23 Mar 2020

Darling, you got to let me know. Should I stay or should I go?... University style.

It's the age-old question that tonnes of us face at some point. Whether we're negging out over the gnarly workload, we're not vibing with the course content, not keen on the costs or feelin’ run down in other aspects of life, it can be frazzling to work out whether you should stay at uni or go- especially with this new layer of dismay being spiced into the mix because of coronavirus.

If you’re totally buggin’ and unsure of what to do, we’ve got some questions to help you figure out your definitive answer. 

 

Why Are You Not Liking Uni?

Let’s dig deep and pinpoint the cause for your disdain.

Has the course content not met your expectations? If the vibes are whack, it's time to reconsider your direction of studies. Do your research and suss out other courses that you may benefit from transferring into before throwing in the towel for the time being.

Can you see yourself pursuing a career in this field? Maybe you were pressured into choosing this path or perhaps your passions have just changed. That’s totally a-okay. The point is, if you can't see yourself pursuing this, it's probably time to reconsider your options. Take a step back and think about what really makes you tick- you know, your passions. Once you’ve got it, get to researching careers in that field and see what makes you excited.  

Have you not met likeminded people? This sucks. Chances are you had high expectations and thought uni was the time you were finally going to meet your tribe yet you've hardly spoken to anyone. This is especially grim for today's corona climate but there are options around this! Many clubs and groups are still operating, just remotely. Don’t be afraid to join or reach out to some. 

Are you getting overwhelmed by the course in general? If the workload makes you feel tense and stressed, consider transferring or dropping down to studying part-time. Maybe even deferring to give yourself a break would do the trick.

Is uni just not for you? Uni isn't for everyone and guess what… that is bloody FINE! There is no shame in dropping out of uni. And if you're scared of what your parents may think, suss out this article. Be proud that you gave it a red hot go and start to suss out different pathways to get you where you want to go or take a deserved break for a bit.

Is COVID-19 majorly impacting your course? Now, every course is going to be impacted, that's an inevitability, but some courses will suffer more than others. For example, I study film which is extremely hands-on as we're mucking about with equipment every day. Majority of my fellow classmates are considering deferring for next year as zoom classes just don't do the trick. If you worry that your learning will be majorly impacted, talk to your student centre and peers and weigh up your options.

What Are Your Options?

Now, let's jump into what options you may want to consider.

Can you defer? Hitting pause on a degree is a perfect safety net if you're unsure. Take that time to sort your life out, figure out your options, work or travel (when coronavirus disappears, of course). This may be a perfect option for you in the corona climate as well.

Can you transfer? If you're interested in other courses, either similar to your path or completely different, transferring may be perfect to find your motivation and passion again. Oh and trust me, there's nothing wrong with taking a complete 180-degree turn. My mate dropped out of her law degree and pursued acting instead and is so much happier for it.

Have you considered an alternate way of studying or studying in a different environment? Studying online or part-time may help take some pressure off an otherwise intense workload. Short courses are also an underrated yet insane way to get skilled up, baby! Heck, even changing universities may benefit you. In terms of a completely different environment, looking into apprenticeships, traineeships or internships may be exactly what you need. Contact your university's student centre and work out different routes that may suit you.

Because of COVID-19, millions of students worldwide are wondering what the heck their options are. So, don’t feel like you’re alone in a time like this. It’s hella important that you talk to your peers or begin to suss out different routes by contacting your student centre.

Perhaps online studying will work for you, part-time might help with the stress or just deferring will do wonders. But your main priority is to stay safe and sane in these chaotic times so do whatever your gut is telling you!