I went to uni at 18 and studied economics and law. This was ten years ago and since then ive had had a diagnosis of bipolar. My degree didn't go well, I got a poor grade and since my mental breakdown, I want to do something new, and start over. Thing is though, I cant afford to retrain, and I cant get funding. I cant get a govt loan as I had one for that useless degree, im over 26 so most charity grants are out. I applied for an animal course and the uni said they could help me but then as soon as I accepted the place they said they wont help me, and they'll chase me for payment if I don't pay the fees. Its ridiculous.

Even if I were to claim for bankruptcy I would still be in the same position of being unable to retrain.

I worked out that if I were to get a minimum wage job and save up, it would take four years to get enough money but then I wouldn't have anything to live on

It just feels like im being blamed for having a mental health disability.

Have you been in this position? What can be done? I feel like the only option left is to find a bf and have kids straight away.

[Perna]

Originally Posted by cally

I feel like the only option left is to find a bf and have kids straight away.

Wait a minute; how does that follow? I retrained and got my "next" degree from ages 51-57. If you want to go to school, want to retrain to do work with animals, I'd get a job in a pet store, save the money for 4-5 years (some to live on, not just enough for school) and/or take a few courses a year, as you go along and work your way up in the pet store/get a job in a vet's office, etc.

Nothing stays static and orderly as adults, when we get out on our own, we don't have people telling us to go to school now, then do such and such; we design our own lifestyle based on what we want to do, where we want to work, whether we want time or money or work or school or travel or combinations of many things.

[winter4me]

Originally Posted by cally

I went to uni at 18 and studied economics and law. This was ten years ago and since then ive had had a diagnosis of bipolar. My degree didn't go well, I got a poor grade and since my mental breakdown, I want to do something new, and start over. Thing is though, I cant afford to retrain, and I cant get funding. I cant get a govt loan as I had one for that useless degree, im over 26 so most charity grants are out. I applied for an animal course and the uni said they could help me but then as soon as I accepted the place they said they wont help me, and they'll chase me for payment if I don't pay the fees. Its ridiculous.

Even if I were to claim for bankruptcy I would still be in the same position of being unable to retrain.

I worked out that if I were to get a minimum wage job and save up, it would take four years to get enough money but then I wouldn't have anything to live on

It just feels like im being blamed for having a mental health disability.

Have you been in this position? What can be done? I feel like the only option left is to find a bf and have kids straight away.

Have you spoken to any social service or educational service people about this? To a therapist who could direct you to help? You can start again, maybe one course at a time. Do you know what field you are interested in? In the meantime, what about just taking a class that sounds interesting as an evening/weekend/one time thing? You might also want to look into jobs that require certificates rather than degrees. (there are many, and depending on where you end up working, you may be able to be paid for further training, start making some debt payments to get those folks off your back even if you can never pay the whole thing)---or, there may be a way to have this debt forgiven---talk to anyone who might help.
This need Not define you. Don't let it hold you back, knock on a different door.