What to do if the course you picked doesn’t suit you?
Once all students start their courses, quite a few can often realise that the course they have chosen does not inspire them as much as they had expected. So, what do you do if all of a sudden you decide you want to do a different course?
First, are you sure, you don’t like the course you are doing?
Often times, I heard some of my friends say that they want to change course/university very early on in the year. It is normal to struggle with the tasks you are presented with on your course or to feel confused, but that does not straight away mean that the course isn’t for you.
Make sure you check whether it is actually a problem with the course that you have, or if you’re simply lost in the task, you were given. Don’t be shy to discuss the problems you are having with your tutors, as that might change your perspective on the course.
If you are sure you want to switch courses, do you know what course to do next?
Once you have decided that the course isn’t for you, it is important to decide straight away on what course you want to do next (as the later in the year you decide, the slimmer the chances of you getting accepted, especially into your own year).
If you already know what direction, you want to go in- amazing! However, make sure to meet some peers on that course, speak to their tutors and find out as much as you can about it, to ensure that you will enjoy this new course.
If you know, you want to change, but don’t know what to ask your close friends and relatives! Most likely, you at least have loose guesses of what areas of art you are interested in, so why not ask people that sped a lot of time with you about what they think you’d be successful at! Take into account your passions and skills, as well as your previous education, and maybe even make a list of pros and cons to every course you think you could apply to with your friends.
Once you have made a firm decision to transfer:
Make sure to inform both the course leader that you would like to transfer to another course and of course the new one about your decision. Once again, confirm with them whether they think it is a good decision for you.
If you are transferring at the very start of the year, before your first deadline:
Send your portfolio and personal statement to your new head of course according to their instruction;
Once they have received and approved it, you will receive a transfer form, which you need to complete and take to the office of your new faculty
If you are transferring into a different course after your first successful deadline:
Make sure that both tutors are once again happy with your transfer.
If you are transferring within the same faculty, there should be no problems with you simply completing the transfer form and taking that to your faculty office. You will likely be allowed to stay in the same year group as you are.
If you are transferring to a different faculty from your previous one, the course leader might require your personal statement and portfolio, but once those have been approved as well as your Unit grade, you can also proceed with the transfer form. However, depending on the faculty, you might have to start your new course over from Year 1.
If you are transferring into a different course after a failed deadline:
Don’t worry, you are not alone, and it doesn’t mean that you won’t be accepted. Last year I have only successfully passed one of the two Units before my transfer, and I still managed to be accepted.
Talk to your new head of course and explain why you have been unsuccessful. If you had a valid reason to change, they will give you the opportunity to transfer.
If you have failed all units and did not have a valid reason to do so, sadly you might face rejection.
If you have been allowed to transfer, you likely won’t be able to move to the same course year as you have been in. Most probably, you will have to start over from Year 1 on your new course.
Once again, you will need to send your portfolio to your new head of course.
After completing the transfer form, take it to the faculty office of your new course.
Don’t be scared! If your course really is not right for you, sometimes it’s better to change to something that you know you’ll succeed in, than to stay and struggle through.
Look forward to your future career and do what you love!
Let us know what other tips and tricks you would like to see on the blog.