Another College Dropout Thread :(

LegacyUser

So the last few months in college have been the best and worst of my life. Socially, I've had a ball, met some amazing new people and generally had a blast. Unfortunately I've also suffered more stress and anxiety than I can possibly cope with, often stemming from my course, and my total inability to deal with the simplest things like keeping a daily routine, and keeping on to of timetables, and coursework requirements. I freak out, I panic and life generally becomes a living hell.

So now, approaching the January deadline for withdrawal (doing so saves me paying for half my tuition fees) I have decided to drop out. I'm pretty shattered that things have gone so badly, and I'm looking at what I can do to tide things over until Summer when I'll hopefully have decided a bit better what I can do with my life...

Trying to find a job, even part time is going to be tough as nails, there's a cafe just down from where I live that had 200 applications for a dishwashing job.

My family are giving lots of conflicting advice, my parents suggest finding an extramural course for the next 6 months, work through the summer and trying again in September with a different course. My brother suggests getting a work visa and going abroad to "get away from the lot of us and our mountains of advice".

Help?

mikemac

Ok, before you drop out go see your college counsellor or even college chaplain. Make an appointment Monday morning! It's probably possible to drop into the chaplain for a chat anytime

They've seen people in your situation a hundred times before and help advise you.

Realy be certain before you drop out.

Been in your situation (note the username ) and all these issues can be dealt with.
There is help in your college and free of charge so go avail of it.

And report back here and let us know how you get on

tenchi-fan

Having a ball socially is sorta nice, but you need to keep a balance. A hectic social life may be at the expense of work and study. The truth is, if you keep on top of the content in your college lectures and go to every class, you will not have that "freak out" moment in the run up to exams. It's easily said, I'm the worst at procrastinating. even when i'm not having a ball i fill my free time up with boards.ie and facebook.

there are penalties regarding unemployment assistance when you drop out of a course mid-year... i.e you don't get it. take that into account. also, if you return to education later on you may end up paying full-whack (4k+) a year because the government doesn't subsidise second chances.

If you can stick college out, try to, because in a recession people should try to get as much education as possible (for the lack of work experience!)

about the job situation.. yea its bad. but if a job is advertised, all the idiots apply. my last job i had in college was in the cinema. i just happened to leave my cv with one of the counter staff who left it under the counter and forgot about it, next thing the manager phoned me up. Anytime they advertised they got so many cv's they all go in the bin (degree holders and all!).

If you don't mind your course and are willing to work at it, get your free education in Ireland (and as far as i'm concerned, €2k is still free!) . Otherwise you'll end up working in hungry jack's in australia or tim horton in canada. If someone is useless in Ireland they will be equally if not more useless abroad, so make sure you have something behind you... either education or work experience, or if you're going it alone make sure you have a few contacts or a job lined up!

I guess my advice is to finish your year, then take a year out. a lot of colleges will let you come back after the year or even transfer to first or second year in a different course (meaning you dont' have to worry about high fees)

best of luck whatever u decide.

electrogrimey

If you do decide to drop out, my advice would be to go away. Leaving the country and cutting all strings is the perfect opportunity to figure out, and devote yourself to, what you really want to do with your life, as it seems that's definitely something you need to think about.

With no commitments or stress you'll be able to focus your energy on whatever you want to, not to mention that it'll be easier to get a job abroad!