Wanting to restart uni to have a better experience
I am aware that this question and my reasoning may be irrational. I really want to re-start first year of university to have a better experience.This year, i was stuck with a horrible flat and i wish i had been more extroverted, joined more societies and gotten stuck into more extracurriculars. Anyone have any advice for this irrational thinking, I am aware that i could do this in second year, but I just want to re-start and do it better this time. I feel like i am just missing out.
Reply 1
The only direction of travel is forwards. The past cannot be changed, and it isn't useful to dwell on past mistakes. Make the next year a better one.
Reply 2
Original post
by cauliflower catI am aware that this question and my reasoning may be irrational. I really want to re-start first year of university to have a better experience.This year, i was stuck with a horrible flat and i wish i had been more extroverted, joined more societies and gotten stuck into more extracurriculars. Anyone have any advice for this irrational thinking, I am aware that i could do this in second year, but I just want to re-start and do it better this time. I feel like i am just missing out.
Hey @cauliflower cat
I'm sorry your first year wasn't the best experience for you, and I understand if you believe you need to restart from year one - but I truly believe you can achieve the university experience you want in your second year. Each year of university is an opportunity to have a brand new fresh start and it's entirely possible to change your friend groups, join societies, and live your best university life even when you've already got a year behind you.
In part I say this because retaking this year of university for the experience, rather than because the course/university absolutely wasn't a good fit or something majorly affecting your studies is a big commitment. By the end of university it can feel like a bit of a slog - I ended up doing 4 years because I took a placement and honestly this final year I've been itching to move onto the next stage of my life (even though it's scary). Taking the extra year now also means you'll use up that "+1" year of SFE funding, so if something else happened in your e.g. second year it wouldn't be available to you.
I would recommend reaching out to the mental health support at your university and maybe your academic tutor and talk about how you are feeling - they might be able to offer you a different viewpoint.
I met some of my closest friends in second year, and I know lots of people who remade their life in terms of societies and hobbies each year!
However, in the end it is your decision. Good luck with whatever you choose to do and I hope your next year at university is amazing!
Rebecca (Lancaster Student Ambassador)
Original post
by cauliflower catI am aware that this question and my reasoning may be irrational. I really want to re-start first year of university to have a better experience.This year, i was stuck with a horrible flat and i wish i had been more extroverted, joined more societies and gotten stuck into more extracurriculars. Anyone have any advice for this irrational thinking, I am aware that i could do this in second year, but I just want to re-start and do it better this time. I feel like i am just missing out.
What makes you think restarting somewhere else is going to make any difference?
Ultimately the change comes from you, not your external environment - and if you can't make the most of the upcoming second year at your current uni, then you're not likely to see any change at another one.
Unless you have a practical reason to change e.g. wanting to do another course or serious issue with the location, I don't think this is advisable. You can't go chasing opportunities missed, you just need to make the most of the ones you have now.
Also this can have a potentially significant impact on your entitlement for funding from student finance so wouldn't be pragmatic in any event.
Reply 4
Original post
by cauliflower catI am aware that this question and my reasoning may be irrational. I really want to re-start first year of university to have a better experience.This year, i was stuck with a horrible flat and i wish i had been more extroverted, joined more societies and gotten stuck into more extracurriculars. Anyone have any advice for this irrational thinking, I am aware that i could do this in second year, but I just want to re-start and do it better this time. I feel like i am just missing out.
Hey there @cauliflower cat , I understand how frustrating it may feel when things don't turn out the way we thought they would, I was in a similar situation in my first year where I did not have a pleasant experience in my flat and was barely using the facilities or joining social events. I realise it takes time to find your footing in a new place, especially when you have just moved away from home and might be living on your own for the first time. Don't be too hard on yourself and give yourself the time to step out of your comfort zone, make some small goals and try new things in the new year 🤗
Zhi En
(Kingston Student Rep.)
(edited 1 year ago)
Reply 5
Original post
by cauliflower catI am aware that this question and my reasoning may be irrational. I really want to re-start first year of university to have a better experience.This year, i was stuck with a horrible flat and i wish i had been more extroverted, joined more societies and gotten stuck into more extracurriculars. Anyone have any advice for this irrational thinking, I am aware that i could do this in second year, but I just want to re-start and do it better this time. I feel like i am just missing out.
Hi @cauliflower cat,
Hey, I totally get why you feel this way, but try not to be too hard on yourself. First-year can be overwhelming, and not everything goes perfectly but that doesn’t mean you’ve "missed out" or need to start over.
