should i drop out of college

sc96 · 08-10-2014 3:17am #1

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dobman88 · 08-10-2014 3:24am

sc96 wrote: »

Im really considering dropping out of college and i need some advice.

I hate the whole aspect of college not just the course im doing. college isnt what i expected it to be like. I dont know anyone and have no friends, so all i do all day is sit in my room on my laptop, which is pretty pathetic.

As for my course, i think i made a bad choice and there is nothing else i can switch to because i dont want to do any other courses(im in first year by the way). even if i was to continue with my course im pretty sure i would fail my exams anyway because i never go to any lectures i just stay in bed instead of getting up.

i just feel like i should drop out of college and go back home to my parents, my father is a self-employed electrician, so i could probably get a job with him.

Any advice?

Get up out of bed and get your ar$e to a lecture. How do you expect to make friends if you never go?? A friend of mine went to Maynooth and I used to visit the odd time. I ended up making my own friends up there and I'm still friends with some of them 5 years later and I didn't even go to college there.

It just sounds like you are homesick. Get into the lecture and try talking to people in your course. Start a conversation by asking something about the course. Say you missed a bit of the lecture and could they fill you in. Make something up. That's called an ice breaker.

You may be a bit shy doing that but nobody is going to say no. Once you get chatting at all its easy to then talk the next time you meet them.

But you really have to get into the lectures or else you're just wasting time and may as well run home to the handy life with Mommy and Daddy.

DoYouEvenLift · 08-10-2014 3:25am

Sounds like you might be a bit depressed or at least lacking motivation. If it's truly making you unhappy and you have an alternative plan to follow then I wouldn't continue with it unless it was all part of a long term goal I had. Get your bloods done and checkup with your doctor also as I've known guys your age that had low testosterone levels and had similar attitudes and phases that they got themselves out of. It's just a slump, you won't feel like doing anything to change it but you'll have to force yourself to. Get out of your comfort zone.

sc96 · 08-10-2014 3:32am

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guitarzero · 08-10-2014 3:49am

sc96 wrote: »

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I can assure you, if you dont like what you are doing now it's not gonna get any better later.

Like the poster said earlier, get a check up to make sure it's not health related. Our mood and condition can really effect things we actually might like.

If there is a trace of doubt about the course then talk with the dean of your course and explain to him what you think. Give everything the fullest of consideration before you leave. The last thing you want is to regret about having left. Just make sure you really know you wanna leave.

conf101 · 08-10-2014 3:53am

Whatever you decide to do don't make a huge decision like this based on advice from an anonymous internet forum.

I agree to an extent with dobman88, you sound like you need to give yourself a bit of a boot up the hole. Having said that I've been in your situation so I know that's not easy. I ended up dropping out of college mid-way through first year and going to a different college and doing a completely different course the following year, it worked out great for me.

But before I made my decision I spoke to a lot of people. Talk to your parents, lecturers and faculty staff. Go speak to a counsellor and/or a doctor. I did and it really helped with my decision. Don't make your decision quickly or lightly. It's a pretty major one.

Lastly, don't forget that college isn't easy. Making new friends isn't easy. Plenty of people find it tough. Plenty of people quickly realise that it's not the easy ride they might have been expecting. It takes work and you get out of it what you put into it. Be prepared to work at it and it could well come good for you.

north_star_33 · 08-10-2014 4:40am

Id say get your harris up outta bed and stick it out...

You might not think it now BUT TRUST ME ..you will be glad to have your degree in future years....i was unemployed and went back to college to sort my future out.....

If your young you have all the time in the world but sort a degree or a trade and more doors are open..

Good luck
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guitarzero · 08-10-2014 4:48am

north_star_33 wrote: »

Id say get your harris up outta bed and stick it out...

You might not think it now BUT TRUST ME ..you will be glad to have your degree in future years....i was unemployed and went back to college to sort my future out.....

If your young you have all the time in the world but sort a degree or a trade and more doors are open..

Good luck
star

Such bad advice. Dont do something you hate. Life is too short. If you decide too leave the course, do something that you truly believe in and do everything you can to get there.

the_syco · 08-10-2014 4:50am

sc96 wrote: »

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What's the course, and why did you pick it? The first few months of any course are generally **** until the juicy stuff kicks in.

Grab All Association · 08-10-2014 4:53am

Ah here its only Maynooth. By international standards its like having a Fetac level 1 certificate in flower arrangement.

banquo · 08-10-2014 5:03am

Flawless Photoshop work there.

north_star_33 · 08-10-2014 5:06am

The bad advice is not sticking at something and quitting at the first hurdle...

And as the above poster said...the first few weeks are the hardest..

Grab All Association · 08-10-2014 5:07am

banquo wrote: »

Flawless Photoshop work there.

