Should I quit my course? Anyone quit a course part way through?

[Shouldiquit]

I’m a quarter of the way through a 2 year course. And I’ve paid a fifth of the fees (I owe another fifth now-ish. I’m not sure if they’d chase me if I quit!).

I haven’t been enjoying it as much as I thought. I’m a mature student and I am doing the course as I wanted the change in career, but I loathe the essay writing that comes along with it (my scores are always fine though) and I don’t enjoy some of the lectures.

I do want the qualification. But am at an age where I don’t want to waste my life doing things I no longer enjoy. I feel like I put my education time in when I was young! I am qualified in another profession that pays relatively well, so I don’t need to do this career change.

Maybe it’s apathy caused by Covid, but I am not sure I want to keep going with the course or the stress of paying for it and doing the assignments for it. I don’t work, I study instead, and don’t like the lack of financial independence - DH pays for everything. We can afford this, but money is tight and I am not sure whether it’s worth it.

I keep intermittently wondering if the course was a mistake. And if so, do I want to spend more time and money on that mistake?

Although I’d feel a bit embarrassed about quitting if I do.

Anyone ever quit a course midway through? Did you regret it or were you relieved?

Abandoned my MSc as too difficult and the need for the qualification was lost. I got the boot from the job.
Level 4 Maths abandoned. The course was rubbish and again the work was coming to an end.
Luckily I didn't loose too much money.
Good luck

I am mid way through a vocational masters and a few people have quit or postponed it. Is it possible to interrupt for a year, so if you do want to go back then you can and if not you leave in a year?

What led you to want to do it, and is that interest still there?

purpleleotard are you glad you quit the MSc?

I am definitely not someone who makes a decision, walks away, and never second-guesses it again. I second-guess EVERYTHING. I am one of life’s ruminators! (But want to change that!)

@jendifer

I am mid way through a vocational masters and a few people have quit or postponed it. Is it possible to interrupt for a year, so if you do want to go back then you can and if not you leave in a year?

What led you to want to do it, and is that interest still there?

I could pause it after this first year, I think, but not at this point.

I wanted to be able to work abroad with this qualification, I have always wanted to live in another country. (This is a job that’s in demand abroad.) That hasn’t gone away, but I am not enjoying it all very much and I’m wondering how much I would actually enjoy the job - even if it did successfully take DH and I on the adventure of living abroad for a few years.

I would definitely not hate the job, but I don’t know if I’d love the job - if that makes sense.

I'm 5 years through a 6 year OU degree... The novelty wore off after two years but its a means to an end so I persist.

If you complete the first year will you receive an award ie HNC or HND? If so I'd see the year out so I hadn't wasted the money.

I wouldn’t have dared! My employer paid! The courses meant everything to me!

I’m very much paying, percy and it’s not cheap. Adding up how much I’m spending on it plus not earning while I’m doing it, and it will take me some time to make that money back in my new career.

If my employer were paying, and I wasn’t losing income by not working at the same time, I would carry on - albeit still not enjoying it terrifically - but would feel lucky to be invested in.

Have you researched which countries you can work in? As a lot have age restrictions

@Shouldiquit I think you need to decide whether this temporary boredom is worth the possibility of working abroad in future.

In your position I wouldn't quit, mainly because you don't seem to hate it, just are a bit bored and uninspired. Will you regret it if you quit and then you definitely can't work abroad?

@Cocopogo

Have you researched which countries you can work in? As a lot have age restrictions

This really depends on the job.

Interesting about age restrictions - I haven’t heard anything about it. I’m not under 30, but nowhere near retirement.

So tricky about if I’ll regret it if I quit. I might? I’m not sure if the relief of not having to do it anymore will win out. Maybe it is just boredom! Oh so difficult to know what to do!

I think @Cocopogo might have meant the young person's working visas? Most are under 30 or 35. But my parents worked around the world into their 70s so if you have a job that's willing to sponsor your or you have a job on a skills list then it's quite easy to get your working visa

I was thinking about in Australia the age limit is 45 on certain jobs but again depends on the employer.

That’s interesting, coco! I didn’t know that about Australia. I am under 45 though, and will be when my study is finished - only by a few years though! it’s not the country that we’re really hoping for, but I do like it over there.

Are you more likely to be accepted with your qualification than without? If so, that’s a reason to carry on. I think you owe it to yourself to carry on too.

I think paying for qualifications yourself does add an imperative to do well but you can do what you want with your own money. When it’s your employers money, it’s not for you to make choices. If you fail you pay it back. If you give up you pay it back! There’s also the added embarrassment! In some cases, being removed from the job too! Not qualified - no job. At least you don’t have that sword of Damaclese hanging over you.

I think you should plod on and complete it and see it as a path to something better. I don't think any education is wasted to be honest and you started it as you felt it will open more doors to you

I probably should plod on... I got an email about the end of zoom and the return of in person lessons and my heart sunk! I feel like a teenager dreading school and homework again!