Going back to uni after an interruption

1

Hi, so I first went to uni in September 2024 but when I got there I really struggled with my mental health which led to me only attending 2 lectures. I realised I had to take a year out and I'm returning next month. I never met anyone on my course when I was there and I'm worried I've just dug myself in a deeper hole. Joining mid way through the term, will I be able to meet people and make friends or will it be way more difficult? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Reply 1

Ilovelovelegends

9

I joined from the start of the year after my interruption and was with the year below, or the cohort progressing onto that stage. Generally, people don’t care and one or*** about two were curious enough to ask why they haven’t seen me around before.

Mostly in groups you are allocated one so you don’t have to choose and if you did you can email professors to see if anyone else is in the same boat and you can be paired with them.

I would say try to monitor your mental health the best you can and have support throughout since you are vulnerable to it. Also only disclose it to your colleagues if you feel comfortable. Otherwise just offer simple answer if they get curious and try to connect through general conversations.

I think for me it helped to understand I was there for myself and my future, and many are too. Try to progress, engage in societies, learn skills and apply for placement or internship if that’s an option. You will set yourself better for the future.

(edited 3 months ago)

Reply 2

Teesside University

Official Rep

17

Original post

by Lucidd

Hi, so I first went to uni in September 2024 but when I got there I really struggled with my mental health which led to me only attending 2 lectures. I realised I had to take a year out and I'm returning next month. I never met anyone on my course when I was there and I'm worried I've just dug myself in a deeper hole. Joining mid way through the term, will I be able to meet people and make friends or will it be way more difficult? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Hi there,
It's great that you have decided to continue your university studies. You've made the first big step towards this by returning when you were ready.
Ilovelovelegends has offered some great advice! I would say the same try and get involved in any aspects of university life as much as you can!
And just remember you have the university supports systems in place if you need them.
Good luck with everything and hope it all goes well 😊
Hope it all goes well

Reply 3

University of Bradford

Official Rep

18

Original post

by Lucidd

Hi, so I first went to uni in September 2024 but when I got there I really struggled with my mental health which led to me only attending 2 lectures. I realised I had to take a year out and I'm returning next month. I never met anyone on my course when I was there and I'm worried I've just dug myself in a deeper hole. Joining mid way through the term, will I be able to meet people and make friends or will it be way more difficult? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Hi @Lucidd. Do not worry, you have certainly not dug your self in to any sort of hole. In my opinion I think taking time out for your mental health was firstly the right thing to do and it was also a responsible thing to do and was the right decision. I can assure you that many students begin late and also return back after interruptions too or they are always changing courses and after all this they still make strong friendships. Joining halfway through the year may feel slightly awkward but then only for a very short while and then later you start meeting friends. You will make new friends easily through seminars and group presentations and societies! Many students are open to connection and they are all on their own journey trying to build friendships. Please be kind to yourself and take each day one step at a time and do not stress! I hope this helped and good luck ! You got this!

Kiran 😃

.

Reply 4

McGinger

20

Original post

by Lucidd

Hi, so I first went to uni in September 2024 but when I got there I really struggled with my mental health which led to me only attending 2 lectures. I realised I had to take a year out and I'm returning next month. I never met anyone on my course when I was there and I'm worried I've just dug myself in a deeper hole. Joining mid way through the term, will I be able to meet people and make friends or will it be way more difficult? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Have you talked to the Uni about returning to your course? Usually you are only able to restart after time-out at the beginning of the next academic year, so that you have not missed any aspects of the course.

Reply 5

hallamstudents

Official Rep

18

Original post

by Lucidd

Hi, so I first went to uni in September 2024 but when I got there I really struggled with my mental health which led to me only attending 2 lectures. I realised I had to take a year out and I'm returning next month. I never met anyone on my course when I was there and I'm worried I've just dug myself in a deeper hole. Joining mid way through the term, will I be able to meet people and make friends or will it be way more difficult? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Hi there,

I am sorry to hear that you have struggled while you have been at uni, and I think it sounds like you made the best decision for yourself having a year out.

I don't think it will make much difference that you are joining later - I have met people who joined later than others and everyone was so nice and welcoming and I didn't really think much of them joining later! Just introduce yourself, or you might end up getting put into groups with people so you will get chatting to them then which will help to easy yourself in in terms of meeting people.

It may also be worth seeing if your uni puts any events on and if you wanted to attend anything like this to meet some people. Often different universities will do events which can be very chilled such as meeting at a coffee shop, or bigger things such as going to an ice hockey game, so have a look and see if there are any you might be interested in as this can be a good way to meet some new people.

You could also email your tutors and explain that you feel unsure about meeting people and see if they can arrange some kind of group activities so you can meet people, or just see if there is anything they can do to make you feel more relaxed and comfortable at uni.

I would also really suggest making sure you keep in touch with the wellbeing teams at your uni as they will be there to help and support you whenever you need it and will make sure that you are doing well. I am sure you have heard this before but from personal experience I have used them before and they are actually helpful so don't feel like it will be a waste of time.

I hope some of this helps,

Lucy -SHU student ambassador.

Reply 6

UniofLawStudent4

Official Rep

6

Original post

by Lucidd

Hi, so I first went to uni in September 2024 but when I got there I really struggled with my mental health which led to me only attending 2 lectures. I realised I had to take a year out and I'm returning next month. I never met anyone on my course when I was there and I'm worried I've just dug myself in a deeper hole. Joining mid way through the term, will I be able to meet people and make friends or will it be way more difficult? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Hi,

Thank you so much for sharing this so honestly.

I really want to reassure you that you have not dug yourself into a deeper hole, even though it can very much feel that way right now. Many students struggle during their first attempt at university, particularly when mental health is involved, and taking time out is often the healthiest and most responsible decision.

Deciding to step back when things were becoming overwhelming was not a failure; it was you listening to what you needed, and that puts you in a much stronger place coming back.It can be daunting coming back halfway through the term, but it does not mean that you will not be able to meet people and make friends. University courses are constantly shifting, with students joining late, returning after deferrals, or coming from very different backgrounds.

Connections often form naturally through seminars, workshops, or shared study stress rather than in the first few weeks of lectures. Many friendships begin simply by talking about the work or asking someone whether they have started an assignment yet. Those moments happen throughout the year, not just at the beginning.

You also do not owe anyone an explanation beyond what you are comfortable sharing. Friendships and confidence build gradually, and many of the people you eventually feel close to are not the ones you meet on day one.You have already done something brave by choosing to return.

Be kind to yourself as you settle back in and give yourself permission to take things at your own pace. Confidence will come with time and familiarity. If it would help, I am very happy to talk things through further or offer any reassurance as you prepare to go back.

Wishing you all the best,

Faith Pomell

ULaw AmbassadorMA Law (Conversion) Student

Reply 7

EssexStudentRep

Official Rep

14

Original post

by Lucidd

Hi, so I first went to uni in September 2024 but when I got there I really struggled with my mental health which led to me only attending 2 lectures. I realised I had to take a year out and I'm returning next month. I never met anyone on my course when I was there and I'm worried I've just dug myself in a deeper hole. Joining mid way through the term, will I be able to meet people and make friends or will it be way more difficult? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Hi @Lucidd👋

Hope you are well. That is alright don't worry! There are many students who come back after a break and you can of course still make friends. You can simply talk to someone you sit next to especially in smaller classes and if that doesn't work then there are always other ways to make friends such as joining a society or club or anything and making friends there.

Essex Student Rep- Lavanya 💜

Going back to uni after an interruption

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