Decision

Post Reply New Topic

I have a decision to make and I hope you will give me some input to help me make the right one.

Ok, I'm at university at the minute, studying Biomedical Science. I have completed 1 1/2 years, and have another 1 1/2 years to go. However, I have repeated a semester 3 times now because during the exam period I keep having severe panic attacks (due to change in routine, perfectionism, etc) and usually end up trying to kill myself.

Anyway, the decision I have to make is whether I try to sit these exams again (4th time) or transfer into a Psychology degree in the Open University.

Why Psychology?

Well, it was a "special interest" while I was in school, and I actually originally applied to study it at university. I still find the subject fascinating, and planned to take classes within my current degree which related to it (neuropsychopharmacology and neuroscience).

The reason I didn't study it was because I was unsure about what kind of job I could get with it (I didn't want to be a therapist). So I decided on BMS because it would allow me to get into medical school so I could become a psychiatrist. However, I have discovered that it is possible to get into medical school with a degree in psychology (although I'm not sure I want to do that now since medicine has a lot of exams).

EDIT: I should also say the my interest in medicine has declined since I got my diagnosis. I'm not sure if I would make a good doctor.

Since learning I have AS my interest in Psychology has grown.

Why Open University

If you don't know, the OU is a distance learning university, where they send you the information via post or internet.

It's actually very highly regarded

You get your own personal tutor for each class you take

It's part-time, so less stressful

You don't have to deal with the stress of working with annoying class mates. EDIT: not all of them are annoying, but some of them sit around in groups talking really loudly, which gives me a headache due to sensory issues.

One of the reasons I get so stressed out is because of the change of routine that occurs going from class time into the revision period just before the exams. I usually find it ok during class time because a timetable is given to me by the lecturer (an authority figure), but during the exam period I find it difficult to stick to my own timetable because there is no one is there to tell me I should - like at school. Since the OU involves constantly having to make your own schedule and stick to it, there is no change between the "class time" and exam period, and you're practising it all year.

I know the decision is ultimately up to me but some advice would be useful.

Last edited by wblastyn on 11 Feb 2008, 4:09 pm, edited 2 times in total.

If you find classmates annoying, then how do expect to work as a psychiatrist or a psychologist with people who will put all kinds of demands on you in their search for help?

Sorry, I said this jokingly, but some (not all) annoy me if they're in groups talking too loud.

1. No degree is worth killing yourself over - If you talk to most people here with degrees they'll tell you that once you leave university, the degree becomes a piece of paper that nobody looks at - not even your prospective employers.

2. If you're having to repeat 3 times and you say it's because of the panic, not the work, then how can you be sure that it wont happen in psychology.

3. Psychology beats biomedical studies hands down every time - there are many more psychology jobs.

Well tbh I don't know for sure, but I'm just hoping that the fact you get a personal tutor (I had a mentor, but she did not know my subject, she just helped with organisation, etc), the degree is part-time and that there is no big change in routine, will make a difference.


That's good to know!