Posted by Noa on May 31, 2004, at 10:11:05
In reply to Peering into the Future..., posted by Angela2 on May 30, 2004, at 20:16:53
I had a lot of difficulty finishing college, too. Reading your post reminded me of that (it was a long time ago!).
I ended up taking a lighter load for a few semesters, and getting a job on the side, which I enjoyed. Then, I went to summer school to finish.
I also remember feeling totally at a loss as to my future when I was nearing my senior year. I ended up going to grad school related to the work I'd been doing on the side, rather than related to my major (which, btw, I changed 3 times!!!!). I was kind of lost in college, not knowing what I wanted to do, struggling with depression and a lot of unfinished family stuff.
In grad school, which was a short program that I could have finished in two semesters plus a summer (and was what my friends did), I had great difficulty with depression in the spring semester and took some incompletes. It was very hard having those hanging over my head but I was in total meltdown mode, so there was no choice. I took a job and loved working so much more than being in school. Still, I struggled with the depression and it got worse. But when it started to get better, I finished my degree by taking some courses through a college extension program at another school and transferring the credits.
It's hard to deal with school when dealing with psychiatric problems, I know.
I wish I could give you advice. I can't. It's hard to know for each individual what the best choices are--to push through and finish soon or to take a hiatus from school and finish later. For some people, going back to finish later is extremely difficult.
For me, because living with my parents did not seem a viable option for me, emotionally, but they were paying for the school tuition and my housing while in school, I was motivated to finish school as soon as I could manage it, and then moving on to working and supporting myself. I don't know how it would have turned out if I had been comfortable living with my parents, though.
Anyway, I doubt this has been that helpful to you, Angela. Like I said, I cannot offer any advice. But I can relate somewhat, now that I'm remembering those college years.
BTW, eventually, after working a number of years, I chose to go back to school again for another degree, believe it or not! But this time, I loved it. It was soemthing I chose to do and I was really ready for it. It was so much better going back later on than it was when I was younger. I was there for a reason, I knew where I was headed, unlike back in college age, when I was totally confused about my direction.
Take care, Angela.
poster:Noa
thread:352224
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20040525/msgs/352349.html