The Student Room Group

*HELP* I'm considering dropping out of Uni... (first year)

TL;DR: Thinking about dropping out, how much will I have to pay if I do, is it a good idea to drop out early and consider my options.

So, I'm currently studying a BA Business Economics course at Sheffield Hallam University and I'm beginning to second guess whether this is what I really want to do. The thing that is extremely throwing me off about this course is the Maths aspect and how advanced it is (for me at least).

I never did Maths or Economics at A-level, I actually did a Sports course at BTEC, but soon realised it wasn't for me, to at least get a career out of it, despite getting 'good grades' on the course coming out with a D*D*D*.

I guess I didn't do the appropriate research before choosing a course, since I actually applied to do Sports as a Business at SHU, but I desperately wanted to change it, so I basically just chose a course that seemed interesting and 'credible' and out of panic, opted for Business Economics.

Touching on the Maths aspect of the course, even the people who studied Maths at A-level are struggling with the content, and most of them didn't expect the Maths to be this advanced on this course.

Before starting the course, I actually contacted the course leader asking about the Maths content (this was always a worry for me), and he said that my grade (B at GCSE) would be absolutely fine for the Maths on the course. Boy was he wrong, but again, I guess it's hard to judge whether someone's going to be suited on the course by a GCSE grade, I just feel like I was a little mislead.

Anyway, this all dawned on me when revising for this Maths exam that I have this Friday, I completely understood none of the stuff I was trying to revise, and then I was thinking to myself 'Why am I doing this? Why am I forcing myself to learn something that I don't want to do?'. Now this is why I'm writing this post, I need some advice on what I should do, and what would be the 'best' option for me. I know that the only person that can make the decision of this is me, I'd just like to hear people's thoughts and opinions on my situation, and what the best solution (from their POV) would be.

What I'm considering to do is drop out this Semester, since then I will only owe what I've paid so far for the Tuition Fee's (roughly £2,300), and I don't live away so I won't be tied to a contract for £5,500+. As for the Maintenance Loan I got (around £2,200), I've spent a lot of it on a Gaming PC, so essentially I could sell the PC in a year or two for around £1,500 which means I wouldn't be in much debt at all since I can pretty much get back all of the money that I spent (if needs be).

*I think I would only have to pay the Tuition Fees for this Semester right, and not the whole year? (considering that I dropped out in the first Semester).*

After dropping out, I would work at the part-time job I have for a source of income, and also heavily research for courses that I'd actually be interested in doing, and not rushing to a decision. Another thing I was considering doing is trying to self-learn the basics of a language in preparation for taking on a language at University (that's IF I decide to drop out, and of course decide to go to University again). I just feel like cutting my losses for this year would be appropriate, and really taking some time out to think about my career and life paths.

However, I must mention, I am pretty interested and I'm actually considering doing a BSc Real Estate course, but I still need to look into that further and see if it's the right course for me (don't make this mistake again). So if anyone reading this is taking a Real Estate course, feel free to share what it's like as I'd really like to hear, or if someone could direct me to somewhere that discusses Real Estate courses.

Feel free to express your thoughts and opinions on my situation as it would help massively
Original post by Savaged
TL;DR: Thinking about dropping out, how much will I have to pay if I do, is it a good idea to drop out early and consider my options.

So, I'm currently studying a BA Business Economics course at Sheffield Hallam University and I'm beginning to second guess whether this is what I really want to do. The thing that is extremely throwing me off about this course is the Maths aspect and how advanced it is (for me at least).

I never did Maths or Economics at A-level, I actually did a Sports course at BTEC, but soon realised it wasn't for me, to at least get a career out of it, despite getting 'good grades' on the course coming out with a D*D*D*.

I guess I didn't do the appropriate research before choosing a course, since I actually applied to do Sports as a Business at SHU, but I desperately wanted to change it, so I basically just chose a course that seemed interesting and 'credible' and out of panic, opted for Business Economics.

Touching on the Maths aspect of the course, even the people who studied Maths at A-level are struggling with the content, and most of them didn't expect the Maths to be this advanced on this course.

Before starting the course, I actually contacted the course leader asking about the Maths content (this was always a worry for me), and he said that my grade (B at GCSE) would be absolutely fine for the Maths on the course. Boy was he wrong, but again, I guess it's hard to judge whether someone's going to be suited on the course by a GCSE grade, I just feel like I was a little mislead.

Anyway, this all dawned on me when revising for this Maths exam that I have this Friday, I completely understood none of the stuff I was trying to revise, and then I was thinking to myself 'Why am I doing this? Why am I forcing myself to learn something that I don't want to do?'. Now this is why I'm writing this post, I need some advice on what I should do, and what would be the 'best' option for me. I know that the only person that can make the decision of this is me, I'd just like to hear people's thoughts and opinions on my situation, and what the best solution (from their POV) would be.

