I've been in this dilemma for quite a while, but every few months I seem to change my mind.
Economics at uni has been very different from what I imagined and it really has made me lose interest in the subject, but I do still love knowing that I learn so much (but hate the fact I have to be academically challenged on it). However, last term, the pressure of performing well due to having such high expectations of myself really did get to me and it convinced me for a couple of weeks to transfer to a subject like business management (knowing I enjoyed business more at a-levels than economics, and that I like my management modules at uni more but only because they're so much easier and less stressful).
But being the overthinker I am and deeping my thoughts for a while, I'm now back on the fence. Uni isn't meant to be a breeze, and there are so many other courses that are 100x harder than mine, and somehow I'm whining about my course just because it wasn't easier than I thought it'd be.
I am also a first generation going to university, and transferring to a 'less respected' degree seems more like just for short-term gains, and I'm really scared I'd regret it in the future.
The main reason I'd possibly regret it is that I was struggling with my core modules last term. But having now sat all my exams, I'm wondering whether I was overthinking and underestimating myself, convincing myself I wouldn't be able to do well in my second and third year.
PSA I have already tried talking to my academic advisor, who btw, did not even know was my academic advisor until I contacted him so not much help at all. I've also already talked to my subject leaders, department leaders and wellbeing/counselling staff as well as my career mentors I have about this. No-one has really been able to offer much advice regarding which would benefit me more, and although I do appreciate the 'do what you think is best for you' advice, I really, really do not know whats best for me.
My friends are also quite biased about this since they've only heard the worst bits about my experience so far (kinda like when you only tell your friend about the worst bits about another person but really they do have some good qualities).
Now there are so many factors I gotta consider so I'll just list them:
- I talked to a few people at my university about this, and many people did suggest that if I disliked my course so much then there's no reason not to transfer. What convinced me last term is that someone was in a similar position than me and they decided to try get through second year, only to finally realise it definitely was not for them and ended up dropping out
- If I stayed in economics, then there is a really high possibility I will end up disliking everything again, but the other side of that is that I really don't know - I've read the module handbook for second year, and it does seem very doable but its the uncertainty - especially since second year will count towards my degree classification
- realistically, I'm not the only one questioning or doubting myself in my course. I do think there are a lot of other people who might be in a similar position but if I drop out of this course I could regret not just pushing through my degree anyway
- Transferring to another subject would mean I would have to repeat first year. If I didn't have to repeat first year, it would be a no brainer but this is part of my uni regulations.
-If I were to transfer, then there's the uncertainty whether I'd be able to secure a better degree classification than if I stayed in economics eg, what if I end up with a 2:1 which I could've achieved in economics, but having an economics degree is far more better perceived than a business management one (not just to the eyes of recruiters, but to family, friends and generally people I talk to given I'm very much a people pleaser)
- Being on a less stressful and less time-consuming degree would have benefits, having more time to upskill employability stuff, have more time to apply for internships/placement years without the stress of exams etc, but again who knows since I have no idea what a management course is actually like?
- Although I have no big career aims in finance, I would still like to get the opportunity to do internships/work experience in finance before securing a full time role. I understand that recruiters don't care so much for degree courses so much anymore, but icl, economics would be far more helpful for competitive internships (I wouldn't care so much for grad roles or full time/entry level)
-There are far more opportunities with an economics degree from what I've experienced so far, some spring insight programs have only been accessible to me because I study economics at degree level
- I would lose my scholarship that I'm on, and to say the least I would struggle without this (I'm already on as many bursaries/grants/sfe that I can get to but the city where my uni is based is notoriously expensive)
- I'm aware this isn't a good habit, and I shouldn't care, but I am worried about what others would think of me. i know for a fact that before uni, I definitely would've judged someone who was even thinking of transferring to business so in the perspective of others, who have never taken the course or even know what economics is, they wouldn't fully understand why I chose to transfer (even worse since I have a lot of relatives who gossip and I would never have the chance to tell them all the reasons I've listed)
- Finally, this first year has definitely taken a mental toll on me and I'm worried it'd be no different if I were on another course anyway.
I really need some advice on what I should do about this. Applications to transfer open in August (subject to me passing all my courses), but I need to draw up a bunch of documents to apply for this anyway.
Is the risk worth taking?