What should I do? I don't feel passionate about my course do I drop out?

Mysteriouschic

I study IT and Business it's for a BA. I've started to realise I have no passion for the course. I used to think computers would be something I'd like to do . The only reason I chose it was because computers and business seemed interesting but couldn't decided which I preferred and because people kept telling thats what I should do. I only like the web design part of it and have no interest in the rest of the computer side as it's maths based and programming and I'm not the best at maths and repeated the LC last year because of maths. The business side I kind of prefer and I prefer the course work I'm just not good at remembering all the details when it comes to the exams but do well in the coursework. Still I'm more interested in business but I'm not passionate about it , it would be just to get a degree.

I got my results for this year I ailed two of my modules both computer based and mathesy. . Next year we do programming and it will have more maths I'm starting to feel I'm wasting my time when I can see myself running into many issues with these modules and I don't want to keep failing. Also I do poorly in exams and only just about pass even when I study hard I always get exam anxiety during exams and it happened during both the LCs. I feel like I'm just used to failing things at this stage . I've gotten really into fitness and enjoy it and spend so much more effort in that than my work . I've realised I enjoy things more when I'm actually doing something. I've always been good at swimming and a few family members have told me only got a few lessons but didn't do competitive swimming as I used to have a fear of deep water but I've overcome that years ago. I've enjoyed it ever since I was young. I've always enjoyed it and like encouraging people to swim. I'm half thinking I could become a swim instructor or something to do with swimming or maybe life guard.

I just really don't know what I want to do otherwise. If I was to switch courses I couldn't switch to business as they only have it in the honours level but not the bachelors and don't have the points. I'd have to do do the higher cert for 2 years then I progress into 2nd year of business. Do I just stay in this course?I just feel if I did drop out I'd be letting everyone down. Any advice?

Esoteric_

There tends to be a few posts a month about people being unhappy in college here on PI, so I'm going to give the advice that I should have followed myself when I was unhappy in my BA course when I was 17.

1. Figure out exactly what you want to do, and what you have passion for.

2. Research courses in this field, what level of qualification you'd need to persue a career in it, job opportunities in the field, how many years you'd need to be in college, ways of gaining practical experience, etc.

3. Finance. This is a biggie for a lot of people (it was for me, also). Can you realistically afford to go back to college to pursue another study option? If you drop out of college, you usually have to pay full fees for the year you dropped out, if I remember correctly. Can you afford to do this, or is there a way you can borrow the money and comfortably pay it back?

4. Pros and cons of dropping out of your current field of study. Can you stick it out? If you stick it out, can you get the grades required to gain your degree? If you drop out, will you be happier and feel better emotionally? Are you possibly just stuck in a rut at the moment? Do you think you'd regret dropping out? These are not questions you have to answer here, just questions you should ask yourself.

Ultimately, the choice is yours, but you need to be fully aware of the financial and emotional results of the choices you make. If you're really unhappy, then yes, leave if you feel you must, but have back up plans in place, so that you don't end up as just another statistic on the dole list.

I had just turned 17 when I started college, studying for a BA in Environmental Science. I had wanted to do Psychology, but my parents insisted I go with science on my CAO (I was 16 filling out my CAO, so kind of had to do what they said as they supported me financially), because I was really good at science.

I was never happy with my course. I may have been great at science in school, but the only part of science I liked was biology, specifically genetics. Something bad happened to me shortly after I started college, and I lost the plot emotionally, and became very mentally ill as a result of this and as a result of being a carer for my mum on top of college and the bad thing that happened to me. In a panic, I eventually dropped out of college, without thinking of the ramifications of my actions.

As a result, I didn't get back to college until last year (when I was 23) because I simply could not afford it until then. I've now got a cert in a field of study that I will not be pursuing a career in, but one that I felt would be beneficial in the field I'm going to study in (criminal psychology), so while it all worked out for me in the end (I start studying psych in September! ), it took a lot of time and tears to get to where I am now.

Because of what happened to me, i'd advise you to be fully prepared for all of the consequences of dropping out, BEFORE you drop out. Have plans in place for what you'll do after dropping out, and then make your decision.

