What to do if you start university and feel like you’ve made the wrong choice

You spent months getting into university. People congratulated you. You sorted out the admin, turned up for the first week and probably told everyone you were excited.

Then, somewhere between the first lecture and the journey home, a thought appears: what if I have made the wrong choice?

First ask: what actually feels wrong?

• The course is not what you expected.
• You like the subject but dislike one module or assessment style.
• You feel lonely and have not settled in socially yet.
• The commute is exhausting.
• Money is making everything stressful.
• You miss home.
• You are overwhelmed by the jump in academic independence.
• You are dealing with anxiety, low mood or another wellbeing issue.

Those problems need different solutions. If the real issue is your timetable or commute, changing your entire degree may not solve it. If you genuinely chose the wrong university course, waiting for homesickness to disappear will not solve that either.

Don't use the first week as the final verdict

Give yourself enough time to see the course in action. One introductory lecture is not the whole degree, and one awkward Welcome Week does not tell you what your social life will look like in November.

That does not mean forcing yourself to stay somewhere that is clearly wrong. It means separating an adjustment period from a structural problem before you make a decision that affects your studies, finances and housing.

If the course feels wrong, look at the course - not just the title

Maybe you chose psychology and realised the modules are more scientific than you expected. Maybe business sounded right until you saw how much of the course focuses on areas you're not interested in.

Go back to the module list. Look at what you will actually study later in the year and in future years. Speak to your course team about whether the early modules are representative of the whole degree.

If you're  thinking about whether to change university course, ask what alternatives exist before assuming you need to leave university entirely. A different pathway may fit you much better.

Talk to someone before quietly disappearing

When students feel they have made a mistake, it is tempting to stop attending while they decide what to do. That usually makes the situation harder because you lose information, fall behind and feel even less connected.

Talk to your course team or Student Hub and explain what is going on. You do not need to arrive with a final decision. 'I am not sure this course is right for me' is enough to start the conversation.

UEL's student support services include academic support, wellbeing support, disability and inclusion support, and money advice. Sometimes the problem that feels like 'university is wrong' becomes much more manageable once the pressure underneath it is addressed.

If money's the problem, treat that as the problem

London can be expensive, and financial pressure has a way of making every other part of university feel worse.

UEL's student support includes money advice and financial guidance, and the University also has cost-of-living support information. There may be options you have not considered yet, from budgeting support to work opportunities or funding guidance.

If your mental health is making everything feel impossible, get support now

UEL's Student Wellbeing Service supports students experiencing stress, anxiety, low mood and other difficulties affecting everyday life or study. Support includes one-to-one help, counselling, wellbeing coaching and other resources. You do not need a diagnosis, and you do not need to wait until you are in crisis.

If you're struggling, getting support can help you make the university decision from a clearer place rather than during the worst week you have had in months.

A useful test before making the decision

Ask yourself four questions:

• If my social life improved tomorrow, would I still want to leave?
• If money were not stressful, would I still dislike the course?
• If I could change course but stay at the same university, would that solve the problem?
• Am I moving towards something I genuinely want, or just trying to escape a difficult few weeks?

Your answers do not make the decision for you, but they usually make the real problem much easier to see.

UEL is here to support you

Starting university is a big adjustment, and it is completely normal for things to feel uncertain at first. If you're regretting university, struggling with your course or simply not sure what your next step should be, you do not have to work it out on your own.

UEL offers support with academic concerns, wellbeing, money, course choices and the practical side of student life. Whether you need help settling in, want to talk through a possible change of university course, or are considering leaving altogether, there are teams who can help you understand your options before you decide.

Frequently asked questions

Is it normal to regret university in the first few weeks?

Yes, uncertainty during a major transition is common. The important thing is to work out whether you are reacting to the adjustment itself or to something fundamental about the course or university.

What if I chose the wrong university course?

Speak to your course team or Student Hub before making a formal decision. Ask about the modules ahead, alternative pathways and whether changing course is possible in your circumstances.

Should I leave university if I am unhappy?

There is no universal answer. Identify why you are unhappy, use the support available, understand the practical consequences and then decide. Leaving can be the right choice for some people, but it should be an informed decision rather than a reaction to one difficult week.

Will leaving university affect my finances?

It can. Tuition-fee liability, student finance and accommodation costs may depend on when and how you leave. Get current advice from UEL and your funding provider before withdrawing.