academic advisor has asked me to consider taking some time of university.

I'm having a hard time with my mental health due to feeling burnt out. My homelife is also a little challenging as I'm a care leaver in a bedsit, estranged from my family, I'm about to get the keys to a one-bedroom council flat.

I had a meeting with my academic advisor to discuss where I am at and what's going on in my life. I opened up to her about everything. I informed her the council is giving me the keys to a one-bedroom flat and I finally get to call a place home soon.

My academic advisor feels I need to take a year out of university, she says I should use this opportunity to get myself better and that way I can come back even stronger and better. I feel that she's coming from a really good place, I really don't want to take a year of from my studies as I'm a mature student and will be 27 by the time I graduate.

I get the full student loan and it's already been approved for 2024/2025 and it's how I'm living. I'm not struggling financially as I budget and it has allowed me to work less.

Since she's suggested taking some time of from university I have been questioning if it's something I really need to do even though I don't want to take time off. I'm having meetings with other lecturers on my course next week discuss options such as going part-time, also something I don't really want.

I just feel lost now and I don't know what to do or what I want.

Reply 1

DataVenia

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

Original post by Anonymous

I'm having a hard time with my mental health due to feeling burnt out. My homelife is also a little challenging as I'm a care leaver in a bedsit, estranged from my family, I'm about to get the keys to a one-bedroom council flat.

I had a meeting with my academic advisor to discuss where I am at and what's going on in my life. I opened up to her about everything. I informed her the council is giving me the keys to a one-bedroom flat and I finally get to call a place home soon.

My academic advisor feels I need to take a year out of university, she says I should use this opportunity to get myself better and that way I can come back even stronger and better. I feel that she's coming from a really good place, I really don't want to take a year of from my studies as I'm a mature student and will be 27 by the time I graduate.

I get the full student loan and it's already been approved for 2024/2025 and it's how I'm living. I'm not struggling financially as I budget and it has allowed me to work less.

Since she's suggested taking some time of from university I have been questioning if it's something I really need to do even though I don't want to take time off. I'm having meetings with other lecturers on my course next week discuss options such as going part-time, also something I don't really want.

I just feel lost now and I don't know what to do or what I want.

You say that you're "having a hard time with my mental health due to feeling burnt out". Is this impacting your academic performance? If it is, then you might want to consider whether interrupting your studies for a year is worth doing for the improved academic results which it may yield. Obviously the flip side of that it's that you'll graduate a year later, and may find it harder to maintain contact with friends on the same course (as they'll then be in a different year).

Ignoring the academic side of things, how does "having a hard time" manifest itself? Is there not a risk that your mental health will get worse if you just decide to plough on, despite the burn out? Is that worth the risk?

Reply 2

mnot

Universities Forum Helper

20

Original post by Anonymous

I'm having a hard time with my mental health due to feeling burnt out. My homelife is also a little challenging as I'm a care leaver in a bedsit, estranged from my family, I'm about to get the keys to a one-bedroom council flat.
I had a meeting with my academic advisor to discuss where I am at and what's going on in my life. I opened up to her about everything. I informed her the council is giving me the keys to a one-bedroom flat and I finally get to call a place home soon.
My academic advisor feels I need to take a year out of university, she says I should use this opportunity to get myself better and that way I can come back even stronger and better. I feel that she's coming from a really good place, I really don't want to take a year of from my studies as I'm a mature student and will be 27 by the time I graduate.
I get the full student loan and it's already been approved for 2024/2025 and it's how I'm living. I'm not struggling financially as I budget and it has allowed me to work less.
Since she's suggested taking some time of from university I have been questioning if it's something I really need to do even though I don't want to take time off. I'm having meetings with other lecturers on my course next week discuss options such as going part-time, also something I don't really want.
I just feel lost now and I don't know what to do or what I want.

Do you think you can finish the academic year, and achieve the results you are capable of?

Given it’s nearly May it really is right at the end of the taught academic calendar and if you can use the summer to reset it will give you more time to figure things out.

What i will say is I don’t think anyone can really advise someone from the care system, your experience is unique, and everyone’s needs are different. But I will say keep going, it’s amazing you have the motivation & drive to go for a degree having come from care. You should be proud of yourself and you have a bright future ahead whether you continue directly or take a break to get your mental health into a suitable space

academic advisor has asked me to consider taking some time of university.

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