Introduction

In a poignant revelation shared on Reddit’s ‘Ask Singapore’ forum, a young Singaporean expressed his emotional turmoil after his father unexpectedly backed out of their financial arrangement for his university education. The 22-year-old revealed the exhausting reality of balancing a part-time job while grappling with the weight of educational pressures and mental health challenges.

Initial Reluctance and Pressure

Initially, the student had no intention of pursuing higher education after completing his diploma, especially since he struggled to make ends meet with his part-time work, which barely covered food, transport, and phone bills. His mental well-being had been severely affected, leaving him feeling vulnerable and uncertain about his future.

Despite his reluctance, his father insisted that he should attend university, pressuring him into enrolling in a private institution. The young man received an offer and borrowed money through a study loan with an agreement that his father would finance his schooling. This arrangement brought him some relief, allowing him to focus on his education rather than his financial burdens.

Sudden Withdrawal of Support

However, just as he was beginning to feel secure in his plans, his father withdrew his support, leaving him in a state of shock and despair. With his limited earnings only sufficient to cover basic expenses, he felt overburdened—his mental health deteriorating to a point where he could not even contemplate taking on additional work.

“I just feel so tired, I want to quit work, I want to drop out; I don’t enjoy any of my hobbies anymore,” he confided, highlighting his emotional exhaustion. His daily life had devolved into a relentless cycle of school, work, and sleep, prompting feelings of hopelessness and a lack of motivation to persevere.

Community Response and Concerns

The conversation around his post quickly garnered significant attention, with many commenters urging him to seek professional mental health support. Suggestions ranged from confiding in his mother about his struggles to consulting a general practitioner for a referral to a psychiatrist. Some offered practical advice, such as exploring options to defer payments on the study loan until he secured employment after graduation, while others shared their own experiences with parental expectations and financial challenges during their academic journeys.

Wider Implications

One notable story echoed through the comments: a university student shared a similar plight when her parents informed her that she would have to shoulder her tuition fees. This raised an intriguing question—how common is it for students to be expected to fund their own education, especially in a city as expensive as Singapore?

In recent years, there has been a notable increase in discussions surrounding financial responsibility in education, particularly among younger generations. With soaring tuition fees and the rising cost of living, many students are left feeling overwhelmed and unsupported, as they strive to balance academic pursuits with the demands of life.

Conclusion

The original poster and others in similar situations serve as reminders of the pressures young people face today—and underscore the importance of accessibility to mental health resources and open dialogue within families. As more individuals come forward with their stories, it becomes ever more critical to foster supportive environments that encourage discussions about mental health and financial strain in the pursuit of education.