Scared about the possibility of failure and what it will mean for my future.

[Thestral24]

I am 24 years old about to be 25, I work as waitress and I am considering in going to University to help get myself a better paying job and future. But out of all the courses they have, there's only one I am interested in.Simply because it was something I would like to learn more about, and the degree is said to have good job prospects. But I am worried, I have never study before and I am not confident in myself at all, and I don't have much to look back on to give myself hope that I can do this. Which has resulted this bomb going off in my head, this never ending fear and anxiety about what if I can't do this course or can't get decent job afterwards? That I wasted the rest of my twenties doing this degree. Or can't find something else that I can do, that can help get me out of my low paying job. How will I cope being waitress in my 30s, not making enough to move into my own place. I don't know how to deal with this constant stress and anxiety over the future. I haven't been able to sleep for the past two weeks, or relax at all it has relentless. The doctor started giving me medication for depression but I am not sure it's going to help. Can anyone give me advice who has been through something similar?

[geoff]

hello Thestral, I'm interested in your comment, but first of all welcome to the site.
If you decide to do this course at uni, then it's in the hope of getting a much better job when you've finished, however this means studying, completing assignments by a due date and can put another type of pressure on you, but this maybe what you are looking forward to, to reach the gold chalice, but it seems that you are trying to grab at straws here.
I understand you want to move into your own place and that's certainly a good feeling, but I think you are undermining your own talent and what you're capable of being able to do.
There are big franchises always looking for a manager to join their team, and there's no reason why you're not capable of appying for any other jobs, in other words, extend your mind to what you can look for, outside of being a waitress, because there is so much you would have learnt.
Give yourself some credit, I think you can do better than get yourself into uni with an unknown goal at the end, I'm sure you are much better than you think.
Give yourself time for the medication to kick in, but do hope to hear back from you. Geoff.

[MissBenthos]

Hi Thestral,

That sounds horrible feeling so anxious about this decision. I hope you are able to sleep well again soon.

People generally regret the things they didn't do more so than the things they tried and failed at. Would you prefer wasting time studying or wasting time waitressing? You never know where the study could take you, if it's something you want I say go for it.

And if it's something you really want you won't be wasting your time, because you'll be learning + I'm sure you'll work hard enough to get the marks you need. I watched a talk not too long ago about how people who succeed have "grit", they keep trying even if they do not succeed the first time they will try over again until they reach their goals. Don't be afraid to make mistakes - we all do.

Also as Geoff said give yourself more credit, you're way better than the voice in your head is telling you!

Goodluck xx