Everything falling apart.

Student Lounge College Life
1

<p>Dear CC readers, I'm a bit lost at the moment and in need of advice.
I'm an international student who actually spent 10 years here in the US, I got into one of the top 10 college due to my various academic competition(all with good results) and my near perfect SAT scores (1550-Math/English, all 800 in my SAT IIs)</p>

<p>There's been a lot of family issues that troubled me for years. During my highschool, everything seemed to fall apart. My parents refused to let me blend in to the American society, causing me to be an outcast my whole life. They sabotaged all my relationships because they deemed that I have no emotional needs until I am at least 25.</p>

<p>My senior year of my high school my depression started kicking in. I passed out during school, started to even doubt my state of mind. They simply ignored the warning signs, and told me to essentially "Tough it OUT" and "Stop FAKING it" even after my near fatal car accident where I suffered a neck injury.</p>

<p>Once in college, the depression started getting worse, I started failing almost immediately, and I was once again blamed for this, by my parents. I even once tried to cry out for help yet they once again accused me of faking it, and ignored my pleas. Eventually, I had to pull off something drastic, I managed to fail out of, then reapply back in without them ever knowing. Then after 3 semesters of horrible performance, I showed them my grades(GPA of 1.33). This and the call from the therapist that I found at the school contacted them about my severe, almost crippling depression, they finally admitted they were wrong to disregard my feelings.</p>

<p>I've practically thrown away my future just to finally get over my depression(I was driven to the brink) But sadly, once again, they(my parents, not my therapist who thinks I've almost gotten over the depression) deemed me too sick mentally to decide for myself, and demand to make all the decisions for me. </p>

<p>However my other family(mostly grandparents) from my country of birth is willing to support my efforts, and give me my freedom to choose. but I don't wish to burden them too much.</p>

<p>My 4th semester GPA, was 2.55-not cumulative(after I began my recovery) it is far from amazing but please understand it was difficult for me, I went to all my classes, and slowly got back into the system. And since I have no intention of burdening my grandparents more than I have to, my current plans are to try to find a decent community college or attempt to transfer to another 4-year in-state college with much lower tuition.</p>

<p>I was wondering if anyone has any advice for me.
my major is Econ.
(my doctor deemed I've made a nearly full recovery from depression)
the adviser I've worked with for 2 years move to another college. And I'm completely unfamiliar with the new one.</p>

<p>Biggest question I have. It's been almost 4 years since I graduated from High school. Is it too late for me to go to community college? Is it possible for me to go, and still get a degree within a decent timeframe? Or is my best bet trying to transfer to a much much lower ranked 4 year college?</p>

<p>Thank you in advance.</p>

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<p>Which one do you prefer though: a community college, or transferring to another school? I will say however, that if you are still not in the right state of mind emotionally that I would wait it out before attempting to go to another university. You need to be in a good state of mind in order for you to focus on your studies and do well. Otherwise, you might find yourself doing poorly in school again :(</p>

<p>To answer your biggest question: It is never to late to start over. From my personal experience, right now I am a junior. I will be applying to transfer to another college for Fall 2011 (I can’t do the spring since I will be studying abroad). Yes, someone looking from the outside will think I’m being a dimwit transferring when I have just one more year to go after this. Yes, I will have to spend an additional year in order to complete my studies. But I can accept that as long as I am able to pursue what I want instead of choosing random majors that I lack interest in and won’t provide me with a steady job.</p>

<p>I’m sorry that your parents haven’t been supporting you. But hang in there and start over when you have the right state of mind. Good luck :)</p>

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<p>thank you very much for your reply, it is very helpful.
my therapist thinks I am ready to continue my education, and that I have mostly recovered.</p>

<p>Also, I was wondering if it is a good idea to consider switching major from Econ to something else. I have heard it is really hard to find a job without a degree from top Business schools and I’m debating if it’s time for me to make a switch. To maybe computer science?</p>

<p>Since I’ve already had 4 semesters(with enough credit to count for 3 semesters)
Is it bad idea to go to community college at all?</p>

<p>As for personal preference, I have a circle of friends that stayed by my side all these years, they were the only thing that kept me from going too far down to come back, so the community college/4 year doesn’t really matter as much in term of personal preference. I simply don’t know which would be overall better.</p>

<p>Thank you.</p>