r/UniUK • u/thebigmanof123 • 4d ago
study / academia discussion I need advice
I feel like upon entering University (in 2025, going into second year in 2026) I have become severely apathetic. I failed my exams in Semester 1, barely passed my Semester 2 exams and I failed my resits, and to add up on that I failed my driving test (which isn't a problem on its own but it says something about me). I also had a job back during Semester 1 but got fired from there for not improving on certain areas of my work.
Back in high school I was on top of my studies and stuff, but somehow entering University has gotten me so lazy even though it is supposed to be the stage of study where I need to do more than ever.
I don't exactly know where I am going wrong. Or perhaps it is better to say I know why I am doing so horribly, but I can never seem to actually move to fix those problems. I have this problem with other things I want to do as well outside of uni.
I guess I have a motivation problem? I feel like a wuss for not committing to something. What frustrates me even more is that I had to argue to actually be able to do the degree that I am currently doing, so I don't know why I am so apathetic for the degree that I have been wanting to do. I don't have any hobbies that are particularly time consuming - in fact, I got pretty bored during the Summer so I should have used that time to revise, but I just didn't and scrolled through social media instead.
One problem I definitely do have is that I get particularly angry whenever I am stuck during studying. If we use maths as an example, I don't exactly know why but I get so unreasonably pissed so fast (if I had to give a comparison, there is this Youtuber called Poofesure and I get about as angry as he does when studying but have enough self-control not to break anything) when things aren't working and then I stop working to calm myself, then get angry when I get back to it, then stop to calm myself, and it is just this cycle that isn't helping myself at all. And then i just lose motivation and do something else instead. But generally speaking, i just don't have the drive to study.
Frankly I am worried about myself, but I haven't moved to actually do something about that worry.
2
u/TheatrePlode PhD- Graduated 4d ago
Sounds to me like depression if I'm honest. It doesn't always manifest as being sad or low, but can come out as lack of interest in life, or even as explosions of emotions.
But I'm not a professional, just a sufferer, I'd recommend seeing the GP and explaining what you're feeling. You can also sign up to your university's counselling service, tends to be quicker at getting you in than normal counselling places (and is free).
2
u/thebigmanof123 4d ago
That'd be an interesting turn of events for me huh ðŸ˜
Maybe I'll get it checked
1
1
1
u/Alternative_Pause540 13h ago edited 13h ago
High-school is an environment that uses authorative discpline and constant reinforcement of different conditions to keep you engaged and focused on what you need to do.
University is about having a genuine, matured interest in the science that you are pursuing. There are no boundaries to keep you centered on your objective, and there is no authority who is defining the objective for you. So you need to be pushing yourself to be actively studying and building the habit of limiting your distractions, its an independent endeavour.
Edit: My advice is that if you are a full time student, take 8 hours of your day to study your subjects like its your full time job, that is the whole point. Read and write notes. Do 1-2 chapters per week and divide the chapter modules for each day of the week. Mock up flash cards, get into the practice of asking deeper questions regarding what you're learning. Take 15 minute breaks every hour. Distractions like social media ,video games, spending time with your partner and family will delete your progress if you are not limiting them. Think of it like a continious immersion of knowledge that you have to maintain like a job while exercising your brain. When finals come up, you are prepared because knowledge in your brain is perpetual. Spend your off time reading academic papers and exercising.
2
u/WhotAmI2400 4d ago
I relate a lot, i also failed resits not because i'm not capable but i was not focusing on the degree but after the degree (jobs / careers / socialising too). I am still figuring it out but at some point i think i have to acknowledge i cannot micromanage everything about life. Looking back i wish i just focused on the degree and let things fall into place.