[RhubarbCrumble]

Please may you give me tips on how I can manage going back to university to re-do the final year of my bachelor degree?
I am nervous as it was the pressure and loneliness of being there which triggered the depression which, in my mind, at times was entirely unmanageble, if you catch my drift.
It is important to me to achieve good results but I can't do so if it's at the detriment of my mental wellbeing...
I am moving in with 4 students I don't yet know, which also makes me slightly more nervous.

If you have been in a similar situation please get in touch.

[puzzclar]

I've been in your position, I know how hard it is to return. Physical activity can help to relieve some of the symptoms. Keep in mind that your new set of 4 students do not know what happened.Find a group of students that you can have fun. Above all keep pushing yourself, if it gets too much then find someway to release the emotions that you are feeling, again physical activity can help. Hope this helps.

I think what is also important - apart from exercising regularly - is having a therapist who understands your problems and/or a group of close friends. Also, listen to your body and allow yourself breaks when things get too much..try doing things at your own pace and on your own terms. Generally speaking, you need to create a healthy environment for yourself. Wishing you all the best

[Harmacy]

I dropped out of University when I was 18 and again on another failed attempt a couple of years later.

Both times were due to severe social anxiety and depression but I wasn't diagnosed until several years later and I never told anyone or went back. I had no real family support. I remember when I returned home on the second occasion nobody talked to me about it and I just put it behind me and started the first in a series of miserable jobs with periods of unemployment between.

In recent years I've started studying for a degree part time and it's a slow journey. I sometimes feel pangs of regret that I didn't do the whole University thing but am trying to be thankful that I've got another chance to get back on the right road for me.

Anyway, I suppose what I'm saying is, give it your best shot. You may be surprised to realize that other students there also have similar problems but may not be open about it. I'm sure in time you'll find friends you can share stuff with or others who give you a new perspective on life. I wish I'd given it more time as on both occasions dropped out really quickly and looking back, there were a few people who were trying to get to know me.

Just do your best and don't put too much pressure on yourself. If it doesn't work out you can always try again but you could have the best time. Maybe check out the clubs and societies when you're settled and see if you can meet some like minded people there.

[Pierro]

Hello RhubarbCrumble, I can only imagine how stressfull it is for you going back to uni after having to leave because of depression. I had to go on sick leave for 5 months bacause of severe depression and have only returned to work in the last 3 weeks. I am antidepressants and had been seeing a therapist in the time I was off work. I had terrible anxiety before I went back , but when I was there I was kind of back into my "normal" life again which I feel more settled in. I wanted to go back to work as I thought it would be good for me and also my pocket !. Is there a councellor on campus that you can talk to about your fears. Its a lot of pressure for you as you have to finish your bachelor degree, but isint this what you have always wanted to do?. Theres 4 students in the same boat as you, in that they are probably just as nervous as you are. It has not been easy going back to work for me although it was the right decision for me. You have to be in the right mental frame of mind to do what you have to do and I commend you on that. Just make sure that you are ready. I dont mean to be a wet blanket and I do wish you all the best for the future. My therapist said to me to tke it easy and not to feel that I have to be back to "normal". It takes times time to get back into things. Best Wishes.

[RhubarbCrumble]

Originally Posted by puzzclar

I've been in your position, I know how hard it is to return. Physical activity can help to relieve some of the symptoms. Keep in mind that your new set of 4 students do not know what happened.Find a group of students that you can have fun. Above all keep pushing yourself, if it gets too much then find someway to release the emotions that you are feeling, again physical activity can help. Hope this helps.

This is a good idea, thank you. Perhaps I will take the opportunity to learn a martial art such as jiu jitsu, I think the challenge and the escapism from doing something completely different could be really beneficial

[RhubarbCrumble]

Originally Posted by chocmouse

I think what is also important - apart from exercising regularly - is having a therapist who understands your problems and/or a group of close friends. Also, listen to your body and allow yourself breaks when things get too much..try doing things at your own pace and on your own terms. Generally speaking, you need to create a healthy environment for yourself. Wishing you all the best

Previously I have struggled to accept help properly from therapists and mentors. I guess I felt I had no solid and tangible reason to be feeling so low and therefore did not deserve the services provided to me. Then, when I suddenly hit rock bottom, I wished I had accepted help more freely beforehand, only then realising what a dark place I had gradually entered in to.

[RhubarbCrumble]

Originally Posted by Harmacy

I dropped out of University when I was 18 and again on another failed attempt a couple of years later.

Both times were due to severe social anxiety and depression but I wasn't diagnosed until several years later and I never told anyone or went back. I had no real family support. I remember when I returned home on the second occasion nobody talked to me about it and I just put it behind me and started the first in a series of miserable jobs with periods of unemployment between.

In recent years I've started studying for a degree part time and it's a slow journey. I sometimes feel pangs of regret that I didn't do the whole University thing but am trying to be thankful that I've got another chance to get back on the right road for me.

Anyway, I suppose what I'm saying is, give it your best shot. You may be surprised to realize that other students there also have similar problems but may not be open about it. I'm sure in time you'll find friends you can share stuff with or others who give you a new perspective on life. I wish I'd given it more time as on both occasions dropped out really quickly and looking back, there were a few people who were trying to get to know me.

Just do your best and don't put too much pressure on yourself. If it doesn't work out you can always try again but you could have the best time. Maybe check out the clubs and societies when you're settled and see if you can meet some like minded people there.

You deserve to feel proud of yourself for overcoming your challenges to the point where you can return to university, regardless of the longer path it has taken you along up until now, it's actually rather inspiring. I wish you all the best with your course :-)