I started studying Chemistry in my mid-20s at a top-20 university and had a great first year but then it went downhill very quickly afterwards. Now I am in the final year with a few more exams and a dissertation to go. I have had long-term learning difficulties and I am thinking that maybe I am simply not capable of finishing this degree and that I am also here by sheer luck.
I have had long term depression, anxiety and self-esteem issues. However for the first time in my life and after the worst 1.5 years that I have ever experienced, it feels like I am starting to turn a corner. Getting onto a graduate scheme is going to be tough as nails so I will probably stay clear. I know getting a degree at whatever age is extremely helpful and I have read many stories here on Reddit where people have seemingly changed their lives well into their 30s and 40s by getting one. However these stories seem too good to be true. Likewise I know many bright people in the UK who are much younger than me who have graduated and are struggling to find a job.
My interest now lies in getting into the tech field. Reddit seems to have so many success stories. I have always been interested in computers and have always enjoyed tinkering with that stuff but again I go back to the graduates who are struggling. Likewise it seems to be a field that is now becoming flooded.
Here are the options I am weighing up
1. Finish the exams this year, finish disso next year while I work
2. Finish exams now, get as many credits as possible and get a certificate of education of some sort. Then try to get a job in whatever field (ideally tech).
3. Finish exams now, get credits an learn a trade (plumbing, electrician etc.)
I also have personal reasons for staying. There is somebody I want to marry but I don’t want to keep her and her family waiting even longer. Likewise my parents are getting older so they need more support financially.
***tl;dr*** *- Don’t know if I should finish degree at 32/33 in Chemistry or try to get into some professional work now. I am getting old and I need to make decisions ASAP. Having to weigh up my mental health which can deteriorate at any time though I am feeling the best I have ever in a long time.*
4 comments
Do what you have to do.
If you think its right then do it.
You finish at 33, you will work until 65. Thats still 30+ years and if you have depression etc its also understandable
If you are close on the exams and then all you need to do is a dissertation, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to just complete it. If you want to go into computers, you will get a lot of credit for the classes you already took, but then you would have a whole list of more classes to take, which would probably take another couple of years. As far along as you seem to be, I would just stick with it and then get a job making good money. It seems like its really about the money for you at this point anyways.
I can’t answer that for you, but it took me 5 years to do a 4 year BA, and then I had to g oback twice. It took 4 years to do 2 year MA, and 3 years to do the 1.5 year MA. So all in all it took me 12 years to do 7.5 years worth of school. I’m waaay better off for finishing them, but that is based on the fact that for teaching I absolutely needed them. Your dreams/goals might be different.
In two year’s time you’ll be 34/35 you can spend next two years finishing off your degree, or not, but you’ll still be 34/35 😉. Just do it!