hate my university life - need options
I'm currently at Nottingham student on the vet med course - April cohort, I just scraped the acceptance w/ low grades at at A level (below entrance grades) and a contextual offer due to my area and school. I hate it so much, it is incredibly isolating and the health / NHS support is extremely limited - vet med is my dream but I just feel so miserable - feel like I have exhausted every option available in trying to switch cohorts.. even universities , but RVC and Bristol who does do conditional offers does not allow people who have dropped out. I have no issues academically I'm just really struggling socially. Does anyone have any other options so I can still be a vet but preferable get away from this situation ?
I'm very sorry you feel that way. I don't have options for you unfortunately, dropping out would be very risky as you can't guarantee a place at another vet school and I doubt having a drop out on the record would give a very good impression - although there is someone in my year who was at another vet school and ended up leaving and is now at Liverpool, so it's not impossible but not something to take lightly. You could try calling around other unis to see if there's any option of transfer, but unfortunately I don't think it's something that's done very often at all unless it's extreme circumstances 
Maybe someone else would be able to advise better though.
I will say that I felt the same way in my first year though, especially in first semester. I really hated my life, was very depressed and was on the verge of dropping out despite being a vet being my lifelong dream. I found it hard to adjust, I didn't really like my flatmates or the uni lifestyle, I was far away from my family, I found the course extremely intense and difficult. But I did stick it out, and in second semester I did some changes to my lifestyle like I instilled that I had a cleaning day once a week as my environment was very much affecting my mental health, I did some of my hobbies more like I went horse riding most weeks rather than once or twice a month, I explored the area a little more with walks, I said yes to socialising with my coursemates more, I tried to go into lectures more and I trialled different learning methods to make it less brutal. Have you joined any societies or sports? Even if you're not the sort of person to do that normally that could really help, even if you only do it for a few weeks. Are you living a healthy lifestyle? Not just eating healthy and exercising (I don't do either much) but mentally like making sure you clean, cook a bit if you enjoy it, don't drink too much, wake up at reasonable times, just do something that makes you feel productive even if it's not vetty, make sure you keep in touch with family and old friends etc - I know things can get hectic in the schedule so I actually have a ticklist of those things I want to get done on a daily or weekly basis so I don't forget, even if it's as simple as calling my parents. And treat yourself sometimes - I feel so much better if I have an occasional pamper day and get my eyebrows waxed etc or even do a £1 facemask from Superdrug, those sound like silly things but I feel like upkeeping things like that can make a difference.
I'm sorry if this wasn't the most helpful advice and it's probably all things you've heard before, but making sure you do things like that may help. Maybe speak to your tutors etc too? I'm really not sure that dropping out would be the best option tbh, I do think if you really want to be a vet this will be something you have to tough out, but it is temporary for 5 years (as much as it may seem forever now it does go quickly, I can't believe I'm starting third year now) and it may improve with time, I've certainly enjoyed second year much more and feel more positive about the year to come.
Maybe someone else would be able to advise better though.I will say that I felt the same way in my first year though, especially in first semester. I really hated my life, was very depressed and was on the verge of dropping out despite being a vet being my lifelong dream. I found it hard to adjust, I didn't really like my flatmates or the uni lifestyle, I was far away from my family, I found the course extremely intense and difficult. But I did stick it out, and in second semester I did some changes to my lifestyle like I instilled that I had a cleaning day once a week as my environment was very much affecting my mental health, I did some of my hobbies more like I went horse riding most weeks rather than once or twice a month, I explored the area a little more with walks, I said yes to socialising with my coursemates more, I tried to go into lectures more and I trialled different learning methods to make it less brutal. Have you joined any societies or sports? Even if you're not the sort of person to do that normally that could really help, even if you only do it for a few weeks. Are you living a healthy lifestyle? Not just eating healthy and exercising (I don't do either much) but mentally like making sure you clean, cook a bit if you enjoy it, don't drink too much, wake up at reasonable times, just do something that makes you feel productive even if it's not vetty, make sure you keep in touch with family and old friends etc - I know things can get hectic in the schedule so I actually have a ticklist of those things I want to get done on a daily or weekly basis so I don't forget, even if it's as simple as calling my parents. And treat yourself sometimes - I feel so much better if I have an occasional pamper day and get my eyebrows waxed etc or even do a £1 facemask from Superdrug, those sound like silly things but I feel like upkeeping things like that can make a difference.
I'm sorry if this wasn't the most helpful advice and it's probably all things you've heard before, but making sure you do things like that may help. Maybe speak to your tutors etc too? I'm really not sure that dropping out would be the best option tbh, I do think if you really want to be a vet this will be something you have to tough out, but it is temporary for 5 years (as much as it may seem forever now it does go quickly, I can't believe I'm starting third year now) and it may improve with time, I've certainly enjoyed second year much more and feel more positive about the year to come.
Hiya, I'm a Nottingham student. Did you begin your course this April?
Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to change cohorts or transfer vet schools. You will probably have to find a way to make this work for you if you want to be a vet.
There are 150 people in each Nottingham cohort, so your year group is as big as the September one. I hope that for you this just means you need to figure out a way to connect with people from your cohort. I don't necessarily think being on the September cohort would inherently help you to make friends?
Do you live in halls? Try to hang out with your flatmates and get them to introduce you to people. If you live elsewhere, there will be other students near you you can meet, it's just a matter of finding them.
Have you joined multiple societies? Try a sport, try some of the vet societies. Try to get onto the committees of societies you like - this is a great way to meet people with similar interests!
Talk to people in your practical sessions and in your Clinical Relevance sessions. Say hi and have a chat each time you see them, eventually you'll properly know them! I made lots of friends this way. Always introduce yourself if you don't know someone, I promise you, lots of people feel the way you do!
Get involved in campus events. Attend the parties etc.
If you've still made no progress, email your tutor and arrange a meeting to discuss how you're feeling. They don't want you to drop out, and they will try to support you in anyway they can.
To be honest, it took me until my second year to really find "my people". Until then I had friends, but no one I would really regularly hang out with outside of uni. So don't worry, you'll get there! Keep trying, try the things I mentioned above.
P.S. I don't understand what you mean by NHS support being limited, but if you have any issues with healthcare in the area, you should discuss with your tutor, as the university can provide some advice in this regard. I've typically found healthcare to fine around here (no different to elsewhere in the UK). Have you registered at the local surgery?
Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to change cohorts or transfer vet schools. You will probably have to find a way to make this work for you if you want to be a vet.
There are 150 people in each Nottingham cohort, so your year group is as big as the September one. I hope that for you this just means you need to figure out a way to connect with people from your cohort. I don't necessarily think being on the September cohort would inherently help you to make friends?
Do you live in halls? Try to hang out with your flatmates and get them to introduce you to people. If you live elsewhere, there will be other students near you you can meet, it's just a matter of finding them.
Have you joined multiple societies? Try a sport, try some of the vet societies. Try to get onto the committees of societies you like - this is a great way to meet people with similar interests!
Talk to people in your practical sessions and in your Clinical Relevance sessions. Say hi and have a chat each time you see them, eventually you'll properly know them! I made lots of friends this way. Always introduce yourself if you don't know someone, I promise you, lots of people feel the way you do!
Get involved in campus events. Attend the parties etc.
If you've still made no progress, email your tutor and arrange a meeting to discuss how you're feeling. They don't want you to drop out, and they will try to support you in anyway they can.
To be honest, it took me until my second year to really find "my people". Until then I had friends, but no one I would really regularly hang out with outside of uni. So don't worry, you'll get there! Keep trying, try the things I mentioned above.
P.S. I don't understand what you mean by NHS support being limited, but if you have any issues with healthcare in the area, you should discuss with your tutor, as the university can provide some advice in this regard. I've typically found healthcare to fine around here (no different to elsewhere in the UK). Have you registered at the local surgery?
(edited 7 months ago)
Original post by Chippypompom
I'm currently at Nottingham student on the vet med course - April cohort, I just scraped the acceptance w/ low grades at at A level (below entrance grades) and a contextual offer due to my area and school. I hate it so much, it is incredibly isolating and the health / NHS support is extremely limited - vet med is my dream but I just feel so miserable - feel like I have exhausted every option available in trying to switch cohorts.. even universities , but RVC and Bristol who does do conditional offers does not allow people who have dropped out. I have no issues academically I'm just really struggling socially. Does anyone have any other options so I can still be a vet but preferable get away from this situation ?
Hi,
I'm so sorry you are feeling this way, uni can be really hard and its understandable you are feeling this way. Unfortunately, I dont have any advice on whether you could drop out and get accepted into another university, as i'm not studying vet med. I do however want to highlight that you should have access to student support services, you should be able to access free counselling through them and other support. I have used support services at my uni, and found it really helpful. If your not sure how to contact them, ask your tutor and they will put you in touch with them. Please talk to someone about it and remember it can take time to adjust, you will be really proud of yourself when you have finished your degree.
-Victoria
Wrexham Uni Rep
Original post by Chippypompom
I'm currently at Nottingham student on the vet med course - April cohort, I just scraped the acceptance w/ low grades at at A level (below entrance grades) and a contextual offer due to my area and school. I hate it so much, it is incredibly isolating and the health / NHS support is extremely limited - vet med is my dream but I just feel so miserable - feel like I have exhausted every option available in trying to switch cohorts.. even universities , but RVC and Bristol who does do conditional offers does not allow people who have dropped out. I have no issues academically I'm just really struggling socially. Does anyone have any other options so I can still be a vet but preferable get away from this situation ?
I am at Notts doing Vet Med and its really difficult being stuck out in the middle of nowhere in a field! I found it helpful to speak to my tutor when I felt low as they can help you access the right support. There are more people around Campus from September too. Don't give up!
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