Having Second Thoughts about your Programme

If you landed on this page, you’re probably feeling uncertain about your choice of programme and may be considering switching programmes or withdrawing. You may not want to change or leave, but you just want some time out to consider your options. Whatever your situation, the information on this webpage will provide you with practical, easy to follow advice to help guide you in the right direction.

Unsure About your Programme?

It may help you to know that you’re not alone in the way you are thinking or feeling. Other students have experienced similar circumstances. The following are some reasons why students may want to change or leave their programme:

Degree Programme: Modules / Structure 

It’s not what you thought it would be like; the work is too easy/difficult; you find it’s very like school; you find the content boring; you’re just not interested in the topic any longer; it wasn’t your first choice of programme.  

The structure of lectures doesn’t suit you; the assessment style is difficult for you to adjust to; you feel overwhelmed; the programme is not what you expected; you feel that you don’t have the same level of understanding as your classmates.   

Personal

You feel out of your depth; you find it difficult to manage your time because of other commitments such as part-time work, travel to and from college; your accommodation may not be idea. 

Financial

You were not successful in securing a grant; your accommodation is too expensive; you may have childcare expenses; you are worried about getting into debt. 

Disability or Health Issues

You may find that you are not ready to adapt to your new lifestyle just now; you feel unable to cope emotionally; you find it difficult to engage with other students; you feel overwhelmed and need more time to adjust.  

Maturity v Youth

You feel unsuited to the programme as you feel your classmates are older / younger; you find it difficult to balance studies with family / work / home commitments; you feel out of place in the programme / university; you find change difficult to deal with; you feel that you are not ready to make this transition. 

There are so many other reasons, but you may identify with some of the reasons given on this page. Only you will know the reason for wanting to change your current situation. Staff are available to support and guide you through the process so get in touch with one of the relevant personnel listed below. Reaching out and talking about your situation will enable you to make a better decision regarding your future. 

If you’re going to change programme or leave the university it is best to do this as early as possible. To defer a semester or exams you must notify the relevant personnel to meet the approval deadline.  

Changing programme is only possible in the first three weeks of Semester 1. If you withdraw from a programme late in the academic year, you may be liable for tuition fees when you return to higher education. Addressing your situation early on will prevent you from being charged unnecessary fees.

Before Deciding

Consider your actions

Making a hasty decision may be something you might regret, so please think carefully before you change or leave your programme. There are so many options open to you – for example, taking a leave of absence, deferring a semester or deferring examinations. By speaking to the appropriate person, you will be able to get the advice that you need to make an informed decision.

Help is at hand: All support services available to you can be found on the Student Supports webpage.

If you are a First Year Student, contact the First Year Experience Coordinator Nóirín Deady directly on n.deady@ucc.ie

If you are beyond first year, please contact the relevant staff in your college.

Support Staff in your College

To view support staff in your college please click on one of the following:

Making the most of your Present Programme

Can you adapt the programme?

• If you’re finding some elements of the programme difficult or not right for you, see what modules are offer in future years before you decide to leave.

• If you are a first year, the modules you dislike or find difficult now maybe subject to change in later years i.e. there may be a wider range of modules to choose from beyond first year. In addition, you may be able to drop some of the modules you are not interested in after first year. 

• If you are taking join honours in Year 2 of Arts, you may be able to swap Minor or Major modules. In Arts/Arts (International) you can take two modules after first year and you can choose how many credits to take in each module. For example, you can take a joint honours degree whereby each subject will weigh 30 credits. You can opt to take 40 credits in one module and 20 credits in the other. Alternatively, you can take major and take 50 credits in one module and 10 in the other. Remember you have choices, and you can tailor your degree to suit your interests.

• Most degree programmes incorporate more options as you progress so you may be able to tailor the programme the suit your interests.
  
  
• If you are struggling with study at this level, you will find help available in the Skills Centre. You should also contact your programme coordinator to let them know that you are finding the programme difficult. They will be able to offer further guidance.

Can you get to the final stage?

• If you are nearing the end of your programme or year, remember that your career options are much broader than the subjects that you have chosen to study. Even if you no longer enjoy the modules you are studying, your degree may enable you to be eligible to apply for certain roles. Many employers and postgraduate programmes are open to graduates of any discipline.  

• If you are nearing the end of first, second or third year, stick it out if you can. With this experience, you may be able to enter a similar programme at an advanced stage in the future when the timing is right for you.

Should I stay or should I go?

You may want to stay in UCC but change to a different programme. You may wish to go to another university, or you might decide that you want to explore options in Colleges of Further Education to study a different topic.  Whatever you decide, you will need to consider the following: 

• Do you have a clear and accurate ide of what you want to study? 

• Do you know what you enjoy studying the most? 

• Have you thought about what your skillset is?  

• Have you made an informed decision before leaving?  

It is essential to spend time researching your options and– be clear about what you did and did not like about your current programme.  Gather as much information as possible before applying to the CAO or to a College of Further Education.  You have choices so take the time to explore and discover what is best for you.

What if the programme is too difficult for me? 

If you have failed some modules or the end of year exams, or you feel that the work / study required is too much for you, then you may want to consider your options:

• Are things as bad as you fear? Talk to your lecturers as you may be able to get an extension on your assignment(s). 

• You can prepare for assignments and exams by contacting the Skills Centre where you will find specialists who will help you with study skills and exam preparation. 

• You can request to defer a semester / exam until you are more prepared.

• If you have failed modules in the first semester, all is not lost.  Your results are provisional until the end of the year. You still have time to catch up.  Seek out the supports available to you.

Taking a Break from Study

You may not want to change or leave your programme, but just need some time out to consider your options. Reasons for taking a break may be:

Withdrawing from your Programme

Leaving your programme early may leave you feeling disappointed, annoyed, or lacking in confidence. You may be worried about what your family and friends will think of your decision to leave. Afterall, you don’t want to leave anybody down. You might feel that you’ve wasted time and money and missed other opportunities. These feelings are understandable but there are not necessarily correct. There is often no point in continuing to study if you are not in the right programme or lack motivation to engage and continue with programme work. It is important to make this a positive step. It often takes more courage to admit that you’ve made a mistake and move on than to say on a programme that you are not interested in. This is your opportunity to step back, consider other options and put a plan in place for the future. Withdrawing from you programme does not mean that you are giving up – it means that you are stepping out for a period only. There are many different study options and programmes available that might suit you better.