I wish you the best of luck.

Mysteriouschic

I just really have no clue what I want to do. But I do know I don't really have any interest in anything academic based. BI do have a passion for swimming as I've always loved it but I probably won't become a competitive swimmer I may try it out though. But I'm starting to think I would enjoy helping people to be comfortable with the water or even teaching. Although I am slightly shy so I'm not sure if I'd be good at teaching. I do have savings so I wouldn't be too badly off and would be able to pay the fees back or even for a degree.

Even in my course I don't think I'm going to achieve a 2:1 or even a 2:2 going by exams I just can't seem to do well no matter how hard I try , and I can see myself failing the next years modules judging by the exams and content and I know I will not enjoy the modules. I know every course has modules you won't enjoy but I'm really not liking this course any more. At the start I did enjoy it this semester not so much and made me realise I'm not interested in it.

TEMPLAR KNIGHT

Ill just tell you my experiences on this subject. I started college in 2009 in a computer course I absolutely hated ended up cutting my losses as the mental torture of having this course for four years wrecked my head let alone the thoughts of the job, so I dropped out and got a job and also repeated French so I could get the language requirement the next year I did heaps of research and went back to do a course I liked fast forward 3 years and I'm heading into my final year and I could not be happier, dropping out was hell for me but one of the best decisions ever. However nobodies college course is perfect and everybody hates it at times, I think a lot of people including myself expect the college course they do to be perfect and like every aspect of it this dosent happen and I myself was nieve to believe that but the sooner I reliesed everyone else is in the same boat I felt better and settled in much better. Of course your situation may be different but that was my experience! Best of luck, nobody can tell you what you need to do but yourself

username123

Esoteric_ wrote: »

1. Figure out exactly what you want to do, and what you have passion for.

This is the hard part IMO. Im almost 40 now and I still dont know what I want to be when I grow up! I did my first degree when I left school in IT and then did a post grad too, and entered my career for the next 14 years. Ive no interest in my career despite being good at what I do.

I took up part time study in a completely different discipline a few years ago and now have another degree in something I like, but not really something that there are jobs in.

Out of a hobby I also started another degree in something that I think I probably would enjoy working at but I have put that on hold for now.

However, despite my lack of interest in my original stuff, it is a good way to pay the bills and always there to fall back on to earn money. Its also possible that if you get into a good workplace with nice people and opportunities to progress, your original degree can just be a door opener.

A lot of people suffer the "I dont know if I want to do this forever" while in college, but usually the reality of the job related to the degree is different to studying for the degree.

Life would be a lot easier if we all actually knew what we wanted to do but a lot of the time we have to try things out before we know. And as has been mentioned, there are aspects to all courses that are not fun.

Esoteric_

username123 wrote: »

This is the hard part IMO. Im almost 40 now and I still dont know what I want to be when I grow up! I did my first degree when I left school in IT and then did a post grad too, and entered my career for the next 14 years. Ive no interest in my career despite being good at what I do.

I took up part time study in a completely different discipline a few years ago and now have another degree in something I like, but not really something that there are jobs in.

Out of a hobby I also started another degree in something that I think I probably would enjoy working at but I have put that on hold for now.

However, despite my lack of interest in my original stuff, it is a good way to pay the bills and always there to fall back on to earn money. Its also possible that if you get into a good workplace with nice people and opportunities to progress, your original degree can just be a door opener.

A lot of people suffer the "I dont know if I want to do this forever" while in college, but usually the reality of the job related to the degree is different to studying for the degree.

Life would be a lot easier if we all actually knew what we wanted to do but a lot of the time we have to try things out before we know. And as has been mentioned, there are aspects to all courses that are not fun.

It's definitely the hardest part, it took me a good few years to be sure of what field of study I wanted to enter when I went back to college. It's something you have to think long and hard about, OP, even if that means taking a year out to think about your options.

