[k12573n]

So, I was enrolled in college classes concurrently while I was a senior in high school. I started college the fall after I graduated from high school, lived in the dorms, and made good grades for the first year. After I moved out of the dorms, I lived alone and became extremely depressed. I started withdrawing, dropping, failing all of my classes. I did this two semesters in a row and eventually lost my scholarship and financial aid status.

Now I'm in the process of paying the school back $1k I owe on my bursar so that I can enroll this fall.

If I can do well the first semester back, I'll be eligible for financial aid again and can work less, focus more on school, and hopefully finish my degree. I'm declared a major in Anthropology and hope to minor in French or Environmental Studies. My lifelong dream is to be a world-traveling writer but I'll settle for a research position at an international institution or a managerial position at a non-profit organization somewhere outside of the U.S.

I've always wanted to help people and see the world, just didn't know exactly how to go about that. I'm so at odds with my identity and my mood swings keep me from following through with things I start to work on; it's extremely frustrating. I get bursts of creativity and motivation to write, carry out projects, start new hobbies, lose weight and get in shape, etc., but it only lasts a few weeks before I lose interest in everything and sleep for days on end. So yes, college was a difficult time for me the first time around; this time will probably not be much easier after being out of school for over a year now.

I really hope I can stay with it this time.

[H3rmit]

Hi- I'm an older student back at university for a 2nd degree. I had experiences similar to you the first time around. If only I had known how to be at peace with myself and at the same time make some social efforts. I hope you can make some changes this time so you feel better. Have some fun, because it makes the work easier. Are you thinking of joining any clubs or other activities? Nowadays it seems a lot of schools encourage that to get you connected to the world. If you want to write and do anthropology, reaching out to people should be a natural, maybe. Have you thought of what you might do differently this time to create a happier situation for yourself?

Be kind to yourself. Life is hard.

[k12573n]

Originally Posted by H3rmit

Hi- I'm an older student back at university for a 2nd degree. I had experiences similar to you the first time around. If only I had known how to be at peace with myself and at the same time make some social efforts. I hope you can make some changes this time so you feel better. Have some fun, because it makes the work easier. Are you thinking of joining any clubs or other activities? Nowadays it seems a lot of schools encourage that to get you connected to the world. If you want to write and do anthropology, reaching out to people should be a natural, maybe. Have you thought of what you might do differently this time to create a happier situation for yourself?

Be kind to yourself. Life is hard.

I really wish I had made an attempt to meet more people or at least spend more time with my family so I didn't feel so isolated all the time. Now I live with my best friend and we will likely continue to be roommates into the beginning of my semester, which I think is a good thing. I don't see myself getting distracted and I'll have more of a support system for the times I feel overwhelmed and depressed (such as I have very recently). I am also working full-time, though, so it will be a challenge to keep myself organized but I think I can. I'm not sure if I'll be able to commit to many extracurriculars just yet, with full-time work and all, but after I win my financial aid back, I should be able to work less and participate in a club or two.

I think just having people around will make it easier; I just felt so incredibly alone the last time. It was unbearable and killed all of my motivation and aspirations for a long time. I still struggle to fight the depression but today I feel good and that is wonderful.

I keep saying that but my mom told me a while back to "enjoy the good days" and that has been such sound advice for me, I feel the need to spread it around the world. :P

Thanks for the encouragement, and I wish you luck in returning to school as well!

[Maven]

I'm going back to college this fall, and I, too, am paying a debt to the bursar for $1100 (I've already paid about $390 of it). I'm going to a different college than that one, though, because I'll be in the same county. The one I owe money to is closer, but out-of-county, and so I have to do this thing where I run back and forth a couple of times between the schools to deal with chargebacks, so I don't have to pay them.

I don't even fully know what I'm doing. Right now, the goal is to get a Communications degree with a Television Production Track. That track could change to Radio Production or even Creative Writing, but those are less likely.

I'd like to learn some computer programming, but you need math and physics for that, and I don't even remember much past adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing. Math was never a strong subject for me.

Good luck to you all, and may we all come out of this with a degree, new skills, new friends, and pride in ourselves!

[airupthere]

Originally Posted by k12573n

So, I was enrolled in college classes concurrently while I was a senior in high school. I started college the fall after I graduated from high school, lived in the dorms, and made good grades for the first year. After I moved out of the dorms, I lived alone and became extremely depressed. I started withdrawing, dropping, failing all of my classes. I did this two semesters in a row and eventually lost my scholarship and financial aid status.

Now I'm in the process of paying the school back $1k I owe on my bursar so that I can enroll this fall.

If I can do well the first semester back, I'll be eligible for financial aid again and can work less, focus more on school, and hopefully finish my degree. I'm declared a major in Anthropology and hope to minor in French or Environmental Studies. My lifelong dream is to be a world-traveling writer but I'll settle for a research position at an international institution or a managerial position at a non-profit organization somewhere outside of the U.S.

I've always wanted to help people and see the world, just didn't know exactly how to go about that. I'm so at odds with my identity and my mood swings keep me from following through with things I start to work on; it's extremely frustrating. I get bursts of creativity and motivation to write, carry out projects, start new hobbies, lose weight and get in shape, etc., but it only lasts a few weeks before I lose interest in everything and sleep for days on end. So yes, college was a difficult time for me the first time around; this time will probably not be much easier after being out of school for over a year now.

I really hope I can stay with it this time.

Going back to college/university is a great choice that youve made and its good to see that you know what went wrong with you in the first place. A lot of people are still struggling to know what went wrong...well then down to business....

