i’ve been really depressed and anxious lately and was wondering if dropping out of university will help as I am struggling to cope in university but unsure of how to go about telling my family about my decision to want to drop out
have you seek support from uni counsellors? And i believe some uni have psychological service.
Maybe speak to your lecturers about taking a short break.
Do consider this, the fees you have paid, the amount of time and effort you spend in your studies and nowadays you really need a degree to get a white collar job. So…are you able to settle for jobs that requires a lot of manual labour and pays only 2/3 of a degree holder salary or maybe even less.
And you will be surprise in mental health recovery, people with a degree tend to get more support than those without one. And most people who broke down and quit school before they finish their n or o levels are treated like sh*t. by mental health professional. To them this group of people are meant to loiter around and seeking aid and help hospital and VWOs to siphon gov aids.
I can never forget the time when i apply to be a peer support specialists for not once but atleast 5 times and because my highest education is just sec 2, they reject me in favor of those with degree. Sad fact. But really…
Take a LOA instead of quiting. A degree makes things easier. U will struggle a lot without a degree
Hey @bubblez,
When daily coping feels too hard, leaving the whole system can feel like the only relief. And when you also said, “unsure how to tell my family.” That shows it isn’t just about the coursework it’s also about the weight of expectations and fear of disappointing them.
It’s important to hold both truths here: yes, dropping out might bring short-term relief from the academic pressure, but it won’t by itself ease the depression or anxiety. Those feelings still need care and support, whether you’re in school or not.
You’ve shown strength in even naming this out loud and many people hide or suppress it. That honesty is congruence, and it’s a foundation to build on.
When you picture your family’s reaction, do you imagine mostly judgment, or is there also a part of you that hopes for concern and support? Sometimes the fear of letting them down drowns out the possibility of them meeting you with care.
For now, it may help to take this step by step:
- before making a final decision, could you talk to a counsellor in your university or a doctor? They can help you weigh if this is burnout, depression, or truly misfit with the course.
- and if you do choose to talk to your family, you don’t have to present a finished decision. you can share how anxious and depressed you’ve been, and that you’re considering your options. That opens space for dialogue instead of shock.
This is about making sure the decision comes from care for yourself, not just escape from pain. And please, if the weight of depression ever shifts into thoughts of giving up entirely, reach out quickly. SOS is at 1-767, or you can call 1771 to talk to a counsellor anytime.
It makes sense you want relief, maybe the step right now is not deciding “drop out or not,” but finding support so whichever path you take, you’re not carrying the depression and anxiety alone.
Gentle note on what “dropping out” usually means in Singapore universities..
In practice, it isn’t always a total or irreversible exit. Universities have structured options:
- Leave of Absence (LOA): you can pause your studies for a semester or a year to focus on recovery. This is often granted for medical or personal reasons.
- Formal Withdrawal: this is the official “dropping out.” It usually requires a form and meeting with your faculty or registrar’s office. You can re-apply in the future, though admission isn’t guaranteed.
- Transfer to another programme: some students switch to a related course if their current path feels too heavy or blocked. This may involve credit transfers.
- Counselling support: before confirming any of the above, universities typically encourage a session with student support or counselling services, to ensure decisions are informed.
So “dropping out” doesn’t have to mean burning the bridge completely. It can also mean pausing, reassessing, and then choosing whether to return, pivot, or close that chapter.
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Hey @bubblez, I really feel you. When I was in poly back in 2022, my mh crashed hard too. I was battling depression and imposter syndrome (I’m in ComSci), and ended up going on three separate long-term LOAs because I just couldn’t keep up. At the time, I thought dropping out was the cure…even my closest friends and family ironically supported the option of dropping out. But my school allowed me to defer my studies for medical reasons (mh), up to a full year, and I took that chance to pause, breathe, and recover. Now in 2025, I’m down to my last two modules, then internship. It wasn’t easy, but the break gave me space to recover without walking away completely.
If your uni has something similar, you might be able to apply for a long-term LOA too, especially if you cite mental health in big 2025 (might need doctor’s memo). It won’t feel like a step forward at first, but it’s a way of protecting your future without shutting the door on it. And when it comes to talking to family, maybe you don’t have to call it “dropping out” just yet…perhaps say you’re seeking recovery time (for me, i used the term “gap year”). I’m sure your family will make space for something that’s clearly been weighing on you.
Sometimes stepping back is the step forward no one talks about.
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hi @bubblez ,
i wanted to tell you that you’re really brave for prioritising your needs and considering taking a break! it mustn’t be an easy thing to consider
for considering whether to drop out, i think there are counsellors and advisors at uni that can help guide you on what your options are… as some of the other posters mentioned, dropping out isn’t necessarily the only option! i personally have taken an LOA for my mental health in the past, and it gave me the break i needed without affecting my studies too much. but everyone has different needs and it would be good to explore which option is the best for you 
it’s definitely not easy to tell your family something like this, but if you know that this is what you need, its important to communicate that sometimes i find it easier to have difficult conversations like this if i script it out beforehand and anticipate how they might respond, i wonder if that might be helpful for you
take care! if you ever need a listening ear we are here for you 
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Hi @bubblez,
I’m sorry you’re feeling this way. It sounds like the weight of everything is pressing down hard, and it’s completely valid to want relief from that. When we’re overwhelmed, it’s tempting to make big decisions just to escape the pressure, but choices like dropping out of university deserve careful thought. You’ve already invested so much time, energy, and money into this path, and walking away without a clear plan could leave you feeling even more lost.
Before making any final decisions, it’s important to talk to someone you trust - a mentor, career counsellor, or even a friend who can help you sort through the emotional fog and look at things from a steadier perspective.
To echo the sentiments of @user1446, the economy right now is indeed unpredictable, and stepping away from university without a backup plan could make it harder to find stable opportunities later. A degree isn’t everything, but it does open doors, especially in an extremely competitive job market. If you’re struggling, there might be ways to lighten your academic load, take a temporary break, or explore alternative paths without giving up entirely. Like @octopus and @brokenbutterfly have mentioned, alternative ways such as a Leave of Absence (LOA) may be possible.
You deserve support, not shame, and your family may need time to understand. But they also care about your future. Let’s figure out how to approach this with clarity and courage =)
Best regards,
Han_Solo_2000
Befriender | let’s talk by mindline