We all have these fantasies about how our time at uni is going to play out. We imagine getting into our dream course, doing a couple of summer semesters, getting a kickass internship, and graduating early with a GPA worth bragging about.

Of course, life rarely works out the way we think it will. Maybe you fail a class, run out of electives, or realise that you can no longer study full-time. Shit happens and before you know it, your plans for uni have gone up in smoke and you find yourself having to re-evaluate everything.

We totally get how it feels. So, we’ve put together some advice that will help you avoid completely freaking out when your plans for uni inevitably go awry.

Work Through Your Disappointment 

The unpredictability of uni life can be fucking frustrating. Honestly, it’s a bit like playing Mario Kart. One minute, you’re on track, cruising down Rainbow Road and the next, you’re flying off the edge, having been hit with uni’s equivalent of a red shell.

At those moments, when uni throws you a curve ball, don’t bottle up your negative emotions. Instead, take some time out for yourself. Eat a shit-tonne of junk food, scream into a pillow, and work through your disappointment.

You’re allowed to feel frustrated when things don’t go according to plan. After all, it’s only by acknowledging your disappointment that you can start to move on.

Look To Others For Support  

Of course, that doesn’t mean you should beat yourself up. It’s completely normal if your knee-jerk reaction is disappointment. But, if you find yourself struggling to get out of that negative head space, then it might be time to talk to someone.

Go to someone you trust – a friend, family member, or even a counsellor – and talk through your frustrations. Being able to vent is a great way to stop yourself from freaking out. Plus, you never know, a fresh pair of eyes may be exactly what you need to help get your plans back on track.       

Change Up Your Perspective

Now that you’ve dealt with your frustration, it’s time to become the embodiment of a wholesome Tumblr meme. Basically, when things go wrong at uni, take a deep breath, tell yourself that everything is going to be okay, and try to focus on the positives.

We’ll admit it: finding the upside of a shitty situation is easier said than done. But, by celebrating even the smallest things that are going right in your life, you’ll stop freaking out and start recognising that some good still endures even when everything at uni has gone totally awry.

Plan Your Next Step

As we said before, staying salty won’t do you any good. If you want to make the most out of your time at uni, then you need to pick yourself up, go back to the drawing board, and plan your next step.

Not sure what your next step should be? Try asking someone at uni for advice.

Don’t get us wrong, uni is a soul-sucking hellhole. But, it does get one thing right – student support services. Explain your situation to them. They’ll help you calmly assess your options, so that you can focus on potential solutions and get yourself back on track.

Remember: There Is No Ideal Uni Experience

Sometimes things don’t work out. This is doubly true when it comes to uni.

The important thing to remember is that no one’s uni experience is ever perfect. You’re bound to come across some sort of setback that will completely derail your plans. And, while everything may seem hopeless now, we guarantee that any setbacks you encounter will only be temporary – a tiny detour in an otherwise kickass life.

So, don’t be afraid to dream big and don’t be afraid to set yourself new goals. At the end of the day, there’s no point in panicking when your plans go awry. All you can do is accept that things have changed and move on.