u/socialee123

Main points of my personal story:

Working class boy overachieves. Never had much thought about uni as parents hadn't been and he had no idea he'd achieve what he did.

Goes to an elite uni despite having no concrete idea of what he wants to do in the future.

Is miserable at uni and has always had problems socialising (suspected neurodivergent). Doesn't fit in and has no friends, now living on the other side of the country alone. All he could think about prior to leaving was the debt he'd accumulate and how miserable he was at the same time. Being from a working class background he'd never associated debt with anything positive which was a major player in his decision to leave.

Leaves top uni and pursues distance learning as it really suits his style of learning. Thoroughly enjoys the process but struggles to land a decent job at the end of it. His country pays his fees and as he can work around his studies no student loan is required.

Finds a graduate job but it is arguably worse than anything he'd done in the past.

Feels like his choice to move from a prestigious uni to one with no formal entry requirements has hindered his job search and future prospects so much that he should've just dealt with the 4 year of misery while at uni in comparison to what he's had to deal with in the following 5 years.

Realises the debt probably would've been paid off by now and he'd be in a much better job had he stuck it out.

Constantly feels the need to prove himself academically and really cash in on all his hard work by adding an elite institution to his CV through postgraduate study despite having always obtained top results but can't justify it given the state of the job market.

Has essentially lived the best part of the last decade in isolation as he has drifted from friends at home, didn't have the typical uni experience where most would make friends and now in full-time work it seems like nobody really makes lasting friendships.

Does anyone have a positive outcome from a somewhat similar experience or at the very least relate to some of my struggles?

Anyone else get quite into something but then the idea of actually making it a job just repulses you? I think I enjoy the freedom of learning on my terms or doing hobbies for fun so the idea of restricting that freedom in exchange for money doesn't sit right with me.