Thinking of leaving a course? Three key questions to ask

Your career idea may have changed because you've seen that the course you're on doesn’t suit you or because you've thought of a new career idea. Give yourself time to consider all your career options before making a decision. You should:

• Take the Career Match Quiz to match your skills and interests with career ideas. This may give you more career ideas
• Look at Job Information to find out what qualifications you need for your new career idea. It may be that the course you are doing will still let you to follow your new career path

If you find the work too easy you should speak to your Teacher, Tutor or Lecturer first. Tell them how you feel.  It could be that they want to see the type of work you produce before giving you more challenging work.  You may be able to move to a higher level course where relevant or be given additional, more challenging tasks.

Talk with your Tutor, Teacher or Lecturer. They are there to support you and want to make sure that you succeed on their course. They will be able to offer you support to understand the work or think about other options to help you.

You may be able to drop down a level or take fewer modules or subjects. Keep in mind that if you take fewer modules or subjects and go part time this could affect any finance you are receiving. Check out Funding your studies for more information.

There are different reasons why people don't always settle in a new environment such as:

• The school, college or university campus being too big or too small
• Worries about money or mental health concerns
• Not enjoying your course
• Realising the new environment just doesn’t suit you
• Not getting along with others on the course

Feeling unsettled in a new environment can make you unhappy. But there are ways to improve your situation. You should:

• Give yourself time. This is a new chapter in your life and you’ll have a lot to think about so give yourself time to adjust
• Remember why you chose the course originally. This will help you focus on your aim and end goal, be it moving on to further or higher education or a specific career
• List the pros and cons. Think about how staying on the course or leaving the course will affect you. Consider what you’d do if you did leave? Remember, for some careers there’s more than one way to qualify. Reseach your careers ideas and ways to qualify on Job Information
• Consider all your options. If you don’t think you’re in the right place, find out what your other options are before you make your final decision. You could consider:
  • Apprenticeships
  • Getting a Job
  • Self-employment
  • Jobs Growth Wales+

If you are in university and are uncertain if you're on the right course. Take a look at Changing or leaving a course on ucas.com.

It's natural to worry about the cost of education. But it's important to remember that there is financial support available for students.

• Take a look at Funding your Studies for more information
• Look at Student Finance Wales to see what's available

You could consider taking a part time job to help fund your time in education. But make sure you don’t sacrifice your course work. You will need to make sure you have time to study and revise for exams. Take a look at Getting a Job for advice and support to finding work.

Many people have personal issues that can sometimes affect how and where they study. Personal issues can be for health reasons, caring responsibilities or family duty. Whatever your reasons you should know that your school, college and university can offer you support.

Talk to your school, college or university about what's happening, they can only start to help you when they know what you are facing. Depending on your circumstances and the education establishments policies they may be able to:

• Allow you additional time to complete and hand in work
• Offer the opportunity to take a year out and return the following year

We can discuss your options with you and support you with taking your next steps. Book an appointment with a careers adviser.

Speak to your Teacher, Tutor or Lecturer about how you are feeling. They want you to succeed so it makes sense to talk to them. You could speak to them if you are thinking of:

• Changing a course
• Leaving school/college/university

Student Services in college and university and pastoral support in school can also support you with any personal issues you may be having.

If you are not sure what to say, try writing down or recording the questions you have, and how you are feeling, so you’re prepared and don’t forget anything.

There are other organisations who can help, such as:

• Meic – information, advice and advocacy helpline for children and young people
• Samaritans – provides emotional support to anyone in emotional distress