Mysteriouschic

To be honest I think the only reason I am doing this course is for something to do because I had no idea what else I could do that was academic and the course seemed okay. And because everyone kept telling thats what I should do a business/computer course even though I didn't know which. Now I'm maybe thinking I don't want to do either. I also hate exams and don't perform well. When I enjoy something I put so much effort into it. I've looked at next semesters modules and exams and I know those are modules which I will hate. I've always known I was passionate about swimming just never done anything about it. Now I'm thinking maybe I want to instruct and take up competitive swimming in the mean time. I'm still thinking about it. I need to pay for my repeat exams soon I don't have the money for it when it's due I will next month. I'm not sure I should even repeat the exams. The course itself is to become a manager in IT. I remember the first day they said thats what the course is and I immediately thought I don't want to be a manager of a business.
I'm just worried if I do drop out my whole family will think I'm stupid that I should be in university . It's just so hard to decide what to do but the only thing I know I enjoy is swimming. I didn't actually know what I wanted to do before then , swimming has never cropped up in my mind until now. This could be me just reacting over failing the exams.

Esoteric_

Mysteriouschic wrote: »

To be honest I think the only reason I am doing this course is for something to do because I had no idea what else I could do that was academic and the course seemed okay. And because everyone kept telling thats what I should do a business/computer course even though I didn't know which. Now I'm maybe thinking I don't want to do either. I also hate exams and don't perform well. When I enjoy something I put so much effort into it. I've looked at next semesters modules and exams and I know those are modules which I will hate. I've always known I was passionate about swimming just never done anything about it. Now I'm thinking maybe I want to instruct and take up competitive swimming in the mean time. I'm still thinking about it. I need to pay for my repeat exams soon I don't have the money for it when it's due I will next month. I'm not sure I should even repeat the exams. The course itself is to become a manager in IT. I remember the first day they said thats what the course is and I immediately thought I don't want to be a manager of a business.

If you don't want to be in an academic field, that's fine! Not everybody wants to go down the academic route.

I have a friend who is a swimming instructor and lifeguard, and she's getting great work from it, although not in Ireland, she has been offered jobs in Malta and a few other places, and has been working around the world.

So, I'd suggest that you read up on what you need to do to qualify to be an instructor, figure out if you can afford to do it financially, and go for it if it all works out!

username123

Esoteric_ wrote: »

It's something you have to think long and hard about, OP, even if that means taking a year out to think about your options.

^^This.

A year now could save you years of not being interested in what you do.

I would say that a lot people fall into their degree for the sake of it or because they didnt know what to pick or their parents suggested it or because it seemed like it would be ok.

Not everyone is suited to a "business" career.

The manager in IT thing really resonates with me - thats what my postgrad was in - Ive no interest in being a manager in IT either. Ive successfully avoided it for years now by sliding into a more technical direction within the career.

Mysteriouschic

username123 wrote: »

^^This.

A year now could save you years of not being interested in what you do.

I would say that a lot people fall into their degree for the sake of it or because they didnt know what to pick or their parents suggested it or because it seemed like it would be ok.

Not everyone is suited to a "business" career.

The manager in IT thing really resonates with me - thats what my postgrad was in - Ive no interest in being a manager in IT either. Ive successfully avoided it for years now by sliding into a more technical direction within the career.

Yeah thats what my course is for but it isn't what I want to do. I was thinking just to stay and then get into something else as it is quite a varied course. I only liked the web design but I hate java. The business side if I did switch I don't know if I'd like that it'd would just be a course with more theory. I don't think I enjoy endless hours of learning I find it all boring that I'm just doing it for the sake of thinking I need a degree to succeed in life.

Mysteriouschic

I'm just wondering now I have repeat exams don't have enough to cover the fees until next month and don't know if i'm interested in it anymore. I don't know if I should pay it and see how I feel after those exams or just drop out instead of wasting money. I have a think about it anyway. I haven't told family or anyone that I've failed yet as I just want to think about it first. Or should I continue the course until I've decided exactly what I want to do but I still need to sit those exams.

Mysteriouschic

I'm mostly worried about regretting the decision and moving to something else then realising I don't want to do it.

Mysteriouschic

The more I think about it the more I am realising maybe university life is not for me. That I just had no idea what I wanted to do and I may have discovered what I do want to do.
I've noticed when people say things like they don't know how to swim or they're scared the first thing I think of is I'd love to help you. But do I still sit my repeat exams just in case and maybe see if I can defer a year to fully decide?

kjl

Hi there,

I work as a software developer for a large multinational company. My first year in college I ended up repeating because I slacked off and didn't really focus. On my second time around I knew that programming was a bit part of the course so I really focused on it.

