Going back to art school after $118k in student loan debt? Is it possible to pay back loans?

Parent Cafe
21

The OP mentioned:

as well as having, sadly, had a psychotic episode and not, fortunately, getting access to a partial hospitalization program or intensive outpatient program. Surely with these diagnoses, routine labs, including TSH levels, ANA antibodies, etc.,have been run to rule out the myriad of other treatable causes of some of these symptoms. In another thread recently, another posted about the risks of pseudo-diagnosing or sending people down other paths based on info posted, especially if that was not what they were asking.

22

You love your art. Do your art. Don’t bother with the degree. People don’t buy art based on the degree. They buy it based on whether they like it.

23

OP you present many complications that have been compounded by the pressures of student loans, living at home, and being unsure of career direction.

The procrastination is in part due to your un-sureness of career. Your anxiety, depression, other medical concerns, and factors around you are making things quite difficult for you.

You have stated you can do the nursing academic work and like your PCA work. You do have to fix yourself enough to be able to earn a living to pay off your student loans and move on with life. Like yourself on the inside; make yourself strong. You are smart but you need to approach this and figure out - how to cope and deal with your situation. You may need some meds with talk therapy, but do not keep jumping around without being introspective.

You can always develop your art and do your art ‘on the side’ and perhaps at some point in your life you perhaps can make that more of your lively-hood.

Nursing has a lot of areas - you may find you enjoy some areas (that may be lower stress for you) than others.

If you like nursing, finish that degree ASAP - once you are well enough.

Just be aware that with a nursing degree, you cannot have problems with alcohol or illegal drugs. You have to certify with nursing license renewal. You do not want to get the degree and then shoot yourself in the foot where you cannot use your degree.

I am a RN (also have UG in psych) and I have a DD graduating soon as a RN. Have worked in 3 different states, and have worked a fair amount in psych. Have relatives that have/had major issues including depression and anxiety disorder.

Art therapy is a good suggestion, but you have to get the student loans paid off as soon as you are earning significant money - the interest compounding with dragged out loans will be even more of a nightmare.

Also on free time, find things that you enjoy that are low cost. Enjoy parks, free art exhibits, etc.

All of us have some family baggage - it is what it is. You need to find a way for YOU to be happy and functioning.

You are dealing with the external things, but have internal feelings that you do need to deal with.

Not sending a PM because others may offer some additional insight based on my comments.

24

Yep, paying off your debt is most important. Take the long view. You will live for roughly another 50-60 years or so. Plenty of time to do art.

25

Mirror–be sure to look at my suggestions on your other thread. You need to be proactive.
Some say finish the degree when you are well enough. I would bet that working on the degree will go far in making you well. Don’t wait.
Get out of the house or make a set of rules that help you live there.
Exercise daily–get a routine. Don’t skip. Set your alarm clock or get a fit bit. Just do it.
Tell others what you want to accomplish–we are a good start but I’ve found so often that the team rooting for you can come from unexpected sources.
.

26

This is an EXCELLENT point.

27

I have dealt with work related anxiety issues and I think I understand what you are going through.

First, it sounds like you have what is being referred to as “imposters syndrome.” You are doing GREAT in nursing school, you get great reviews from co-workers, and yet you still think you cannot do the job. I have been there. And there was NOTHING anyone could say that would make me believe I could do my job (I was just out of law school at the time.) Without getting the anxiety under control…nothing else could move forward. I was lucky that a fairly common anti-anxiety medication did wonders for me.

Once the anxiety was dealt with, I could actually perform my job. The more I performed it, the more I realized I was good at it. The more experience I got, the less nervous I was. The less nervous I was, the more I was able to actually enjoy doing my job.

It sounds like you are in a position to do great things. Focus on getting the anxiety under control. Focus on your nursing career, for now. Get independent. Pay off your debts. Save up some money. Do your art in the evenings or weekends, for now. When you are financially stable - then think of taking the next steps with art.

Best of luck!