I feel like I’m failing at life

Hi, I am currently about to go into my final year of university. I am currently studying English and I don’t know what to do with my life. It’s coming to a stage where everyone around me seems to have an idea of what they want to do and I feel like I’m falling behind. I was thinking about doing the GDL or something. But I’m not sure. I’ve been suffering a lot due to mental health issues so I haven’t had time to properly sit down and think about it. I’m now just turned 20 and my parents asked me on my birthday what I wished to do. They seemed really disappointed when I said I didn’t know. I’m just so confused. I wish I could go back in time and tell myself to pick a dgreee that could get me somewhere in life or at least encourage myself to take risks so I wouldn’t be in this situation. This mental overload and worrying about my future makes me feel worse. I’m getting really scared.

Reply 1

Aerial125

10

You’re only 20. You have your whole life ahead of you. A degree is just a stepping stone. You have plenty of time to decide what to do. Don’t rush into a masters or anything. Find a job- retail, office, bar, theatre- whatever… earn a bit, travel if you can - and give yourself space to decide. Good luck - English is a useful degree for everything and I’m sure will find something that you’re passionate about in the next few years.

Original post by Anonymous

Hi, I am currently about to go into my final year of university. I am currently studying English and I don’t know what to do with my life. It’s coming to a stage where everyone around me seems to have an idea of what they want to do and I feel like I’m falling behind. I was thinking about doing the GDL or something. But I’m not sure. I’ve been suffering a lot due to mental health issues so I haven’t had time to properly sit down and think about it. I’m now just turned 20 and my parents asked me on my birthday what I wished to do. They seemed really disappointed when I said I didn’t know. I’m just so confused. I wish I could go back in time and tell myself to pick a dgreee that could get me somewhere in life or at least encourage myself to take risks so I wouldn’t be in this situation. This mental overload and worrying about my future makes me feel worse. I’m getting really scared.

Hi,

Congratulations on almost finishing your degree, just one more year to go!
Most people in their twenties do not know what they want to do. Switching carer pathways is incredibly common too. Just one year ago I was telling people I want to be an Educational Psychologist.
I know it feels scary like you are about to make a huge jump and searching for security in the future is an instinct.

At 20 and with one more year at university you have plenty of time to take risks. You could talk to your professors and ask them what they did when they were younger. You can ask plenty of people for advice and then decide if it something you could use.

In situations like thinks I think it is helpful to ask yourself what makes you feel better or what do you think will help. Doing things that we enjoy helps us become more resilient and distress.
What do you think will make you happy career wise? I know you might not be able to answer this right now and that is okay.

I believe most university offer mental health support in the form of counselling. Have you tired reaching out to the wellbeing team?

Hristiana
Kingston rep
1st Year Mental Health Nursing Student

I feel like I’m failing at life

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