Combatting the 'I want to drop out of uni and see the world' mentality

Combatting the 'I want to drop out of uni and see the world' mentality

By Lottie Murray

People in my life often ask me why I chose to go to university. After all, there is “so much debt involved”, and I’d be lying if I said I haven’t asked myself that question regularly as well. I usually respond by saying that university has been much more than simply receiving a grade on a piece of paper after three years (minimum) of study. Although people primarily come to university to be awarded with a degree in their chosen area, moving cities/countries/continents completely changes a person’s life. Impact’s Lottie Murray explores the feeling of resentment many students feel towards their decision to study at university.

I often think back to that feeling of dread and uncertainty on A-Level results day, constantly refreshing the page and dramatically waiting for those three letters to come through which would determine my plan for the next three years. With a lot of uncertainty across my year group, and some of my closest friends already planning their upcoming year to be full of intriguing excursions in different parts of the world, I remained certain that university was the only option on my radar.

As soon as I arrived at my new home in Nottingham, I couldn’t quite comprehend that I had made it to university and that my life was about to change forever. There were so many ups and downs (even just in the very first week) but having my flatmates to experience it with made the transition so much easier. I truly believe that the connections I made during Freshers Week are ones that will stick around for the rest of my life. Without the friends I have made along the way, my entire experience would be entirely different.

For as long as I can remember, it was not a question that I wanted to study at university. Although the application process was not entirely smooth for me in terms of which school I would attend, I felt that I was in a place in my life where I wanted to gain independence and expand my academic knowledge. My high school and college had subtly promoted attending university since I was a child and I was regularly inspired by social media posts from my family friends’ graduations, which further sparked my desire to achieve a degree for myself.

At the beginning of my second year, I hit a wall and I felt incredibly overwhelmed. I wasn’t receiving the grades I wanted, I was working far too many hours at my part-time job, and I really missed home. I didn’t want to be in Nottingham anymore. This all came down to the envy I felt about not being able to ‘start my life’ and see the world.

During my first year at university, I was fortunate enough to be able to travel alongside my studies. I mean a £16 return Ryanair flight to Venice should hardly go amiss, right?

I developed the mindset that I could easily do my coursework from anywhere and I tried my best to balance both of the things I wanted to do (obviously on a lower scale). Of course, my naivety didn’t have the best outcome and I started neglecting my university work and consequently I hugely struggled to find the right balance between the two.

My best friend from home decided to reject her university offer and follow a different path – travelling the world with only her backpack. She has visited so many incredible places around the world and I couldn’t be prouder of her for not conforming to stupid societal expectations around university and instead making her own dreams come true: the entire world is her classroom!

I am especially proud of how she reminds everyone in her life that backpacking isn’t always how it is portrayed by influencers on social media. While she is so courageous and full of gratitude for her ability to experience living in various places throughout the year , she has struggled through the same feelings I have had, as a student. After all, struggle is part of what makes us human!

A lot of my reservations about university over the past two years came down to the constant comparison that social media promotes. My feed is constantly filled with travel content and I would love nothing more than to be out of the miserable weather and instead snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef. This comparison led to me associating university with feelings of restriction and confinement.

When I was feeling trapped and unmotivated, I took the leap and fully emerged myself in lots of societies. Before this, I felt as though I didn’t have any distinct passions and this was highlighted in the millions of introductions I was doing during freshers. Not only did joining societies such as Impact, URN and Amnesty reignite my passion for writing and communication, it also allowed me to rediscover who I truly am as a person. Although my university journey isn’t quite over yet, I can confidently say that I have met people through societies who will stay in my life forever.

I still frequently miss home and my life before university – and I have even questioned if I made the right decision to come here at all – but university has been much more than just studying Theology.

I remain filled with gratitude for earning my place here and being offered so many incredible opportunities (such as writing this piece right now). While a lot can happen in three years, it truly isn’t that long in the grand scheme of things and it is important not to take it for granted.

I have learnt that comparing your post A-Level decisions to anyone from your sixth form/college cohort is not productive. I am truly convinced that everyone can make what they want out of their own life, although it will take time. The world truly is your oyster if you want it to be – even if you are currently based in Nottingham! It’s possible that people from year 12/13 may have already visited every country in the world before I have even begun, but I’ve found peace with that reality.

Life at university, like any other decision, will inevitably ebb and flow but I feel reassured that both my friend and I chose the right option for ourselves. Wouldn’t life be dull if we all made the exact same decisions?