I went to extra classes on Java programming and bit by bit it just clicked. Once I was started you couldn't stop me. I wrote very complicated programs which I would have thought impossible the years before and now I am paid very well to develop software. In fact one of the programs I wrote is being used by about 50,000 people.

I know it's daunting at the start, but the mathematics part is really not as bad as you think it is, certainly easier than leaving cert maths.

The weird thing about programming is that it doesn't make sense until one day it clicks and you get it.

Have you thought about getting grinds in the subject?

Mysteriouschic

kjl wrote: »

Hi there,

I work as a software developer for a large multinational company. My first year in college I ended up repeating because I slacked off and didn't really focus. On my second time around I knew that programming was a bit part of the course so I really focused on it.

I went to extra classes on Java programming and bit by bit it just clicked. Once I was started you couldn't stop me. I wrote very complicated programs which I would have thought impossible the years before and now I am paid very well to develop software. In fact one of the programs I wrote is being used by about 50,000 people.

I know it's daunting at the start, but the mathematics part is really not as bad as you think it is, certainly easier than leaving cert maths.

The weird thing about programming is that it doesn't make sense until one day it clicks and you get it.

Have you thought about getting grinds in the subject?

The programming won't be til next semester. I did get help with the modules we had a module called architecture. My lecture was also awful I could never understand the whole class thought it. I did go to help classes everytime I think I've understood it something goes wrong. I'm not too sure I want to to computers. I didn't realise how much maths would be on the course thought it would be more business orientated.

Mysteriouschic

I'm having second thoughts about dropping it if the swimming thing doesn't work out.
I also have an interest in business but I don't want to study for a degree in it.
Am I setting myself up for failure ? Can you get into business without a degree in business ?
I'd rather work on skills development .
And I know people who's had to go back to college in order to get work.

username123

What do you mean by "get into business"? Can you be more specific?

Mysteriouschic

username123 wrote: »

What do you mean by "get into business"? Can you be more specific?

I mean like the sort of jobs you get in business like sales or marketing or even get some sort of internship.

username123

Mysteriouschic wrote: »

I mean like the sort of jobs you get in business like sales or marketing or even get some sort of internship.

Ok - thanks for the clarification. The answer is, there will be tons of people trying to get into those kinds of roles who have a degree.

I have a good friend who got a sales and marketing job and was told upfront that she would never progress past the most junior position unless she went back and got her degree (which she did).

There will be older people with no degree in business, but in the past 2 decades it has become the "norm" to have a degree for that kind of a job.

Mysteriouschic

username123 wrote: »

Ok - thanks for the clarification. The answer is, there will be tons of people trying to get into those kinds of roles who have a degree.

I have a good friend who got a sales and marketing job and was told upfront that she would never progress past the most junior position unless she went back and got her degree (which she did).

There will be older people with no degree in business, but in the past 2 decades it has become the "norm" to have a degree for that kind of a job.

Oh right I'm not sure I entirely want to do business anyway that was just a second thought as to have other plans in mind. I do like the idea of business , I may find it boring I'm not sure I want that kind of a job. Even something in admin still that could be boring.
Or are there any other vocational kind of careers that involving doing things?
I want one I'll enjoy at the same time which is why I thought about possibly swimming although I can be quiet but confident at times. I don't know if I'd be good at teaching. I wouldn't mind something in writing like a journalist.

username123

Mysteriouschic wrote: »

Oh right I'm not sure I entirely want to do business anyway that was just a second thought as to have other plans in mind. I do like the idea of business , I may find it boring I'm not sure I want that kind of a job. Even something in admin still that could be boring.
Or are there any other vocational kind of careers that involving doing things?
I want one I'll enjoy at the same time which is why I thought about possibly swimming although I can be quiet but confident at times. I don't know if I'd be good at teaching. I wouldn't mind something in writing like a journalist.

