[julie234332]

hi everyone. i have been having depressive symptoms this past month (lethargic, sleepy, unmotivated, upset for no reason) and it has affected my motivation in school. i have an organic chemistry test tomorrow and i have not studied for the test and I am pretty sure i will fail. on the first test (before my depressive symptoms) i scored an 89, and the class average was a 73. on the second test i scored a 55 and the class average was a 66. on tomorrow's test ill probably score around a 55. this is not a good indicator of the kind of student i am. I have not declared a major yet, but the reason why i was taking organic chemistry was because i was interested in neuroscience and going to med school. Now i want to major in psychology, and i have a lot of psych credits already. You do not need organic chemistry for a psych major. Should i tell my professor that i am unprepared for the test? i do not want to tell him i am mentally ill. I would drop the class but the deadline passed. I do not want this class to bring down my GPA, when i do not even need it for a psych major. thank you.

[shezbut]

Is it too late to switch the class to credit/no credit? If it isn't, you could go that route. Just get the credits and don't worry about it affecting your GPA. Or...withdraw from the class if you're not interested in it whatsoever. You'll have the W on your transcripts, but if the class ends up not being in your major (or supporting your major), then it shouldn't have a significant affect.

You could sit down and talk with your professor, being open about suffering from major depression. Are you one medication? Going to therapy? Trying to get yourself into a better state of mind through distraction techniques? Be honest ~ hopefully, your professor will allow you to make up the exam at a later date, when you're feeling better.

Last idea = stick it out & take the test/s. If your GPA goes down, due to your grade, take the class over again next semester to get your low grade removed and replaced with a higher grade.

Best wishes!

[julie234332]

the class withdrawal deadline was april 5th, so it passed :/. I am not seeking therapy yet, but i have my first appointment with a college counselor this thursday.

[avlady]

Yes, also be honest with your doc and T. My son was having some similiar problems, and his counselor for his major told him to get a note from his doctor and he started Paxil so they would know what's going on. I hope this helps!!

[turquoisesea]

I don't know about telling the professor. It's a risky game - some professors will be 100% understanding others will not.

You could go to them and say you are having some personal events in your life that are stopping you from studying, can you have an extension?
And be vague about what the personal problem/event is.