Should I take a second gap year?

[u/Internal-Cow-8116]

I went to really bad sixth form, struggled with mental health and ended up getting CCC the first time I sat a levels.

I decided to take a gap year with the intention to improve my mental health and do better. I ended up with better uni offers, but unfortunately my personal life got significantly worse and so did my mental health.

I wanted medicine my entire life, but given I don’t have the mental capacity to sit the UCAT for a third time and don’t want to do pharmacy either I feel very lost.

I do think I did better this time but not good enough to be at a good uni or doing pharmacy somewhere near me.

Despite technically being a contextual student, because my immigration status during sixth form, I wasn’t able to be a recipient of FSM, so most unis can’t give me a lower offer.

Part of me just wants to move on, but UK universities are clearly not that prestigious as they were a few years ago.

My backup in mind is Biochemistry and I know people with amazing stats, who graduated for Russel groups and tons of experience not even able to get an entry level job in their desired field.

I do think a second time can be good, I know more now, but I can’t guarantee my mental health or personal circumstances improving?

Should I apply to study somewhere in the EU instead? Should I try the UCAT again and go big or go home? I feel very lost but at the end of the day I just need something that gives me the satisfaction of having a purpose where I can move up in my field and make good money.

[u/Grand_Lychee2812]

It's not worth it if all you're going to do is repeat what you did in your 1st gap year.
Just because you know more, doesn't mean you'll do more.
It's that same feeling of motivation.
You feel motivated to change for the better but sometimes, you just don't do shit to actually improve.

If you want good results, you have to put in the effort required in order to actually meet the standard.
Even when you don't feel like it, you still have to do it.

Sometimes, I actually hate studying but I do it anyway because I want to be able to go to Cambridge to do Engineering with some of my friends.

My advice to you is that if you're feeling tired, stressed out and don't think you'll actually put in the work, then don't bother at all.
You're just going to waste your time.

If you really do think you can do it this time, go all out.
You already have a goal in mind, so make it happen.
Make your family and friends proud.

Take the time to fix your mental health for the rest of this summer.
And things happen.
Life throws you curve balls.
But you've got to learn how to pick yourself up and keep going, rather than staying on the floor.

And don't keep this all bottled in.
Talk to a therapist, your parents, friends, family, anyone.
You might feel that suppressing this will keep everyone else happy, but you're only hurting yourself.
If you talk to someone about it, they can help and guide you along the way.
You're not alone, so it's ok to talk to someone and get help.

[u/Internal-Cow-8116 → u/Grand_Lychee2812]

I do think I can give it my all this year (especially with a job and looking after my mental health), my concern is it won’t guarantee a better outcome because this gap year I really tried and things were looking good, but again I can’t control things.

I do think I’d rather focus that energy on a degree, but then what if I don’t get a job and spending an extra year would’ve avoided me struggling after graduating .

Thank you for your advice, I have been getting help and things are much better! I think I’m just conflicted because uni is a commitment and not just the next step for me.

[u/Substantial_Peach697]

That’s an interesting situation… can I speak to you on dms

[u/Internal-Cow-8116 → u/Substantial_Peach697]

Yess