Taking a year out...

LegacyUser

Not as serious an issue as some others here on boards, but it's something I need to think about.

I'm currently in my 3rd year out of a 4 year Computer Science course in college and I'm thinking about deferring until next year.

I've come back from the Christmas holidays to a heap of assignments that arn't going to get done, and exams in 2 weeks which aren't going to be passed. I don't have the urgency to study that I've had to keep me going in previous years. If this was 2nd year, I'd grim and bear it, but these assignments and exams, count towards my total degree.

I did well in second year, getting a first in my summer exams, after a very demanding year of constant assignments. At this stage, I'm burned out and really feel like taking a break from it. I've stopped doing everything I liked doing before I started college (reading/photography/music etc) due to very little free time. While you always hear about college "opening peoples mind", I feel like it's done the opposite as I'm left studying obscure programming languages all day. I'm tired of having deadlines/assignments and exams floating over my head.

On top of that, I'm not particularly happy with the department I'm studying under. It's sounds stupid, but I feel like I deserve some proper time off, I went straight through school, and right into college and am starting to tire of learning! It's not that I want to stop college and go on the piss for the next year, I've done enough of that over the summer, but I'd actually like to take the time to do other stuff, maybe a short course in something else, a language maybe.

Surprisingly, I actually enjoy the course and the content, but I'm become fairly fed-up of the whole college thing. Not to say I don't see myself finishing - I realise the importance of a degree and as I said, I actually enjoy studying computers.

I have no intention of going into the computer industry off the back of my degree, so I don't see much point in rushing through college. I'd far prefer to do other things first (i.e. travel/freelance work etc). On the other hand, the only thing holding me back from deferring is the idea that I won't come back after a year of freedom. Anyone I know who has taken a year out, hasn't returned to college. I have a part time job that i really enjoy and would therefore be sorted for work (and reapplication fees), but I certainly don't regard this job as a career prospect (as much as I would like it to be!)

I'd love to know if there is anyone who has taken time off in the middle of a degree, gone back to it after, and whether they thought it was a good idea or not.

whatsgoinon

Have you talked to your family/course directors about how you feel. IMO if you feel so miserable then I would say take a break. You sound like you have a plan in place and are not going to be just sitting at home twiddling your thumbs. I am currently in my 6th year of uni. Had no idea what I wanted to do when i did the leaving, went to college for a year, HATED it, finished the year and reapplied, did 4 years in uni and swore blind I would never go back, 4 years later, I'm doing my postgrad. I took a long and windy path to get here, but I love my course that I'm doing at the moment. I think some time out to re-evaluate what you want from life/your course might be the best idea for you. I really don't think struggling along with something when you are unhappy is the thing to do, you won't be able to apply yourself fully to your work.

It will be a big step to come back to it, but you sound like you're mature enough to know what you want to do. Good luck!!

Hail 2 Da Chimp

IMO you're as well off sticking it out. Deferring next year isn't going to help you with your assignments which are now due or make you study harder for your exams in 2 weeks.
I was in the same boat when doing my Degree, but trust me if you get through this year you'll deffinatly find the urgancy to study for your exams next year.
I found as well that the previous years exams had very little bearing on my final exams anyway.
Also if you're fed up with the college scene nowe you'll probably feel worse next year and have to join up with a class full of people you dont know in a years time...

I'd say tough it out, everyone feels like this especially after Crimbo and facing assignments / exams.

Pigeon Reaper

Stick with it. If you defer you'll only put it off until next year and make the course longer. It's another few months of grind and then you'll be into the summer break. You should then decide if you want to continue.

Dave!

I'm in the second year of a 3 year Comp Sci course. I deferred after 1st year, and it was the best decision I ever made!

I thought it would be a bit of an ordeal trying to get the time off, but I just asked them and they said it's fine, contact them in a year to re-register!

I worked full-time for most of the year and saved enough money to go interrailing for about a month (had a blast). The work wasn't particularly glamorous (clerical & data entry), but I made a load of friends that I still go out with at least every fortnight. While working, I was out with them every weekend.

I felt the same as you really... completely drained from all the constant studying, assignments, exams, etc. It felt like a continuation of the leaving cert, and was totally getting me down.