My advice to you would be to do a very broad degree or diploma. Something that doesnt narrow your choices too much. That way, its there if you need it, but you are not locked into something you hate. Mostly I think you need to step back and really consider what you want to.

I think most office jobs get boring and samey for people after a while.

Mysteriouschic

I just thought I'd give this an update. I spent ages thinking and came to the conclusion that I want to try out swim instructing and journalism. My skills are writing, a curious mind , research skills , good at swimming. English was my favourite subject. My teachers commented all the time about how good I was at english. They all said I worked hard when really it's always just come naturally to me. When I put effort in I was much better.
I went into the completely wrong course which requires problem solving , maths ability . Someone recently said they think I have a flair for writing that I am good at organising my thoughts. I don't know why I went for a course that is completely not in my ability. It was just the pressure everyone telling me to do that course, and that I was good at it.
I'd only dismissed other courses I hadn't ever looked into journalism only english and decided promptly that wasn't for me that I like english but I don't want to teach it or study it in university.

What I will probably do now is look into journalism to see what is required and give that a go. Also try the swim assistant teacher courses and see how it goes but first get some swim lessons again to make sure I'm performing correctly. I did email a counsellor in university but I think I've figured out for myself what I'm interested in. I will drop out .

Does this seem like a logical option?

ivytwine

Hey mysterious chic, as a journalism graduate I thought I'd post. I'd advise you to think long and very hard about a career in journalism. I don't mean to sound discouraging, but media in Ireland is really in crisis at the moment. It's generally unpaid internships and job bridge and if you don't have a real love for it, or don't mind working for free or plenty of rejection, you're gonna find it really hard.

If it's something you want to do then go for it. Be aware that there are hundreds of young grads in Ireland struggling to make a career of it, and you're going to have to be very dogged to succeed, as well having luck on your side.

Swimming seems to be something you're really passionate about, and bear in mind (as far as I know) you don't need 4 years in college to become an instructor. It's also something that can take you anywhere in the world: imagine taking people diving on The Gold Coast or Greek islands (sigh, just dreaming on this horrible day!) I also was reading stuff about cadetships in the Irish navy, would that be something that interests you?

Bear in mind you could run a blog with a swim career, another way to get your writing noticed!

Mysteriouschic

ivytwine wrote: »

Hey mysterious chic, as a journalism graduate I thought I'd post. I'd advise you to think long and very hard about a career in journalism. I don't mean to sound discouraging, but media in Ireland is really in crisis at the moment. It's generally unpaid internships and job bridge and if you don't have a real love for it, or don't mind working for free or plenty of rejection, you're gonna find it really hard.

If it's something you want to do then go for it. Be aware that there are hundreds of young grads in Ireland struggling to make a career of it, and you're going to have to be very dogged to succeed, as well having luck on your side.

Swimming seems to be something you're really passionate about, and bear in mind (as far as I know) you don't need 4 years in college to become an instructor. It's also something that can take you anywhere in the world: imagine taking people diving on The Gold Coast or Greek islands (sigh, just dreaming on this horrible day!) I also was reading stuff about cadetships in the Irish navy, would that be something that interests you?

Bear in mind you could run a blog with a swim career, another way to get your writing noticed!

Yeah I'm considering both. I was thinking a career in journalism could be hard.
Would you say it would be easier in England? They have a nctj course which seems to be very good over there. I wouldn't mind moving I would still be able do swimming there as well as they need the same qualifications to teach.

ivytwine

Mysteriouschic wrote: »

Yeah I'm considering both. I was thinking a career in journalism could be hard.
Would you say it would be easier in England? They have a nctj course which seems to be very good over there. I wouldn't mind moving I would still be able do swimming there as well as they need the same qualifications to teach.

Yes there definitely seems to be more opportunities over there, especially in broadcast. I was considering heading there myself but have decided to do tefl!

That's the beauty of both of those ideas, you can do either all over the world

Mysteriouschic

ivytwine wrote: »

Yes there definitely seems to be more opportunities over there, especially in broadcast. I was considering heading there myself but have decided to do tefl!

