Are you thinking about whether you want to quit university? Before you make a decision, here are some things to consider that might help…
According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency, one in 16 students in the UK quits university before the end of their first year. A significant number of those students drop out in December or January—in other words, between the end of the first semester and the beginning of the second. So if you’ve completed your first term and you’re thinking of leaving, you’re far from alone.
We are not here to tell you not to quit. Only you know what is right for you. However, many students make an impulsive decision to drop out which they have not fully thought through and which may not be the best choice for them in the long run.
Before you decide either way, here are some things to think about.
Why Do You Want to Quit?
Before you make a big leap like dropping out of university, it’s vital to understand what’s behind that desire. Is it your course? The town or city? The people? The cost? When you get to the bottom of your desire to drop out, you might find that there are other solutions that will allow you to continue with your studies and feel happier.
Let’s troubleshoot a few of the most common issues that lead students to dropping out of university.
I Don’t Like My Course!
If the problem is your course, you might be able to switch to a different one. You can choose to swap, not drop your course. Depending on availability, many universities allow students to change courses during their first year. If there’s a different course you think will be a better fit for you, start making inquiries about switching sooner rather than later.
Start by speaking to a trusted lecturer, your personal tutor, or someone at your university’s Student Support office. They will be able to guide you through the process of changing courses.
Remember that if you change courses, you may have some catching up to do. Be prepared to do some extra reading and ask your tutors and new classmates to help you catch up on material you’ve missed.
I Hate Living Here!
If the problem is the town or city, you may be able to transfer universities. Perhaps you’ve discovered that you hate living in a big city and that a small town university would suit you better, or vice versa. Or maybe something has changed in your family and you’d like to live and study closer to home. Whatever the reason, you should consider the possibility of moving to a different university instead of quitting entirely.
Some universities will accept transfer students part way through the first year but, depending on the course and availability, you might need to wait until the next academic year. Top Universities has a useful guide on how to transfer universities in the UK.
I Don’t Like My Housemates / I Haven’t Made Friends
Did you go into university with high expectations of a bright new social life? Perhaps the reality hasn’t quite matched up. If you’re shy, if the university nightlife scene isn’t your thing, or if you just haven’t found your people yet, this can make university feel very lonely.
One great way to make friends is to join a club or society. Universities have all sorts of these, based around everything from particular demographics (LGBTQ+ students, disabled students, mature students, international students, and so on) to sports, hobbies, religious groups, and political affiliations. Whatever you’re into, chances are you can find a student club where you can meet like-minded people and make friends. If, for example, you love tabletop and roleplaying, there’s a society for that. And if there isn’t, check with your student union about how you could set one up! Whatever you’re into, there’s someone on campus who is into it too and would love to meet like minded folk.
If you’re living in halls, you’ll be essentially living with randomly assigned people. It’s okay if these people are not your best friends, or even if you’re not friends at all, as long as you can live together reasonably harmoniously. It’s important to communicate to resolve issues, such as someone not doing their washing up or people being too loud when they get home late.
If you really can’t stand living with your assigned housemates, speak to the housing office at your university. It may be possible to switch to different accommodation. And if there are more serious issues involving other people, such as bullying or harassment, report it. Universities take these incidents seriously and your education doesn’t need to be curtailed by someone else’s bad behaviour.
It’s So Expensive!
There’s no getting away from it: university is expensive. But if you otherwise want to stay, cost should not be the thing to stop you and help is available. Here are a few things to consider if financial factors are at the root of your reason for dropping out:
- Remember that you will not start paying back your student loan until you earn over a certain threshold after graduation. Your student debt will also not impact your credit score.
- Remember that many higher-paying career paths require a degree, so dropping out may not make financial sense in the long run depending on your ambitions.
- Make sure you have received any bursaries, grants, and scholarships you may be entitled to. These can come from your university as well as from the Student Loans Company.
- Look into getting a part-time job that fits around your studies. This could be on or off campus.
- Consider easy ways to save money. For example, packing your own lunch and learning how to cook instead of relying on convenience foods and takeaways can save you a lot of money over the course of a year.
- If you’re in immediate financial distress, speak to Student Services or your university’s finance team, or see if you can borrow from a family member to tide you over if that option is available to you.
Who Can You Talk To?
When you make any big decision, it is a good idea to talk to others to get outside perspectives on the situation. Before you decide whether to drop out of university or not, talk to people you trust about how you’re feeling and what options are available to you. Sometimes, just putting things into words can help you to see other solutions you may not have thought of.
You might want to talk to:
- Your parents or guardians
- Another family member, such as an older sibling
- A friend
- A trusted lecturer
- Your personal tutor
- A member of your university’s careers advice or Student Services departments
- A counsellor or therapist
- Your doctor, if you’re experiencing depression or other physical or mental health problems
What Next After Dropping Out of University?
If you do decide to drop out of university, how can you make that a positive and proactive move?
In other words, think about what you could do to move towards your next steps, rather than just away from something you don’t like.
For example, have you thought about your future career? There might be other ways into your chosen field that don’t involve university. You could get an entry-level job and work your way up, take an apprenticeship or degree apprenticeship to get your qualification a different way, or take a part-time college course while you work.
Or you might end up doing something completely different! It takes courage to change paths, but sometimes it can be just the right thing for you. What about freelancing, starting your own business, or going into an entirely different field from the one you first envisioned?
What Are the Financial Implications of Dropping Out?
If you decide to leave, it’s important to think it through from every angle, including from a financial perspective.
Once you have decided to drop out, you will need to contact the relevant Student Finance body (e.g. Student Finance England) to notify them as soon as possible. They will stop any future payments from being made to you and to your university.
You’ll need to repay any money that you’ve received or that has been paid to your university on your behalf as normal once you earn over the repayment threshold. If you’ve been overpaid (i.e. received more money than you were entitled to based on how long you were at university), you will need to repay the difference.
If you drop out of university in your first year, you will normally be able to get a full student loan to cover the expenses of another course if you decide to return to university in the future. This may not be the case if you drop out in Year 2 or 3.
If you decide to transfer to a new university, you may still be liable for the full year of fees at your first institution. This can mean it makes financial sense to stick out the year and then transfer for Year 2.
Think about where you will live, too. If you drop out, you will have to move out of university-managed accommodation or student housing. Will you be able to move back home? If not, what other housing options are available to you? You might move in with a friend or family member, take a room in a shared professional house, or rent privately. Don’t forget that you will need a deposit to rent a place to live.
Finally, think about what you can do for work. You will most likely need a job to support yourself if you are not going straight back into education or training elsewhere. What can you do while you’re still at university to cushion yourself ahead of your move? This might include thinking about your future career plans, updating your CV, contacting people for references, searching on online jobs boards, applying for jobs, and brushing up on your interview skills.
Finally: Take a Breath
Dropping out of university is a big decision. It might be the right one for you, and it might not. You are in the best position to make that choice. This article is designed to help you decide, not to push you in a specific direction.
Before you do anything else: pause, breathe, and look before you leap.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
