Feeling lost in uni

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year 3 uni student at one of the local unis. im at a point in my life where i dont know if i really want to continue this course of study anymore. when i first applied to university, this was my first choice but as i studied more, it felt like it wasnt in line with what i wanted to do. also, apparently it was really bad to the point where i got diagnosed with anxiety and depression during year 1 and ive been on medication since.

my family wants me to push through and tough it out so i can graduate but i dont want to feel any regrets by continuing when i could have done something else.

should i just continue or should i take a break? i personally want to take a year off and go on LOA and rethink about what i want but i dont know what to do and how to start. its so daunting and scary and i dont know what to do. but i also feel very shameful if i do, because i would look like a failure since my friends are continuing on. i dont know what to do cause on one hand i only have like a year left, but on the other hand im not even sure if i can make it through that year since i also have internships, which have to be relevant to my course and i dont really like my course anymore???

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That sounds incredibly overwhelming, and I’m really glad you shared all of this. You’re standing at a crossroads where every option feels heavy, and that alone is enough to make anyone feel stuck and scared.

It makes sense that you’re questioning things now. You chose this course with the best information you had back then and you’ve changed since. Realising something no longer fits doesn’t mean you made a wrong choice; it means you’ve grown and learned more about yourself. And going through anxiety and depression on top of uni is definitely not a small thing. You’ve already been carrying so much quietly.

I hear the tension you’re stuck in: your family wanting you to push through, the voice in your head saying “I only have one year left,” and another part of you wondering if you even can survive that year, especially with internships tied to something you no longer feel aligned with. That’s not indecisiveness; that’s your mind trying to protect you from more pain.

The shame you mentioned feels really important too. Watching friends continue while you pause can make it feel like you’re “falling behind” or failing even when, deep down, you know you’re just trying to take care of yourself. That comparison can be brutal. But needing rest, space, or clarity doesn’t make you weak, it usually means you’ve been strong for too long.

You don’t have to decide everything right now. Whether it’s continuing, taking LOA, or even just slowing down the decision-making, it’s okay to take this one step at a time. The fear and daunted feeling you’re describing are very real… furthermore this is a big decision and it’s understandable that you don’t know where to start.

Whatever you choose, it won’t erase your effort, your intelligence, or your worth. You’re not a failure for questioning, and you’re not broken for feeling unsure. We are here with you in this confusion, we can sit with it together, gently, without forcing an answer before you’re ready :white_heart: And when you are ready to share more, maybe we can explore options together.

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Hey @tunaMayo. This honestly sounds exhausting and overwhelming. Being in year 3 is often when doubts hit the hardest because you’ve already invested so much of your time and energy, but you’re also tired, and you know yourself better now than when you first applied. And you’re also carrying too many “what ifs” all at once with family expectations, your own expectations, mental health, internships, comparisons with friends and the fear of regret. It’s really a lot.

I just want to pause and reflect something back to you. Despite everything you’re feeling, you’ve made it to Year 3 while managing anxiety, depression, and a growing sense that something wasn’t right for you. That takes a lot of resilience, and I want to acknowledge that for you :yellow_heart:

Questioning your path doesn’t erase how far you’ve come. It actually shows that you’re trying to live intentionally, not just on autopilot. And that takes courage, especially when your family wants one thing and you want something different.

You also don’t have to decide “continue or LOA” all at once. Sometimes it helps to take the pressure off by asking smaller, gentler questions first like “What support do I need right now?” or “What information would help me feel less lost?” Even talking to a uni counsellor or academic advisor doesn’t lock you into a decision. It’s an opportunity to provide you with more clarity and reminder that you’re not alone in this.

Echoing what @here2hear has shared, whatever you choose, it doesn’t define your worth or cancel out everything you’ve work so hard for.

I hope you can be kind and gentle with yourself and your navigate this. You are doing the best you can, okie? May you find moments of calm and clarity ahead :sunflower:

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Hey @tunaMayo,

Thank you for sharing this. It sounds like this conflict you’re having on whether to continue studying your current course or changing it is taking a toll on you. Moreover, the added pressure from your family and comparison with friends sounds like it’s adding on to the stress you have.

To start off, I wanted to comment on how far you’ve come. You made it to year 3 while managing anxiety and depression, on top of school work and this tension you’re having. It takes a lot of resilience and perseverance to do so!

Additionally, with regards to whether you should continue or take a break, I feel consulting your school’s career coach would be great to give you clarity on what to do next. He or she can probably advise you better on what to do. And I think it’s not shameful at all if you want to take a break or change course. Taking longer to clear university or taking a different path from the rest does not mean you’re a failure. It doesn’t define who you are as a person. Sometimes, some of us need more time to figure out what we want to do, and that’s alright! It doesn’t erase all the effort, experiences and lessons you’ve been through these 3 years!

Be kind to yourself, and if you need a listening ear, we’re here for you :heart: