Anyone just started uni/college?

FeadHuck · #1 2nd November 2010, 18:19

I'm 32 and i've just started a degree course. I've done a couple of GCSE's and an access course since i returned to education, which i coped fine with, but i feel totally overwhelmed by this course. My self esteem and self confidence are in the gutter, i feel really intimidated by everyone in the class (not because they're mean or anything, just beacuse i feel different/unfocused/not up to scratch) and i'm feeling quite depressed with it all. Just wondered if anyone else has started college/uni this year and what your experiences are and how you're coping?

xTKsaucex · #2 2nd November 2010, 18:21

Started college a few months back and I think first few weeks is a little bit ropey for everyone and takes a while to get in to your stride and what not. What subject you taking anyhoo?

littlejack · #3 2nd November 2010, 18:36

At the start, I felt kind of in space, not understanding anything that was being said because I had different qualifications than everyone else. Some extra studying at home, and I am now one of the highest scorers in my class. Mind you, I have no social life so I have much more time. Uni is OK, I don't know what career I want so I don't know if I am on the right course at all.

VeryQuietGuy · #4 2nd November 2010, 19:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moomin

I did the first year at college since its an extended degree.

This is the first time I've been to the uni and I'm absolutely loving it

.

A few of the speaking tasks and putting forward my opinions in debates I have found a little challenging and I think the tutors are picking up on that now. Need to push myself more in that respect.

I was thinking of applying for an extended degree, do you apply like you would if you were going straight to Uni?

Also is it true that only certain Uni's and certain courses allow you to take one?

Thanks

Josh90 · #5 2nd November 2010, 23:20

I recently dropped out of an access course, I found the work overwhelming and I lost interest in it, god knows what I'm going to do now since I have no GCSE's or anything.

STRING3R · #6 2nd November 2010, 23:25

Started College back in September on my A2's, suffice to say the work is a lot more demanding than i expected.

Opera Ghost · #7 19th November 2010, 23:31

I just started uni, after dropping out of a different one last year after just a week. I'm proud to say I've lasted this long this time, but I think it's mostly because I have a friend here with me on the course. And I hear you on the whole, being intimidated by everyone else in the class thing. I keep getting dragged into mass facebook messages about them wanting to go on a group night out. While it's flattering that they included me, I just don't think their idea of a night out and my idea of a night out quite match. (I can't stand night clubs, and that's all they seem to want to go to.) And I just can't imagine it'd go well for me at all. So I'm kinda stuck in the rut of not wanting to sound lame and say no, not wanting to show up and bail half way through, and not wanting to go through all that crap. :| Okay I didn't mean for that to turn into my rant, but yeah. I get what you're feeling! You're not alone!!

cavedin · #8 20th November 2010, 10:55

I'd like to try college, I've only studied at home so far with the open university but I think I need to be socialised, I'm just scared I'll crumble. I'm most worried about the people, feeling on my own there or being bullied in some way. I hope most of them would be too mature for that.

louise1990 · #9 20th November 2010, 11:02

I also started uni last year and dropped out after a week!! I've started again this year and i'm still there, theres been a few wobbly occasions with presentations and what not but i've fought it out. I'm in halls which i've found hard as well. Anyone else found that hard?

wintertulip · #10 20th November 2010, 12:05

It took me about a year to settle in both times I went to uni (undergrad and postgrad).

Living in halls was bad last year because I didn't really get on with anyone I was living with: 3 were PGCE students who were always really busy and the other two were international students who tended to stick together. One of them took a dislike to me and used to have a go at me or make snide comments whenever I was in the shared space. This year I'm living with 5 really friendly and nice (although a bit noisy!) people and am a lot happier. I can put up with a bit of disturbed sleep in exchange for feeling welcome.

I've joined societies and made friends so am a lot happier now than I was through first year. Work is still a major source of anxiety, I am unable to meet with my supervisor without panicking and I have a phobia around my department and the people in it in general. It's the one area of my life in which I feel severely inferior so that's why the SA is bad there even whilst I can be ok in other environments.

Dougie Jones · #11 20th November 2010, 13:13

I started Uni this year, although im still living at home i would prefer to move into a student house or somethinG even though im not completely enjoying uni mainly because of my poor skills when it comes to making friends. I love the work though lol.

Dandelion10 · #12 20th November 2010, 13:20

College was like that for me because some of the students did say nasty things but I'll be damned if I don't get a good career through Uni later.

I know what you mean about feeling threatened and intimidated but you can't really do anything wrong in that environment unless you failed the course, it's more accepting than college.

Try acclimatise yourself to the whole thing but don't put yourself out, this is just a stepping stone and you have a right to be there like everyone else. Good luck.