The good news is it’s not too late. You can still put yourself out there in second year, join societies, meet new people, and get involved. A lot of friendships actually form later on, especially when people move out of first-year halls. Instead of focusing on what you wish you’d done, think about what you can do now. Maybe set small goals, like talking to more people in your course or trying a new hobby. You’re not stuck, your uni experience is still yours to shape!
Rooting for you!
Danish
BCU Student Rep
Reply 6
Original post
by cauliflower catI am aware that this question and my reasoning may be irrational. I really want to re-start first year of university to have a better experience.This year, i was stuck with a horrible flat and i wish i had been more extroverted, joined more societies and gotten stuck into more extracurriculars. Anyone have any advice for this irrational thinking, I am aware that i could do this in second year, but I just want to re-start and do it better this time. I feel like i am just missing out.
Hi there,
I'm sorry to hear your first year didn't go as expected. That can be really tough, especially when you are excited and have it all planned out.
Re-starting university is a huge decision, and as mentioned, does limit your future options as it takes away that extra year of funding. As well as this, there is no guarantee that it will meet your expectations. However, going into second year is a great way to hit 'refresh' and start new, which is what so many people do! You're already familiar with your course and the environment you're in, so you can really focus on what you'd like to do differently this new year.
The year not meeting your expectations in no way means you have missed out, although it can definitely be disappointing. There are points in any university journey that don't go as planned, which is okay! It is all about how you can adapt and move forward, which ultimately plays a role in shaping who you are.
I'd definitely take the time between now and the new year to think about what you'd like to do differently. Whether this is joining a club, finding part-time work, socializing, locating a better living situation, or whatever it may be - it's your chance to make it yours!
Best of luck,
Isabella
Fourth-Year Geography (With a Year Abroad)
Reply 7
Original post
by cauliflower catI am aware that this question and my reasoning may be irrational. I really want to re-start first year of university to have a better experience.This year, i was stuck with a horrible flat and i wish i had been more extroverted, joined more societies and gotten stuck into more extracurriculars. Anyone have any advice for this irrational thinking, I am aware that i could do this in second year, but I just want to re-start and do it better this time. I feel like i am just missing out.
Hi @cauliflower cat ,
The way you are feeling is not irrational, so don't worry about this. It can be hard when you don't feel like you have had the University experience that you were hoping for, and lots of people do feel like this when they feel their first year hasn't gone as well as you had hoped.
Firstly, are you wanting to redo your year at the same university, or a different one? If you are hoping to stay at the same university I am not sure that this would be that worth it as lots of things will probably be the same -e.g. societies. If you want to move to a different Uni, this might be more worth it so it depends what you are hoping to do.
As others have said, it will probably seem like a good idea now but that will be your extra year of funding used up, so if you need it in the future (e.g. if you have to resit a year) you will not have it. And, if you are planning on doing a placement year, you will end up being at Uni for 5 years which will feel like a very long time.
It might be a better idea to go into second year but just stay in halls again. You will be able to do all of the things that you would do if you restarted first year, but without actually having to redo second year. It won't matter that you will be in second year in halls as lots of people end up doing this!
You can then join societies and it won't matter that you will be in second year as you will meet just the same amount of people that you would if you were in first year. You can also get just as stuck into extracurriculars!
It might also be a good idea to have a look on social media and see if you can meet anybody this way. You can quite often meet people on groups on Facebook or other social media which is a great way of meeting people and making some new friends.
If you want to get stuck into more activities, have a look and see if your student union puts any events on for students as they are fun and you meet lots of people here too!
I hope some of this helps,
Lucy -SHU student ambassador.
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- Switching uni?
- Likelihood to transfer unis and if it’s worth it?? Help
- Should I drop out and restart next year?
- Career switch
- failing first year
- Restart year 12 or gap year
- Just started adult nursing course and fund out I'm pregnant
- Reapplying and modules
- Can I switch from ib to a lèvel in January
- How do I add completed first year modules to UCAS application?
- Transferring Uni courses
- A Level Combination for Restart
- Advice for Mature Student
- Is transferring uni worth it : psychology degree
- dropping out of Oxford after first term
- Does this affect my application?
- (Amended) Restarting year 12 and the effect on university applications.
- Failed First Year
- Restarting yr12
- Is uni choice important for CS?
Latest
Trending
Last reply 3 months ago
Laptop vs iPad for universityLast reply 8 months ago
living away from home for university- pros / cons, advice ?University life
15
15
Last reply 8 months ago
Should I Appeal an Academic Misconduct Finding at a UK University?Last reply 8 months ago
Will I be an outcast in uni if I don’t use social media?University life
14
13
How The Student Room is moderated
To keep The Student Room safe for everyone, we moderate posts that are added to the site.
