The Student Room Group

Feeling lost on a gap year

Hi,

I'm feeling lost during my gap year, and it's severely affecting my mental health. I took a gap year because I wanted to pursue a degree apprenticeship, but I wasn't able to secure one for September. I also wasn't very keen on going to university, even though I achieved 152 UCAS points and got accepted into Russell Group universities.

Now, I'm feeling quite lost and depressed. I'm just so bored!

The only thing I do right now is work part-time at a bank, which I started in September. However, I don't think I can continue in customer service any longer. I feel like I can't relate to anyone at work since I'm so young and look like I'm 15, even though I'm 18. I often feel patronized by both my colleagues and customers.

I'm also discouraged about going to university because I don't have any friends. During college, I only had one friend, and they decided to pursue an apprenticeship.

I really regret not going to university and moving to a different city, especially since I'm from such a small town.

Does anyone have any advice on what I should do? I still haven't received any apprenticeship offers, and I'm feeling like giving up.
Original post by Anonymous
Hi,
I'm feeling lost during my gap year, and it's severely affecting my mental health. I took a gap year because I wanted to pursue a degree apprenticeship, but I wasn't able to secure one for September. I also wasn't very keen on going to university, even though I achieved 152 UCAS points and got accepted into Russell Group universities.
Now, I'm feeling quite lost and depressed. I'm just so bored!
The only thing I do right now is work part-time at a bank, which I started in September. However, I don't think I can continue in customer service any longer. I feel like I can't relate to anyone at work since I'm so young and look like I'm 15, even though I'm 18. I often feel patronized by both my colleagues and customers.
I'm also discouraged about going to university because I don't have any friends. During college, I only had one friend, and they decided to pursue an apprenticeship.
I really regret not going to university and moving to a different city, especially since I'm from such a small town.
Does anyone have any advice on what I should do? I still haven't received any apprenticeship offers, and I'm feeling like giving up.

Have you got enough money to give up work and go backpacking or something similar?
Reply 2
Suggestions for a more productive gap-year :
Paid Work Internships Abroad: Find paid jobs through Gap 360
Camp America® USA Summer Jobs in America Since 1969 | Camp America

Or, if you stay in the UK, find another job - this one is clearly doing your head in.
Search for temporary or seasonal work on Job Search | Indeed

Or, if you decide to stick with what you are doing, find some online study to keep your head busy - look on FutureLearn, Coursera or Free short courses from the Open University | OpenLearn - Open University
Hey, Im feeling really similarly though it has been more of an impromptu gap year for me. DM me if you would like to rant, brainstorm, find something to do together
Reply 4
Original post by ageshallnot
Have you got enough money to give up work and go backpacking or something similar?


Thanks for responding, I have already been travelling during the summer to quite a few counties and have just been on holiday in Christmas, so wouldn’t be in a position to do this.

Thanks
Reply 5
Original post by McGinger
Suggestions for a more productive gap-year :
Paid Work Internships Abroad: Find paid jobs through Gap 360
Camp America® USA Summer Jobs in America Since 1969 | Camp America
Or, if you stay in the UK, find another job - this one is clearly doing your head in.
Search for temporary or seasonal work on Job Search | Indeed
Or, if you decide to stick with what you are doing, find some online study to keep your head busy - look on FutureLearn, Coursera or Free short courses from the Open University | OpenLearn - Open University


Thank you for this!

It’s not the worst thing my job, buts I think that’s the fact it’s not what I would want to be doing long term, and that’s it part time which is driving me mad being stuck at home so much.

I only accepted it for the experience of working at a bank as I was wanting a finance apprenticeship, however i am just so lost as I still haven’t manage to get any offers.

I think it’s the fact, that I am comparing myself to everyone else who has got a degree apprenticeship or at uni.


I am only working part time, I feel awkward leaving my current role 5 months in as i am so new into the role, and they have spent money training me for the first month.

Also, I am worried about what to do as I haven’t got any degree apprenticeship offers, do I reapply to uni?, I am not sure what course?

Do you have any advice, and recommend anything else I can do in the meantime.
Original post by Anonymous
Thank you for this!
It’s not the worst thing my job, buts I think that’s the fact it’s not what I would want to be doing long term, and that’s it part time which is driving me mad being stuck at home so much.
I only accepted it for the experience of working at a bank as I was wanting a finance apprenticeship, however i am just so lost as I still haven’t manage to get any offers.
I think it’s the fact, that I am comparing myself to everyone else who has got a degree apprenticeship or at uni.
I am only working part time, I feel awkward leaving my current role 5 months in as i am so new into the role, and they have spent money training me for the first month.
Also, I am worried about what to do as I haven’t got any degree apprenticeship offers, do I reapply to uni?, I am not sure what course?
Do you have any advice, and recommend anything else I can do in the meantime.

I am in the same boat as you. I applied to uni for the back up and to as many apprenticeships as possible too. Its not too late yet man.

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