#intermitting

[askacambridgestudent]

How much does it take for you to be allowed to intermit? Do you have to have some kind of medical condition/mental illness that has been diagnosed?

It’s up to the discretion of the senior tutor, I believe. You don’t need to have a diagnosed medical condition or mental illness (unless you want to intermit in exam term, I think), but you do need to have a good reason for wanting to intermit. If it’s something your considering, definitely have a chat with your tutor about it. They’ll be well-versed in your college’s policies, and will talk you through the process.

[askacambridgestudent]

I had really bad anxiety and depression during the last term (basically an accumulation of family issues and underlying mental health things) and it made revision and general life hellish. I got my grades back (i'm in 1st year going to 2nd) and got a high 2.2 in a subject that the majority get 2.1s in. Will I be ostracised when the final roster comes out? I'm scared to go back because I don't think i'll be able to hack it, and considering intermitting, but would also hate to do another year..

No, you definitely won’t; most people mind their own business and wouldn’t lose respect for you as a person just because of your first year grades. (Also, more people 2.2 than you realise: it happens, you’re not a failure!)

In any case I think it’s possible to opt out of appearing on the class lists: don’t know if it’s too late to arrange it for this academic year, but you should at least ask your DoS about it, your mental health/grades are your own business and there’s nothing wrong with keeping your privacy.

As for intermitting, that’s really a decision that comes down to your individual life and circumstances, and how things pan out - but it’s definitely not inevitable just because of your grade this year! Getting a 2.2 in first year doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t hack it, it sounds like it just means this year was tough for you. See how things go.

[askacambridgestudent]

I'm insanely worried about next term. I finished my 8 week course at the uni counselling service and have been left to go private now. My college will pay 1/3 of it but honestly I can't afford to pay the rest at all. So basically I feel completely abandoned in the welfare aspect and tbh doing exam term without support is not feasible for me currently. I feel intermission is one of the only options currently. Yet, I would like to stay in the same year as my friends - they help a lot.

Oh no, honey, I’m so sorry to hear this! I think it may be worth emailing your tutor about this -- explain that you’re not sure you can do exam term without support, that you’re seriously considering intermission as a last-ditch option, but as you’d prefer not to, you were wondering whether there were any options still available to you. If you’ve got a tutor who isn’t great/doesn’t reply, get straight in contact with the senior tutor of your college. They should have a better, more detailed understanding of the avenues available to you, and should be able to guide you and help you make your decision. 

Do any helpful experts know of any good avenues of support outside of the University Counselling Service?

[askacambridgestudent]

Is it possible that I can be forced to intermit? I've been struggling with depression all term and now my fathers been diagnosed with terminal cancer. My tutor has asked me numerous times if I want to intermit but that's the last thing I want to do. Obviously the death of my dad will affect My work. Can they force me to intermit because of this??

First of all, I’m really sorry to hear about your father. Our thoughts are with him, and with your family.

I don’t believe Cambridge can force you to intermit, unless you fail. If you do badly in your exams (third/fail), you’ll likely need to speak with the senior tutor, and they may highly recommend that you intermit. If you fail, they can force you to take a year off. But otherwise, I don’t think they can.

[askacambridgestudent]

So, I know i'm still only in my first term, but I'm considering intermitting. I don't think I'm cut out for 8 week terms, I'm finding it all incredibly stressful - I'm not the most organised person. I never really wanted to come tbh - I know that sounds incredibly arrogant, but it's the truth - I felt pushed in to it. I'm finding my passion for my subject decreasing week by week. (part 1)

(part 2). I find myself craving a more *normal* uni experience, with less pressure. Thing is, I have had some really happy moments here, but at the end of the day I'm crying at least once every two days because of stress, and don't think I have the motivation to persevere with my subject. Obviously people have good days and bad days, but I've struggled mentally in the past, and don't want to jeopardise it, even if it is Cam. Do yo have any advice/thoughts on this? Sorry for the rant x

I don’t think it sounds arrogant at all, anon, not at all. And there’s no need to apologise.

You are not the first person to feel like they were pushed by family/teachers/friends into going to Oxbridge when they’re not sure it’s really what they wanted. There’s nothing wrong with feeling like that, I doubt there is any university in the world that would be an ideal environment for absolutely everyone, and it’s often difficult to follow your own feelings when the reputation factor is so strong.

That said, I think it’s still too soon to say whether this is just a tough first term, or a sign that you would be happier at a different uni. You may well have the power to overcome this and enjoy it far more later on. I definitely think you should talk to your personal tutor, or somebody else in college you feel comfortable discussing your feelings with: you do not immediately have to make the decision to intermit/drop out, but you can voice your worries and have somebody advise you on what things might help you settle in and manage the stress better. Things like being disorganised and struggling with the pace - it’s possible to learn how to be better at these things, I promise you are capable of it. It just takes time. There’s nothing to be ashamed of in deciding you’re not at home there, but I think it’s probably worth pushing on a bit further to see what happens. 

Take care of yourself, lovely <3

[askacambridgestudent]

Is it true that if your dos finds out you're suicidal they force you to intermit?

If your DoS learns that you are suicidal then they will want to have a very serious and urgent discussion with you, as well as other relevant people in college such as your tutor, about what steps need to be taken for your mental health. I think in most cases, yes, they probably will be quite strongly in favour of you taking a year out. But it’s rather an over-generalisation to suggest that all DoSes will force you to intermit as a knee-jerk reaction.

[askacambridgestudent]

Is intermitting usual?

It’s not super common, but it does happen, most people are aware of it/know of somebody who has done it. 

[askacambridgestudent]

Sorry, what's a hiatus year?

If something interferes badly with your ability to keep up with the course - most commonly mental or physical health issues - students can take a year out, then come back and finish the course/repeat the year when they’ve recovered. It’s sometimes called intermitting.