what to do? long rant

hey to anyone listening. just looking for any advice.. currently i’m a first year studying chemistry at bristol and in short it’s not what i expected and i feel like i’m not engaging with the subject. i chose to study chem because i did enjoy studying it at a level and i didn’t really have a solid idea of what i wanted to do after uni. after some research i saw that chem was a versatile degree, so i chose it to keep my options open, as it was also a combination of my alevels (maths, chem, cs)

i then began to have doubts around the summer before results day thinking i should perhaps try my luck for another course through clearing (i was thinking comp sci bc i did it both at a level and gcse) i spoke to my mum about this but she said i might just be overthinking it all and see how it goes once i get there.

i did speak to the uni before teaching had officially started, regarding a course transfer, but they had told me there was no space to accommodate my swap, so i would have to reapply through UCAS for next year.

fast forward, it’s now december and surrounded by the other people in my course, i feel like i’m not as passionate as them for the course. my timetable is pretty chill, but if i’m being honest i would say i’ve been lazy, i feel behind and have almost missed a few deadlines. everything is perfect at bristol but i just feel like i’m on the wrong course so it has been on my mind that perhaps i should leave after this first term.

my parents are telling me that if i do decide to leave i should re-apply to imperial for computer science and therefore have to re-sit my a-levels privately which will give me something to do with my time. i did apply to imperial last year but i didn’t meet my offer of A*A*A, instead i got A*AA. i do feel a little silly resitting for an A* when i got A’s but my biggest fear is that it’d be all for nothing if i don’t get in or once i get there, yet again, i won’t enjoy the course, after having gone through all the trouble.

i now don’t know whether i should stay longer and truly confirm that i can’t continue to do this course (since i’ve not been taking it serious thus far) or decide that i’ve given it enough time and return home (re-applying for next year). if i do decide to stay, that will be an extra 5k added to my student loan for the term & accommodation.

i’m just stressed because i feel like i’m at a crossroads and i don’t want to make the wrong decision and have that regret for the rest of my life of what could’ve been. the timing of it all does not help either.

thank you for reading my long rant and to any responses. hope you have the best day :smile:

Reply 1

candlesinthedark

keep in mind for computing at imperial u need a crazy high TMUA score which is super unpredictable to prepare for!! is it worth it?

Reply 2

Aquilegia

Universities Forum Helper

Original post

by imsosucessful

hey to anyone listening. just looking for any advice.. currently i’m a first year studying chemistry at bristol and in short it’s not what i expected and i feel like i’m not engaging with the subject. i chose to study chem because i did enjoy studying it at a level and i didn’t really have a solid idea of what i wanted to do after uni. after some research i saw that chem was a versatile degree, so i chose it to keep my options open, as it was also a combination of my alevels (maths, chem, cs)
i then began to have doubts around the summer before results day thinking i should perhaps try my luck for another course through clearing (i was thinking comp sci bc i did it both at a level and gcse) i spoke to my mum about this but she said i might just be overthinking it all and see how it goes once i get there.
i did speak to the uni before teaching had officially started, regarding a course transfer, but they had told me there was no space to accommodate my swap, so i would have to reapply through UCAS for next year.
fast forward, it’s now december and surrounded by the other people in my course, i feel like i’m not as passionate as them for the course. my timetable is pretty chill, but if i’m being honest i would say i’ve been lazy, i feel behind and have almost missed a few deadlines. everything is perfect at bristol but i just feel like i’m on the wrong course so it has been on my mind that perhaps i should leave after this first term.
my parents are telling me that if i do decide to leave i should re-apply to imperial for computer science and therefore have to re-sit my a-levels privately which will give me something to do with my time. i did apply to imperial last year but i didn’t meet my offer of A*A*A, instead i got A*AA. i do feel a little silly resitting for an A* when i got A’s but my biggest fear is that it’d be all for nothing if i don’t get in or once i get there, yet again, i won’t enjoy the course, after having gone through all the trouble.
i now don’t know whether i should stay longer and truly confirm that i can’t continue to do this course (since i’ve not been taking it serious thus far) or decide that i’ve given it enough time and return home (re-applying for next year). if i do decide to stay, that will be an extra 5k added to my student loan for the term & accommodation.
i’m just stressed because i feel like i’m at a crossroads and i don’t want to make the wrong decision and have that regret for the rest of my life of what could’ve been. the timing of it all does not help either.
thank you for reading my long rant and to any responses. hope you have the best day :smile:

Investigate swapping courses at the same uni? Do you like the idea of comp sci?

