So anxious about starting university that I deferred my entry

Background:
I was extremely mentally unwell in third year (2019) so I dropped out after I passed my exams for it. After spending the next several years out of education for my anxiety (I managed to start a business for tutoring 10 piano students for three years during that time), I decided that it was time to go back to university and start from 1st year again. But this time for aerospace engineering and not Geology and Physics.
Now:
I'm really worried about having zero savings in my bank account for university. Having already graduated with an Ordinary degree once, even though I'm a Scottish home student, I will need to pay for the next three years of my tuition and luckily having the fourth year free. I emailed the university on Friday asking for a deferred entry and haven't heard back yet because it's the weekend obviously.
I'm also really worried because I can't look after myself very well (lack of life skills) and currently reside with my parents. I need to learn driving so I can get to and from university in 30 minutes rather than going on 1 hour+ bus rides to and from university. Last year I even did a short course on cooking so I can cook 5 dishes already. My parents refuse to teach me cooking because they don't want to. My parents also tell me to not look for a full-time job (I'm currently on disability benefits) right now because they're scared my mental disorder might relapse if I work too hard. So my only option is to save up my benefits to the £1,280 for year 1 of Uni.
Can't think of what else to do on this gap year but to learn life skills so I don't get ill again. But really scared that university won't take it as a valid point. I do have a therapist weekly and have started last April having sessions with her and she helps me a lot. Anything else people on TSR may kindly suggest that I do on this gap year? I have now until Sept 2026.

I think its fantastic that you are taking steps to ensure you have a smooth experience returning to uni and it seems like you have a very good preparation plan in place. I would definitely agree that learning to drive will make a world of difference giving you much more freedom, independence, and flexibility with studying, and great idea to learn how to cook, it's a great way to save money and take care of your health. Personally I think you are preparing well enough, but considering fees, I just thought I'd pass on something I recently learned just as an option to consider if it may help your situation. The Open University has an option to let you transfer degree credits to count towards new study, so might be worth checking if you are eligible and it may take some years of study off the course you want to study now which could save you money in the long run. Good luck with your studies!

Both my firm and insurance universities allowed me to defer a year, today! Yay!

Hi there,
This is great news, and its really good to hear you're putting your wellbeing first and making positive steps towards transitioning to uni life in a year or so's time. It sounds like you've come a really long way these past few years and have overcome a lot in spite of your difficulties so give yourself some credit for that! Really, my suggestions would be to use your gap year to practice the life skills you've been learning such as your cookery and shopping for yourself independently, and perhaps look into driving lessons if this is something you want to learn.
You could also look into any volunteering available to you locally (working in a charity shop for a couple of hours a week is quite a varied and easy thing to do which opens up a really great network of people and gives you some experience with working with others in a team and with customers), and potentially looking into part-time work to start saving up some money (working a couple of shifts a week in a library, a supermarket or clothes shop, making things to sell on Etsy).
What's equally important though is that you take plenty of time to relax, look after your health and mentally rest. Try to mentally prepare for your next steps, evaluate your goals for the next couple of years and try to get into a steady routine. Perhaps take up a new hobby, such as joining a theatre group (if this is your thing), crocheting or creative writing - having something fun and positive to focus on can do wonders for your anxiety because it focuses your mind.
I hope some of this helps, and huge best of luck with your next steps - I'm sure you have plenty of really positive times ahead of you 🙂
Holly
University of Bath