university.......

[Fred!]

Hi,

I went straight into uni out of A-levels at my high school.
I did 2 years of uni on a teaching course, and then dropped out in my second year because I was having a rubbish time and felt terrible. I stayed to the end of the year but didn't complete many assignments or placements.
The main thing that 'broke the camels back' so to speak, was a placement that was horrible. I got bullied loads from one teacher, while other teachers were praising my teaching; she was just horrible.

I'm now on a year out, working in a church with kids and youth and all sorts... but I got a letter from uni last week saying that I have to return a letter by the 9th of July if I want to go back. It has to be accompanied with a note to say that I'm medically fit to return to the course. Which I'm unlikely to get, and it will be impossible to get by friday when I have to send the letter.

I might be able to send the reply slip thing and then send the doctor's letter on after that.

I just have no idea whether to go back to university or not, and stay at home and risk not being able to find work or anything...
I'm just not sure I can cope with university again.

I still want to work with children.
I just don't know what to do about it...

[Fred!]

I forgot to add that if I go back, I will be repeating second year, as well as then doing third year.

[Animad]

I'd maybe send the reply slip saying that due to the short notice they've given you the doctors letter will be sent later.

I'd definately think about going back. If 1 of the main things were being bullied at a placement then maybe see if you can go elsewhere. Also, if someone is bullying you out at work then report it and they can get disciplined and stuff. I know that's likely to be only 1 small part to why you dropped out but I'd really think about it and if you say 'yes' now there's nothing to stop you deciding not to later down the line over the next couple of months whereas if you say no then really that's likely to be the end of the road and therefore you've got much more to lose and with little time to think over it. If you said yes then at least you've got say 2months to think about it and at the beginning of september, before the start of the new academic yr, there's nothing to stop you actually turning back on that decision but at least then you'll have had plenty of time to think about it and talk to other people as well as look at other options. Could you maybe also discuss transferring your course; maybe you could do something else involving children; maybe a youth work course or a mate of mine did play-working (before eventually doing a PGCE and becoming a primary school teacher).

[wicky]

I just have no idea whether to go back to university or not, and stay at home and risk not being able to find work or anything...
I'm just not sure I can cope with university again.

[thescientist]

Well, know that if you go back, you are highly unlikely to get bullied like that again in teaching. These experiences are really rare (I'm not a teacher; I have many friends who are) and it SUCKS that it happened to you. However, it isn't going to happen again. Don't let that fear sway your decision. However, if you are concerned about uni for other reasons, perhaps it is not for you. It's way braver to find a way out now than to stay on something you just cannot deal with.

[Smurfette]

Send the reply & repeat your second year if possible. No matter what you end up doing no one will be able to take your degree away from you & it will help your self esteem! Best of luck to you X

[crazykat]

Zombie thread so closing