I feel like I have to choose between finishing my degree, and making short-term financial stability a priority

[LizzieYoung]

Hello,

This is my first post in this forum. I'm hoping someone may be able to offer some advice, or may have gone through a similar thing.

I have 40 credits to go to gain a degree in a creative discipline I really enjoy. It's taken me 7 years to get to this point, not necessarily because I found the coursework difficult, but because I have PTSD and have deferred at times for 1-2 years, just desperate to run away from the world. As a NZ citizen who arrived in Aus after the age of 18, I've never been eligible for FEE-HELP, and have paid the tuition fees at the start of every semester, which would have been okay (I worked out a financial plan at the start), except so many of the times I deferred it's been after census date and I've lost (and had to repay) the fees. So far the course has cost me almost 70K. It's a joke.

In the past month or so I've felt myself slipping back into depression/panic and realising I need to make some major life changes. A main source of worry for me is that I am almost 34 and I don't have much money in savings. If I were to lose my reception job I would be screwed, and this really concerns me. I would still have to pay $8,000 in tuition fees to complete the degree, which is do-able, but won't leave me with much leftover each week, and frankly these tuition fees feel very burdensome. If I went ahead, I would finally be able to graduate in May 2019.

I am considering exiting my course now and receiving a diploma, even though I am so close to the degree, but I do fear that after some time passes (and when I come out of this current bout of depression) that I will deeply regret the decision.

I should also mention that my field relies on portfolio, networking and working for free/low pay/doing internships for a while - and this will be the same regardless of whether I have a diploma or a bachelors degree.

If I were to take the diploma now, I could still start working toward freelance work in my field. I could build a healthy savings account, and perhaps rent a bigger flat so I could use a bedroom as a studio/office? But as I said above, I don't want to eventually regret not finishing the degree. I had hoped to pursue postgrad studies eventually (even if this sounds ridiculous to some because of how long/how impulsive I've been throughout my bachelors).

I really don't know what to do and would appreciate any advice.

Lizzie

[james1]

Hello Lizzie,

Welcome to the forums.

I am sorry, I am a bit slow today. I do not quite understand what has changed recently which means you have to choose to either quit or continue. Is your current balance of work/study unsustainable somehow?

It sounds like you would ideally be able to do both, but for some reason are unable to.

Also, have you spoken with the uni counsellors or student centres? They are usually helpful in being able to provide you with clarity around your options.

The only similar situation I have been in was I was midway through my honours when I hit a really bad patch. I quit then and have since been thinking about whether to go back to uni or not. If I go back, it opens up a lot of doors for me both in my current job and in academia which I was considering. For the time being, I have decided not to go back and to continue what I am doing. The half year that I have done will apparently count for a few years if I was to go back, though that seems increasingly unlikely as I don't think I want to really pursue those opportunities.

James

[LizzieYoung]

Hi James, thank you for your reply.

What has changed recently is really just my mental state I guess. I feel panicked about going another year without being able to save any money, and it's this financial instability that is causing me anxiety that seems at times unbearable. The work/study balance isn't hard per se, but it is a lot of pressure that I'm not sure will eventually bring me any security. If I just walked away with a diploma now, in 12 months I could have a decent savings and possibly some freelance work my field. That's a good idea to try to speak to the uni counsellor. I am deferred at the moment (surprise), so wasn't sure I could still utilise her services, but I will make an enquiry. Thank you 🙂

Lizzie

[james1]

Hello Lizzie,

Ah, yeah I totally understand that.

When I was doing my honours, I was doing that "part-time", but it was in reality about 20-30 hours a week + I was working full time 40 hours a week. I only managed 6 months of that before I knew I had to give something up. People said just drop to part time work, but like you, I was seriously questioning whether the stress itself was worth the unknown benefits.

I don't think I made the right choice, because there was no "right choice" to make, but I think I made a good choice. And I'd say the same probably applies in your case - there's no right choice, but there are good choices.

Yeah, when you are deferred, I think you are still technically part of the uni (you exist on their systems with a number) so it should be no problem reaching out to the uni counsellor.

Let us know how you go. Sounds like you're a fair bit stressed out.

James

[LizzieYoung]

Hi James,

Thanks for your reply. It's been really helpful to hear your experience in a similar situation, and has given me quite a bit to consider.

Lizzie