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Feeling lost at uni

Just started at mcdaniel pre med year wanting to do vet med next year but cant settle in and am finding it difficult because i live with vet students my age and feel very behind. dont know if i should leave and go home or try to stay here. i feel like people think im behind or not as smart because im doing pre med first..... any advice

Reply 1

PG Study Chester

Original post

by emma.t123

Hi @emma.t123

I'm really sorry that you feel lost at McDaniel at the moment. Have you just started your term there? You say that you have just started, so I'm assuming that it is all quite new for you and you are still getting to know your way around and meet people. Firstly, don't worry, it's totally normal to feel lost and a bit out of your depth, everyone does when they move to uni for the first time. But it's important not to hide yourself away and as difficult as it may be and I know it isn't as easy as I'm making it sound, you have to keep going out and making the effort to socialise with the other students as this is the best way to meet new people and make friends. The more you can do this in the beginning the easier it will become and you will thank yourself in the future! You say that you are currently living with vet students, and that you feel very behind or not as smart as them, but please don't put yourself down so much. They probably don't think that whatsoever, and just see you as another student in the house doing a slightly different course to them at the moment - you're bound not to know the same amount as them because you haven't done the uni work that they have yet. Try and make the effort to socialise with them - if you're in the kitchen making a drink for example, you could ask if anyone else wants one? Don't necessarily chat about the course if this makes you feel uncomfortable, instead try making conversation about other stuff - music, hobbies, there's loads of things you could talk about to get to know each other better.
Are there any clubs or societies that you could join to make additional friends? It will be nerve wracking to go to a club for the first time on your own, but after being there a short time, you will soon get to know everyone and at the beginning of the new academic year everyone is new and unsure, and doesn't know anyone.
You could also socialise with your class mates - maybe go for a coffee after a lecture, or arrange to meet as a small group to work in the library together?
Have you got a member of staff that you could talk to about how you are feeling? Either a course tutor or someone in the Wellbeing department of the Student Services?
If it was me, I'd give it a bit more time, everything is very new and you're still getting to know everyone. If, after you have been on the course for a term or so and still feel the same you could have a re-think.
I hope everything gets better for you and that you enjoy your time at the university.
Good luck with your course and the rest of your academic journey.
Jess
PhD English
University of Chester