Preparation for varsiy in the UK – What is it all about?
DISCOVER seven of the most common reasons for dropping out of university, and how students and families can best avoid this potential problem through preparation during high school years, and beyond.
Applying to university for the wrong reasons
Don’t get caught up in thinking you’re a failure if you don’t head off to university after high-school with the rest of your class mates. Regardless of peer or parental pressures, if going to university isn’t in the best interests for your individual career aspirations or capabilities, it’s better to decide this from the off rather than several months down the line, when you will have incurred tuition fee costs and likely signed up to a residential contract.
University study is not just about the social aspect; although you will no doubt enjoy meeting new people and forming new friendships, you need to be sure the academic aspect is right for you too.
Furthermore, if you are still unsure of your career aims, or feel as though you need a break before university study, don’t be afraid to take a gap year; just ensure you spend it gaining worthwhile experience that will improve your future employability skills.
Solution: If you have doubts about whether you require a university education in order to progress to your chosen career, lack confidence about your ability to perform at university, or think you may benefit from a gap year, obtain advice from college/school career mentors to be sure that you’re making the best possible decision for you. Inappropriate course choice Too often, students opt to study a course that isn’t suited to their individual career aspirationsor academic abilities.
Parents often have their own ideas about which course they want their child to study and although they may have their best interests in mind, students should consider what is right for themselves in deciding which course to study at university.
If you choose to apply for a demanding course, can you cope with the level of work involved? Just because you were a high achiever at A-level, doesn’t mean you have to apply for a tough university course. It depends on how much support you had in order to achieve your Alevel grade, as you won’t have the same level of support at university.
Solution: When deciding upon your preferred course, give consideration both to which qualifications are required for your desired career, and to whether the course in question is right for your level of academic ability.
If you have already begun studying at university before you realise that you’ve chosen the wrong course, speak to your university about changing course.
If this isn’t possible, consider whether an alternative university would be more able to support your academic aspirations. Incorrect university choice When thinking about which university to study at, there are a number of factors to consider.
Are there any universities that have a particularly good reputation for delivering the course you want to study?
For example, if you wish to study Medicine, it would be wise to prioritise universities with quality Medical Schools such as Cambridge, Oxford, Edinburgh, Imperial College London or University College London. However, these universities will not be the best choice for a student who wishes to study Social Sciences, for example.
Do you prefer the quiet country life, or the hustle and bustle of the city? Is it important for you to be close to home due to family commitments? If you’re going to move away to continue your studies for at least another three years, make sure you’ll be happy with the location you’ll be living in.
Solution: Before confirming your university choices on the all-important UCAS application, talk to your teachers and careers mentors about which universities have a good reputation for your chosen course, with consideration of your academic abilities. Then, filter your preferred universities by considering the type of location you’d be happiest living in. If you become unhappy with your choice of university after commencing study, speak to your university about changing to a different institution.
Poor financial planning and management
Studying at university is no doubt expensive. Tuition fees, monthly rental costs and living expenses can really add up and, for many students, it will be the first time they have lived away from home independently.
With freedom and independence, comes great responsibility. You will be required to manage your own finances completely independently, perhaps for the first time ever, and you’ll want to make sure you get it right – living off baked beans is a stereotype that no student truly wants to live up to!
Solution: If you’re not funding your own university study and associated costs, apply for your student loan or grant well in advance of your studies to avoid any delays in payment.
Once at university, set a termly budget and break this down into a monthly and weekly allocation. Track daily expenditure to ensure you’re not exceeding your spending limit – perhaps consider downloading a budgeting app to make this easier.
If you struggle financially whilst at university, speak to university support staff to discover whether there is any financial assistance available; most universities have a hardship fund set up to aid students experiencing financial difficulty.
Dropping out of university isn’t always the best way to solve financial woes as this can come with a whole range of costs, including repayment of tuition fees, grants, loans and having to continue to pay rent throughout the duration of your contract. Failure to adapt Failing to adapt to the new study environment is one of the main reasons why students drop out of university.
Embarking on a degree course at university is a big step-up from studying A-levels at a school or college, and many students struggle to cope with this transition – the new experiences of staying in student halls away from home, meeting new people, making new friends and the different teaching formats, such as lectures, seminars and independent study, can be overwhelming.
Solution: When you first arrive at university, spend time familiarising yourself with your surroundings and getting to know the other students living in your halls.
Consider joining a university society connected to one of your hobbies; this can be a great way to make new friends and take your mind off the stress of university life. If you find it difficult to handle living away from home in an unknown place, speak to your fellow students for support – the chances are, they’ve felt the same as you at some point.
Don’t forget that your friends and family back home are only a phone call away if you are missing them. Alternatively, if your concerns relate to academic matters, speak to your lecturer or tutor for advice on how to move forward.
Poor mental or physical wellbeing
Living independently away from home, students are required to fend for themselves for what could be the first time in their lives. Many students lack the knowledge and skills required to prepare nutritious, home-cooked meals whereas others will limit spending on food due to financial concerns.
Combined with the new social life that comes with being at university, including attending freshers’ parties and nights-out, consuming alcohol and missing out on much-needed sleep, this can lead to reduced physical and mental wellbeing.
Solution: Eat a balanced diet and keep fit, prioritise your workload to limit stress andschedule regular medical and dental check-ups. If you feel depressed or anxious for any reason whilst at university for any reason, seek help from fellow students and your university counsellor, and visit your GP to find out whether NHS counselling or medication could offer you further support.
Many universities limit the amount of time students can take off due to illness. If you have a serious condition that could become long-term, seek support from your university’s disability office, arrange any necessary treatment as early as possible and consider part-time study as a means to completing your degree.
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