Taking a second gap year for mental health?
I have been on a gap year this year, and now hold an offer for Sep 2025 for Medicine at KCL. I have had terrible mental health (depression, OCD, eating disorders) since I was about 10, but it has become especially bad since 2021ish. I have only just started receiving support (antidepressants, talking therapies, etc) and know that switching unis to another service would mean I would have to sort out new mental health support (which with waitlists right now isn't a good idea). I know medicine is such a stressful course, and I don't want my mental health to exacerbate the problems. Obviously, taking a second gap year isn't the best, but if I'm successful in deferring my offer, then hopefully I'll be able to work on my mental health (and my finances) for another year.
I was just wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation, and if anyone has any perspectives on the situation
I was just wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation, and if anyone has any perspectives on the situation
Reply 1
Original post
by tastierspoon460I have been on a gap year this year, and now hold an offer for Sep 2025 for Medicine at KCL. I have had terrible mental health (depression, OCD, eating disorders) since I was about 10, but it has become especially bad since 2021ish. I have only just started receiving support (antidepressants, talking therapies, etc) and know that switching unis to another service would mean I would have to sort out new mental health support (which with waitlists right now isn't a good idea). I know medicine is such a stressful course, and I don't want my mental health to exacerbate the problems. Obviously, taking a second gap year isn't the best, but if I'm successful in deferring my offer, then hopefully I'll be able to work on my mental health (and my finances) for another year.
I was just wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation, and if anyone has any perspectives on the situation
I was just wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation, and if anyone has any perspectives on the situation
Hey!
Thank you for sharing your story and being so open about it - really refreshing to see and might help others who stumble upon this post a lot more than you know!
I don't think there will ever be a correct or incorrect answer/solution here! There is nothing better that you can do than prioritising your mental health, as I'm sure you know, it will help you in all aspects of your life
If you feel like you need a second gap year to work more on your mental health, that's perfectly okay. If you feel like you want to start your Medicine degree this year, then that’s also okay! Only you know what you’re ready for, and either path is valid. Whatever you choose, it’s never going to be a step backwards , but rather a step towards where you want to be, whilst at your own pace.
Take the time to really think about what you really want to do, Uni is not going anywhere, so there's absolutely no rush on it 🙂
Hope that was at least a little helpful!
Best wishes,
Gemma
LJMU Official Student Rep
Reply 2
20
Most Unis will not allow a second deferral. You would need to cancel your place and reapply in September for 2026 entry - Unis will be sympathetic given your circumstances, and a repeat offer is usually automatic.
Reply 3
12
Original post
by McGingerMost Unis will not allow a second deferral. You would need to cancel your place and reapply in September for 2026 entry - Unis will be sympathetic given your circumstances, and a repeat offer is usually automatic.
Oh no I applied for unis this year on my gap year, so I would only be deferring one year
Reply 4
12
Original post
by LJMUStudentRepsHey!
Thank you for sharing your story and being so open about it - really refreshing to see and might help others who stumble upon this post a lot more than you know!
I don't think there will ever be a correct or incorrect answer/solution here! There is nothing better that you can do than prioritising your mental health, as I'm sure you know, it will help you in all aspects of your life
If you feel like you need a second gap year to work more on your mental health, that's perfectly okay. If you feel like you want to start your Medicine degree this year, then that’s also okay! Only you know what you’re ready for, and either path is valid. Whatever you choose, it’s never going to be a step backwards , but rather a step towards where you want to be, whilst at your own pace.
Take the time to really think about what you really want to do, Uni is not going anywhere, so there's absolutely no rush on it 🙂
Hope that was at least a little helpful!
Best wishes,
Gemma
LJMU Official Student Rep
Thank you for sharing your story and being so open about it - really refreshing to see and might help others who stumble upon this post a lot more than you know!
I don't think there will ever be a correct or incorrect answer/solution here! There is nothing better that you can do than prioritising your mental health, as I'm sure you know, it will help you in all aspects of your life
If you feel like you need a second gap year to work more on your mental health, that's perfectly okay. If you feel like you want to start your Medicine degree this year, then that’s also okay! Only you know what you’re ready for, and either path is valid. Whatever you choose, it’s never going to be a step backwards , but rather a step towards where you want to be, whilst at your own pace.
Take the time to really think about what you really want to do, Uni is not going anywhere, so there's absolutely no rush on it 🙂
Hope that was at least a little helpful!
Best wishes,
Gemma
LJMU Official Student Rep
Thank you!! That did help a lot
Reply 5
Original post
by tastierspoon460I have been on a gap year this year, and now hold an offer for Sep 2025 for Medicine at KCL. I have had terrible mental health (depression, OCD, eating disorders) since I was about 10, but it has become especially bad since 2021ish. I have only just started receiving support (antidepressants, talking therapies, etc) and know that switching unis to another service would mean I would have to sort out new mental health support (which with waitlists right now isn't a good idea). I know medicine is such a stressful course, and I don't want my mental health to exacerbate the problems. Obviously, taking a second gap year isn't the best, but if I'm successful in deferring my offer, then hopefully I'll be able to work on my mental health (and my finances) for another year.
I was just wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation, and if anyone has any perspectives on the situation
I was just wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation, and if anyone has any perspectives on the situation
Your health and that includes mental illness is more important than anything else. You can get another place to study at university if you don't make it this time but you cannot replace your health if you don't give it time to get better.
Every mental illness that you have listed affects the way that your brain works. People can continue to live normal lives with arms or legs missing but you cannot live without your brain. I am putting this here because there is a tendency for mental illness to be treated as less serious than some other illnesses. Also some people do not realise that mental illness is in the brain.
I get severe depression so I know how depression affects my brain.
I am not going to tell you what to do because that has to be your decision however I think it would be a good idea to think of mental illness in the same way as any other illness and wait until you feel much better before going to university.
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