Taking a year out of uni, is this a good idea?

[angel of despair]

My mental health is really bad at the moment and I honestly don't think I could cope with uni. But I have no idea if taking the year out is a good idea, I was wondering if people could read this and tell me what they think. Firstly I have no idea if i'm allowed to take a year out because my head of year saw me when I was going through one of my high mood phases (i suppose manic?) after id told her i was struggling because of my anixety and depression. So she thinks im faking my mental health problems. During the meeting I was crying and panicking and just generaly not up to explaining to her what was going on. Next structure can help with my mental health problems I always become worse in the holidays because I have no structure, so am i making things worse for myself by not going back? Also ALL of my friends now live down south if I leave uni for the year i will quite literally have no friends. Also to take the year out I would have to tell my parents what is going on and there not going to like it and there not going to support me. Also my parents could be moving into a smaller house around september time, the plan was they were going to put my stuff into storage and i find somewhere to live once i get back from uni. So i might not have anywhere to live if i take a year of uni. But if i do take the year of i wont risk failing everything and I can concentrate on getting myself better. So does anyone have any advice?

[Bleeding Angel]

I think its one that you truly have to make on your own, incidentally when i really struggled and was at the point of quitting uni in my second year i didnt because i felt i was there for my education and had to stay at it and i now have two degrees. But for me it was the right decision not to quit even when i broke my ankle and missed half my final year, i found studying helped me. But thats just my story.

But you have to take care of yourself first and if you you it means taking time out then so be it.

[offlineforever]

Could you maybe speak to student support about taking a year out? Also do you get any support from the uni.for your MH issues?

I've just been on a gap year due to personal, medical, mental and financial reasons myself, but it took me until last year to agree with the suggestions of taking a break from my education that I have recieved every year since 2004. And to be honest, apart from a few issues with SFE over many issues it has been the best decision ever. I worked whilst off uni so no longer have as much if a financial strain going into my final year ad I did have last year.

Anyway, maybe it might be worth looking at pros and Cons of a year off.. for example what would you do Do for the year?

[angel of despair]

I have no idea! I have no idea how im going to find somewhere to live never mind pay for it if i have a year of. I would try to get a job i guess but than theres no guarantees i can get one. The uni doesnt really give me any support and because they thought i was faking my problems im not allowed extenuating cercumstances anymore.

[Gone.]

I took a year out from my studies and, personally, it was the best thing I have ever done. That is my view on it though. It worked for me, it might not work for everybody.

When I was making the decision - and I didn't do so lightly! - I made a list of pros and cons and discussed them with people on here and at the university. I talked a lot with my Head of Department and she was very kind and we explored what might happen - positive and negative - in an awful lot of detail.

University can be an incredibly draining time and taking some time out does not make you weak. It means you are realising that you need to make yourself feel a bit better in order to continue on and you'd be surprised at the number of people that do take a year out because of MH problems. There are so, so many and you'd never expect some of them to have felt like that!

Maybe make a list of bullet points?

Also, what Katy said, what would you do with your year? I know that I went to India for a month and made lots of plans I didn't necessarily go through with. Would you get a job? How would you access support? Would you? Where would you live? I know that I got a job, lived at home and also gained some voluntary experience, as well as discovering hobbies I never realised I would love. There's a lot to be gained if you use the time wisely.

It's your decision, though.

[angel of despair]

I really dont know theres both positives and negative to each option.

Going to uni positives:
I have somewhere to live
I have friends
I might have more distractions
I have structure in my life

Going to uni Negatives:
I might fail
I might struggle to get the motivation to go to class
Theres people there im scared of
Theres people there i dont get on with
Il have a dissertation to do
If i get to self destructive i could get thrown out of uni anyway (it happened to one of my friends at the same uni)
The third year modules are hard


Taking a year out: positives
wont risk failing my degree
wont be risking spending loads of money just to have to drop out anyway
there getting me help at home, so i can try to get better
less stress

taking a year out negatives:
Might be homeless
No friends
No structure
might find it hard to get a job

[angel of despair]

Does anyone know if i do take a year out and get kicked out of home (not maliciousely kicked, my parents might be moving to somewhere where there isnt room for me to live long term there anymore) is there any options available to avoid being homeless?

[talaiporia]

Friends, other relatives would be your best bet. Or even sleeping on your parents sofa, if there is that.

Otherwise, it depends on your country (usa/uk/other).

[angel of despair]

hmm a year is a long time to ask that from someone. I was planning on sleeping on there sofa short term but i have no idea if theyd be ok with that for a year. Maybe thats my paranoia talking.