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Is this a bad idea?

I’m considering dropping out of LSE Economics to reapply for Maths elsewhere because I’m beyond miserable here. I have no social interaction every day, and I’d rather be doing a Maths course. Before everyone spews the drivel that its “so mathematically rigorous”, it really isn’t. My friends doing physics, cs, engineering at other unis are at a way more advanced level of maths, lse take it so painfully slow in the maths modules, even though they require a* in maths for them??

Also, because of my crippling social anxiety and social awkwardness I have no interest in finance where I have quickly realised you need soft and interpersonal skills not intelligence/grades. So even though I've worked and work harder than most of these idiots here, (a few are actaully smart, but a minority) I still won't get a high paying job. So unfair

I feel like things would be similar if I dropped out and reapplied for Maths at different unis but at least then I’d be doing something I’m actually passionate about, so thats one problem solved. I just don’t feel like I can live like this much longer with both problems.

Ideally I’d reapply for Warwick Maths and hopefully get a pretty much guaranteed offer because of high achieved grades and no need to do an admissions test (Contextual). But idk if this would be worth it?

I will talk to my mentor too but I’m just looking to see if anyone has any thoughts on here? Idk if I can go on like this anymore I feel completely out of place and I’m just bitter at everything because I know I’m missing out on everything, even missing out maths which we do like a year later than everyone at lse because they must think everyone sucks at maths or something (kind of pathetic for a top uni that everyone seems to worship)?? And I can’t see things getting better.

Reply 1

Re: a well paid job. People with maths degrees working in investment banks as "Quants" can be as nerdy as they like and still be well paid. Not everyone has to be a trader with a confident manner and a big watch.
Original post
by yzven
I’m considering dropping out of LSE Economics to reapply for Maths elsewhere because I’m beyond miserable here. I have no social interaction every day, and I’d rather be doing a Maths course. Before everyone spews the drivel that its “so mathematically rigorous”, it really isn’t. My friends doing physics, cs, engineering at other unis are at a way more advanced level of maths, lse take it so painfully slow in the maths modules, even though they require a* in maths for them??
Also, because of my crippling social anxiety and social awkwardness I have no interest in finance where I have quickly realised you need soft and interpersonal skills not intelligence/grades. So even though I've worked and work harder than most of these idiots here, (a few are actaully smart, but a minority) I still won't get a high paying job. So unfair
I feel like things would be similar if I dropped out and reapplied for Maths at different unis but at least then I’d be doing something I’m actually passionate about, so thats one problem solved. I just don’t feel like I can live like this much longer with both problems.
Ideally I’d reapply for Warwick Maths and hopefully get a pretty much guaranteed offer because of high achieved grades and no need to do an admissions test (Contextual). But idk if this would be worth it?
I will talk to my mentor too but I’m just looking to see if anyone has any thoughts on here? Idk if I can go on like this anymore I feel completely out of place and I’m just bitter at everything because I know I’m missing out on everything, even missing out maths which we do like a year later than everyone at lse because they must think everyone sucks at maths or something (kind of pathetic for a top uni that everyone seems to worship)?? And I can’t see things getting better.
I did maths & economics course at LSE a while back and from conversations with friends on the straight econ course, the dual honours courses seemed much better. Have you contacted you course director about the possibility of switching?

Reply 3

Original post
by BenRyan99
I did maths & economics course at LSE a while back and from conversations with friends on the straight econ course, the dual honours courses seemed much better. Have you contacted you course director about the possibility of switching?

I can switch (grades permitting) since I'm taking proof and analysis and the same modules as maths & Econ in first year but my point is that all the maths is still lagging behind other maths courses, like stuff others do in 1st year we have to do in 2nd, 3rd year or don't even have the option to do it at LSE

I really just don't like economics and the university so by transferring it may help one (doing a course I want)
Original post
by yzven
I can switch (grades permitting) since I'm taking proof and analysis and the same modules as maths & Econ in first year but my point is that all the maths is still lagging behind other maths courses, like stuff others do in 1st year we have to do in 2nd, 3rd year or don't even have the option to do it at LSE
I really just don't like economics and the university so by transferring it may help one (doing a course I want)
I'm not really sure what you're asking. It shouldn't be a shock that an economics degree (or even econ + maths degree) will have less maths than full STEM degrees?

