DS on the verge of leaving university now just before the end of the first year...

[Bluebell66]

My DS, 19, is studying for a degree in Media and Journalism. He is nearly at the end of the first year. He has Aspergers, is socially isolated and suffering from severe depression and anxiety. Three years ago he is his Dad to Cancer.

He has reached rock bottom and simply feels unable to go on, which means he will not complete Year 1 of his three year course.

Is there anything to be gained in completing even just one year of a degree course, will it benefit him in anyway in the future, or will it be meaningless?

He's pretty sure he doesn't want to continue with the course after this year.

Thank you in advance for any information or advice.

That is probably for the best. If he can just struggle through years 2 and 3 as well at least he will have a degree. He might find he feels happier over the summer and goes back in October feeling better about it all.

Thank you Letty. He's just started some new medication and is starting CBT sessions on Friday, so I'm just praying these, in combination, will help him to become stronger. The struggles he has had trying to live with Aspergers have been enormous, then losing his Dad, who was also his best friend, has proved unbearable for him. I'm so proud of all that he has achieved so far.

If he isn't into the course, he should find out about diplomas/credits and stick it to the end of the year when he can consider it a clean break but with something to carry forward/put on his cv.
I left after first year, got a journalism job immediately, enjoyed that for a while (10years) and left when things were getting very bleak - redundancies etc - and moved into a career using similar skills. Twenty years on, I'm still sure leaving uni was right for me so don't feel it is a missed opportunity for your son.

Aah, I see now I'm a bit late to this thread! Sorry.

That's ok Bug, I really appreciate your input and experience, thank you.

He's done really well and it would be better if he could stick it for the 3 years really. Having the summer to relax a bit and get the right medication, hope the CBT works well etc might well help. I do a lot of writing and publishing and it should be a good career for him particularly if he has specific expertise as he seems to have with cars. He could perhaps do some writing over the summer.

I'm pleased to hear that your DS completed the year, and hope that the new medication and CBT therapy will help him to complete the course. Sounds like you can be very, very proud of him, and I hope he is proud of himself too.

Thank you Letty and Leeds. I have suggested to him about doing some writing over the summer Letty, but I think he just needs some down time to recover a bit from the stress of the last few months. I am very, very proud of him Leeds, I know he's my son, but he's such a lovely boy and he's been so strong. It breaks my heart every day to see him so isolated. I just live in hope that things will change for him at some point. He's been dealt some cruel blows, having to live with Aspergers, being bullied relentlessly at school and then losing his beloved Dad, it's so hard.