Did anyone else regret going to university?

I am about to graduate in two months and I cannot get over what an absolute complete and utter waste of time it has been. I feel more mentally ill than when I started the course in 2020.

What degree did you do? Do you not feel the qualification will help you in your chosen career?

I am about to graduate in two months and I cannot get over what an absolute complete and utter waste of time it has been. I feel more mentally ill than when I started the course in 2020.

Media and film related. I will be working in a warehouse for min wage post graduation as I haven't got anything lined up after I graduate. I might even get a 3rd lol.

Yeah I regret it I still remember that time in 2020 during COVID we were asked to go to campus with measurements put into place I was like to myself with a head-down focused mentality as well as concentrate giving it my all in level 5 (second-year) only worth 25% came out with 60% average (2:1) in level 6 (third-year) worth 75% and currently have a average of 56% just like 4% shy off a 2:1 and I am walking out with a 2:2 I feel extremely gutted, sad and low and lost and fearing will I be able to do my dream job in my dream field or is my degree even worth anything. I feel like a failure and flop and don’t even want to go to my own graduation

Oh, that's not ideal. Are you planning on giving-up on your hopes of a career in film and media, and just sticking with minimum wage / warehouse work? If so, then the degree will have been a waste of time. However, if you fight, tooth-and-nail, for every potential opportunity in that industry that in might turn out to have been worthwhile after all.

You say you "haven't got anything lined up after I graduate". Is that because you have't really put an awful lot of effort into trying to secure something, or is it because you've applied for dozens of different jobs and not managed to land any of them yet? If it's the former, then pull your finger our and try to get something sorted! If it's the latter, than apply for a dozen more, and a dozen more after that. You just need one employer to give you a chance. Once you've got your foot in the door, what you make of the opportunity is up to you.

I might stay in the min wage job. I don't enjoy it but applying for jobs is worse. Guess it has been a waste of time lol

Unfortunately, applying for jobs is a necessarily evil. I'm not sure that anybody actively enjoys the process, but it's just something that needs to be done. If you'd rather stay in the minimum wage / warehouse role, then so be it.

I know what you mean, I dont actively regret it as such as I felt it was the best option at the time but like yourself I had very poor mental health at uni and overall I do wonder if it was worthwhile.

Part of me wishes I had done an apprenticeship as you don't always need a degree for my field of work (design and manufacturing) however at the time of leaving school I wanted to get away from home and I wanted the guaranteed 3 year security that going to uni offered.

I am about to graduate in two months and I cannot get over what an absolute complete and utter waste of time it has been. I feel more mentally ill than when I started the course in 2020.

Remember, also, that a degree is often just the thing that opens some doors for you job wise. Doesn't mean you have to work in the same field as your degree either. Myfirst Uni adventure was Spots Science, before career changing to engineering as an apprentice later in life following a big spell as a home carer. I've since worked on stuff as varied as nuclear submarines, weapons and ships electrical systems before ending up in an aersopace job. Never imagines this outcome when first I left Uni 13 years back.

We have a few project managers at work who did their degrees in history, classics and such. When you graduate, take a little time to settle yourself and collect your thoughts, rather than diving straight into the next challenge or adventure. Things might end up seeming brighter than you fear.

Heck, here in the Civil Service we have all sorts of career paths for all sorts of people, and out there in the various industries won't be much different either. You may feel your 3 years a waste of time but it really isn't, it's a record of the challenges and adversities you have faced, overcome and moved beyond. You should be proud of your getting through to the end.

I am about to graduate in two months and I cannot get over what an absolute complete and utter waste of time it has been. I feel more mentally ill than when I started the course in 2020.

I’m sorry to hear that - if I may ask, what has made you feel more mentally ill than when you started?

My first bite of the university cherry wasn’t great (I’m a mature student doing an entirely unrelated Postgrad, after several years of working in my Undergrad subject). The first time around, I made friends with the wrong people, got into an abusive relationship, was targeted by a local person every time I went out, had barely any course mates, doubted myself horribly, and somehow still graduated. It was rough. Was it a waste of time, though? It depends what you'll take from it. What are the prospects like in your potential career field? Is it the career you want to go into? Don’t forget you can take an unrelated Masters and open up new opportunities.

I hope you get some good help for the mental health stuff … it’s so important.

Why would I ever take an unrelated masters if I have had an awful time at university?

Not to mention the additional £20k worth of debt that I will get myself into if I even do a masters.

Being at university has made me more mentally ill than when I started my degree. University has made my mental health worse, not better.

then when its started i think you should hv dropped out and done something else
JF ZAK

I should have done this but graduation is in like a month so I’ve basically got a degree now.

I am about to graduate in two months and I cannot get over what an absolute complete and utter waste of time it has been. I feel more mentally ill than when I started the course in 2020.