That's the beauty of both of those ideas, you can do either all over the world

Thanks,
I saw a freelance course in the British college of journalism the nctj seems hard to get into.
I already spend a lot of time on different forums and review things occasionally or comment. I did do a write up earlier just on my laptop I didn't post it about my thoughts and feelings and decided to write it as if I was writing it to inspire people on my experience. I don't know how good it is. I set up a blog I may post it there. I could send you the link if you want?
It would be nice to see an outside view.

How do you recommend I try and start journalism? Should I start by blogging personal thoughts? or review different things?

Should I try any plc courses here or just try England?
I won't go over straight away will focus on the swimming first and in the middle of learning how to drive and I need a full license before I move . If I do and need to fully decide. At least if I have the swimming covered I can go in between the two.

ivytwine

Mysteriouschic wrote: »

Thanks,
I saw a freelance course in the British college of journalism the nctj seems hard to get into.
I already spend a lot of time on different forums and review things occasionally or comment. I did do a write up earlier just on my laptop I didn't post it about my thoughts and feelings and decided to write it as if I was writing it to inspire people on my experience. I don't know how good it is. I set up a blog I may post it there. I could send you the link if you want?
It would be nice to see an outside view.

How do you recommend I try and start journalism? Should I start by blogging personal thoughts? or review different things?

Should I try any plc courses here or just try England?
I won't go over straight away will focus on the swimming first and in the middle of learning how to drive and I need a full license before I move . If I do and need to fully decide. At least if I have the swimming covered I can go in between the two.

I'm not sure how the mods feel about links but if they're ok with it you could link it here?

I think a blog is a good way to start. You can do reviews, write about news that tickles your fancy, whatever. There's a lot of ways to connect to other bloggers. There's a Facebook group called Irish Bloggers (can't link I'm on mobile!) which you can join. We had a tweet-up there last Friday and we got #irishblogs trending on twitter for a bit which was good. Take advantage of those things, people you talk to on twitter, boards can provide good contacts. In my former incarnation here I got talking to someone from rte.

I've never heard of that UK course tbh but I believe they are a bit less qualification based in general over there. I did my MA in NUIG and I wouldn't recommend it to be blunt. You can do 3 or 4 years undergrad in UL, DCU or DIT or a MA but you'll need to finish your course for that. Then there are a few plc ones in Ireland, and then there's Griffith which is another good option.

It's less about the course and more about the contacts you make and opportunities you make for yourself. For example approach your local newspaper, approach websites which are open to contributors and offer your services. If you do stay in college get involved with the college paper or radio station.

Getting your licence is a great idea. I've missed out on three jobs this year cos I can't pass that fecking test!

Mysteriouschic

ivytwine wrote: »

I'm not sure how the mods feel about links but if they're ok with it you could link it here?

I think a blog is a good way to start. You can do reviews, write about news that tickles your fancy, whatever. There's a lot of ways to connect to other bloggers. There's a Facebook group called Irish Bloggers (can't link I'm on mobile!) which you can join. We had a tweet-up there last Friday and we got #irishblogs trending on twitter for a bit which was good. Take advantage of those things, people you talk to on twitter, boards can provide good contacts. In my former incarnation here I got talking to someone from rte.

I've never heard of that UK course tbh but I believe they are a bit less qualification based in general over there. I did my MA in NUIG and I wouldn't recommend it to be blunt. You can do 3 or 4 years undergrad in UL, DCU or DIT or a MA but you'll need to finish your course for that. Then there are a few plc ones in Ireland, and then there's Griffith which is another good option.

It's less about the course and more about the contacts you make and opportunities you make for yourself. For example approach your local newspaper, approach websites which are open to contributors and offer your services. If you do stay in college get involved with the college paper or radio station.

Getting your licence is a great idea. I've missed out on three jobs this year cos I can't pass that fecking test!

I sent a pm thanks.

Mysteriouschic

I have some other thoughts about maybe fashion or being an editor or copywriting. All the things I'm interested in seem to be the careers that are hard to get into. Anything involving writing.

Mysteriouschic

I've had a few more realistic thoughts maybe trying marketing and get into advertising I know I like being creative coming up with different ideas, I'd be able to do some writing in that. I just have a fear of picking the wrong thing and ending up in this situation again.

username123

Mysteriouschic wrote: »

I just have a fear of picking the wrong thing and ending up in this situation again.

