Not sure what to do with education..

dontknowwhattod

Hi,
I dropped out of an arts course last year for lots of reasons,didn't like the course,was lonely etc.. but this year,doing a new course very different to the first,it's more practical than theory,big lecture halls replaced by small classroom situations...thing is,i'm really unhappy but don't want to let people down and have them think that's me,a dropout. The only thing keeping me here is that,and the fact that I can't do another year away from my boyfriend. Dropping out again really is a last resort,like barely an option. I'm finding it so hard to go in,in fact i've missed a lot and i'm so unhappy with every aspect of the course.

I really like learning,like lecture situations,big courses...I don't know what I want to do,I'm very interested in..computers(web development,software rather than hardware),design,big into photoshop/photography,(not very good at drawing though),I also like history and english and especially geography...it's impossible to find a course to suit me...but what i'm wondering is,is there anything I can do now,or do I have to stick this course out? Is it too late to do anything this year,transfer/apply late etc? i'm in Dublin...

Faith

A friend of mine did a course in graphic design last year. Sounds like it might be something you're interested in? I have no idea if it's too late to start a course like that though.

ZzubZzub

If it's a course you really dislike, and if you don't want to work in that field when you qualify, why put up with it? You could take a look at Qualifax's website - http://www.qualifax.ie. Its for searching for courses in Ireland, you can specify the search with things like what kind of career you would like. With regards to mid-semester transfers, I don't know. All universities are different. If it's a different course, not just a different location then I don't think it's possible, but I'm open to correction!

I know how hard it is being away from a partner. I'm studying in England but my boyfriend lives in Galway! But we see each other twice a month (God I love Ryanair!) There's always weekends for visiting each other. It's hard, but it will be worth it if it's a course you really wanna do. I love my course, which makes it a little bit more bearable. As you don't seem to REALLY know what you'd like, that's fine! It takes alot of people time to choose what they'd like.

As for people thinking of you as a dropout, the people who care about you wouldn't want you doing something you don't want to, would they? Again, from personal experience, my parents have told me to come home if I really want, despite they amount of money the have put into my studies. All my relatives keep saying how proud they are of me (Im the first in the family to go to college) which does drive me. But they know this is what you want. You need to spend time thinking about what YOU want, and what's best for you.

thefeatheredcat

There's no point staying in a course that you're not happy in - it doesn't do good for anyone in the end. People who care about you would rather see you happy than see you unhappy.

Call your boyfriend and have a chat with him about how you feel and ask what he thinks about your situation. It sounds like you miss him. He may even have a few ideas or suggestions for you.

Have a chat with a student counsellor about things; they could give you ideas and options about switching courses and transfers or a different course that might suit. Even just having a chat with someone about it helps.