Year off

LegacyUser

Hi, Im considering taking a year out of college for mental health reasons. I am in third year and I have had depression since the start of college. Mentally I'm not there and I have no motivation towards the course. I'm strongly considering taking a year out and maybe working just to get myself sorted. Has anyone been in this situation before? If so what did you do and did you find it beneficial either taking a year out or staying in college?

girl2

Standardissue wrote: »

Hi, Im considering taking a year out of college for mental health reasons. I am in third year and I have had depression since the start of college. Mentally I'm not there and I have no motivation towards the course. I'm strongly considering taking a year out and maybe working just to get myself sorted. Has anyone been in this situation before? If so what did you do and did you find it beneficial either taking a year out or staying in college?

Hello

I haven't been in your position, but if your mental health started to suffer when you started college, then surely it is the factor that has contributed to this?

I would most certainly encourage you to take a year out or whatever time you need to try and get yourself back on track. These days it's so important to look after your emotional health and well being so I would be a firm believer in doing whatever it takes to make sure you don't be suffering.

Are you happy with the course you are doing?

SunnyDub1

Is it the college that has you down ?

TBH you might feel worse sitting around doing nothing, very hard to get work now. You should try not to put your life on hold. I don't think it's a good idea leaving college, but that's just my opinion.

have you talked to anyone else about this or have you spoken to a doctor ?

You should really speak to a doctor about how you are feeling.. He can advise you, and also maybe suggest medication.

Sleepy

It wasn't strictly for mental health reasons but I took a year out between my 2nd and final years of my undergraduate degree. It had gotten to the point where it was within a month or two of the Christmas exams of my final year and I knew I hadn't done a tap and was about to ruin my degree. I hadn't actually paid my registration fee for the year so I called into the faculty office and had a chat with them explaining there were some "family issues" (there were to be fair) and that I wasn't in a position to return to the course that year and would I be okay coming back the following September. They were totally sound about it and there was no problem whatsoever (though I was in Commerce, a course with huge numbers, it may be different if there are number pressures on your course e.g. lab spaces etc. and the year behind you is full). Because I hadn't yet paid the registration fee, I wasn't technically enrolled in the year so I was able to take the year out and come back the next year without having to pay any repeat fees.

For me, it was the right call. I'd have probably only graduated with a pass degree and would have had to do a fair few resits in the August if I hadn't done it and I came out with 2:1 the following year.

I would advise using the year to work your arse off and build a good warchest to let you tackle final year properly. Maybe try and get together enough cash during the year to let you travel for a month or so (or even the entire summer) before going back? Never doing the J1 or Interrailing thing during my college years is one of my larger regrets. I certainly regret that more than taking the year out. I wish I'd done more with the year out in general really as tbh, I just worked part-time jobs and went on the piss for the year.

LegacyUser

Thanks for the posts guys. Reassuring to say the least.

Anyway I think the course is interesting enough but just havent done anything to get involved with it at all. I'd love to go into the final year with a clear head and really have a go at it. Getting a job and saving up sounds pretty good, something to focus on I suppose.
Another obstacle will be telling my parents . The don't have a clue about the whole thing but hopefully they'll understand.