You’ve dreamt about going to varsity to start a new chapter in your education career, but nearly one semester into it, you are feeling unsure of your choices and like the dream is turning into a nightmare.
Getting cold feet on campus during your first year happens to many students, and it doesn’t mean that you’ve made the wrong choice – just that your path may be going in a different direction.
The first step towards resolving your concerns, is identifying the root cause of the problem:
- Reality sinks in: The initial allure of a prestigious career quickly fades in the face of demanding coursework and the pressures of academic performance, which may lead to you feeling overwhelmed with the course choice you made.
- New interests awaken: You might suddenly discover new passions and interests that pull you in different directions, leaving you feeling torn between the security of your original choice and the uncertainty of a new path.
- Financial pressures: The socio-economic landscape of South Africa, with its unique challenges and opportunities, plays a significant role in shaping students’ perspectives and decisions.
Once you’ve understood why you are feeling anxious about your study path, stay calm and consider your options:
Keep attending all classes: While you may still not like the work, and perhaps not perform as well as you would like, keeping on top of things to the best of your ability will ensure that you don’t compound the challenges facing you, as well as help you feel more empowered. So keep at it, and do your best on all tests and assignments. Should you decide to change course, you will at least have something to show for your time at university, and perhaps even have some credits that can be transferred elsewhere.
Make use of the resources at your institution: While putting one foot in front of the other, the next step towards gaining clarity will be to tap into any resources available at your institution. Find out what support services and career centres are available and use them to help you decide what to do and what options you have. If there are no resources available, find out what other institutions are nearby and approach them with your concerns.
For more information, visit The Independent Institute of Education’s Rosebank College.
