if college isn’t right then what is?

bunnys_dandelions · March 18

this may be a long post but i really need to talk about this as it’s been stressing me out for weeks now.

i finished my gcse’s in 2023. i passed almost all of them, including maths and english so we’re all good there. i didn’t get into my schools sixth form, which wasn’t so good so i was quite rushed into picking a college, course and changing all my plans.
i ended up doing lvl 3 media, but since i was so mentally unwell and my emetophobia was at its peak i dropped out of it in january 2024. i took the rest of the year off, did some gardening volunteering and worked on my phobia while finding a new course.

the new course had to be computing related. i’ve always wanted to go into IT as a career since i know it pays well and ive been interested in computers since i was a little kid. so i ended up in a T-Level course that works on various programming languages like python and html, network, emerging tech, problem solving and legislation surrounding computers. and here i am now

issues are showing up now in that i’m not necessarily behind on my work or really struggling with the content, i just cannot revise or get myself to do anything outside college hours. even in college hours im starting to struggle, doing close to nothing in most lessons. we do have end of year 1 exams coming up which might’ve just put me in a freeze state but i don’t know. i can’t do it.

i guess the main point of the post is this - would it be possible for me to drop out and do online courses instead? doing things like all those microsoft training courses, CompTIA certifications etc. they provide me with good skills for any beginner computing career but i just am so scared of the uncertainty of only having online certifications and the fact that i couldn’t finish one year of a college course stop me from getting a job. i just can’t handle the in college hours on top of the revision hours and everything you need to get a good grade out of college anymore. i can’t do it. i’m too sleepy, im too stressed, i just want to stay home all the time.

online courses seem so up my alley, i can stay home, have flexible hours (meaning i can sleep when i get ridiculously tired), work from the comfort of my own house, have my bunny support and be able to see my friends more. my parents don’t believe i can do these though, they’re convinced i won’t do any work. which has been the case in the past, but maybe it’ll be different since it’s actually mattering to my future? just cause i didn’t do anything in year 8 during lockdown doesn’t mean i won’t do online classes i’ll enjoy for once…

so yeah. big post. can i drop out and do online courses and certifications? should i finish the year then leave? im so so lost.

Katie12 · March 18

hey @bunnys_dandelions sounds like you are in a difficult situation atm and not sure where to go. in person college does not work for everyone and thats okay, and it sounds like you have given it a good go! Online courses are definitely becoming more popular atm and seem to be the way forward for many different career paths so it is definitely something i would look into! i mean the open university is such a big thing now as well which works so much better for people, giving them more flexibility and a more supportive environment to learn in. is there anyone you can speak to at college about different options you have? a carers advisor or support team member maybe? that may help to ease any worries you have and help you make the best decision for you?

independent_ · March 18

@bunnys_dandelions FWIW, this is almost a word for word account of how I felt back in college. I’m a bit older than you, left school in 2019 with decent results, went to college the same year.. and then of course 2020 happened. Covid was a massive curveball, and it coincided with the worsening of my mental health, so I struggled to get the work done even before covid. And then when covid hit I found it even harder and ended up dropping out. I’m sharing that in the hope that you realise you’re not alone in feeling like this, those first couple of years out of school are really tough, everyone expects you to find what you want to do and it’s meant to be an exciting time, but throw mental health into that and it’s not all its cracked up to be.

All that said, if I could go back now, I would have completed the year (or at least tried to). I wouldn’t necessarily recommend dropping out, but certainly from my experience, it’s sometimes the right option at the time.

Tbh I have struggled to find online courses that offer the same level of support that college did, but that doesn’t mean they’re not out there. It’s worth looking into and deciding what course(s) you want to do before you do anything, and give yourself a bit of time to think through your options. I made a snap decision when I was struggling and it was probably the right thing to do at the time, but now I do wish I’d at least completed the year and got that qualification, if that makes sense.

