[bluedolphin92]

So I've noticed a pattern developing since I've started college. I'm about to finish my Sophomore year of college, and I've noticed that during the school year, I tend to get super stressed out which often leads to me feeling depressed. The level of depression varies, but it's always somewhere in the back of my mind. But then once the summer starts, I get bored out of my mind which also leads to depression.

It was especially bad last summer, when I was unsuccessful in my job search and wasn't really able to coordinate get togethers with friends. I sat around at home doing nothing all summer, pretty much. Right now, I still have 3 finals to take before my summer break officially starts. But I shouldn't have to study much for any of them and my first one isn't until Wednesday. Basically, it's like I get a mini vacation before my summer vacation. But rather than looking forward to the relaxation time, I absolutely dread it and know I'm probably going to be bored out of my mind. This summer I'm hoping to find some volunteer work but I just don't really feel like putting much effort into searching for opportunities.

I guess the point of this thread is just what can I do about this? I know that if I do nothing again all summer I'm going to hate it, but I can't seem to find the motivation to really put an effort at finding something. Next school year I'm really hoping I can break the pattern, get more involved in student organizations, and hopefully stop feeling so depressed or at least make myself just busy enough that I can distract myself from feeling depressed without burning myself out. I really, really believe that I can do that next school year. But this summer...I just don't know about that

[Travelinglady]

Are you sure you aren't struggling from depression now, which is leading you to feel unmotivated? I can understand not wanting to do a lot of work in finding something to do as a volunteer, but maybe you can just make a few phone calls.

Do you have any hobbies? Do you like to read? I suggest you look for ways to spend your time doing something you like--maybe even take up a new hobby or sport. And if you have some money and live in a reasonably big town or city, then you can look for community events to go to--such as plays, festivals, etc.

And not to be facetious, but I bet your parents would love to have extra help around the house! You could try your hand at cooking, for one thing. One of my sons is mad at me for not teaching him more about cooking, now that he is on his own.

[k12573n]

I struggled with this a lot when I lived on my own during my second year of college. My friends had both moved on to other people, grew apart from me, then we had a falling out when we tried to hang out finally. I was extremely depressed, stayed in my house all the time, stopped going to class altogether, would call in to work once a week, and let my house pile up with trash and dishes. It was truly awful.

The only advice I have for you is do not let your schoolwork suffer! Don't let it get away from you. Find a quiet place where you can de-stress and do work. It's so difficult trying to get back into school after you let your grades go for a semester or two. It will be much more worth your while to work on yourself, find things to do to keep you from getting depressed and unmotivated, and if your friends don't make time for you, find new friends or spend time with your family.. or find something you can do that makes you feel good about yourself (i.e. paint, write, work out, do yoga, run, swim, join a book club.. I dunno, haha).

That's all I've got for now but it's what I wish someone would've told me back when I was letting school slip out from between my fingers and down the drain. I've wasted a lot of time since then and although I wish I hadn't, I'm going back to the grind this fall hopefully and am determined not to let it happen a second time.

Best of luck,
K