University advice

[smallfurrythings]

I went back to uni to study Psychology as a mature student, and have made it almost to the end of third year now. I say almost to the end as I had a breakdown towards the end of third year which resulted in me having to have my exams deferred to august.

Now, uni is stressing me out so much as postgrads and jobs in psychology are very difficult to get into and are very competitive, and every time I consider sitting down to do studying I find myself becoming more anxious as I don't think I can achieve the grades needed to get a useful postgrad.

At the beginning of the summer I was lucky enough to get a job as a support worker helping people who live with ARBD (Alcohol Related Brain Damage). I love my job, love the guys I work with, and love my co-workers. It is honestly the best and most fufilling job I have ever had and while at work it contributes to increased mood.

But here is the problem. Although I have only 1 year left of uni I am considering just dropping out after my resits and concentrating on my job. But then again I couldn't afford my car in that case and it would be a waste of the last 4 years of studying. I considered taking a year out but thought that I would have trouble getting back into it after a year out. But at the same time I really enjoy the stresslessness of my job now.

I really have no idea what to do about this :S

[PolkaDot.]

Hi

Big well done for getting through your first three years! Degree's are hard and a big commitment.

Would it be possible to defer/take a year out? The fact you are a support worker should help, you are gaining work experience for a gap year. I know a friend who studies in Hull who took a year to gain work experience in a prison when doing a criminology degree.

Taking a year out might give you the time you need to make those big decisions. Good luck, and like I said, well done for getting as far as you have already.

x

[Rubik'sCube]

Maybe try and take the stress of achieving a certain grade out of the equation? As, if the choices are between dropping out of uni and having to get a certain grade with post grad in mind, this may be the middle ground. That way you still graduate but can at the same time concentrate on your job (whilst completing your last year or whilst in a gap year if wanted) and also continue to concentrate on it after you've completed uni. And if you then do achieve the grades for post grad you can reconsider it as an option, but right now taking it out of the picture may help, especially as dropping out is also taking post grad out of the picture, but without the qualification/grade at the end. Even if it only becomes a piece of paper, it might make you feel better about these last four years.

It's great that you've got this job and enjoy it and well done on getting this far. Good luck with your exams in August

[Ballerina123]

Don't drop out.
If your get your degree you can apply for a post grad cours in social work, occupational health or nursing and work as a professional with alcoholics and related illness.
You could take a year out of you feel you need a bit of time to sort health out.

I work in a&e as a support worker and one of our qualified nurses just got a job as a team leader for a drugs and alcohol program. She will be making 3x what I make as a support worker and she has the professional qualification to be able to fully coordinate care. I think if you love your job but have no qualifications you could find yourself frustrated at being unable to progress.

Have thought about maybe finishing your degree with the open university (I.e. using your current credits)? That way you could work full time as a support worker and do your degree in your own time. It also means that if you get unwell you can take time off your degree work with out too much worry.