Thats why youre better off with a broad degree or qualification, not too specialised.

You should make a list of all the things you think you might like doing, and then research the career paths in and try to talk to people (like here) who do them for a living to get a proper insight.

Mysteriouschic

username123 wrote: »

Thats why youre better off with a broad degree or qualification, not too specialised.

You should make a list of all the things you think you might like doing, and then research the career paths in and try to talk to people (like here) who do them for a living to get a proper insight.

Thanks for the all the help.
I've put together a list although there is a slight problem I didn't achieve high points in the LC. I'm limited in what I can do. I may pay for a course.

Strengths
- English
- Writing
- Creative and like coming up with ideas
- Open minded
- Flexible
- Swimming
- Curious
- Good at seeing the big picture
- Researching

Weaknesses
- Maths(anything involving it)
- Problem solving
- Not the most confident but I am working on it.
- Languages (mainly French) but I like Spanish

Courses I have in mind.
Journalism & Media , Marketing/advertising/sales
Careers:Copywriter , editor , writer ,journalist , advertisor , market researcher or swim instructor or lifeguard

I do feel like I want to do the journalism the most even though it's tough or advertising there was a thing we did on my multimedia module where we had to come up with a product/service. I really enjoyed that something that would get me into advertising/copywriting.
I just feel I'd enjoy it and my heart would be in the course. I'm missing English a lot not being able to write .

Mrs Garth Brooks

I think you should do whatever you really really want to do. Dont ask for advice of anyone, just do whatever you want and whatever it takes to get it.

I remember when I finished school, I went with a course I thought I wanted to do. I was in the middle of second year when I realised that I didnt really want to continue. I still liked the course so I continued. I was in third year and my final year and I hated it. I continued on and finished the course cause I didnt know what else to do.

Finishing the course was the biggest mistake of my life. I didnt realise if I dropped out and after 5 years and I would be entitled to free fees.

Because I finished and got the piece of paper for my time, I have to pay full fees. I can never afford college here and for the course I want it will cost over 10k a year and living expenses and multiply that by four. Anyway I did a FETAC course which was €600 a year for two years and living expenses, so not too bad. There's loads of work in England and I have been applying. Once I get a years experience, I can apply for a degree which can be done part time (full time here) and its cheaper. So i'll get there eventually.

So there's positives to dropping out if you wanted, mainly financial after 5 years, thats if the government doesnt bring back fees.

Mysteriouschic

I found this course but I'll have to pay for I'd have the money it seems interesting it's an evening course. http://www.cmi-ireland.com/journalism-media-diploma-courses

It seems the only option for me too as I don't have the points to get into a good course in it and I didn't get the best english grade even though I am capable of a high grade I just get anxiety in exams.
I've also written a blog to see about this whole experience. I reckon I will try out journalism even if it doesn't work out at least I can say I tried .

Mysteriouschic

Think I've came up with a solution. At first I was going to go back and try out a plc in marketing to get into this course in marketing and advertising but I know it involves lots of statistics and I hate maths. So I'm a little apprehensive about doing that. I emailed but I'd need to enrol tomorrow. I was going to but I thought I maybe be making a irrational decision. Here's the idea. I'll see if I can defer second year for this year. I'll take a year out and try out this part time journalism course in the evening . I'll also try the swimming teacher thing out. If I decide I hate it or it doesn't work out . I go back and complete my course. I honestly feel like I need a break anyway I always get so much pressure to do well in exams and get anxiety. I already repeated the leaving cert to get into college. Maybe I just need some time out to try other things out.
That way the door is still open to go back next year and I haven't completely dropped out.
Does this sound more of a logical solution?

Mysteriouschic

Thanks for all the help everyone decided I'm going to do a plc in marketing & advertising to get into a marketing & advertising course. It seems the best option and I started to think journalism is uncertain if you will get a job or not. Marketing will still allow me to be creative and I find it interesting. My family may not like my choice to drop out but I'm sticking with this decision.

ivytwine

Hey mysterious chic, I was working loads the last few days so only replying now (the joys of a journalism MA, you get a job in a shop if you're lucky ). Think deferring is a good idea, will give you scope to try different things. There's a lot of crossover between pr and journalism, so it could open up lots of things!

