University is not for everyone and it is important you make the right decision for yourself. Some of the brightest people in history have dropped out of University including Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Charles Darwin! Although it may seem like you’re the only one feeling this way, 6 in every 100 uni students in the UK drop out and that has been increasing in recent years! This article will guide you through what to consider and how to drop out of university. Make sure you talk to your university directly for advice before making any decisions.
Factors to consider about dropping out of uni
1. Your happiness
Although University is ultimately about achieving a degree to enable you into a career path you will enjoy and live comfortably from, how you feel during your university years is really important. For some, your years at university are some of the best in your life, but this isn’t the case for everyone and plenty of people struggle enormously with academic pressure, mental health conditions, loneliness, homesickness and uni culture. While it is important to give yourself a chance to settle in and find likeminded people, you have to balance looking after yourself too. It is also better financially to make your decision in the first term of university – more on this later!
2. Your course
Pinpointing exactly why you aren’t enjoying University is important in order to identify whether changing course may help to relieve some of the issues you are facing. To do this, contact your personal/academic tutor or your university department. Before changing it may be worth asking to sit in on a few lectures and seminars on your new course to make sure you are choosing the right one for you.
3. Your living situation and mates
Personally, this has been the most defining factor of my university experience so far; where you are and who you are surrounded by. During my first year at uni I was really lucky to be in a flat in the main student village with a group of really lovely people and I think this made the world of difference in helping me to settle in. If you aren’t enjoying who you are living with and/or you’re in an accommodation that is less social, I would encourage you to contact the uni and move. We had a spare room in our flat and two weeks in, one of my now best friends, moved in because she was really unhappy where she was living and now she absolutely loves uni!
4. What comes next?
Although you may not have a solid plan in place, considering your next move before dropping out might help to give you some clarity over the decision. Would you reapply to a different university next year, get a job or apply for degree-apprenticeships?
How to drop out of university in 2 steps
Now that you have thought out your decision and hopefully received some advice and guidance from both university staff and your friends and family, here’s your guide to dropping out of uni:
1. Contact your uni
The first step is to let your university know your decision. Every uni will have slightly different administrative requirements so it is important to speak to them straight away and allow them to specify exactly what you need to do.
Typically, you’ll speak to a student support team and will have to sign a declaration about leaving and sort out any remaining fees. You may need to contact your personal tutor too.
2. Contact Student Finance
Although your uni will do this too, they recommend you letting them know straight away and they will be in touch regarding outstanding payments. On the Student Finance website, it stipulates that should you drop out on the first day of the first term, you will be required to pay 25% of your tuition fees, 50% for the first day of the second term, and 100% for the first day of the third term. Basically, the longer you’ve been there the more you’ll be required to pay.
The actual dropping-out-of-uni isn’t too complicated, as it only takes two steps. I think the bigger part is weighing it all up and being as confident as possible in your decision. If you’re not sure, why not consider a break from uni instead?
