I’m a student who has been dismissed from Florida Atlantic University I was dismissed after spring semester I started undergrad in 2010 and have been in and out of school I would be classified as a junior. My field of study was Mechanical Engineering I pretty much had a disaster first semester and for some time i was able to build my GPA back up a bit till 2014 where i didn’t have a great spring semester and then another disaster semester in fall of that year so I was suspended I eventually got back in fall 2015 till the dismissal. Yes I understand the suspension was supposed to teach me about my bad habits I obviously didn’t learn background I have been dealing with depression since maybe way back in highschool I was working a crappy job at wendy’s I recently just quit I don’t really receive financial support from parents as my mom is dealing with schzioaffective disorder but I wasn’t receiving financial support from her from her since childhood I have been dealing with my depression issues of late and I kind of feel life is just passing me by and I’m kind of lost at the moment I recently quit my job but I’m getting a lot of pressure from family and I get overwhelmed and angry any advice right now would be greatly appreciated
Not everyone is right for college right after high school. Heck, not everyone is right for college(Bill Gates). Plenty of people are happy and successful in their lives w/o the benefit of a degree.
But you are old enough now to be either a full-time student or a self-supporting adult. If you believe you have mental issues preventing you from either, then seek help while you work part-time if necessary.
I am sorry this is happening to you. How much college have you done total (that you have credit for)?
If you have depression or other issues that have not been addressed (ADHD might account for “bad habits”) I hope you can address them. If you see a professional and get a diagnosis you would have access to supportive services and to accommodations through the disabilities office.
Would taking a class or two at community college, with those supports, help you? I know someone in your position who got an associate’s degree at community college after dismissal. having rebuilt his record he may go on to 4 year, or may not. Of course, you may have done too much school for that to be useful.
I think the key is for you to get a diagnosis, and get treatment and services.
Then find a job you can stand.
Then start slow with one or two classes, preferably one at a time to start. This does not have to be immediate or soon. When you feel right about it.
Many public colleges and universities allow you to take one class, unmatriculated or matriculated, and there are continuing ed, extensions and adult learner programs as well. Even Harvard has Harvard Extension for working adults. Nontraditional programs allow you to pace yourself and provide support for those doing college. Check out Lesley, Goddard, Union Institute. I know finances are an issue so those may not be as affordable as a public school but looking at them will at least let you know you are not alone.
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You can also check out community college career-oriented classes or try to find training for a trade or other job that has on the job training. There are job counselors available in many areas. It is up to you whether college is important to you. If it is, you have every right to finish, with any assistance that requires.
Please do not be hard on yourself. You have depression, lack of support, lack of money and many things stacked against you and you have come back a few times when beaten down. I actually know many kids in your situation.
If you could see a counselor who would help you with planning and with your depression, it might be a good thing. Not having family support makes life harder. And I have a feeling you have some organizational challenges that can also be addressed. I doubt they are your fault : )
What kinds of accommodations could a student with depression receive?
Excused absences for appointments, single room, extensions on papers, reduced course load, that kind of thing. Some kids have succeeded in getting a medical withdrawal for depression that wipes the slate clean in terms of failed grades. If depression is truly crippling, a medical withdrawal is in order.
This link has a pretty good list of accommodations https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/crazy-life/201402/accommodations-students-psychiatric-disabilities
Did you notify your university’s disabilities/accommodations office about depression before/during college before your suspension? And if not suspension, before dismissal?
One thing I’m concerned about is that if you haven’t done so and now go back and tell them about the depression, they may be very skeptical as they’d wonder why you didn’t notify their disabilities/accommodations office about the condition before without considering the still strong stigma against mental illness as well as some concerns you may be using it to get what they may feel is an unmerited “third chance”
Could these accommodations be received by the student retroactively…especially after s/he’s been academically suspended/dismissed?
I don’t think it’s helpful to OP to present an example of a college dropout in a misleading manner like that.
Especially considering Bill Gates voluntarily left Harvard College in good academic standing with only a year or two left to go in order to found Microsoft. He wasn’t struggling academically or ever placed on academic probation…much less academic suspension/dismissal.
He also doesn’t want others to emulate his example as seen here:
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/04/upshot/bill-gates-college-dropout-dont-be-like-me.html?_r=0
You are correct on me taking too many classes for it to matter and also yeah I have orgazational problems I’m seeking help at a local mental health center
No I didn’t notify them of this as I tried to solve these problems myself but I am now getting help at Henderson Behavioral Center
I have 85 that count towards my degree