I have already had the pleasure of gaining some knowledge in during my National Diploma days at College.

Student finance have gave me a big no when it comes to my first year of Tuition and Grant, basically I'd need to self fund my living requirements and my Tuition while they've agreed to a maintenance loan (Doesn't fully cover accommodation), that is sadly money that I do not have, all because I dropped out when I was 19.
If it was communicated better that there are only so many years to study with financial support I'd of probably made the better decision at 19 to withdraw from a course I chose as a last minute offer to escape a low income job.

I almost felt like my life was taken away when I read that rejection letter this morning, waiting on an appeal which I doubt will help.

Make a firm decision on what you're going to do and stick to it...

Just wanted to post that I know how you feel and have been through it myself.

I had a uni offer to a decent university, but ended up withdrawing one week in as I didn't feel the course was right for me. I was going to apply to university last year but did not feel ready at all so I didn't apply for anything in the end. In terms of the reference, try contacting your old sixth form teachers and tell them what you've been up to since. I've taken some time out, getting some experience along the way and will be 21 when I hopefully go.

Goodluck!