Debilitating anxiety and withdrawal from college

<p>I am a sophomore. My anxiety is so bad I can't function... I'm getting zeros on assignments because I just can't do them. I'm so behind. I had to drop my Calculus II class... failed both midterms, including a 9/50 on the second one. Physics... 23% on the first exam and a 35% on the second. I am helpless.</p>

<p>I also work part time (25-28 hours a week). I LOVE work, I LOVE my job... I couldn't imagine not working, and I also need to pay my rent.</p>

<p>I'm also in computer programming which was going great until a few weeks ago, when it just went downhill. I was in a relationship that turned abusive, I had to move out with hardly any notice, and my life is spiraling out of control.</p>

<p>I'm getting zeros on all of my programming assignments. I can't do them. I burst into tears whenever I look at it... I was in so much distress today I couldn't even go to class, and I just talked to a counselor. I have a 5000 (yes, 3 zeros) point project for programming due Wednesday and I have NO CLUE what I am doing. I can't email my professor any questions because that's how lost I am... I can't even think of a question.</p>

<p>The first thing I did when I woke up was cry. The first thing I did at school today was cry. Now I'm crying again. It is 11:40pm and I'm in the library trying to do my project... but I can't. It is due Wednesday morning. 5000 points.</p>

<p>It's not even just this... it's just my anxiety. I've always had it, and it's been very bad, but now it's worse. It is so bad I cannot think. I cannot comprehend anything. I don't even feel alive.</p>

<p>I know there is only a month left but I cannot handle it... my anxiety is so bad... I am talking to a counselor Friday and a doctor on Monday, but will that even help with the month I have left? Should I just start over next semester? I switched my major and need NONE of these classes I'm taking.</p>

<p>Please... I have no one to talk to... my mom just tells me to stop complaining but I am struggling and suffering so much.. this is not me complaining. I am truly suffering.</p>

<p>See if you can get into to see someone at counseling center before Friday. They must have walk-ins. You need someone to help you weigh your options. How were your grades as a freshman? Is this the first time you’ve struggled with a course before? The courses sound hard. Perhaps withdraw from one of them and see if you can come up with a plan to salvage grades in the others? I am sorry you are going through this Keep us posted please.</p>

<p>Try some self help, too, while you wait.
Resources to calm down, relax, control your breathing. <a href=“http://www.m.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/tc/stress-relief-and-relaxation-overview?page=4”>http://www.m.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/tc/stress-relief-and-relaxation-overview?page=4&lt;/a&gt;
You are getting help. Be kind to yourself, somehow it will work out.</p>

<p>Walk into the counseling center and tell them this is urgent- hopefully they can see you sooner. If not, then know that Friday will get here soon, and you will get help.</p>

<p>Sometimes a college will allow a medical withdrawal with a time period to make up the work. You can ask about this at your college. It may be a better option than getting failing grades for the semester. </p>

<p>It can hurt to be in an abusive relationship but know that you are OK, you can get better, and it will get better. You are probably confused right now, as abusers often blame their victims, but they are responsible for their behavior. Counseling will help you regain your self esteem and also understand what happened. so get help ASAP and know that it can get better. </p>

<p>It is great that you love your job. </p>

<p>Thank you everyone.</p>

<p>I came into this school with a 3.50 GPA, so my freshman grades were pretty solid. My classes were hard, and I thought I couldn’t do it, but I did. However, these classes this semester are beyond that… they are impossible for me. I switched my major to something more suitable for me, so I do not believe will have another disastrous semester like this one. I do want to apply for graduate school to get my MBA, but I don’t think this semester will kill me if I prove myself later on… right?</p>

<p>No, it will not, and in addition, your situation is explainable. Focus now on getting help and recovering. If you can get a medical withdrawal they may give you and extension on completing this semester. Ask about this.</p>

<p>One option is to take some time off and continue working at the job you love while you get back on your feet. Discuss all your options with your counselor, and stay hopeful.</p>

<p>Is there something in particular that is triggering your anxiety? </p>

<p>Are your parents putting a lot of pressure on you to do well?</p>

<p>OP - First, congratulations on getting out of an abusive relationship. Second, you are smart to get help through counseling. Perhaps you need to hit the “pause button” to give yourself a chance to regroup and address your anxiety issues without the continuing stressors of school. Talk to your advisor or Dean about taking a medical withdraw for the remainder of the semester. It would give you a chance to focus on getting better without doing serious damage to your GPA. Plus, it sounds like these classes, which you no longer need, are particularly stressful for you. </p>

<p>You need to talk to the counseling center/your dean/advisor at school. Get a referral to a psychiatrist. Perhaps medication is in order. But then see if you can get a medical withdrawal for this semester. You can’t just “quit”…then you will have F’s and never get your GPA to where it should be. But if you medically withdraw then you will just have “W’s”. If you have anxiety about talking to the dean, get someone you trust to help you do it. But you must.</p>

<p>Thank you, everyone. I have anxiety about this whole situation. I am so upset at myself about dropping my second class, I am worried I will not be able to apply for my work assistance tuition waiver because of this… but hopefully I can get medically excused or something. I really cannot function in school, but I am staying in a few classes that are not a burden.</p>

<p>Thankfully I have an advocate to help me talk to the dean. I just wish all of this wasn’t happening. It is a nightmare. I never would have imagined I’d be in this position. </p>