This discussion is now closed.
Check out other Related discussions
- BAE Reserve List 2025
- Proofs for A level maths
- Direction change after a collision between two particles
- DWP Administrative Officer
- Should I follow my gut?
- Reserve list for UCL Undergraduate Scholarship
- Has anyone been offered Kingston's new Pharmacy course with biopharmaceutics?
- Reserve list
- Help review my personal SWOT analysis
- DWP work coach RESERVE LIST
- using tollens reagent on an alcohol
- Admission
- being behind if i take a gap year
- I got AAAB at A-Level and studied 7-10 days before each exam. Ask me for help, advice
- Deloitte graduate role waitlist
- Year 10 Work Experience!!!
- OCR B Salters A Level Chemistry 2025 Advanced Article
- Dropping out
- Learn direct
- Pharmacy student applying to post grad medicine
What would you do in my position?
Basically I just don't see a future for me. Im 23 (24 soon) and Ive had depression and anxiety for years now but am going to try and get it sorted forever by seeing someone (or does it not work like this?) Anyway I left college at 18 and have quit uni twice due to my stupid issues and im quite old now. Ive only had a few part time jobs and a months voluntary which didn't last long.
Im thinking of doing a psychology degree though as im thinking of going into clinical psychology which will be hard. Im about to start a job in part time mental health bank nursing as well. The thing is im getting old and a degree will take 3/4 years, then theres the clinical training etc so Id be something like 30 before Id finished
Being 30 and never having had a job all your life (apart from bank nursing) is just pathetic. I was also wondering whether after doing the degree I'l only end up doing a mental health nursing degree anyway, in which case 3 years will have been wasted Ive already daydreamed away 5 years, but right now I want to do psychology but I can't afford to waste 3 years as im getting on age wise.
I know this sounds sad but im also worried about my pension, I mean my parents keep going on about me never working and how I should be working as Ive never had a job etc, my dad says he doesn't know what I'l do when im older as I won't have a pension if I start work so late.
Can anyone clear things up? Is my worrying reasonable?
Thanks
Im thinking of doing a psychology degree though as im thinking of going into clinical psychology which will be hard. Im about to start a job in part time mental health bank nursing as well. The thing is im getting old and a degree will take 3/4 years, then theres the clinical training etc so Id be something like 30 before Id finished
Being 30 and never having had a job all your life (apart from bank nursing) is just pathetic. I was also wondering whether after doing the degree I'l only end up doing a mental health nursing degree anyway, in which case 3 years will have been wasted Ive already daydreamed away 5 years, but right now I want to do psychology but I can't afford to waste 3 years as im getting on age wise.I know this sounds sad but im also worried about my pension, I mean my parents keep going on about me never working and how I should be working as Ive never had a job etc, my dad says he doesn't know what I'l do when im older as I won't have a pension if I start work so late.
Can anyone clear things up? Is my worrying reasonable?
Thanks
Reply 1
um.... !
You need a little perspective here.
You're going to be 24, not 84.
3/4 of a year is NOT a long time.
Impatience can mess us up. It makes us avoid commitment. All success takes TIME. Try to cultivate some patience.
Also, about the depression and anxiety. I used to have both. I purchased a cd program to learn how to deal with the anxiety. It was worth every penny. For me, I didn't want to do meds for the depression, so i looked into cognitive therapy. It worked well. There is a book called "feeling good" that has cognitive therapy self help for depression. It's very good.
When we're depressed we think of lots of excuses not to do things. You need to watch out for that. You won't become happy until you start putting yourself into things. That's how everyone i know pulled out of depression.
You need a little perspective here.
You're going to be 24, not 84.
3/4 of a year is NOT a long time.
Impatience can mess us up. It makes us avoid commitment. All success takes TIME. Try to cultivate some patience.
Also, about the depression and anxiety. I used to have both. I purchased a cd program to learn how to deal with the anxiety. It was worth every penny. For me, I didn't want to do meds for the depression, so i looked into cognitive therapy. It worked well. There is a book called "feeling good" that has cognitive therapy self help for depression. It's very good.
When we're depressed we think of lots of excuses not to do things. You need to watch out for that. You won't become happy until you start putting yourself into things. That's how everyone i know pulled out of depression.
Reply 2
annsmith
um.... !
You need a little perspective here.
You're going to be 24, not 84.
3/4 of a year is NOT a long time.
Impatience can mess us up. It makes us avoid commitment. All success takes TIME. Try to cultivate some patience.
