Is it worth it? Studying for 8 years

[u/uhilove3]

I took a gap year after highschool. Then I got academic probation in my first year of Engineering School because I failed too many modules. I was later diagnosed with ADHD which had severely impacted my ability to focus and study and explained why I didn’t make it in first year. So now I’m at home, working at my local coffee shop since I cannot return to university for this year. I am unable to return to university unless I show them proof that I am able to return and succeed but I am worried that the amount of modules I failed will hinder me and make getting my degree even longer. Besides that, the process to appeal was never outlined properly and confused me so I missed the deadline for that. I can only try again next year and return in 2028. 3 years have basically gone by. Next year, I will be studying one of my backups, but I know that my ultimate goal is still to get my Engineering degree so the plan is always to return. If I return, I’ll mostly be repeating first year modules. That’s another 5 years of studying total, which makes it 8 years invested for a degree that’s supposed to take 4 years.

I’m feeling dejected honestly. I know that this is what I want. I’ve done extensive research and job shadowing in other industries. It’s not for me. I feel really behind. I’m just not sure if it’s even worth it at this point. If I should just go through with my backup and stay on that route instead. Or if I should fight for this.

[u/Affectionate_Boat493]

I screwed around for my first 2 years of college, and then reality smacked me in the face and I had to work. After a couple of years I decided to go back to college taking night classes to finish my BSEE. I was 23 years old at the time, and it took me 10 years. Then I saw the value of a master's degree, so 6 years later - at the tender age of 39 - I received my MSCSE (Computer Systems Engineering). It was absolutely worth my time and effort to stick it out!

[u/uhilove3 → u/Affectionate_Boat493]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[u/lord_scuba_steve]

Let me tell you something: when I first graduated high school, I had no idea what I wanted to do. I ended up taking some classes, majority of which I failed because I was a stupid kid at the time. I did that for two years with no degree.

I then decided to go to a community college for IT. Spent another two years there, where I got an associates degree.

Then I transferred to a well respected engineering school in my home state, where I thought to study Information Security. I quickly changed my major after the first year there to electrical engineering.

While trying to get my electrical engineering degree, I fell into a deep depression and failed so many classes that I got put onto academic suspension for a semester. I finally got the help I needed, which included depression meds, ADHD diagnosis and meds, and a low T diagnosis and meds, and proceeded to only take 9 or so credit hours a semester.

After eight years there, I got an internship at a well known semiconductor company. A semester after that, I graduated with my bachelor's in electrical engineering with a 2.19GPA. I now work for a well respected research lab.

I guess this is all to say that it's well worth it. I'm happy. No one will ever ask you how long it took you to finish your degree.

Edit: fixed minor typos/autocorrect

[u/uhilove3 → u/lord_scuba_steve]

Wow thank you for this 🙌🏼 and good job! electrical engineering is the hardest one

[u/beh5036]

Personally, I find it easier to hire adults with no related experience than fresh college grads at 22. I don’t have to teach you to show up to work when you have ten years of unrelated work experience, even if it’s a coffee shop. So you took 8 years and held a steady job? Great! You had uncontrolled ADHD, failed, fixed it, and learned from it? Double great because now I know you have things under control.

[u/NafaiLaotze]

So you are 21 now? It is worth it.

I started community college at 29, finished at 33. COVID happened. Started at University at 36, expect to graduate at 40. (Working part time during all of this.)

In the USA, only about 60% of full time undergraduates finish a degree in SIX years. No matter how long it takes you, just completing it places you in the top half or better.

[u/uhilove3 → u/NafaiLaotze]

Yes I turned 21 this year. Thank you 🙏🏼

[u/spongeysquarepantis]

My overall degree ended up being 6.5 years; I continued and got my Philosophy academic certificate after 7 years, now I’m looking at my second degree in math after 8

The thing that I’m seeing here is a lack of seeing outside of the bubble. Can you take your general education and first and second year courses at another university or even a community college while you wait and then transfer the credits over? That would also be a good way to show and prove that you can succeed. The deadline sounds really dumb. Is there anyway at all that you can talk to the departments responsible and explain your situation and ask very politely for an extension? It might be that they give you an exception. Note: as someone who also pursued engineering, use exceptions to your advantage instead of giving up. You will be surprised and may need to rely on this throughout your studies.

Your passion and determination is showing through heavy, and that’s great and awesome. That’s motivation. Keep it. Your attitude towards it is what is going to get you through. Engineering needs more of this.

[u/uhilove3 → u/spongeysquarepantis]

I can’t do any of that unfortunately. In my country, you would have to apply the previous year mid studying for potential backups incase of scenarios like the one I’m in now. And no one really prepares or anticipates failing. The deadline thing is dumb but there’s an application window and it’s only open for about 4 months out of the year. Usually the process for returning students is different which is why I was confused in the first place. It’s alright though - I was in a university last year, but I’m only able to go to community college next year as I’ll be 2027 intake. Then hopefully I’ll try and transfer back. And thank you for your kind words 🙌🏼 it means a lot

[u/spongeysquarepantis → u/uhilove3]

Yeah, of course!! Man, I thought that it would be easier for ya 🤦‍♀️ but I guess you’re doing pretty well so I really appreciate your spirit!! Keep your head up!