What I'm considering to do is drop out this Semester, since then I will only owe what I've paid so far for the Tuition Fee's (roughly £2,300), and I don't live away so I won't be tied to a contract for £5,500+. As for the Maintenance Loan I got (around £2,200), I've spent a lot of it on a Gaming PC, so essentially I could sell the PC in a year or two for around £1,500 which means I wouldn't be in much debt at all since I can pretty much get back all of the money that I spent (if needs be).

*I think I would only have to pay the Tuition Fees for this Semester right, and not the whole year? (considering that I dropped out in the first Semester).*

After dropping out, I would work at the part-time job I have for a source of income, and also heavily research for courses that I'd actually be interested in doing, and not rushing to a decision. Another thing I was considering doing is trying to self-learn the basics of a language in preparation for taking on a language at University (that's IF I decide to drop out, and of course decide to go to University again). I just feel like cutting my losses for this year would be appropriate, and really taking some time out to think about my career and life paths.

However, I must mention, I am pretty interested and I'm actually considering doing a BSc Real Estate course, but I still need to look into that further and see if it's the right course for me (don't make this mistake again). So if anyone reading this is taking a Real Estate course, feel free to share what it's like as I'd really like to hear, or if someone could direct me to somewhere that discusses Real Estate courses.

Feel free to express your thoughts and opinions on my situation as it would help massively


Ok you have at least looked into finances.

Degree liable term 1 if leaves by the due date. Money becomes repayable only when earning 25k+ and hen 9% of the excess. Nothing to worry about.

Maintenance, depending when on the term you withdraw they will see if theres overpayment i.e if they gave you 12 weeks money and you quit after 6 then they want 6 weeks back immediately, but they have discretion and you can negotiate a repayment plan, Nothing to worry about. I think they have discretion to let you keep 6 weeks. If you left towards the end of term i doubt they would chase you for it. probably not best to mention the gaming PC as they will ask you to sell it, just a PC......

Accommodation- I get the feeling you live at home, so you have avoided one if the biggest pitfalls of sorting that out.

Its up to you whether you decide you want to leave for a compelling reason, but get it documented if you do i.e depression, anxiety etc.

Start going to the careers service and looking at the full range of courses.
See a careers adviser.
Start looking into potential careers and because you have done sports rather than traditional subjects then make sure you understand the academic requirements of various degrees and consider if a degree with foundation year might be needed.
Talk to people on the course and go to open day. If the uni wasnt the problem and they run the course, then you could contact the department and make some contact so they know who you are.

In your gap year then get some work experience in the areas where you are interested doing a degree.

Apply through UCAS for 2019 or take longer.

At the moment your degree choice is all over the place so you need more research.
You could also do with reading some of the career services career choice books and how to id the best one for you.

Books similar to these.
https://nationalcareersservice.direc...ontact-us/home

https://www.amazon.co.uk/What-Rocks-...6APMBBK3X5TV18

https://www.amazon.co.uk/What-You-Ar...MZ5PK361HSA0K4

https://www.amazon.co.uk/What-Color-...JQ3RSS77A7Z49W


Career profiles
https://www.planitplus.net/JobProfiles?letter=A
https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/job-profiles/home

You can look up degree courses here

https://digital.ucas.com/search
Reply 2
Original post by 999tigger
Ok you have at least looked into finances.

Degree liable term 1 if leaves by the due date. Money becomes repayable only when earning 25k+ and hen 9% of the excess. Nothing to worry about.

Maintenance, depending when on the term you withdraw they will see if theres overpayment i.e if they gave you 12 weeks money and you quit after 6 then they want 6 weeks back immediately, but they have discretion and you can negotiate a repayment plan, Nothing to worry about. I think they have discretion to let you keep 6 weeks. If you left towards the end of term i doubt they would chase you for it. probably not best to mention the gaming PC as they will ask you to sell it, just a PC......

Accommodation- I get the feeling you live at home, so you have avoided one if the biggest pitfalls of sorting that out.

Its up to you whether you decide you want to leave for a compelling reason, but get it documented if you do i.e depression, anxiety etc.

Start going to the careers service and looking at the full range of courses.
See a careers adviser.
Start looking into potential careers and because you have done sports rather than traditional subjects then make sure you understand the academic requirements of various degrees and consider if a degree with foundation year might be needed.
Talk to people on the course and go to open day. If the uni wasnt the problem and they run the course, then you could contact the department and make some contact so they know who you are.