Also, about the depression and anxiety. I used to have both. I purchased a cd program to learn how to deal with the anxiety. It was worth every penny. For me, I didn't want to do meds for the depression, so i looked into cognitive therapy. It worked well. There is a book called "feeling good" that has cognitive therapy self help for depression. It's very good.
When we're depressed we think of lots of excuses not to do things. You need to watch out for that. You won't become happy until you start putting yourself into things. That's how everyone i know pulled out of depression.
You need a little perspective here.
You're going to be 24, not 84.
3/4 of a year is NOT a long time.
Impatience can mess us up. It makes us avoid commitment. All success takes TIME. Try to cultivate some patience.
Also, about the depression and anxiety. I used to have both. I purchased a cd program to learn how to deal with the anxiety. It was worth every penny. For me, I didn't want to do meds for the depression, so i looked into cognitive therapy. It worked well. There is a book called "feeling good" that has cognitive therapy self help for depression. It's very good.
When we're depressed we think of lots of excuses not to do things. You need to watch out for that. You won't become happy until you start putting yourself into things. That's how everyone i know pulled out of depression.
Great, thanks I'l try and get hold of that book as I don't want to rely on meds either. Its not that im impatient and I would love to put things off for as long as I can but Im not sure if it will have consequences and theres also the pressure all my old friends have careers in teaching, nursing etc and most of them are only 21 and independant, I still live with parents and am scared to leave (in fact I will be doing the degree at home)!! Im just way behind in my milestones lol. Plus I don't drive.
Reply 3
Anonymous
Great, thanks I'l try and get hold of that book as I don't want to rely on meds either. Its not that im impatient and I would love to put things off for as long as I can but Im not sure if it will have consequences and theres also the pressure all my old friends have careers in teaching, nursing etc and most of them are only 21 and independant, I still live with parents and am scared to leave (in fact I will be doing the degree at home)!! Im just way behind in my milestones lol. Plus I don't drive.
I see. I'm sorry i sounded critical. That's more about my mood right now, and not to do with you.
My life also isn't standard. Sometimes that bugs me. I compare, but i know i shouldn't. What's more important is doing what is right for me, just like you need to do what is right for you. If you wish to be independent, then you can go that route. But sometimes people who make a fast start don't finish in front. A good example is what education can do. I wish i'd gone for more, and am thinking about returning.
If all your friends were doing what you have done, this wouldn't be an issue, would it? Would you feel on track if they were? Because if you would feel on track then maybe you are on track. What do you think?
Reply 4
11
get a part-tiime job during uni, and do more volunteer work then too. That way you build up your CV, bank balance as well as getting a degree.
& graduating at 23/24 is not old. I have people on my course who didn't start the course until they were well into their twenties, thirties, forties, and my course is 5 years too! & then its pretty compulsory to work for two years after that.
I think you should stop comparing yourself to your schoolfriends. Just do what suits you.
If you're really worried about your pension just take cheaper holidays when you're older, get cheaper cars and housing and watch the pennies a bit more.
& graduating at 23/24 is not old. I have people on my course who didn't start the course until they were well into their twenties, thirties, forties, and my course is 5 years too! & then its pretty compulsory to work for two years after that.
I think you should stop comparing yourself to your schoolfriends. Just do what suits you.
If you're really worried about your pension just take cheaper holidays when you're older, get cheaper cars and housing and watch the pennies a bit more.
Reply 5
Anonymous
Ive had depression and anxiety for years now but am going to try and get it sorted forever by seeing someone (or does it not work like this?)
I have anxiety and am down in the dumps a lot (though not depressed) due to the fact that I have recently been injured and may lose my dream job which took me 2 years to get.
I also have an amazing boyfriend who has been with me through this situation.
Having a partner probably won't fix it in my opinion.
Reply 6
Please OP, don't worry about your situation. I'm hardly young myself (21) and I don't have a clue about what I'm doing in life. I'm sponging off my dad for course fees and to be honest I feel really bad about it. But you have to focus on what YOU want in life, and if clinical psychology is that, go for it! Otherwise you'll regret it your whole life 
Reply 7
Anonymous
I have anxiety and am down in the dumps a lot (though not depressed) due to the fact that I have recently been injured and may lose my dream job which took me 2 years to get.
I also have an amazing boyfriend who has been with me through this situation.
Having a partner probably won't fix it in my opinion.
I also have an amazing boyfriend who has been with me through this situation.
