Want to leave

LegacyUser

Ok, after a year off of college, i recently started back. Its been a few weeks and now i realise i hate my course - im 21, iv done it for 2 years and it has become less and less relevant/ interesting to what i want.

I still live at home with my parents who have paid the registration fee over the years, never asked for and i cant bear to tell them that i want to leave. And not just leave college, leave my hometown. I dont want to start a fight with them or even to cause them to argue with each other.

For the past few weeks iv been looking at courses that interest me and would love to start fresh next year. Im also scared of moving away for a long duration.

Any advice would be appreciated

MitchKoobski

Went through this myself. I kept my unhappiness with the course to myself and my friends for months, then when the parents eventually asked questions about how I was getting on one day I snapped and let it all out. The fact of the matter is, you can't keep going with something you're not enjoying or even want to do. I took a fresh start in a new course, on a lower level, that I now enjoy immensely and I've never really looked back.

magneticimpulse

Well if you find something that interests you more, do it.

Ive just spent 8 years at university studying a course and 4 years working in it (chemistry)...just to discover its really difficult to find a job at this moment in it...(despite 12 years ago a huge promotion in schools to get everyone in ireland to do it for the huge "pharma" industry it has)

So hey, 2 years into a course is not throwing it all away if you replace with something you enjoy more and will have better opportunities for you at the end of it.

I still dont know what I want to do or if I want to stick with chemistry after 12 years doing it

However in saying that...you still have to hang around for next year to do the course you like....and youve registered for this year...which is about 1500 euro these days? at least turn up for the laugh...unless you have a job lined up...you'll just be waiting october - next may doing nothing all day long. if you flunk, no worries, you didnt want to do it. also...i know from my own degree, that some modules can be really boring and things can get more interesting in 2 months time...at least give it time.

Sort out the new course for next year, paperwork and all so that it is an option...but continue with this one, it might get better, it might not, but you might have a laugh with people, friends etc in the class. After Christmas it might have different modules which you might like more. Maybe talk to the professors of the course to see and get advice (no harm getting advice from them)

LegacyUser

Thanks for the advice - i guess the main problem isnt starting from scratch but telling my parents the last 2 years have been a waste of time and their money - i know they wont be happy and i feel like im telling them im a failure.

lainey316

You'll have to pay full whack on the fees if you start a new course, won't you? Do you have that kind of money saved up?

LegacyUser

Im not too worried about paying the fees - i was looking at an IT and im sure its 1500 per year, the same as what my parents are paying now.

I wouldnt expect them to pay for it if i did start fresh, as i would be out on my own and id be eligible for a grant too

LegacyUser

Go see the college counsellors and arrange an appointment to discuss this with them. I was finding this year(3rd year) of my course really hard and I went and talked to one of them. I found I just needed to discuss this with someone other than friends/family.
My advice is don't make a quick decision, make an informed one, whatever that might be,
good luck

niceoneted

How long have you left to run on your course? If it's just one or two years I would be inclined to stick with it and then use it as a platform to move into the area you want to move into. Doing a post grad at that stage.

jessiejam

Why don't you explain it to your parents, and tell them you are going to get a part time job to fund the fees?
At least it will make you happier in the long term, I'm sure your parents will want that for you too

dory

I was in the same position, but only a month into a course so I cut my losses and left.

For the 2nd time out I knew after a year I didn't want to do that either, but was still only mildly sure I knew what I wanted. I decided to bite my tongue and finish it. And I'm so glad I did. With that done I could do a one year conversion course for what I want to do and in the end had a BA and an MA.

How long more do you have left? If it's a 3 year course I'd really recommend getting on with it. Especially with the job situation as it is. When I dropped out I sat on my couch for 6 weeks jobless. And that was in 'the good times!'. No one was interested in someone with no degree.

Good luck whatever you choose!

LegacyUser

Thanks for the advice. Its a 4 year course - the first year i enjoyed and pass with high marks. The second year i was less interested in and the subjects had no real connection to what i want to do.

Now in 3rd year and it sucks - the modules are very hard and i dont think i know enough to pass anyway. Its a course in Dundalk IT and i spent a few weeks looking at other courses and am interested in one in Cork IT.

If i did drop out, id continue with my part time job til xmas and start looking to rent a house down there in Jan/Feb so i would have plenty of time to look for a part time job there before sept.

shellyboo

Sick of it all wrote: »

Im not too worried about paying the fees - i was looking at an IT and im sure its 1500 per year, the same as what my parents are paying now.

I wouldnt expect them to pay for it if i did start fresh, as i would be out on my own and id be eligible for a grant too

Yeah but if you've already completed a college course, or any amount of a college course, you're not eligible for free tuition fees anymore. So it won't just be a 1500 registration fee, it'll be the full amount of fees. If you look at what they charge international (non-EU) students to do the same course, that's how much you'll be expected to pay.

Also, unless you're a mature student (ie, over 25) your eligibility for a grant will be judged on your parents' income no matter what. Whether you live with them or not.

I speak from experience, sadly. Don't mean to put a downer on your plans -- but changing college courses incurs massive financial stresses. I wouldn't set my heart on doing something unless I knew I could cover the costs myself. If you say you want to switch, your parents might feel obligated to pay... which isn't really fair.

LegacyUser

Dont worry I've ben there myself.Did my first year in college,failed 2 subjects,took a year out,then went back and decided it wasnt for me.If you feel you cant finish your course,maybe you could go back by night at some stage? I worked in a factory for years after i quit college and went back by night,It was easier and cost me less.
Its not the end of the world