What If I Start a Study and Don’t Like It - What You Can Do

Hey there,

Imagine this: you begin a study program, full of hope, and then you find yourself thinking, “This isn’t what I signed up for.”

It feels scary, but it’s also more common than you might think. The good news is: you have options.

Why Doubt Happens

It’s not because you’re weak or made a bad decision. Doubt happens because:

- What you expected is very different from reality

- The style of study (lots of reading, lab work, group projects) doesn’t suit you

- The subject just doesn’t spark joy the way you thought

- You’ve grown or changed since you first chose

Doubt is data. It’s feedback, not failure.

Option 1: Switch Study (Major) Within the Same University

This is often the easiest shift. But there are conditions:

- Check deadlines, you often have to apply by a certain date

- Some majors have extra requirements (minimum grades, tests, portfolios)

- See which of your completed courses can transfer so you don’t lose progress

- You’ll likely need approval from your study advisor or the faculty

- If you’re on a scholarship, student loan, or residence permit, check how a switch affects them

Talk to a study advisor as soon as you feel uneasy. They know the rules and can help you see whether a switch is possible.

Option 2: Transfer to Another University or School

If your current school can’t offer what you now want, consider moving.

Things to watch out for:

- The new school may treat you as a fresh applicant

- Not all your previous credits will transfer

- They may only accept new students at certain times of the year

- New costs, housing, travel, bridging courses may come into play

Before making any move, contact both your current university’s advisors and the admissions team at the new school.

Ask: “Which courses can move with me?” and “What extra hoops do I need to jump through?”

Option 3: Pause, Reflect, or Restart 

Sometimes the best move is to stop and think.

- Take a gap, a semester, summer, or year, to work, travel, or explore

- Try short courses, workshops, online classes in fields you’re curious about – I recommend doing this anyways – as often as possible during the year!

- Shadow students in programs you’re considering

- Use career tests or assessments to see your strengths

- If your change is big (for instance from arts to engineering), restarting at a new institution may make sense

Yes, you may lose time. But doing something you believe in is worth the cost. Or does spending 40 more years in an industry you are not hyped about sounds exciting for you?

How to Decide - A Quick Roadmap 

1. Identify exactly why you dislike your current study

2. Talk to as many people as possible, students, professors, alumni

3. List 2–3 alternate fields that might interest you – if it is really about the study field

4. Check rules at universities: switching, transfers, deadlines

5. Compare the costs, time, money, extra coursework

6. Give yourself deadlines to decide so you don’t drift aimlessly

Tips & Warnings 

- Don’t delay too long, early changes often let you salvage more credit

- Distinguish “I’m struggling” from “I fundamentally dislike this”

- Be careful with never-ending research, at some point you have to choose – or continue what you dislike

- Lean on your support network, friends, mentors, advisors

- Take care of your mental health, doubt and pressure can weigh you down

Final Word

Changing your mind is not failure. It shows you’re learning and exploring further who you are! The world won’t stop if you adjust your path. What matters is that you’re moving toward something true to you.

There is a nice quote to that part: “If you're succeeding at a job (study) you hate, imagine how good you would be at a job (study) you loved.”

You’ve got options. You don’t have to feel stuck. Follow the checklist above and tackle it – better today than tomorrow.

Feel free to share some positive stuff below in the comments!

Talk soon,