I’m not intending to minimise at all in any of this and you absolutely must do what you feel is right, but definitely look into whats out there before you do.

shannon_164 · March 18

hey @bunnys_dandelions 🙂

i just wanted to hop on and say that it is ok if college isn’t for you - it is not for everybody.

i started my first college course in september 2021, i am still now at college trying to get my level 3 qualifications. i feel like im so behind in life as most of my friends are now in their final year of uni and i am still trying to get my level 3 qualifications!! but then i remember, thats ok, life isn’t a competition and our journeys are our own, they dont need to be the same as anybody else’s!

i started of doing travel and tourism in 2021, i did last the full first year of the course however didnt actually achieve anything at all from it, but i was already working in the airport during the course so i was in the area i wanted to work at, then moved roles in the airport about a year after leaving the course - at the age of 18, i had actually been offered my dream job as cabin crew with easyjet, however, was unable to go further due to not being able to pass the medical exam sadly. i then just felt stuck and that i was gonna be working in the job i was at forever and didn’t know what to do. after that setback, i then realised that youth work is something i would really like to explore, so i went back to college again in september 2023 to do health & social care, by november 2023 i had dropped out as i just simply couldn’t cope with it due to everything going on in my own life. i then went back september 2024, as much as i am determined to try and finish the year, i genuinely don’t think thats going to happen this year, but thats ok, maybe college just isn’t for me either? i have also been working on an ocn level 2 qualification in youth work at a youth organisation and we discussed options next week as we’re nearly finished - i don’t have to go to college at all, i can complete my ocn level 3&4 in youth work and get into uni that way, if that’s what i wanted, or just go straight into a youth work job with my level 2 qualification - what i wanted to do is still very much possible without college! i hope that hearing someone else’s journey can maybe make you feel a little less alone?

i’m also wondering, have you ever considered the likes of the kings trust (previously known as princes trust)? they offer a lot of courses, and i’ve seen a few advertised in relation to ict eg ‘get into ict’ and others too. they are a really good organisation i have found, through doing stuff through them, and their support too is amazing, so that is also maybe an option for you to look at? i’m sure there are lots of other organisations too that do similar things. there is also springboard as well, they do online learning as you’ve mentioned, and a place called speakers for schools that offer work experience things (unsure if this one is appropriate as i know it’s age restricted). i’ll pop the links here in case:

kings trust - https://www.kingstrust.org.uk/

springboard - https://www.springboard.com/

speakers for schools - https://www.speakersforschools.org/work-experience-opportunities/

the most important thing here is that you whatever is right for you, not what anyone else thinks you should / shouldn’t do - i hope that you get sorted

bunnys_dandelions · March 19

@Katie12 @independent_ @shannon_164
thank you all so much!! i’m starting to plan on finishing at least year 1 of my course, looking at open university courses and the other places you’ve all recommended
i’m going to talk to my tutor tomorrow (thursday) and see what he has to say about all this
but again thank you this has helped me lots and given me a bit more hope to my future 🫶🏻🫶🏻

shannon_164 · March 20

@bunnys_dandelions i hope that talking with your tutor goes well!

i’m not sure where in the uk you are (only share if you feel comfy doing so ofc) but i am in northern ireland so things work a little different here compared to the rest of the uk though we have btec level 4 courses at colleges here and i noticed that you just need 1 a level / equivalent and have attained at least 12 points at gcse to meet the entry requirements, and the level 4 courses are like the access courses to get into uni, if that’s the path you want to take, so if it is, maybe that could be an option for you also, looking into the level 4 courses? i never even thought yesterday when i was replying! but i think that is what i am maybe going to do, compete my first year of the course then i will have gotten the equivalent of 1.5 a levels, i already have over 12 points at gcse so i can meet the entry requirements - as much as i compare myself to everyone else, i then remember its ok if my journey looks different!

i hope that whatever you do, it all works out in the way you want it to - wishing you all the luck in the world

if college isn’t right then what is?

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