Uni Life Right Now

Hi,
I'm a first-year student at university, and I'm in the second seminar. I've been thinking about not enjoying my uni life and experience lately. I like my course. However, my daily life at uni is causing me not to like my course and not to take it seriously. I have considered transferring to another uni or dropping out to redo the first year again. However, it doesn't help that I'm financially dependent on my parents, and I have been finding it difficult to find a job for 4 years now. Sometimes, I wish people had told me I don't have to rush to go to university and could take a gap year; however, I feel like it is too late. I was excited about the university, especially for freshers week. However, it didn't go the way I expected; I sucked it out during the first seminar; however, now I realise that I would go days without communicating with someone or people at all, which is very isolating for me, and it is impacting on my mental health, causing me to be depressed. Plus, it doesn't help that my uni is in an isolated town with no student culture or where you can interact with other students. I wish I had taken that gap year, but the pressure I felt in year 13 led me to pick a random uni, and I felt like people I was constantly pushing to go to the next step and milestone in my life instead of allowing myself to wait. I feel like I'm not complete because I don't have a job, and even though I love my parents, being financially dependent on them can cause me not to be able to make certain decisions. I love my course, but the town and uni aren't for me, and I'm scared to restart from the first year again.

Reply 1

Leanne_USW

Official Rep

4

Hi👋

I'm so sorry, university hasn't been the experience you hoped for.
I think it would benefit you to consider joining a club or society as it will provide you with an opportunity for you to meet like-minded people. You will most likely find details on your Students' Union website.

You could also enquire about becoming a student rep or a student ambassador for your university. You'll have the opportunity to work closely with other students, where you can build on these newfound friendships. By working as an ambassador, you'll also earn money while gaining skills that will help you secure employment outside of the university.

If you're struggling with loneliness, you may wish to attend any well-being events run by the team at your university. They provide opportunities to make friends and chat with the staff about the additional support. You can also get in touch with the well-being team to discuss how you can overcome the difficulties you have. They would welcome you reaching out to them.

I hope your situation improves. You won't be the only student feeling as you do. It helps that you like your course. I'm sure given time you'll find things get better.

If you find that towards the end of your first year, you're still not happy, it might be time to explore your options to transfer to another university. Completing your first year will help to put you in a better position regarding your funding going into the second year.

-Leanne😊

Reply 2

UCLan Student

Official Rep

16

Original post by Anonymous

Hi,
I'm a first-year student at university, and I'm in the second seminar. I've been thinking about not enjoying my uni life and experience lately. I like my course. However, my daily life at uni is causing me not to like my course and not to take it seriously. I have considered transferring to another uni or dropping out to redo the first year again. However, it doesn't help that I'm financially dependent on my parents, and I have been finding it difficult to find a job for 4 years now. Sometimes, I wish people had told me I don't have to rush to go to university and could take a gap year; however, I feel like it is too late. I was excited about the university, especially for freshers week. However, it didn't go the way I expected; I sucked it out during the first seminar; however, now I realise that I would go days without communicating with someone or people at all, which is very isolating for me, and it is impacting on my mental health, causing me to be depressed. Plus, it doesn't help that my uni is in an isolated town with no student culture or where you can interact with other students. I wish I had taken that gap year, but the pressure I felt in year 13 led me to pick a random uni, and I felt like people I was constantly pushing to go to the next step and milestone in my life instead of allowing myself to wait. I feel like I'm not complete because I don't have a job, and even though I love my parents, being financially dependent on them can cause me not to be able to make certain decisions. I love my course, but the town and uni aren't for me, and I'm scared to restart from the first year again.

Hi there,

I'm sorry to be reading this. University can be a big change and I myself have experienced feeling overwhelmed and doubting my decisions when studying. I don't believe it's too late to switch universities. It's never too late to change and going with what will be better for you in the long run. If you are doubting your choice and are leaning towards moving to a different university, then it's something you could look at. I would recommend researching the uni, the city it's in and attending open days so you make the best choice for yourself this time around. Waiting to finish the year may be a good idea so you have the year finished as things may improve and you find new friends. 🙂

Considering part time jobs or looking into student ambassador roles within the uni, is something I would suggest. Being a student ambassador will allow you turn earn money and meet other students at the same time.

Have you spoken to student support about how you are feeling? Unis often have student union events and other well-being events on during the year, so attending those may help. There will be many people in a similar boat who are feeling lonely and want to make new friends.

Hope this helps and you make the best decision for yourself! 🙂
^Zac

Reply 3

hallamstudents

Official Rep

18

Original post by Anonymous

Hi,
I'm a first-year student at university, and I'm in the second seminar. I've been thinking about not enjoying my uni life and experience lately. I like my course. However, my daily life at uni is causing me not to like my course and not to take it seriously. I have considered transferring to another uni or dropping out to redo the first year again. However, it doesn't help that I'm financially dependent on my parents, and I have been finding it difficult to find a job for 4 years now. Sometimes, I wish people had told me I don't have to rush to go to university and could take a gap year; however, I feel like it is too late. I was excited about the university, especially for freshers week. However, it didn't go the way I expected; I sucked it out during the first seminar; however, now I realise that I would go days without communicating with someone or people at all, which is very isolating for me, and it is impacting on my mental health, causing me to be depressed. Plus, it doesn't help that my uni is in an isolated town with no student culture or where you can interact with other students. I wish I had taken that gap year, but the pressure I felt in year 13 led me to pick a random uni, and I felt like people I was constantly pushing to go to the next step and milestone in my life instead of allowing myself to wait. I feel like I'm not complete because I don't have a job, and even though I love my parents, being financially dependent on them can cause me not to be able to make certain decisions. I love my course, but the town and uni aren't for me, and I'm scared to restart from the first year again.

Hi there,

I'm really sorry that you have been feeling this way at Uni - University can be hard when you are feeling isolated or if you are not having as much fun as you thought you might.

Firstly, I would look into if your uni has any campus jobs available. These are quite often easy ways of meeting some new people as well as making some money at the same time if you are reliant on your parents for money. Have a look and see if your uni has any available as these can be good ways of making money and they are usually quite flexible around your uni work too.

In terms of trying to stop loneliness, these are some ways that I have made friends at uni and the best ways that I have met people:

1.

Join a society. I know that lots of people say this and you are at a smaller uni, but there should still be some clubs for you to join. Have a look and see at least of there are any that you like the sound of as they are good ways of making friends and also getting you out of your house.

1.

If you don't want to/there aren't any uni societies, see if there are any clubs near you that are not associated with the uni. Sometimes there will be sports clubs or even just something like a running club which are fun to join!

1.

See if your SU puts anything on. They may have wellbeing events or just other fun events where you can meet people and do something fun!

1.

Have a look on social media and see if there are any groups for you to join. There will often be groups on Facebook where you can chat to people from your uni and this will be a good way of meeting some new people too.

I hope things get better for you soon,

Lucy - SHU student ambassador.

Uni Life Right Now

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