Not my work. There used to be a video of it on YouTube couple years ago.

barleybooley · 08-10-2014 12:18pm

Here's my two cents for what it's worth:

College isn't for everyone. If you really hate it, then chances are it's not going to get any better. I think you have until October 31 to drop out but retain your fees for the future if you decide to go back. I take it you're youngish? It certainly wouldn't be the end of the world to drop out and take this year to reassess what you want from life. There are university staff on hand to offer impartial advice and best of all it's free. The folks in the SU are there to help, it's their job to. Make an appointment to talk to one of them. There is no shame in trying something you thought you'd like and being wrong about it. This is obviously weighing heavily on your mind so don't just suck it up because other people tell you to/you're afraid of letting them down. This is your life and you need to do what is best for you. Sometimes, you have to look out for number one. All the best and I hope it works out for you, whatever you decide to do.

JReacher84 · 08-10-2014 12:29pm

Go to your course
You sound like a chump, get out of bed.
Your not even giving it a chance, "i hate my course" boo hoo!!
Your at home again today sitting in bed
You sound like waste of space,
Forget "do you even lifts" rubbish advice, get your bloods done??, what the Fu?k??
Worst advice ever, its like one month into your course
Get outta bed and go in everyday for a few weeks and then decide
God almighty, kids today are such wimps

BumbleB · 08-10-2014 12:31pm

sc96 wrote: »

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Lots of people in college don't make friends there.Some make one or two , some have dozens of friends and maybe about 2 of them are actually real friends. Some have no friends until 2nd or 3rd year and then they make loads. Societies are good for this. I used to have loads of friends before college (many emigrated) and I went with the attitude that I would make loads but it hasn't happened but it doesn't bother me because I am doing quite okay anywayand I still have loads of friends outside of the college environment.

If you are not happy with the course drop out. First year is incredibly intense especially the first semester in any course whether you like the subject or not.

I f you drop out , reapply again but in the meantime do research on the course you want to do. Go to different lectures and see if you like the subject You can start again next year from fresh. I don't know if the friends thing will change but if you are content in your course having minimal good friends won't be an issue.

The best advice I can give you is go to the academic advisory office https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/centre-teaching-and-learning/student-learning-and-advice/academic-advisory-office chat to them. They will explain the options available and advise you. I used them personally and I found it great because you will know exactly where you stand.

barleybooley · 08-10-2014 12:33pm

JReacher84 wrote: »

Go to your course
You sound like a chump, get out of bed.
Your not even giving it a chance, "i hate my course" boo hoo!!
Your at home again today sitting in bed
You sound like waste of space,
Forget "do you even lifts" rubbish advice, get your bloods done??, what the Fu?k??
Worst advice ever, its like one month into your course
Get outta bed and go in everyday for a few weeks and then decide
God almighty, kids today are such wimps

Registered since October 2014. 2 posts. Me smells a troll.

JReacher84 · 08-10-2014 12:59pm

no troll buddy
just someone thats been working for 6 years now and would love to be back in college again, with me mammy and daddy supporting me
Do you really think that guys dad is gonna want that lazy turd dropping out of college and relying on his da to give him a job
No way
Dude dont listen to any other advice here, stick on your course, your only young
get your course finished, no matter what it is. And make a effort

XxMCRxBabyxX · 08-10-2014 1:25pm

JReacher84, please do not post in this thread again. Your rude manner and abuse is not needed.

XxMCRxBabyxX

maireadH · 08-10-2014 1:40pm

You couldn't possibly know whether you hate the course at this stage and you certainly don't know that you would hate all the other courses in Maynooth. You haven't given it a chance yet. How many lectures have you actually attended?

I would suggest firstly, attending lectures. On all courses there will be modules you hate, modules you tolerate and hopefully, modules you love. That doesn't mean it's not the course for you.

I would also suggest talking to your course director and lecturers about your concerns. They will be able to help, but not if you are not attending lectures.

All colleges have counselling services. They are there for students who are suffering from mental illnesses such as depression but they also have services for students who are struggling financially, academically, socially etc. Definitely worth the effort of contacting them. You should also look at joining some clubs or societies in order to socialise.

You may eventually decide this is not the course for you but if you don't give it a chance and then drop out, will you do the same for your next choice of career?

XxMCRxBabyxX · 08-10-2014 1:43pm

Hi OP,

You've gotten some (mostly) good advice here. It looks like you are unhappy so you're going to have sit down and just really think this through.

College isn't the same for everyone and some find it easier than others. It's not always the paradise it's made out to be. It's tough and it can be lonely.