Keep up the blogging anyway and best of luck

Mysteriouschic

Mysteriouschic wrote: »

I'm just wondering now I have repeat exams don't have enough to cover the fees until next month and don't know if i'm interested in it anymore. I don't know if I should pay it and see how I feel after those exams or just drop out instead of wasting money. I have a think about it anyway. I haven't told family or anyone that I've failed yet as I just want to think about it first. Or should I continue the course until I've decided exactly what I want to do but I still need to sit those exams.

Repeat the module you failed and then you will have pass first year at least,it will stand to you if you go back to college, Take a year out and work get some money together, and then do sports management and concentrate on you swimming.

Mysteriouschic

I spoke to the college counsellor she's going to get me to talk to someone in the learning support there. Also that she said it's probably best I don't do marketing as thats what she did and that there are other ways to get into marketing and my course would allow me to get into marketing and that if I want to switch out of my course she said maybe business would be best rather than marketing. But I should get help now and pass this year and see if I can do an internal transfer and also email the course in marketing in another college that I'm interested in to find out how many credits would be needed to transfer if thats able. So everyone is pretty much telling me to stay in this course and just get help and support. Even though I have no passion and don't want to study computers anymore don't know if I am willing to spend all that time and effort in. I really want to do marketing I would consider business too. I'm just not interesting in programming or any of that. I will repeat the exams though. I just think I'll find business boring but I find marketing more interesting. I might still study marketing if able to maybe I should just make a decision on what I want rather than what others are telling me.

Overheal

Esoteric_ wrote: »

There tends to be a few posts a month about people being unhappy in college here on PI, so I'm going to give the advice that I should have followed myself when I was unhappy in my BA course when I was 17.

1. Figure out exactly what you want to do, and what you have passion for.

2. Research courses in this field, what level of qualification you'd need to persue a career in it, job opportunities in the field, how many years you'd need to be in college, ways of gaining practical experience, etc.

3. Finance. This is a biggie for a lot of people (it was for me, also). Can you realistically afford to go back to college to pursue another study option? If you drop out of college, you usually have to pay full fees for the year you dropped out, if I remember correctly. Can you afford to do this, or is there a way you can borrow the money and comfortably pay it back?

4. Pros and cons of dropping out of your current field of study. Can you stick it out? If you stick it out, can you get the grades required to gain your degree? If you drop out, will you be happier and feel better emotionally? Are you possibly just stuck in a rut at the moment? Do you think you'd regret dropping out? These are not questions you have to answer here, just questions you should ask yourself.

Ultimately, the choice is yours, but you need to be fully aware of the financial and emotional results of the choices you make. If you're really unhappy, then yes, leave if you feel you must, but have back up plans in place, so that you don't end up as just another statistic on the dole list.

I had just turned 17 when I started college, studying for a BA in Environmental Science. I had wanted to do Psychology, but my parents insisted I go with science on my CAO (I was 16 filling out my CAO, so kind of had to do what they said as they supported me financially), because I was really good at science.

I was never happy with my course. I may have been great at science in school, but the only part of science I liked was biology, specifically genetics. Something bad happened to me shortly after I started college, and I lost the plot emotionally, and became very mentally ill as a result of this and as a result of being a carer for my mum on top of college and the bad thing that happened to me. In a panic, I eventually dropped out of college, without thinking of the ramifications of my actions.

As a result, I didn't get back to college until last year (when I was 23) because I simply could not afford it until then. I've now got a cert in a field of study that I will not be pursuing a career in, but one that I felt would be beneficial in the field I'm going to study in (criminal psychology), so while it all worked out for me in the end (I start studying psych in September! ), it took a lot of time and tears to get to where I am now.

Because of what happened to me, i'd advise you to be fully prepared for all of the consequences of dropping out, BEFORE you drop out. Have plans in place for what you'll do after dropping out, and then make your decision.

I wish you the best of luck.

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