feel like i need to temporarily withdraw for a year due to health

i'm literally about to start my course at the uni of leeds (next week is when lectures begin), but i've recently been put onto a new medication for anxiety/depression which could makes things worse, so my doctor recommended i stay at home while i adjust to it. i'm also struggling a lot with chronic migraines and i'm doing a really intensive degree so i need to be able to fully focus.

i'm unsure what to do - temporarily withdrawing seems like the best solution but my family thinks i just want to leave because of anxiety and want me to wait a couple of weeks - but then if i've already paid part of my tuition for this year what happens?

any help or advice would be greatly appreciated as i feel seriously unwell but don't feel like i can actually leave, or what the process is for that.

Reply 1

DataVenia

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by kerberder

Do you think you might be looking for excuses to leave, as perhaps you didn't want to go to uni in the first place?

One of the things that make me suspect that this might be the case is that one of the reasons you give for withdrawing is that your new medication "could makes things worse". You're right - it might make things worse. It might have no impact. Or it might make things better. Yet you're thinking of leaving because of what might happen? Why not wait and see what actually happens?

Also, you've said that you've "recently been put onto a new medication" and that your doctor "recommended i stay at home while i adjust to it". How long ago did you start taking the new meds? How long did your doctor would say it would take to adjust? (I'm trying to work out whether or not the likely adjustment period has already run it's course - and the fact that you're a tad vague with the timings makes me suspect that it might have.)

Finally, you say that your course is a "really intensive degree". What degree is that? From your other posts here on TSR, you were applying for degrees in Spanish and/or Japanese. Now, don't get be wrong, I'm not in any way suggesting that you've chosen an "easy" degree - I'm sure you haven't. But describing it as "really intensive" might just be you making an excuse for leaving.

It seems to me that this thread is you effectively asking random strangers for "permission" to temporarily withdraw. You need no such permission. If you want to withdraw, then that's what you should do. But just be honest about the real reasons.

Reply 2

kerberder

Original post by DataVenia

Do you think you might be looking for excuses to leave, as perhaps you didn't want to go to uni in the first place?
One of the things that make me suspect that this might be the case is that one of the reasons you give for withdrawing is that your new medication "could makes things worse". You're right - it might make things worse. It might have no impact. Or it might make things better. Yet you're thinking of leaving because of what might happen? Why not wait and see what actually happens?
Also, you've said that you've "recently been put onto a new medication" and that your doctor "recommended i stay at home while i adjust to it". How long ago did you start taking the new meds? How long did your doctor would say it would take to adjust? (I'm trying to work out whether or not the likely adjustment period has already run it's course - and the fact that you're a tad vague with the timings makes me suspect that it might have.)
Finally, you say that your course is a "really intensive degree". What degree is that? From your other posts here on TSR, you were applying for degrees in Spanish and/or Japanese. Now, don't get be wrong, I'm not in any way suggesting that you've chosen an "easy" degree - I'm sure you haven't. But describing it as "really intensive" might just be you making an excuse for leaving.
It seems to me that this thread is you effectively asking random strangers for "permission" to temporarily withdraw. You need no such permission. If you want to withdraw, then that's what you should do. But just be honest about the real reasons.

Hi, thank you for the response! You might be right about me looking for reasons to leave - I haven’t started the medications yet and I’m finding it difficult to book an appointment with the GP to issue the prescription as the process was a bit convoluted and I only had the recommendation letter to give to the GP.

The degree I’m starting is a five year degree in Chinese and Japanese which requires me to get to A-Level proficiency in both by Christmas - I’m already finding it difficult to complete the pre-arrival work which is part of why I thought I might just need more time.

Currently I’m just confused - I do really want to do this degree because I enjoy both the languages and cultures that I am going to study, but I’m finding it hard to actually do any of the work because I am in constant mental and/or physical pain. I feel like there’s a ‘deadline’ by which I can figure out what I need to do, which is part of why I am anxious over starting the degree as the further into the degree I get the more options become limited.

I definitely need to at least be on the medication first before making any rash decisions though, you are right.

(I was not vague about timings for a specific reason, I just made this post in a hurry!)

Reply 3

random_matt

As soon as SFE change from processing to confirmed that means it already counts towards your funding allowance. If this is the case your best hope is the university tells SFE you never attended.

Reply 4

hallamstudents

Official Rep

Original post by kerberder

i'm literally about to start my course at the uni of leeds (next week is when lectures begin), but i've recently been put onto a new medication for anxiety/depression which could makes things worse, so my doctor recommended i stay at home while i adjust to it. i'm also struggling a lot with chronic migraines and i'm doing a really intensive degree so i need to be able to fully focus.
i'm unsure what to do - temporarily withdrawing seems like the best solution but my family thinks i just want to leave because of anxiety and want me to wait a couple of weeks - but then if i've already paid part of my tuition for this year what happens?
any help or advice would be greatly appreciated as i feel seriously unwell but don't feel like i can actually leave, or what the process is for that.

Hi @kerberder ,

This is a decision that would be different for everyone so it is important you make the right decision for you. Your course does seem like it is quite intense, but you never know how you will get on with it until you start it. I would have a talk to your uni and see if you can find out about if you would be able to defer to next year as this might help you to make your decision. If you can defer and you feel this would be a better idea for you, then this might be a good idea.

I would also suggest maybe speaking to student finance if you can, or ask your uni if they know about the repayment plans. If your loan is already confirmed, you might have to repay some of this already and if this is the case, you might as well try the course and see how it is as you might end up enjoying it!

Are you staying in accommodation? If so, find out if you will need to still pay this as this might also factor into your decision.

I hope some of this helps,

Lucy -SHU student ambassador 🙂

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Latest

Trending

Articles for you

Making the grade: A* students share their revision tips and secrets

What your body does to cope with stress in exams

Try out the app

Continue on web