Depression + College handled poorly

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this forum, hope that everyone is doing well. I've been struggling with depression and low self esteem for most of my life. I had a tough year in College, doing some advanced coursework during my last year and dealing with the breakup with my girlfriend at the time. Depression, combined with a lot of anxiety and frequent panic attacks turned me into a bum who stopped going to classes where I was doing poorly. Naturally, I didn't do well and flunked out. I've finally had the courage to see a therapist and have started to feel better, but now I don't know what to do about school. I don't have the courage to face the teachers and the administration that saw me behave like that, plus I don't even know if they can take me back since its a grad program. Who is a good person that can advise me about my options in these types of situations where school and mental issues intersect like that? thanks!

P.S. My therapist thinks I might have a learning disability that caused my depression. Going to do some extra testing to find out exactly what's going on with me. wish me luck.

-Ric

Post Edited (rdrouyn) : 10/18/2013 11:22:42 PM (GMT-6)

Go to your academic advisor. Bite the bullet and make an appointment. Do not be embarrassed or shamed. You do NOT have to go into specifics with the professor. "Several personal problems" will cover it. Your advisor will be able to tell you what the policy is. ASK what your average is. Check this in advance on your transcript (usually available online) and look at the graduate policy manual. If the advisor seems unwilling, please go then to the department chair of the department where you were doing your work.

A visit to counseling services might be in order as well. The issue there is that, if I read your post accurately, you are a former, rather than a current, student. They will not 'treat' you, but they may very well give you advice.

As far as being a grad student, if little academic time (several semesters) has passed it ought NOT to matter when you go back. If you are talking years, it could be a problem if the graduation clock has started ticking. This is nothing new, with grad students. You will, of course, need to repeat the courses you failed.

This is what these people do, sweetie. It will not faze them, I promise. It's what I used to do. From our POV, not a big deal and most will be happy to help you.

How much more than a year? Usually under five, the work will count in a particular program. Were you working on a thesis? A diss? Or still in coursework phase?

There were problems with your advisor? Go to the chair, then, and be NON-SPECIFIC. Seriously, they don't want to know the whys, they are only concerned about the academic part of the equation. If your health is an issue with the academic part, that's the only time it matters. If the illness limits directly your ability to interact with the discipline. For instance, I had a friend with epilepsy, and she was banned from working on building scenery, due to the power tools.

Grad students leave and return all the time, for tons of reasons. Usually, Time only matters significantly when you have finished comps/ started diss/thesis.

Evolve a stress-reduction awareness for yourself. Figure out what you have to do to keep yourself on track. Grad work IS stressful. The key, IMO, is separating the personal from the professional.

Keep that confidence up. Try to take it one day at a time. Don't be down on yourself. You can do this. And if you can't, you have learned something, so it is actually a win-win situation!!!

Best wishes!!!

Hugs, Karen...