Coming to University is a very big step in your life and unlike some of your friends around you, you might be finding it difficult. Let us reassure you... it’s quite normal for you to feel like this, but instead of giving up now, why not consider the following:

Have you thought any of the following?

I think it’s boring at University

If you think it’s boring at University and you would prefer to be back home then that might be that you haven’t found a group of friends who have similar interests as you. In your Students’ Union you will find a massive selection of sports teams and societies where you will [hopefully] find some like-minded people who share your interests.

I hate my course

If you hate your course and want to transfer to another University, the best thing you can do is discuss how you feel with your Programme Leader or Academic Counsellor. They will be able to advise you on future modules and topics and give you some support in terms of what short actions you can do for yourself to make the most out of your programme.

I haven’t made friends who are good as my friends at home

If you prefer your friends from home to the people you have met here, then why not invite your friends from home to stay here and show them around the place. As important as it is to make new friends, it is also really important that you are proud of your University and allow your friends from home to be a part of your student experience.

I think this was a waste of time

If you think this whole move to University was a waste of time then we would ask that you talk to people who know you best and discuss the reasons why you came to University, your aims and ambitions and original reasons for applying; was it because you wanted to further your knowledge of a particular subject or because you didn’t really know what to do with your life. Even if it was the second answer, that still doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take advantage of everything that is on offer at University and coming to your Students’ Union to find out is the first step in doing this!

I don’t feel old enough to have left home

If you don’t feel old enough to be at University then it is important to understand that you were good enough to get into University and as much as you may not feel old enough, there will be other students who feel too old to be at University. That is the great thing about University; you get to meet people from all different walks of life, make friends and learn from each other’s experiences.

I don’t think I can afford to be here

If you think that you money won’t stretch and worried about the debt after you graduate then it is really important to learn how to budget whilst at University. An advisor at The Source can help you with your budgeting to book an appointment please see /advice/content/410563/the_source_student_advice_service_/ If you are trying to find a job, the University’s Student Employment Agency can help you find work, visit them at http://www.derby.ac.uk/sea or telephone 01332 591830. If you are already in financial difficulty, then there may be support available to you through the Student Wellbeing Service.

I’m not involved in the University of Derby Students’ Union....yet!

If you are not already involved in your Students’ Union yet then there is no better time than now to join a society, start a society, join a sports team, start a sports team, attend one of our amazing events, become a volunteer in your community, run for a Part-time of Full-time officer position, write for the student magazine ‘Dusted’, become a representative of your student body, work for us in one of our many student-staff roles; all of these will not only enhance one or more of your many skills, but also allow you to really get the most out of your University of Derby experience.
Here are some names we suggest you familiarise yourself with:
Jo Wild (Societies & Volunteering Co-ordinator)
jo.wild@udsu.co.uk  or 01332 592172
Torri Crapper (Democracy & Representation Co-ordinator)
torri.crapper@udsu.co.uk or 01332 591505
Anton Orlandi (Athletic Union Co-ordinator)
anton.orlandi@udsu.co.uk or 01332 59591519
Julie Whiteley (Buxton Services Co-ordinator)
julie.whiteley@udsu.co.uk or 01332 594519


If after all this, you still decide that you don’t want to be here anymore and choose to go home, don’t think of it as a failure – at least you tried it! Sometimes it is important to work out what is best for you and if being away from your nearest and dearest is proving a bit too hard, then the University will support you with this.

In order to withdraw from your programme you will need to speak to your Student Liaison Officer for your Faculty. You can read about the process of withdrawing at http://www.derby.ac.uk//?taosFileId=896728

Before leaving University, you will need to complete a Withdrawal Form http://www.derby.ac.uk/files/withdrawal_form_pdf.pdf and get your Programme Leader to sign it before submitting it to your nearest Student Support Centre.

It is really important that you do submit this as failure to do so may affect your Student Finance and Loan.