If you don't like economics, why are you doing an economics degree? It's not like a-level economics has any maths in it either.

If you don't like economics and you think the maths in the joint course is lagging, then it sounds like you've already resigned yourself to dropping out. If so, what's your question?

Reply 5

Original post
by BenRyan99
I'm not really sure what you're asking. It shouldn't be a shock that an economics degree (or even econ + maths degree) will have less maths than full STEM degrees?
If you don't like economics, why are you doing an economics degree? It's not like a-level economics has any maths in it either.
If you don't like economics and you think the maths in the joint course is lagging, then it sounds like you've already resigned yourself to dropping out. If so, what's your question?

I'm asking if its a bad idea to restart year 1 at somewhere like Warwick for maths instead of staying at LSE

And it's not that I hate economics necessarily, it's just that I put so much work in yet I will always be seen as less smart than someone doing maths or physics etc. I don't feel like I can put so much time into something which people do not respect at all and just sneer at from a maths point of view. Which I agree with, its trivial in difficulty in comparison.
Original post
by yzven
I'm asking if its a bad idea to restart year 1 at somewhere like Warwick for maths instead of staying at LSE
And it's not that I hate economics necessarily, it's just that I put so much work in yet I will always be seen as less smart than someone doing maths or physics etc. I don't feel like I can put so much time into something which people do not respect at all and just sneer at from a maths point of view. Which I agree with, its trivial in difficulty in comparison.
You seem to place a lot of value on what others think of you.

While I would advise you to care less about what others think (especially given it's over something as ridiculous as the quantity of maths in a degree???), I appreciate it's easier said than done. Trust me, as soon as you leave university, nobody even talks about their degrees and it's simply some words on your CV. It's really not a massive deal.

I'm not really sure what to say to be honest, if you really care deeply about what others think of your degree then sure, maths at Warwick is also a good degree.

Personally I'd base it on what you want to do as a career. If the sort of jobs require a STEM degree then changing might make more sense.
(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 7

Original post
by BenRyan99
You seem to place a lot of value on what others think of you.
While I would advise you to care less about what others think (especially given it's over something as ridiculous as the quantity of maths in a degree???), I appreciate it's easier said than done. Trust me, as soon as you leave university, nobody even talks about their degrees and it's simply some words on your CV. It's really not a massive deal.
I'm not really sure what to say to be honest, if you really care deeply about what others think of your degree then sure, maths at Warwick is also a good degree.
Personally I'd base it on what you want to do as a career. If the sort of jobs require a STEM degree then changing might make more sense.

I want to go into a quantitative career so quant trading/research or data science or statistician etc

Reply 8

You can stay at LSE and study a masters at a place like Oxford, imperial etc and do financial mathematics as most quants have masters in general.

Reply 9

Original post
by jasonthebomb
You can stay at LSE and study a masters at a place like Oxford, imperial etc and do financial mathematics as most quants have masters in general.

just hate Econ, so boring, not interesting, not as respected as maths, so what's the point when I could switch ? Also hate LSE environment itself

Reply 10

Original post
by Anonymous
just hate Econ, so boring, not interesting, not as respected as maths, so what's the point when I could switch ? Also hate LSE environment itself

Hi there,

Sorry to hear you are going through this.

I would encourage you to remember that your life and future is yours and no one else's. So if you are certain that you are not happy where you are and what you are studying then perhaps looking into somewhere else for a new course such as maths would be a good option for you.

If you enjoy the atmosphere at Warwick then you might also like Bath, which is a similar size and also has a fantastic maths reputation. You might even enjoy something more niche like Maths and statistics, or Maths, statistics and data science (example, example - this one has a placement option!). If changing course and uni is the right decision for you and you would be doing it for the right reasons then this is not a bad decision.

Have you also thought about looking into some help or counselling for your social anxiety? Perhaps your uni have a wellbeing service which could help you? I know it sounds counterintuitive but it might be a good idea if you do end up starting afresh somewhere else, to join a society so you can get to know people who are perhaps a bit more like you.

I hope this helps a little bit, please do reach out if you have any more thoughts and best of luck in what you do 🙂

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