Reply 3

De Montfort University

Official Rep

Original post

by imsosucessful

hey to anyone listening. just looking for any advice.. currently i’m a first year studying chemistry at bristol and in short it’s not what i expected and i feel like i’m not engaging with the subject. i chose to study chem because i did enjoy studying it at a level and i didn’t really have a solid idea of what i wanted to do after uni. after some research i saw that chem was a versatile degree, so i chose it to keep my options open, as it was also a combination of my alevels (maths, chem, cs)
i then began to have doubts around the summer before results day thinking i should perhaps try my luck for another course through clearing (i was thinking comp sci bc i did it both at a level and gcse) i spoke to my mum about this but she said i might just be overthinking it all and see how it goes once i get there.
i did speak to the uni before teaching had officially started, regarding a course transfer, but they had told me there was no space to accommodate my swap, so i would have to reapply through UCAS for next year.
fast forward, it’s now december and surrounded by the other people in my course, i feel like i’m not as passionate as them for the course. my timetable is pretty chill, but if i’m being honest i would say i’ve been lazy, i feel behind and have almost missed a few deadlines. everything is perfect at bristol but i just feel like i’m on the wrong course so it has been on my mind that perhaps i should leave after this first term.
my parents are telling me that if i do decide to leave i should re-apply to imperial for computer science and therefore have to re-sit my a-levels privately which will give me something to do with my time. i did apply to imperial last year but i didn’t meet my offer of A*A*A, instead i got A*AA. i do feel a little silly resitting for an A* when i got A’s but my biggest fear is that it’d be all for nothing if i don’t get in or once i get there, yet again, i won’t enjoy the course, after having gone through all the trouble.
i now don’t know whether i should stay longer and truly confirm that i can’t continue to do this course (since i’ve not been taking it serious thus far) or decide that i’ve given it enough time and return home (re-applying for next year). if i do decide to stay, that will be an extra 5k added to my student loan for the term & accommodation.
i’m just stressed because i feel like i’m at a crossroads and i don’t want to make the wrong decision and have that regret for the rest of my life of what could’ve been. the timing of it all does not help either.
thank you for reading my long rant and to any responses. hope you have the best day :smile:

Hey, I’m a 3rd-year Medical Science student, and honestly, a lot of what you’re feeling is way more common than you think. I’ve seen friends go through the exact same crossroads in their first year.

1. First year feels confusing for so many people
In my course, I’ve watched people doubt themselves constantly in Term 1. The jump from A-levels to uni is huge, and it’s easy to mistake feeling overwhelmed or unstructured for “being on the wrong course.” Even in Medical Science, plenty of people felt behind, unmotivated, or unsure they’d chosen the right degree.

2. Don’t feel pressured to make a life-changing decision instantly
You’re not expected to have everything figured out at 18/19. I’ve changed direction, reconsidered plans, and watched friends completely switch paths at the end of first year — and they’re doing great now.
If staying for another few weeks helps you figure out whether Chemistry is truly not for you, that’s not wasted time.

I’ve known people who left after Term 1 because they realised the course wasn’t right. And others who stayed because it was just the initial adjustment that was tough.
Just make sure the decision is based on what you want, not parental pressure, guilt, or comparison to classmates who seem “more passionate.”

4. Talk to your uni — you’d be shocked what’s possible
People in my cohort managed to transfer courses unexpectedly when places opened up late. It doesn’t always happen, but there’s no harm in asking Bristol again about switching, even for next year.

As someone further into my degree, trust me, your path will not be ruined by changing course, taking a year out, or switching direction. Careers are flexible, life is long, and people reinvent themselves all the time.
What matters is choosing something you can imagine enjoying and growing in, not what sounds good on paper.

I wish you the best on making a decision,
Elmehdi - DMU representative

Reply 4

quietmodule41

I felt quite similar throughout my degree, especially in 1st and 2nd year. Chemistry, as you said, is quite a versatile degree and a lot of grad schemes will accept any degree these days anyways (plus points for 2:1 and above). I made some good friends and really tried to make uni enjoyable outside of the academic side and in my final year I really pushed to get that 2:1. Ultimately, now that I've graduated, the times I reflect on are not really how much I enjoyed the modules more so than how much I enjoyed university as a whole. I was given the exact same advice your mum gave you and honestly, I think it's the best choice. From what you've written, you have no idea what you want to do as a career and swapping your degree and losing out on a year of progress as well as money wasted won't fix that.