I know that you hate the course but I recommend that for the next while you try to attend as many lectures as you can, even if just to remind yourself that you do hate it. Worst that can happen is that you find that you enjoy it a bit more than you thought. I'd also try talk to the head of your dept and Rose, Queen of Academic Advisory. Rose is fantastic and will help you with whatever you decide to do. It might not hurt for you to call into the counselors too as it sounds like they could help too. Finally, you need to talk this out with your parents. See what they think and what support they can give you. Just remember that the deadline for dropping out is end of this month before you have to pay fees if you do decide to reenter college.

DoYouEvenLift · 08-10-2014 3:07pm

JReacher84 wrote: »

Go to your course
You sound like a chump, get out of bed.
Your not even giving it a chance, "i hate my course" boo hoo!!
Your at home again today sitting in bed
You sound like waste of space,
Forget "do you even lifts" rubbish advice, get your bloods done??, what the Fu?k??
Worst advice ever, its like one month into your course
Get outta bed and go in everyday for a few weeks and then decide
God almighty, kids today are such wimps

Because young men with low testosterone levels is a great thing, right?

RobbingBandit · 09-10-2014 12:12pm

OP, what course are you doing, some of us here may have done the same course and can answer any questions you have on it, you are now halfway through the third week of first year, that is way too soon to make any kind of decision, try and stick out a while longer, college is hard but it is rewarding, definitely go to the councillors and Academic Advisory, maybe speak with your lectures or departments too, all of your lectures will have office hours and will be able to speak with you during them.

HARVEY_KINKLE · 09-10-2014 3:56pm

My advice for what it's worth, it gets better/easier. I started here not knowing a soul, which was kinda scary at the time cos I was the dorky shy awkward kid in secondary, but it was also fairly exciting cos nobody knew me in Maynooth, so I didn't have to be that dorky shy awkward kid, I could be who I want/do what I want. You just gotta put yourself out there and believe me, that's not as scary as it sounds. And give people a chance, you'd be surprised how accepting people here are of everyone.

thor17 · 09-10-2014 4:13pm

Hi, If you are going to be on the laptop watch this.

You tube, Ted talks, Ken robinson,

you are not alone, but do not waste your life, everyone has something amazing to offer the world.

Alf Veedersane · 09-10-2014 4:33pm

I didn't know asoul when I started in college. I moved to Dublin from a town with a population of about 13,000 and I was reasonably shy. No one I knew from school went to college in Dublin, so there was no safety net.

But I knew myself it was going to be sink or swim.

So swim I did. Went to lectures, went to practicals...got talking to people. Went to a class party in Night Owls in Ranelagh (hashtag yolo) on my own and didn't know a sinner 'cause the few people I kjnew at that stage of the year didn't go. Chatted to a couple of people there (ne'er a sniff of a shift either).

Tl;dr Make an effort to go to lectures and get talking to people. Sitting in your room isn't going to do anything for you.

Of course, there may be other issues, as has been alluded to, but ultimately you have to go to the world. The world won't go to you.

JulesGallagher · 20-10-2014 10:47am

Hi,
I was in Maynooth for the best part of 10 years, and was lecturer there also for about 5 years. Maynooth is a great place once you get to know people, otherwise it can be miserable spot.
You have a couple of choices-
You can stay with your course and stick it out.
You can go talk to the Reg Office, which is on the Old Campus and Student Services, which I think is in New Campus with the view of changes courses.
You can go and talk to your department, each department has a mentor for students in different years. They might be able to tell you what is happening after Christmas or what to expect over the course of the three to four years.
I would also check if there is a transfer option still available. This is very much happening in UCC at moment. Or drop out before (if you are lucking to be getting a grant) you receive a grant cheque, and then reapply to a different course next year or wait till you are over 23? and return as a mature student.

Maynooth is a great spot, but loads of people I knew dropped out, because it is a small village with a huge population.

Good luck and I hope you make the right decision for you.

BumbleB · 20-10-2014 11:31am

JulesGallagher wrote: »

Hi,

Maynooth is a great spot, but loads of people I knew dropped out, because it is a small village with a huge population.

Just interested in what exactly did you mean by that. How is being small village with a huge population relevant to dropping out.

JulesGallagher · 20-10-2014 11:48am

From my experience of Maynooth people came there and left quickly because it did not live up to expectations of being in college. For a long time there was very little in Maynooth, one street, a few pubs and that was that. Now there are more students commuting to Maynooth than living there. It still is a small village/town with huge population which comes and goes, with little to do. Try living there over the summer or spend Christmas there, and you will see what I mean.

I suppose it might have little to do with dropping out, but as a place it can get very lonely which may in turn cause you to drop out, but I still hold firm that the person considering dropping out should explore all options given on this thread.

Ms. Koi · 20-10-2014 2:42pm

There are loads of options for you sc96. I hope you get a chance to head in and speak to your lecturers about how you are feeling. You haven't replied in a few days, so I hope you are alright.

ER1994 · 20-11-2014 1:14am

What course you doing? hit me up we could hang out

should i drop out of college

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