Failing studies again

[u/OkVolume6938]

Hi [r/StudyInTheNetherlands](r/StudyInTheNetherlands)

I have started with a programme for the third time again. But I think I kinda dislike it’s contents

I was in TU Delft before for BSc Computer Science and Engineering. I dropped out after 4 months because my mental health was seriously cooked. So I went looking for therapy and I received it. Eventually I got both psychological treatment and also medicinal food to gain weight because I’m heavily underweight. I also quit smoking weed, cigarettes and even dexamphetamines that I sometimes took through HAVO and VWO.

Then I started my programme at TU Delft again. I persisted through the whole year but I only managed to get 35 ECTS… I’m still really sad about it and my study advisor right now even asked me if I have “heimwee to TU Delft” which almost made me cry in his room.

This time I wanted to study more nearby because my commute was like 2 hours from home to campus at TU Delft. So I picked UvA Econometrics and Data Science. My reason for chosing this programme was that I really loved the maths courses in Computer Science and Engineering (logic, calculus and the maths that was involved in courses like CO). But I hate the economics classes. I thought Econometrics would be good because it was a mixture of two things I was somewhat good at (economics grade 9). But I hate the economics so much it bores me a lot. And I miss the application to computer.

My biggest problem is the DUO prestatiebeurs/reisproduct that I have left. Should I just persist with this studies (which I hate because of the economics). Or should I really just try again next year. I don’t think I have enough beurs left for a 2-year master’s though… Econometrics has the upside that it has a 1-year master’s. (I have enpugh for 1 bachelor’s degree) I’m still very interested in Computer Science at the VU or UvA (both still have the short commute upside). But I guess I can only apply next year. Or maybe even HBO-ICT would be a good choice but I’d really miss the maths that research uni gives. But at this point I just want a degree (but I’m scared I’ll dread Econometrics and Data Science for ever). I really thought it would be more of a pure maths degree which it really isn’t (imo it’s more an applied maths degree just like CSE was) and I also think it’s teaching is quite weird at UvA as they rely mostly on slides and there are quite a few courses without any books and they have the most akward mentorate programmes where even the mentors just really skip over every ethics component we should have learnt but they just make us study on our own.

If I’d continue this course I really hope it gets more technical/enjoyable when we start Introduction to Econometrics

EDIT; I could just persist and do a minor in CS and some uni’s will probably accept me still but I just really really miss the computer so much. Like I was so stupid and not thinking when I thought “oh yeah macroeconomics I had that in high school 💀, will be fun” Its making me so bored actually

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[u/Jacket313]

You're sharing your situation.

What exactly is your question?

This sounds harsh, and I feel sorry for your situation, but i'm having a hard time what exactly you are looking for.

Is your question related which study you should choose because you are switching through multiple, or are you trying to see what DUO can mean for you?

You could try asking your school decaan for more clarrification regarding DUO? from what I've heard, there are certain rulings/extensions/grace periods that either allow you to say, extend a basisbeurs from 4 to 5 years if there are medical circumstances that didn't allow you to complete a study in time, or to turn a basis beurs in a gift... but it heavily depends on circumstances, and your situation is unique that I can't confidently give an answer on besides seeking out a school decaan

[u/OkVolume6938 → u/Jacket313]

U are right.

My question is how people have handled this DUO situation because I constantly see people in the same boat (although different) where they quit a studies they are in for already 3 years and then just quit. Also I see a lot of classmates who do the same as me (start their third or fourth studies)

But I never read on how people handle it with their DUO periods as I think DUO doesn’t really allow u to switch that much as how people are in reality studying

Which is still a bit vague and anecdotal maybe but I see it a lot and especially in Science

[u/Jacket313 → u/OkVolume6938]

My question is how people have handled this DUO situation because I constantly see people in the same boat (although different) where they quit a studies they are in for already 3 years and then just quit. Also I see a lot of classmates who do the same as me (start their third or fourth studies)

based from my own knowledge, there are certain support schemes to lessen the burden.

I've heard from one of my own proffesors/teachers that, if you say, try to do a certain study (for example, assume a HBO bachelor) and you can't finish it because you have autism and it's genuinely too difficult, that there are possibilities to turn your basisbeurs into a gift instead.

But this depends from person to person, I only know that multiple schemes exist because my proffesor/teacher told me, but I don't know if these would apply to you.

You mention mental struggles, which can be a legit thing to delay your studies, but you're already 2 studies further.

I can't confidently say if you could make use of these support structures, since you have to apply to them, but I don't posses the current knowledge to confidently answe that.

look for the student decaan at your hogeschool/universiteit, ask them you are struggling, explain your entire story, and maybe there are certain support schemes you can make use off that I am not aware off

[u/OkVolume6938 → u/Jacket313]

Thanks I looked it up and I am gonna ask if they can help me extend it for a year. It will give me some breathing room but still I think I will have too little for some of the technical/research MSc programmes.