Here are some pointers that you can follow:

1. Ive seen quite a lot of kids who have performed poorly in school(some even kicked out) but they spent that year productively working in an office/factory etc and they made some money. Some had debts like you do and this led them to possess more responsibility. But nevertheless,once they do get back into school they go back to their old ways and they eventually end up performing worse than ever. Heres what you should do. I notice that you state that you get bored easily and keep switching hobbies,gym routines,study patterns etc. This is something that you have to stop consciously by yourself. Sure it might be boring after a week or so..but hey nobody makes a million dollars in a week. You will have to stick by your plan and see it through. Honestly when you do that it helps your confidence levels and im pretty sure you will get that scholarship that you seek.

2. You said that you became lonely. Go make some friends..remember they wont come and talk to you as most people in their second year already have a clique of their own. So technically your'e intruding but just use small talk,introduce yourself,ask them what they think bout the course and dont be a creepy nagging character following em around n stuff. If you do play any sports that would be a great way to make some friends. Try to spot out the class topper..most of them dont have any friends...even if they do its a real small number..( i should know..im in engineering myself). In fact being friends with a class topper ensures that your on top of your game in academics and at the same time fills the void of loneliness thats affecting you so much.

3. For the love of god, when things dont go the way theyre planned/ or when things get boring DONT GO TO SLEEP. I had this habit and trust me it starts affecting your sleep cycle and the last thing you want is to be yawning in class right in front of your prof and not pay any attention .

Listen up, im placed on RTW(Required to withdraw) and my appeals meeting is in july.My fate is going to be decided soon. Thank your stars that your not in such a bad position as i am. If i can keep a sane head and reply to your post im pretty sure you can get along with your daily activities and do well in school at the same time.

keep those grades coming and dont quit what you start till you reach the end.

good luck and god bless,
airupthere

Hi K1257,
Congrats on going back to school!
I'm returning to school as well this Fall
School has always been a traumatic experience for me.
And I'll be returning for the first time in years.
You can do it. I agree with you living alone is real difficult
I know I live alone, its not much fun but since I'm on a pretty good
medication I'm doing much better.
And you'll do so well from what I read on your post you've got good goals
and you know what you want to do too! Your halfway there!
You'll do well.
Well I've got to go to bed now.
I'll drop you a P.M. real soon.

[k12573n]

Originally Posted by airupthere

Going back to college/university is a great choice that youve made and its good to see that you know what went wrong with you in the first place. A lot of people are still struggling to know what went wrong...well then down to business....

Here are some pointers that you can follow:

1. Ive seen quite a lot of kids who have performed poorly in school(some even kicked out) but they spent that year productively working in an office/factory etc and they made some money. Some had debts like you do and this led them to possess more responsibility. But nevertheless,once they do get back into school they go back to their old ways and they eventually end up performing worse than ever. Heres what you should do. I notice that you state that you get bored easily and keep switching hobbies,gym routines,study patterns etc. This is something that you have to stop consciously by yourself. Sure it might be boring after a week or so..but hey nobody makes a million dollars in a week. You will have to stick by your plan and see it through. Honestly when you do that it helps your confidence levels and im pretty sure you will get that scholarship that you seek.

2. You said that you became lonely. Go make some friends..remember they wont come and talk to you as most people in their second year already have a clique of their own. So technically your'e intruding but just use small talk,introduce yourself,ask them what they think bout the course and dont be a creepy nagging character following em around n stuff. If you do play any sports that would be a great way to make some friends. Try to spot out the class topper..most of them dont have any friends...even if they do its a real small number..( i should know..im in engineering myself). In fact being friends with a class topper ensures that your on top of your game in academics and at the same time fills the void of loneliness thats affecting you so much.

3. For the love of god, when things dont go the way theyre planned/ or when things get boring DONT GO TO SLEEP. I had this habit and trust me it starts affecting your sleep cycle and the last thing you want is to be yawning in class right in front of your prof and not pay any attention .

Listen up, im placed on RTW(Required to withdraw) and my appeals meeting is in july.My fate is going to be decided soon. Thank your stars that your not in such a bad position as i am. If i can keep a sane head and reply to your post im pretty sure you can get along with your daily activities and do well in school at the same time.

keep those grades coming and dont quit what you start till you reach the end.

good luck and god bless,
airupthere

Thank you for the advice. I know what it takes, it sometimes just feels like pulling teeth motivating myself to do anything for any period of time. I did enjoy school, though. I loved writing papers and taking tests (lame, right?). I really want to succeed this time. I can't afford to waste another semester and I intend to make it work this time. I hope you figure your situation out, I know exactly how disappointing and stressful it is to be in that predicament. I'm starting to realize that, yes, I made mistakes and set myself back a lot but I still have time to change the course of things if I get my **** together and work for it. Best of luck and thanks for the response. I appreciate it more than you know!

[k12573n]

Originally Posted by Tormented&Tortured

Hi K1257,
Congrats on going back to school!
I'm returning to school as well this Fall
School has always been a traumatic experience for me.
And I'll be returning for the first time in years.
You can do it. I agree with you living alone is real difficult
I know I live alone, its not much fun but since I'm on a pretty good
medication I'm doing much better.
And you'll do so well from what I read on your post you've got good goals
and you know what you want to do too! Your halfway there!
You'll do well.
Well I've got to go to bed now.
I'll drop you a P.M. real soon.

Hi, T&T. That made me feel much better, really. I will be living alone when I start school but I think that is better for my concentration. I was so lonely before because my only friends had grown apart from me and I didn't have anyone to talk to for such a long time, it seeped into my academics. I've made amends with those friends for the most part and am so ready to have something to focus on and work for. I hope you enjoy being back in school! I'm sure you will do very well, too. Thanks for the hopeful words and cheer.