Keep failing university no idea what to do

[Rabbitgirl]

I'm new here but I was googling failing uni. Which lead me to someone's post on here.

OK some background about me.

I am in my 30s and regret so many things in life. I quit tafe education at 19 I think i was I had almost finish a course in design but failed a core unit. The tafe at the time said I could do another couple of units to get a similar certificate but at a lower level. Anyway I didn't have the time as I had to work to keep a roof over my head.

Anyway fast forwarding years on. I attempted uni originally in 2008 again I quit after failing almost all of the subject in the first semester of second year.

Right now I am in my 3Rd year of a degree in creative arts. I have failed at least 7 units but this time I have just kept going. The problem is I'm. Not very creative and I do the course via distance ed. (I did spend 1 year on campus but felt rather old to be living there). I am struggling to get through this final year and don't even now if I will to be honest. In 2014 (this was the year I spent on campus) a doctor diagnosed me with chronic fatigue and depression I don't think the diagnosis for chronic fatigue was ever correct. I did go to counselling sessions with a student counselor but it took more than half a year for me to get the courage up. Beginning of 2015 I returned back to my home state Where 1 got diagnosed with anxiety which described me . I was actually shaking the day I saw the doctor. She popped me on meds and I got counselling my anxiety got a lot worst as I entered into relationship that sooner turned toxic. During 2015 I put uni on hold as it was just too much to cope with.

Today I have my anxiety under control for the most part and I don't take meds I hate pills. I still get very overwhelmed in decision making and overthink a lot I seem to find negative meaning in almost anything.

So right now I have no idea what to do I feel like I'm going to fail this degree and I don't want to work in the creative industry I actually have very little idea about what to do I don't think I'm particularly very good at anything. I have been working in retail for a long time but I need out of that especially as I barley make enough money to cover everything.

Sorry very long first post... but if anyone has had similar experience advice would be helpful.

[Kathryne]

Hi and welcome.

University oh the joys and heartbreak !

To get through my degree I kept telling myself a p was a degree. I did end up better than a p , however that outlook took the pressure off. I also was mature aged and in some cases older than some students grandparents. I did external transferred to internal to gain access to in depth facilities.

I believe it is human being nature to second guess our decision.

If I waved a magic wand and you could have any job what would it be. ? Can you imagine your self working at making this job happen. ?

I'm glad you have been able to maintain your anxiety with out medications. A big positive.

Talk to your uni about your choices and what is best way for you to get the best out of the university coursework

Regards

Kathryne

[White_Rose]

Dear Rabbitgirl

Welcome to Beyond Blue. It's quite surprising what you can find on the net. So pleased you found Beyond Blue. I hope you don't mind me saying this, but you sound like someone who keeps doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome.

Let me explain why I say this. I presume that the courses in which you enroll are similar, something creative. The first question I ask is, why this type of topic? Is this your job, do you enjoy creativity, you started doing one course and feel you should complete at least one course in that area? It seems to me that you are putting yourself under a great deal of stress for something that you are not achieving and really don't enjoy, for whatever reason. And I wonder why you are persisting.

Please excuse me if I sound unhelpful or if I am treading on your toes. I am trying to explore with you your motivation for starting a course you do not finish. My son went to uni to study engineering. He left having completed 95% of the course because he decided he was not really interested in working in engineering. OK. Does this apply to you in some way.

Would you rather study another subject altogether? Is getting a degree helpful for your career? I started a degree in communication, and attended uni part time at age 50. I loved it. I had no thoughts about it being useful to my career, although in the end it was a good move. What would you really like to study? Do you really want to go to uni?

I wonder how much of your anxiety is caused by the stress of your study. I understand about disliking medication. Most of us also dislike popping pills. Sometimes they are necessary and very useful. Rarely do they solve our problems, but they do give us breathing space to think and consider options without ending up in a puddle on the floor.

It seems to me that you still need the services of a good psychologist. I had a bit of a chuckle when you referred to the student counselor. For a moment I thought you meant someone learning counseling instead of a counselor for students. The feelings you describe still sound like anxiety to me. I know that overwhelmed feeling, the desire to run away or hide, and the almost obsessive need to think and rethink. Go and chat to your GP.

So could you think about my questions and come back with your answers. Other people may be along soon to talk to you and we will all be interested in your comments.

Mary