drop out?

[GAJ20]

I started uni 3 weeks ago and I’m struggling to decide what to think of it. I took 2 gap years prior to joining and in those 2 years was working full time in the job I’d dreamt of doing since I was 16 (with horses). I literally would sit in school longing for the day when I could do it. When the end of my 2nd yr off came about I was heartbroken but felt I had to go to uni as had a place on a great course. To be honest I never really wanted to go.

3 weeks in and I miss my old job so much. I miss the life at home I had created when working (friends, hobbies, boyfriend etc) which can’t be replicated at uni due to the long contact hours on my course. I hate the style of uni life, I am a sociable person and like going out but I also like to be busy, not feeling trapped and constantly drinking, sleeping and going to lectures.

I am not sure whether I have chosen the correct degree or not. I’m not hating it but I’m not loving it and it’s so hard to be motivated to work for something when you know you could be off doing the job you’ve always wanted to do elsewhere. I have missed most of my lectures as I feel no motivation towards them and feel I am forced to be there. I am not at all against doing a degree, I think if I were not to it would be silly as I worked hard to get decent a level results and I know the job I rlly want to be doing isn’t sustainable/ can’t be done forever.
I just don’t know whether now is the time but also feel now HAS to be the time. I’ve been coming home most weekends (I know people say you shouldn’t but I lived away from home for 8 months doing the same job… I’m not homesick I just get to do the things I want when I’m at home at the weekends!) and the highlight of my week is driving back.

If I could commute I think I would be happy, as could live the best of both worlds but my uni is too far to do that.

I was wondering if anyone has any advice? Should I stay? Would it be stupid to drop out and reapply? Would I be too old? Sorry for the essay… I’m struggling to get my head around it all.

Hi Op,

This job (for some reason I’m imagining horses…) is it something that you could have a career in long term? Does it pay well etc? Obviously it’s fine not to go to uni but if it’s not a realistic long term earner you do need to think about the future. What might you wish you had done if you looked back in 10 years time?

Uni has loads of long holidays so you’ll have lots of time going back. Can you work over summers and in the hols? Could you not look for a similar job where your uni is?

3 weeks isn’t very long, surely lectures have only really just started? I get why you are struggling - very difficult to say what’s best. I loved uni and really enjoyed the independence and it was quite a special time really, but I know it’s not for everyone.

Can you get the job back? If yes then go back. If it was your dream job then what do you need uni for?

Its only been 3 weeks
Give it a bit more time - see how you feel by the end of the semester
Change, even good change, can be hard. Think of it long term and remember why you wanted to do it in the first place xx

This job (for some reason I’m imagining horses…) is it something that you could have a career in long term?

Either you're psychic or you read the OP.

Thank you for your response! it is possible to work in the job longer term though it’s a very physical job, 6 days- 7 days a week and early mornings. The pay isn’t great and whilst I know people who make it work it wouldn’t be ideal. I think that I’m struggling to take my mind off the fact it’s what I want to be doing right now. I really really want to progress in the job and it’s best to do that when you are younger. By no means am I against getting a degree… i just wish I could do it in a few more years:(

😂😂 I even read it again to check she didn’t say what it was and couldn’t see that. In my defence it was 2.30am!

I think the main issue is I really want to have a go at progressing in that line of work (horses… correct!) and the prime time to do that is when you are my age. I think that’s what I’m finding hardest, you’re definitely right I could do the job in the holidays but to get to where I would love to be in the sport it needs to be an everyday thing. I went into uni hoping to keep it up alongside however my course is so intense it isn’t viable to go off and do what I want to do and make it back in time for lectures etc. If you do well in the sport it can definitely be a good money earner but it’s a risk. It honestly isn’t something I do want to do for the rest of my life, I think realistically the long days and weeks in comparison to pay is brutal but right now it’s what I really want to be doing. I would love to get a degree later in life (the next 2-4 years) once I’ve given it a proper shot.

thank you for your reply!! Good to hear many other peoples opinions:)

Life is too short to be unhappy, go be happy, go work with horses. Very very few adore their job like you do. Go do it.
Universities and degrees will always be there. Plenty of mature students either ‘go’ to uni full time (often stay in accom with other mature students) or study degrees online or attend alongside their work. I did my first degree when I was 28/29 - online distance learning and it really wasn’t a big deal.
Im not sure how leaving uni will affect the financial side of things - your student loan, fees and accom so speak to someone asap.
Good luck

I’m wondering why you left the job for uni in the first place - parental pressure?
You’re not giving uni 100% and I really think you need to give your horse career a good proper shot before you’ll be in the right mindset to then give Uni / a degree a fair go. It sounds like you haven’t spent long enough to ascertain if the horse career will work out for you. Does the degree help this career - fast track or anything. Or is it quite different?
Could you do the degree part time & at a uni nearer home so you can carry on working?

Could you do an OU degree at home over a longer period and keep your job?