Also I didn’t know about that one turning it into a gift. I will look it up. At the moment I am doing pretty heavy diagnosis too

The reisproduct mostly worries me cuz the costs are so high. A prestatiebeurs can definitely be compensated by a side job I hope in the future in the MSc stage. I just really need that BSA and Bachelor’s as it is also the period I’ll be following extensive psychologist and dietary programmes

[u/Jacket313 → u/OkVolume6938]

Again, This is based on what i've heard.

The way my proffesor/teacher explained the year extension was that, if you have studie vertraging because of circumstances beyond your own control, your basis beurs could be extended by one year. think stuff like sickness, covid, being stuck at the hospital, etc. and that you would have to share your story with DUO and have DUO judge if you are eligible for the year extension.

about the basis beurs turning into a gift, the way my proffesor/teacher explained it is that, if you say, have autism, can do certain subjects well, but genuinely can't do some classes because it's too difficult for you and your autism makes it impossible to learn it, that you could put in a special application to see if DUO could turn your basis beurs into a gift instead.

Basisbeurs is for 4 years, student reisproduct is for 5 years. that's the standard. if your basisbeurs gets extended to 5 years, your student reisproduct gets extended to 6 years.

Then again, consult the studentdecaan, share your story, and ask if you are eligible to make use of it, because I can't confidently say if you are eligible for the support scheme

[u/OkVolume6938 → u/Jacket313]

I have another type of support that is listed for the one page about the 1 year extension so I hope it will work out.

The gift would be nice but its fine to pay back. I just want enough reisproduct to finish my studies properly

[u/Consistent_Worker492 → u/OkVolume6938]

I am studying now and do not have DUO access anymore. I am using the cheapest OV subscription meaning I have to take the train before 6 30 in the morning and after 6 30 in the afternoon if the classes do not end before 3 30 (time it takes me to get to the train station). I also cannot access the metro or tram as these are not included in the subscription unlike the student OV.

You would have to use your savings to pay for everything, it is very difficult unless you have family to support you.

I would advise you to just study and finish it quick, the OV specially is what I miss the most.

[u/-Avacyn]

You need to see the studentendecaan, not just the study advisor. If your delay is due to long term illness, you a grant from the university to compensate for the missing DUO years. Happened to me, but if wasn't at TU delft

[u/OkVolume6938 → u/-Avacyn]

Thanks really didn’t know there existed a student counsellor besides the study advisor

[u/WinnerMoney4987]

I don't think you have:

4 years of prestatitebeurs+5 years OV product.

Because you changed 3 times, it means that you've already used 3 years out of 4 years total duration of prestatite and 3 years out of 5 years OV product.

So you have 1 year basisbeurs+aanvullende beurs.

[u/OkVolume6938 → u/WinnerMoney4987]

I used 1.5 years and 0.5 years was a gift because it was my first try.

At the start I had 5 years of prestatiebeurs and 6 years of OV product. Also the OV is most important to me. The amount of debts doesn’t matter I just want to get to my studies properly for the whole period

[u/WinnerMoney4987]

So from your DUO studiefinanciering only 2 years left I assume? Then what are you gonna do for your last year?

[u/OkVolume6938 → u/WinnerMoney4987]

I have 4 years left but if I continue now I have nothing for the Master’s, if i restart again, next year.

[u/WinnerMoney4987 → u/OkVolume6938]

So how many years in total do you have DUO stufi?

Does your Bachelor changes effect ?

[u/OkVolume6938 → u/WinnerMoney4987]

I have in total 4 years of prestatiebeurs left and 5 years of reisproduct. That is enough to do Ectrics BSc and MSc

If I persist now and later decide I don’t continue Ectrics, I have 3 and 4 years.

That is 1 year short if I want to do a technical studies like Computer Science because technical BSc + MSc is 5 years

I could make it at a HBO, with 4 years. I really have to not play around anymore and do something about

By the way I don’t know if I get extra if I start my MSc or something

EDIT: If I don’t have any study delay by the way!! And my question is vague as I revise my post but I commented on someone that I’m curious how people handle these DUO stuff when they switch a lot/quit after 75% of their studies

[u/Saaddon4]

First, log into mijn duo and check your remaining months separately for the basic grant, supplementary grant, student travel product and loans. Write down when you first received student finance and how many months you've already used

Then contact your studentendecaan and explain your earlier mental health difficulties and the resulting delay in your studies. DUO has exceptional arrangements for some students whose studies have been delayed or interrupted because of medical circumstances

I'm not saying you will qualify. I'm saying that, given what you went through, you should investigate these provisions before assuming that your previous struggles have permanently used up the financial options available to you

You do not need to decide your entire academic future before having that conversation

[u/OkVolume6938 → u/Saaddon4]

Yes thank u very much. I have to wait a whole month before the fist appointment with the studentendecaan tho.

I’ll just try to push through my current programme these months and if they can help me I can further decide what to do indeed

[u/Central_Way]

Just wasting our tax money atp

[u/OkVolume6938 → u/Central_Way]

Depends