Suspecting that you are studying in a field that is not right for you can be very unsettling. You may be quite some way through your course only to realise that it is not the right fit for you, but be tempted to continue because it would be a shame to waste all the hard work, time and money you have invested.
The good news is that discovering you are studying in a field that is not right for you does not have to mean your efforts have been a waste. There are other options and you will almost certainly have developed a range of skills and knowledge which can be transferred to other contexts and professional situations. Realising that you are studying in the wrong field for you may also bring the benefit of revealing what the right field of study actually is!
So, how do you know that what you are studying isn’t working for you?
1. You crave something more practical and vocationally-based
If your field of study is largely theoretical and you do not find this fulfilling, you may be better suited to a practical course with a solid vocational base. A multitude of interesting, practical courses are available through reputable providers, such as Evocca College. Browse through the fields of study and courses available and it’s likely you will find a course that interests you, is aligned with your passions and will ultimately provide you with a well-recognised qualification.
2. The mode and approach to study does not suit you well
For many courses, there are options for how you undertake the study. For example, courses may be offered online or face-to-face; on a full-time or part-time basis, and with affordable payment options. If your current course is actually causing stress and dissatisfaction with the way that it is delivered, it may not be the best course for you. Investigate other options.
3. Are you really interested?
One of the most significant factors in a course of study being unsuitable is that you are just not interested. What you love doing may actually be quite different to what you are good at doing. Doing what you are good at will not always bring meaning or fulfilment, and these factors are important in learning, your career and life more broadly.
4. Why are your studying in this field?
There is great value in examining why you are ‘interested’ in your field of study. Think about whether you are excited by the career prospects, or because it is what your parents (or others) would like you to do.
5. You hang in there because you don’t want to abandon something you’ve started (no matter how much you hate it)
If you are trying to complete a course that you really do not enjoy and have little interest in, you probably know that you are not studying the right course for you. If you are bored, disillusioned or miserable, it may be helpful to know that changing your mind does not have to be catastrophic. It’s wise to seek the support of a careers counsellor or student counsellor to consider better options available.
There is little point in trying to do well in subjects that you are really not interested in and that you simply do not enjoy. When you feel passionate about your studies, you are also likely to feel more excitement, hope for the future and true enjoyment from what you are learning.
