If you find that you aren’t enjoying your course then listen to Rumbidzai Maweni’s sensible advice…

So, you’ve just left home for the first time. Maybe your parents drove you for hours on end, northward bound from some province of the South. Or perhaps you’ve just recently flown in from overseas to study abroad. Never mind how it happened. The fact of the matter is that you’re here. You’ve already made a small coterie of like-minded friends, you’re preparing to embark on what looks to be a bright and promising academic career at Durham when shock, horror, the unthinkable happens: You realize that you’ve chosen the wrong course of study.

Well, breathe, clear your head of all those ghastly images of oil stains and serving chips for the rest of your days, and fear not. You are not doomed, nor is your problem all that original. Student Planning and Assessment reports that in 2006 17% of incoming Durham freshers switched courses sometime during their first year. It’s normal to change your mind, and even your heart. What was once a fierce academic passion for Philosophy can wane and diminish over time. Or perhaps you really are just trying to avoid that grease-stained future. Nevertheless, once you realize that you are dissatisfied with your course you do have a number of options:

1) Don’t jump to switch courses, but don’t wait too long to do it
Sounds paradoxical, but the fact of the matter is that University is a whole different ball-game and a subject you studied at A-level may differ in approach and content at University level. Give yourself at least a week or two of classes. The University generally gives students a few weeks grace period to change and fiddle with their degree a bit, so don’t be too hasty to jump ship. It may just turn out to be an adjustment phase. However, once you realize you may have potentially chosen the wrong course, start researching alternative options immediately. That way, if after the requisite two-weeks are up you’re still dissatisfied you’ll already have a list of options lined up. If you don’t change degrees within these first few weeks, the best course of action would be to continue your course for the remainder of the year, then make that switch after exams. If you’re changing from something flexible like say, a BA Combined Honours in Arts degree that includes English to a BA Single Honours Degree in English, you probably won’t have to repeat your first year. But be forewarned, that in most cases this is exactly what you may be required to do.

2) Speak to your college tutor/department heads/the advice center
If you were at first befuddled as to what college tutors were for, this will give you an early reason to get in touch with yours. This is exactly the sort of concern you should bring forward and the best college tutors will provide you with invaluable advice and personal support, as well as help you navigate all that pesky University bureaucracy. The next step then would be to contact the department head of the course you’re interested in to see how feasible it would be to make the transition. You only really need to speak to the head of your own department when you ask to be released, though you may contact him or her earlier if you wish. Don’t be shy of department heads. As current third-year, Sam Walker, who changed courses in his first and second year (his degree metamorphosing from a joint Bsc Psychology and Philosophy degree to a BA Combined Honours in Arts: English, Spanish, and French) remarks: “The only inconvenience you’ll cause is that you’ll have to walk to the departments. They are so used to it, everyone seems to change.” Education Welfare Officer, Emma Carter, also advises students who are feeling particularly uncertain to consult the Advice Center located in the DSU for any additional personal and academic support.

3) Inform Key Stakeholders of Your Decision
That is, if Mom and Dad are paying your room and board or taking care of exorbitant international student fees, they would probably like to be informed if you are switching from say, Economics and Finance to Sociology. Whether it will be quick and painless or start a family feud, it’s best to get this done as soon as possible so that you can continue with the actual process of course-swapping with a clear head and conscience.

4) Don’t Forget to Assess Your Financial Situation
Different students will have different concerns when changing courses, but one of the primary concerns is usually financial. For those who decide towards the end of the year that they want to start their first year over and pursue a four year course, Martin Hind, a current third year who switched from Law to Chemistry, urges such students to consider the economic consequences as well: “Serious consideration is needed…especially economic for domestic students as the LEA only fund you for four years, so you’ll be burdened with one year of paying the tuition fees for yourself.” For international students, certainly, the financial aspect is of even greater concern.

5) Do it!
Once you’ve made all the proper considerations and you’ve sorted yourself out on your decision, the only thing left to do is make that switch without fear or hesitation. “I can’t think of anything worse than doing something you dislike and don’t have a particular aptitude for,” remarks Martin Hind in reference to his own decision. Starting University on the right foot academically will pave the way for a rich and fulfilling experience at Durham and there is no point in staying the course if you don’t enjoy what you’re doing. Your University degree is an investment. Make sure you make the most of it.

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