I’ve lost 3 years of my life
Due to my declining mental health I had to leave sixth form at the beginning of year 13 and essentially I’ve done nothing since then. Most of the people I know are now at uni while I’m stuck here. I’ve made plans to start a levels next year but I honestly don’t know if I’ll have to motivation to start a levels when I’m 19 and finish when I’m 21. If anyone has experienced something similar, would you mind sharing how you made it through because I honestly can’t see an end in sight.
Original post by Anonymous
Due to my declining mental health I had to leave sixth form at the beginning of year 13 and essentially I’ve done nothing since then. Most of the people I know are now at uni while I’m stuck here. I’ve made plans to start a levels next year but I honestly don’t know if I’ll have to motivation to start a levels when I’m 19 and finish when I’m 21. If anyone has experienced something similar, would you mind sharing how you made it through because I honestly can’t see an end in sight.
The time you lost can't be retrieved. Move on.
Think of those less fortunate than you are, you are the one who is saying you have such good things in your life. Think about some of the children in Syria who see their parents die. Think about the people in Yemen or African countries who drink water which is dirty, has cholera, even in which animals have excreted. It may seem drastic, but it is only this way you realise to be grateful for what you have. Stay active and healthy, maybe start playing a sport or eating foods you like or something. That's the advice I can give you.
Lots of people start uni at 21 or older. It's not really that unusual.
It's best to focus on what you want to achieve and how you're going to get there at each stage, rather than looking X years down the line and feeling like you're "behind".
It's best to focus on what you want to achieve and how you're going to get there at each stage, rather than looking X years down the line and feeling like you're "behind".
everyone has a different timeline in life, never forget that. You may be delayed with finishing school but may excel at your job or your next step and exceed people who actually finished in time. You never know. Be nice to yourself and go at your own pace.
instead of doing nothing talk to someone, there are lots of free organization that help supports young people with mental health, talk to your career department at ur sixth or secondary or other any career organization. There is no age gap in University, can start uni at age 20 or 50, etc.
Original post by Anonymous
The time you lost can't be retrieved. Move on.
I'm in an identical situation to you. The only difference; my college won't have me back because I'm 19 so I'm having to do it on my own. How did you get back in if you don't mind me asking?
Original post by Xiphos
I'm in an identical situation to you. The only difference; my college won't have me back because I'm 19 so I'm having to do it on my own. How did you get back in if you don't mind me asking?
There is a college near me that allows for people of any age to take a levels
A lot of people on my uni course were 21 in first year. You’re overthinking it, 18-21 is the age range if most new uni students. There are advantages to starting uni at 21 too. And you wouldn’t have done ‘nothing’ for 3 years unless you really needed that time to recuperate. Don’t regret what has served you.
Original post by Anonymous
A lot of people on my uni course were 21 in first year. You’re overthinking it, 18-21 is the age range if most new uni students. There are advantages to starting uni at 21 too. And you wouldn’t have done ‘nothing’ for 3 years unless you really needed that time to recuperate. Don’t regret what has served you.
I can’t help but worry about how everyone my age seems to be moving forward with their lives while I’m stagnant. It seems I still have stuff to work on mentally.
Original post by Anonymous
I can’t help but worry about how everyone my age seems to be moving forward with their lives while I’m stagnant. It seems I still have stuff to work on mentally.
Honestly, they probably aren't. We struggle throughout our 20s. Even when i graduated at 23 many of my classmates were struggling with either MH problems, unemployment, career confusion, etc. we always have the illusion others are OK but even those acting like they're living it up at uni have low moments too, and you might have things they don't. Like now you can decide better what yu actually wanna do at uni.Some went in at 18 and changed courses 2-3 times, or failed and resat. There are always things that will delay your ideal timing if not now then later. Really don't worry, once you get to uni you'll be pleased you did it and won't even remember the past 3 years cause you'll be busy with a new chapter.
Original post by Anonymous
I can’t help but worry about how everyone my age seems to be moving forward with their lives while I’m stagnant. It seems I still have stuff to work on mentally.
I would also bear in mind how many students have taken a gap year or two because of COVID. Lots of people are behind where they thought they would be.
This is literally me. I left school at 16 and I didn't even complete my a levels at all, this was due to severe depression cause by sexual assault. I was in and out of hospital for treatment for about 2 years and by the age of 19 I was discharged. I was so scared on what to do with my life after that. Should I go to uni at the open university (you probably know about the open uni but for those who don't they accept people without a levels) but then what would I study? Should i get an apprenticeship, but it nearly impossible now at my age (I'm 21 now). I had no idea. But this is what im doing now, I found pitman training a diploma school, I'm currently studying for a diploma in executive assistant. I'm learning all these amazing computer skills. After I complete that, I'm going to get work experience either by the NHS working in administration or by contacting the princes trust - I suggest you contact them. There a charity who loads of access to work experience/placements. They also do courses for building confidence and so much more. They will help you to find work or help to decide what you want to do. Hopefully once I get work experience I will move into a hr style role. From there on, i hope to save some money to re take my alevels from an online company called the oxford learning college. After that who knows I might indeed go to the open uni and study something HR or sociological? I don't know. But what I do know from my experience is that you can't worry. You've got to do something. I always feel that employers might look at my gaps and think well what has she done? And I always fear about telling them the truth, that I became mentally I'll because you fear that they won't hire you because they might see you as unable to cope. But I know I'm not alone. And your comment is proof of that. After all actions speak louder than words and the fact that I was able to re pick myself up actually shows how resilient I am. And the fact that your trying to shows that as well. Don't ever be bullied into believing that your too old or too behind. Even though I know how exactly how you feel because I feel it too. But remember this someone might be qualified now and starting a job, they might also have a partner and getting married, if your like me you dont have any of these thing right now, but in ten years time I might be the one with a good job and partner and stable life, and that person who I believe was ahead of me then might actually be divorced, single and jobless. It has nothing to do with age, but everything to do with how hard you work and how hard you want something. Stay strong, do some soul searching, find what you want to do, get a support network, give counselling a try to keep mentally strong and know that you can do it. Your not behind, in fact you've got an amazing story to share more interesting than others. I hope this makes sense. And please know that your post has just helped me in feeling less alone too. Because I too sometimes feel like I've failed or I'm missing something or that I'm deeply behind and that I'm never going to catch up but I'm not alone. And I'm trying so hard and I'm hopeful that i will get there one day. And i know you will too! I really recommend looking either at the open university, oxford learning college and contacting the Princes Trust for help. Both the open uni and oxford learning college don't require alevels to learn with them so that might be good for you. Plus with the open uni you can do the degree part time instead of full time which might help you out with stress. Moreover the at the oxford learning there exams are do by course work and an online examination which again helps to eliminate stress. There are options out there.
(edited 2 years ago)
Original post by Anonymous
There is a college near me that allows for people of any age to take a levels
Lucky, my sixth form said they couldn't because I was 2 months too old for them to get funding for me. There's a silver lining for you I suppose. You have a chance to change things whereas, some of us don't.
It's never too late (to join the Socialist Revolution).
On a serious note, there is no "correct" timeline to do things op.
Definitely do seek careers advice etc though to be sure you are taking the correct options.
On a serious note, there is no "correct" timeline to do things op.
Definitely do seek careers advice etc though to be sure you are taking the correct options.