Reply 5

ARU Graduate

Official Rep

Original post

by imsosucessful

hey to anyone listening. just looking for any advice.. currently i’m a first year studying chemistry at bristol and in short it’s not what i expected and i feel like i’m not engaging with the subject. i chose to study chem because i did enjoy studying it at a level and i didn’t really have a solid idea of what i wanted to do after uni. after some research i saw that chem was a versatile degree, so i chose it to keep my options open, as it was also a combination of my alevels (maths, chem, cs)
i then began to have doubts around the summer before results day thinking i should perhaps try my luck for another course through clearing (i was thinking comp sci bc i did it both at a level and gcse) i spoke to my mum about this but she said i might just be overthinking it all and see how it goes once i get there.
i did speak to the uni before teaching had officially started, regarding a course transfer, but they had told me there was no space to accommodate my swap, so i would have to reapply through UCAS for next year.
fast forward, it’s now december and surrounded by the other people in my course, i feel like i’m not as passionate as them for the course. my timetable is pretty chill, but if i’m being honest i would say i’ve been lazy, i feel behind and have almost missed a few deadlines. everything is perfect at bristol but i just feel like i’m on the wrong course so it has been on my mind that perhaps i should leave after this first term.
my parents are telling me that if i do decide to leave i should re-apply to imperial for computer science and therefore have to re-sit my a-levels privately which will give me something to do with my time. i did apply to imperial last year but i didn’t meet my offer of A*A*A, instead i got A*AA. i do feel a little silly resitting for an A* when i got A’s but my biggest fear is that it’d be all for nothing if i don’t get in or once i get there, yet again, i won’t enjoy the course, after having gone through all the trouble.
i now don’t know whether i should stay longer and truly confirm that i can’t continue to do this course (since i’ve not been taking it serious thus far) or decide that i’ve given it enough time and return home (re-applying for next year). if i do decide to stay, that will be an extra 5k added to my student loan for the term & accommodation.
i’m just stressed because i feel like i’m at a crossroads and i don’t want to make the wrong decision and have that regret for the rest of my life of what could’ve been. the timing of it all does not help either.
thank you for reading my long rant and to any responses. hope you have the best day :smile:

Hey,

Totally hear you…a lot of people hit that point at uni where the course they picked on paper just doesn’t feel right in reality, and it’s terrifying because it feels like every decision suddenly becomes huge and permanent. But it honestly isn’t as final as it feels in your head.

I’ve been in a similar place, and something I’ve said before and will keep saying because it’s true…is that it’s never too late to change direction. You’re allowed to step back, explore a bit, take time figuring out what actually feels like you. Uni isn’t a race, and just because people around you seem super passionate and locked in doesn’t mean you’re behind or doing life wrong. It just means your path is going to look a little different, and that’s okay.

Right now, you’re only in first year and only a term in. Feeling disconnected from the subject doesn’t automatically mean you’re failing or doing something wrong…it might be that it genuinely isn’t your thing, or it might be that you haven’t been engaging because the doubts were already there. Either way, you’re not stuck. You have options.

If you feel like you need more time to be sure, there’s no shame in staying a little longer and seeing how it feels when you give it a proper shot. But there’s also nothing wrong with stepping back now if your gut is already telling you this isn’t it. Both choices are valid.

And the idea of resitting an A-level isn’t embarrassing, people take alternative routes into their dream courses all the time. You wouldn’t be going backwards…you’d be investing in something you care about. But also, you don’t have to push yourself into Imperial-level pressure if what you really need is clarity, not perfection.

And honestly, try not to get caught up in the fear of what if it’s all for nothing. You won’t know what the right path is until you walk it a bit, which is exactly why taking time to explore, reflect, and figure things out is so important. Plenty of people change courses, restart, take a year out, even pivot entirely later in life. None of them ruined anything, they just took a different route that made sense for them.

Whatever you do next won’t define the rest of your life. You’re not closing doors; you’re choosing the ones that make sense for you right now. And honestly you’re already doing the right thing by actually stopping and thinking about what you want, not just what looks impressive on paper or what other people expect.

Give yourself some grace…you’re figuring things out, not falling behind. You’ve got more time and more options than it feels like. And whichever direction you choose, you won’t be doing it alone or without purpose. You’ve got this!

Good luck! Sophie 🙂