University blues

University starts tomorrow and words cannot begin to describe how absolutely awful I feel.

My parents stuck me in a degree that was made up of all my least favourite topics in school + is so overstimulating and involves a lot of interacting with people. My course was one of the few that couldn't go online during the pandemic because of how much face to face interaction is needed. It's also too fast paced for me and I 1000% hate it. I wasn't allowed to pursue my special interests at a university level. I would've loved computer science.

I've told my parents for years that my degree absolutely destroys my mental health to the point I was having daily horrible and physically dangerous meltdowns before class, was actively thinking of leaving this planet, and I became so depressed that my physical appearance changed - I looked like a zombie and I never smiled again for years. Academics used to be my safe place from everything else, but in university I no longer had a safe place because I didn't like my academics - I didn't like my degree. I was still lonely, bullied in uni even and I wasn't bullied in high school just alone. The lecturers were also very cold.

I became physically ill and had to take a year out from uni which was healing. I suspect all the stress and trauma got to me and started to manifest as physical symptoms.

I told my parents all of this many times throughout uni, they even pointed out that I looked near death and they just did not care. They didn't care at all. They wouldn't allow me to change degrees. They were so horrible to me whenever my grades dropped because I don't like this course a single bit. They were 0% empathetic towards me about any of this. My dad's out of the picture now because he was arrested for domestic violence but he still makes fun of me with my grandmother.

I feel trapped because if I dropped out or switched degrees I would be punished then kicked out of the house and I currently don't have anywhere to go. Now that I'm well enough I have to go back and do final year all over again. I don't want to go back to uni tomorrow. I don't. I looked at my time-table and felt physically sick and so scared I started crying. This sensation was all too familiar. I'm not looking forward to going back to crying everyday and feeling so miserable and anxious that my body hurts.

I never really expected my family to be supportive because they've been this way my whole life. They've never cared about me, my safety, or my health or emotional well-being. It would actually have been way more surprising if they listened to my begging and pleading for help or mercy. It's actually completely unsurprising that after a lifetime of abuse and control they've stuck me in a career that's destroying me and an environment I find terrifying and laughing at me for it. I'm alone in this. Still, I find it kind of scary that they can look at me suffering and just not care at all.

I don't know what to do.

I'm going to work part time so that I can save up to live far away from my family. Then I would be able to switch to a degree I actually like instead of one I find traumatic. But it'll take a little while. I really wish I didn't have to go in tomorrow.

Parents
  • Is there an advisor at your school you can speak with? I would hunt someone down and not take no for an answer. A degree in computer science would potentially make more than enough to pay back a large enough school loan and then some! A loan would help you move out, focus on what you can become specialised in and be able to make your own decisions about life, which it sounds like you may need to. An advisor may know who needs a last minute flat mate or a job or anything else which will help you succeed. A school is only as good as the students it produces, it's in their best interest to help you succeed. 

    Now there could be a way to still get this degree after. All is never lost. But... 

    Another thought is to track down lectures and professors who teach in this department. Ask them if you can book time with them to speak about the course and help changing a path without telling anyone. If you're quite clever at this, someone will want to champion you and help you figure out how to make this happen. 

Reply
  • Is there an advisor at your school you can speak with? I would hunt someone down and not take no for an answer. A degree in computer science would potentially make more than enough to pay back a large enough school loan and then some! A loan would help you move out, focus on what you can become specialised in and be able to make your own decisions about life, which it sounds like you may need to. An advisor may know who needs a last minute flat mate or a job or anything else which will help you succeed. A school is only as good as the students it produces, it's in their best interest to help you succeed. 

    Now there could be a way to still get this degree after. All is never lost. But... 

    Another thought is to track down lectures and professors who teach in this department. Ask them if you can book time with them to speak about the course and help changing a path without telling anyone. If you're quite clever at this, someone will want to champion you and help you figure out how to make this happen. 

Children
  • Thank you so much for your empathy and understanding and support. I'll speak to my academic advisor today and let him know, and thanks for the reassurance. It would be really awesome to switch degree, especially without my family knowing

  • Yes I think this is very good advice. Most university have a confidential advice service that you can reach out to and they will hopefully be able to help (I know my university did. My university actually also had funds to help people out financially.) Also do you have a tutor or someone else from your university that you can turn to and ask for advice? I really hope you can sort something out. I'm so sorry you have to struggle with this. It's hard enough in life when you are pursuing a goal that you believe in and do something you love. I hope you can figure out a way forward. You are very strong for getting this far. Sending you lots of strength. I hope you can get some advice and support and can figure out a way out of this situation.