In your gap year then get some work experience in the areas where you are interested doing a degree.

Apply through UCAS for 2019 or take longer.

At the moment your degree choice is all over the place so you need more research.
You could also do with reading some of the career services career choice books and how to id the best one for you.

Books similar to these.
https://nationalcareersservice.direc...ontact-us/home

https://www.amazon.co.uk/What-Rocks-...6APMBBK3X5TV18

https://www.amazon.co.uk/What-You-Ar...MZ5PK361HSA0K4

https://www.amazon.co.uk/What-Color-...JQ3RSS77A7Z49W


Career profiles
https://www.planitplus.net/JobProfiles?letter=A
https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/job-profiles/home

You can look up degree courses here

https://digital.ucas.com/search


Wow... this is the reply I needed. I appreciate the advise along with all the necessary links that will help me out a lot. My degree choice definitely isn't in a good place at the moment, I've just broke the news to my Mum and she seemed fined with it and it would be the best thing to do (for me to drop out ASAP) to avoid further complications with the finance side of things.

We discussed things that I actually enjoy doing and one of those things is drawing/designing so I definitely believe Architecture would be something to consider, or at least look into it. As for the Maintenance Loan, would that work the same as the Tuition Fees in terms of paying it back? I'm not entirely sure how repaying the Maintenance Loan works so if you could clear this up for me that would be great.

Thanks for the reply :smile:

EDIT: I'm gonna take a wild guess and say that it would be almost impossible for me to change courses at this point in the term (that's if I actually knew what I wanted to do, too).
(edited 5 years ago)
Original post by Savaged
Wow... this is the reply I needed. I appreciate the advise along with all the necessary links that will help me out a lot. My degree choice definitely isn't in a good place at the moment, I've just broke the news to my Mum and she seemed fined with it and it would be the best thing to do (for me to drop out ASAP) to avoid further complications with the finance side of things.

We discussed things that I actually enjoy doing and one of those things is drawing/designing so I definitely believe Architecture would be something to consider, or at least look into it. As for the Maintenance Loan, would that work the same as the Tuition Fees in terms of paying it back? I'm not entirely sure how repaying the Maintenance Loan works so if you could clear this up for me that would be great.

Thanks for the reply :smile:

EDIT: I'm gonna take a wild guess and say that it would be almost impossible for me to change courses at this point in the term (that's if I actually knew what I wanted to do, too).


Maint works as i said- immediate return for any potion they think you arent entitled to, but I doubt they will chase for it if you stay most of the term. that debt then goes to normal 25k repayment terms with the fees i,.e you wont pay anything back till sorted.


Changing I think is unlikely but if your issue isnt with the uni and they have an alternative there then its easier to make contact and switch that just through ucas.

Sleep now. You have what you need imo.
Reply 4
Original post by 999tigger
Maint works as i said- immediate return for any potion they think you arent entitled to, but I doubt they will chase for it if you stay most of the term. that debt then goes to normal 25k repayment terms with the fees i,.e you wont pay anything back till sorted.


Changing I think is unlikely but if your issue isnt with the uni and they have an alternative there then its easier to make contact and switch that just through ucas.

Sleep now. You have what you need imo.


Yea the University definitely isn't the problem, and yea I've pretty much gathered what I need to thanks to you. :biggrin:

Time off this year could be more beneficial rather than rushing into another course this year (if a change was possible) since I could make the same mistake again, rather than have some time to research possible options and make an educated decision from what I learn.

Again, thank you, really needed your help here.
Original post by Savaged
Yea the University definitely isn't the problem, and yea I've pretty much gathered what I need to thanks to you. :biggrin:

Time off this year could be more beneficial rather than rushing into another course this year (if a change was possible) since I could make the same mistake again, rather than have some time to research possible options and make an educated decision from what I learn.

Again, thank you, really needed your help here.


Go and read the books, get some work experience, use careers and research. You will find something that interests you. Dont start a uni course intil you are sure its the correct uni and the right course. You only get one gift year.
Reply 6
Original post by 999tigger
Go and read the books, get some work experience, use careers and research. You will find something that interests you. Dont start a uni course intil you are sure its the correct uni and the right course. You only get one gift year.

Yea I definitely will, taking some time off should really help me find what I want to do. What do you mean by one gift year?
Original post by Savaged
Yea I definitely will, taking some time off should really help me find what I want to do. What do you mean by one gift year?


Student finance allows one gift/ insurance year to fund, where they will fund it but from now on if you change your mind again on your next course they will not fund the entire degree and you would need to pay however many years your funding entitlement fell short.

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