Having a partner probably won't fix it in my opinion.
I didn't mean seeing someone as in a partner I meant a councillor, but yea life is horrible lol.
Reply 8
17
Ok is it just me, or can some people not read?
The OP said 3/4 YEARS.
No. The OP is 23/24 NOW before starting a degree.
OP my advice is to go for the degree. Worrying about stuff beyond your control (i.e. age) is a waste of your emotions and energy. Put that energy into starting your degree or other activities that bring you pleasure. Furthermore worrying about your pension isn't going to get it paid off. I'm 25 and I havent started paying into a pension
Relax. Enjoy life. Take it one step at a time. PM me if you want to chat with a fellow oldie 
annsmith
3/4 of a year is NOT a long time.
3/4 of a year is NOT a long time.
The OP said 3/4 YEARS.
Saffie
& graduating at 23/24 is not old.
& graduating at 23/24 is not old.
No. The OP is 23/24 NOW before starting a degree.
OP my advice is to go for the degree. Worrying about stuff beyond your control (i.e. age) is a waste of your emotions and energy. Put that energy into starting your degree or other activities that bring you pleasure. Furthermore worrying about your pension isn't going to get it paid off. I'm 25 and I havent started paying into a pension
Relax. Enjoy life. Take it one step at a time. PM me if you want to chat with a fellow oldie Reply 9
If you always see something like 'i'll be too old, it makes me pathetic' you'll never get anything dont and just get older and older. Age isnt an issue, you'll possibly be working up to 70, so a few extra years now isnt too much of an impact. You've got the right idea about seeing someone for your depression and anxiety, get it sorted. If it helps, get someone to go with you, i know its hard to go on your own. Stick in there at uni this time, any probs jsut get onto the uni counsellers or back on here and work through them. It sounds like you know where you want to go, so go for it. Your future is in your hands, you can do anything.
Reply 10
it is a bit spooky. I'm 23 now 
and i haven't started a career, but what career means nowadays, as to what it means in yesteryear....
it's very unhealthy to compare our own life situations to other peoples, we probably all know this, but nevertheless we still do it. Probably care about how others perceive us, on the basis of status, income-earning, class...much more so than we believe to be the case.
I'm 23 now and think "holy ****, where have the years gone". It's disturbing. I won't have got the qualification (postgrad course) i'm most in need of, until i'm at least 26 (provided i get onto the masters course), but post-secondary school, i have gone on to graduate and worked 2-3 years. But still, 23
and i haven't started a career, but what career means nowadays, as to what it means in yesteryear....it's very unhealthy to compare our own life situations to other peoples, we probably all know this, but nevertheless we still do it. Probably care about how others perceive us, on the basis of status, income-earning, class...much more so than we believe to be the case.
I'm 23 now and think "holy ****, where have the years gone". It's disturbing. I won't have got the qualification (postgrad course) i'm most in need of, until i'm at least 26 (provided i get onto the masters course), but post-secondary school, i have gone on to graduate and worked 2-3 years. But still, 23
Related discussions
- BAE Reserve List 2025
- Proofs for A level maths
- Direction change after a collision between two particles
- DWP Administrative Officer
- Should I follow my gut?
- Reserve list for UCL Undergraduate Scholarship
- Has anyone been offered Kingston's new Pharmacy course with biopharmaceutics?
- Reserve list
- Help review my personal SWOT analysis
- DWP work coach RESERVE LIST
- using tollens reagent on an alcohol
- Admission
- being behind if i take a gap year
- I got AAAB at A-Level and studied 7-10 days before each exam. Ask me for help, advice
- Deloitte graduate role waitlist
- Year 10 Work Experience!!!
- OCR B Salters A Level Chemistry 2025 Advanced Article
- Dropping out
- Learn direct
- Pharmacy student applying to post grad medicine
Latest
Trending
Last reply 2 months ago
What food item are you currently craving?Last reply 4 months ago
Domino's pizza personal size vs small sizeLast reply 6 months ago
Am I the only one who hates holidays especially the summer holidays?Last reply 7 months ago
Anyone else been out of work for 9 years in a row?Last reply 7 months ago
parents wont let me take the course i want to takeLast reply 7 months ago
How do I tell my instructor I don't want lessons with her anymore?Last reply 7 months ago
Where can I find good-quality alternatives to luxury fashion clothing?
How The Student Room is moderated
To keep The Student Room safe for everyone, we moderate posts that are added to the site.
