picked the wrong college course and now I'm stuck

frankieh

I hate my college course. Loathe it and it's making me feel like a failure at life. I'm 20, in first year (did TY and repeated hence why I'm old for a first year) and studying Classics in TCD. I love Dublin and made great friends on the course but it just isn't for me. I had no idea what I wanted to study when I left school and so thought an arts degree would be the way to go due to how broad it is and the options I can undertake afterwards. After completing an internship (the summer after repeating my LC and after the CAO forms had been filled out) in a company shadowing a HR manager; I have realised that this is the job I ultimately want to pursue. I have looked into the DCU Business course with a years paid internship and think this could suit me. I told my parents about this and well let's just say World War Three almost erupted. They can't seem to fathom why I would want to leave Trinity. Although they are in a financially stable situation to help pay for me to change course they keep telling me I can always complete a HR postgrad and the Trinity degree will stand by me for life. I can't bare to see this course through for another three years. Does having a Trinity degree really hold you in that much regard to employers? This situation is really depressing me to the point where I am barely sleeping at night worrying about this course that I am stuck in. I really don't want to let my nan, grandad, aunts etc. down because they were all so elated that I got into Trinity. None of my family made it to university level so going to trinity is kind of a big deal to them. Do you think I should ignore the advice of my parents and go down the business route? Should I stick out the arts degree? I know I will feel like such a failure if I drop out and I feel such guilt with the amount of money my parents have put into accommodation, books etc.

Sorry this seems like one big rant but I would like to just hear the opinions from an outsiders prospective? Does anyone know anyone who went to DCU and what they thought of the business course? Do you think 24/25 is too old to leave college? Also, does it look bad on a CV if an employer finds out you dropped out of a college course?

Thanks in advance

dixiefly

I have a daughter in college and there are many students who are unsure of or have issues with the courses they are on.

In my opinion you are better off quitting the course after 1st year and transferring to the course in DCU or perhaps BESS in TCD. I say that as the govt pay a portion of the fees and only do it once for you so if you start again, you will have to pay the full fees for the 1st year as opposed to all 3 or 4.

I am unsure if there are many business masters courses that you can do after an arts degree, you need to check that out.

Another option for you is to investigate what your options as a mature student are,check what age can you go to college as a mature student. It might mean quitting and getting a job for a while.

Remember, the important thing is the relevance and standard of the course you are doing not whether it is TCD or DCU etc.

My advice is to channel your energies into getting the facts regarding above, decide what you want to do and approach your parents having got your facts. Perhaps if some relative who knows a bit about this type of thing could give you some support. Your parents may not be aware that this happens to many student.

VandC

Sounds like snobbery to me with regards to the whole Trinity bit. Follow your heart, ultimately I'm sure your parents want you to be happy and by the sounds of it you won't be if you continue doing what you're doing.

Are degrees from different colleges held in different regard? Honestly, who knows? Maybe it does but I've heard more people slag off ITs but that doesn't make them right. I would have thought that a perspective employer would be more interested in what you studied, and it's relevance. I think a degree from DCU in HR would stand to you more than arts in Trinity if HR is the area you want to work in.

You mention a postgraduate too. Is this something you want to do straight away? Not sure if what you studied as an undergraduate will have any impact on your application on this especially if you haven't worked in the area and are going straight from undergraduate to postgraduate.

At the end of the day you are not the first and won't be the last to have picked a course you hate. I think it's a very big decision at such a young age. You're lucky that you now know what you want to do and you can make that yours. They say if you love your work you will never work a day in your life. I wouldn't know unfortunately but I can tell you there is nothing worse than doing something you hate. And if you know you want out now it's not going to get easier if you stay doing what you're doing.

I don't envy you, and the pressure you're family are putting you under but you are the adult and this is you're life. Pursue your dreams and aspirations,if that's what you want to do of course! :-) Good luck with whatever you decide.

Triceratops Ballet

op I dropped out of TSM in trinity after 2nd year (over 10 years ago) and it has never held me back as far as employment was concerned.

To me going to Trinity was a big deal and I was in the first generation of my family to go to college, but when I looked at it logically I knew the course wouldnt stand to me and that I could go on to do a part time degree that more closely matched my aspirations.

I get that sometimes the idea of Trinity can be seductive, and the history and "prestige" can seem like reasons to stay. But they aren't tangible things in the long run. If you're not happy there how well can you imagine yourself doing in your final results. If you stayed and were this stressed and ungappy the whole way through it will effect what grade of degree you leave with. You have a better chance of doing well in a course you enjoy and can see a future for yourself in.

Grandpa Hassan

You say your parents can afford it, so is there a more relevant course in Trinity that you can swicth to (like BESS, as someone suggested), then do your masters in DCU.

As for Trinity the Trinity name, I think it depends if you see yourself going overseas to work. Trinity is an internationally known name, and would undoubtedly be of benefit over DCU if looking for work in america, europe, or even London. Wouldn't make any difference in Ireland though

Lux23

I think you should go about applying for the courses anyway and then maybe look at getting a job so you could pay for the fees yourself? I know that is easier said than done, but you do have the internship behind you.

kjl

I think you should book an appointment with the guidance counsellor in Trinity. Tell her that you are unhappy in your current course and see if you could maybe transfer to BESS.

I went to Trinity and while it's a great college I don't agree with you parents. When I apply for jobs they look at my work experience and my degree is inconsequential. But I did have a lot of fun in there and while a part time degree might seem great the stress will build up.

Polka_Dot

Trinity goes have a good name, but I'd imagine an employer would be more impressed with a relevant degree (with a one year paid internship) from another college than they would be with an irrelevant degree from Trinity. Don't stick it out if you don't want to. Trinity does have a good reputation but it can also be a lonely, isolating college. You sound like you'd be much happier if you went to DCU next year.

diograis

trinity dropout after 1 year here, now happily studying what i want in UCC. It's doable, if you really want it go for it OP.