Admittedly I didn't exactly make the most of the year... I didn't do any adult education classes (which woulda been nice), or join the reserve army (which I had planned on doing), or take up any new skills... I did read alot though, and I honed other skills (like web design).

All in all it was a really good decision and I benefited greatly from the break. I was on a bit of a bad path, not enjoying college, etc., and probably would have ended up dropping out if I didn't get a break.

I think you should finish off the year and then go for it... You won't regret it! But make a list of things you want to achieve/do during the year, and DO THEM.

Good luck

greenkittie

Oh my god are you me? I'm 3rd year computer science of a 4 year course, completely and utterly burnt out after assignments last term and trying to do exams now. Last term was horrible for me I literally had no time to do anything except studying, couldnt see my friends or anything. It would be nice to give up and leave it a year but after struggling through the work load last term i think well might as well just get through the next couple of weeks then thats a term i shall never have to repeat..

lizzyvera

I was getting exhausted and depressed this term until I moved closer to college- the difference of the 2 hours to my day was more time to study if necessary and time for a nice dinner and tea with my boyfriend. I also started eating better as a result which made a big difference to my mood. Compared to getting home 7 hours before I had to get up for college the next day and not eating. You didn't mention a commute but what I mean is, you might be able to make a small change and free up an hour or so a day, and it might be what you need to get your head straight.

I think after doing 3/4 of a degree you're better off sticking with it, there will probably be masters or jobs available in design, business... lots of things for you to do afterwards so even if you don't want to work in pure computers your degree is of huge value.

I do science too by the way and I don't like how many hours they give us and how we get no breaks or time to actually absorb the information properly! I'm going to start hassling my SU about a reading week. In some parts of your post it just sounds like you're bored and need a change in which case you could do an erasmus or something. Some people find it very hard to go from working back to education.

dudara

I don't mean to be harsh here, but you should suck it up and get the job done. Holidays are when you're supposed to unwind from college work. We all have feelings of fatigue and ennui with our courses, but part of college is learning how to work and deal with the stress. It's not supposed to be easy, that's why it's third level education.

Plan a good summer for yourself, travelling or something that you want to do. Use that to motivate yourself to finishing.

Plus this is a bad time of year for many people, the gloomy weather and the general downturn after Christmas make many people feel a bit peed off. Wait until spring and Easter and you'll be surprised how much better you feel.

BTW, I did a B.Sc. and a Ph.D., no transition year in secondary and straight into university. I was in university for just under 9 years. I know how tiring studying can get. But the rewards are worth it. If you've gotten a 1st in your second year exams then you are capable of continuing in that vein.

Dave!

But why should s/he? The option is there to take a year out. There is no necessity to get your degree in one go. If you're feeling the pressure more than other people (apparantly you could handle it better than others dudara, well done), why not take a year out?

It would be great to get through it in one, but if you're finding it too strenuous, a break can do you the world of good. I benefited alot from it. What's the big difference between 4 years and 5? It's not like you've wasted the year -- a series of full-time office jobs is good experience to have when you leave college. Better than some part-time retail jobs.

BTW OP, it's probably worth your while to register with a good job agency for the year. They'll get you some decent temp jobs. It can be kinda hit and miss, but I ended up working in a hospital for 5 months through an agency, so it can work out well.

Sleepy

OP - I dropped out of college just before my Christmas exams in my final year. I hadn't registered for the year yet (long story). Took the rest of that year off, just working part-time jobs to keep my head above water and re-registered for final year the following September. I mentioned that there were some family issues at home and the college didn't ask anything beyond that and had no problem with me finishing the degree. Looking back I'd probably have left college in less of a financial mess than I did if I hadn't have done that but I certainly wouldn't have received as good a degree as I got (nothing spectacular, but a 2:1). It seems like you've some good plans for the year out. I'd say go for it but try and get some cash together while you're taking that year out.

sunnyjim

Dudara wrote:

We all have feelings of fatigue and ennui with our courses

Let's not forget some courses are difficlut than others, and everyone deals with stress differently.

Take the year out Mr/Mrs Orange Lemon.

I repeated a year 2 years ago, and it was great. Even though I had 6 hours a week, the full time job was a refreshing break from my 12/13 years of full time education.

Go for it.