<p>Hi this is my first post. Im a freshman in college and Im currently home for winter break as I just finished my first semester. I really started to struggle with college life about the last month of the semester. Grades weren't really the issue as classes weren't that hard. I never felt comfortable and I always felt very anxious. I went to the doctors numerous times because I felt like there was something wrong with me even thought there wasn't. Now I have to go back to school on the sixth of January for the second semester and I am so scared. I have no desire to go back. I told my parents I want to take a leave of absence for the semester to figure things out but they are pushing me to go back because they feel like I am quiting. I just want to take the semester off to work through my issues and get a job. Hopefully Ill realize that working is awful and college is the right place for me and Ill have more motivation to go back. Please help me out as I am on the verge of having a nervous breakdown just thinking of going back. Thanks.</p>
<p>I took a year off school. Do it and figure things out.</p>
<p>Did the doctors you saw not suggest taking something for your anxiety? I don’t believe in meds for everything or forever, but when I went through a very stressful period in my life a few years ago I took anti-anxiety meds for about 6 months and it was amazing how much they helped take the edge off and allowed me to focus and see things more clearly. It does sound like maybe you need to take at least this semester off and get your head straight. Talk to your parents again, it sounds like they don’t understand how upset you are. Do they know you went to see doctors about your anxiety?</p>
<p>I took a year off after high school (and then more year off later on) due to medical issues. It helped me mature a lot, do better in my classes, etc.</p>
<p>To be honest I think students should start college a little later in life, when they will get the most out of it (say 21).</p>
<p>As long as you are determined 100% to go back at some point, go for it. If there’s doubt however, I would stay if you can or you may never return.</p>
<p>Hey thank you for the replies. I talked to my parents and they are really adamant that I return to school and it looks like that is what is going to happen. I told them all about how I feel and how upset I am but they think I can work through it. Im not too happy about it but I dont know what else to say. </p>
<p>They also knew about all of the doctors visits as they were very supportive of me going to the doctors to try to ease my mind.</p>
<p>i took a year off from school, and am going to graduate next winter. you start really early tho, mine doesn’t start until feb 5th. u should perhaps after next semester if u still think u should.</p>
<p>I also took a year off after highschool. And you know what, it was the best thing I ever did. I graduated high school with a 2.7 GPA. My college GPA is currently a 3.92 with 120 qtr credits completed. If my parents had made me go right after HS I probably would have failed out. Ultimately it’s your decision and your parents can’t make you go back. I would go with your instinct and work until you know you want to be in college.</p>
<p>I suggest if you are going back you see a doctor. I also suggest that in your free time you volunteer and or get a job. Even if you can’t take off for a semester, you can get away from school</p>
<p>Go to your college’s counseling center and address your anxiety. Also make exercise a part of your daily routine. Limit your intake of crappy, greasy, processed fast foods. Increase your water consumption and decrease your soda consumption. </p>
<p>Stay on top of all assignments and try to complete papers before they’re due. This will help in decreasing stress—no more last minute cramming due to procrastination. Think of your academic week as a full time job. Put in the work from 9-5pm. (depending on your class schedule) so you can relax in the evenings/nights.</p>
<p>Hey Unfortunately Im back at school against my wishes and Im already freaking out. Ive only been here about two hours and I have just lost it. I have no idea what to do. My parents keep telling me to get involved and everything will be better but I KNOW that is not going to be the case. Im not ready to be on my own. I dont know what to do and I need help. PLEASE HELP</p>
<p>I started out thinking I would be playing varsity sports, went to preseason, and got cut. I overcompensated by distracting myself with a bunch of different things, and forgot about my anxiety until fall break where it all hit me. After that I was a wreck, and still am. What you have to do, regardless of your anxiety, is ensure that academics come first. try to separate your academics from whatever issues you have outside of class, and solve the issues you have in your free time. Remember you are in college to learn first, and so get your schooling that your parents are paying for. I completely understand the sentiment of not going back, I feel it too, but sometimes you just have to suck it all up and roll with the punches.</p>
<p>Well, I think you said it: " Im not ready to be on my own. "
Take a deep breath and try to identify why you feel nervous. What is it about being at school that you don’t like? Do you have friends? Do you like your classes? Are you doing anything fun, like gamers club, or playing a sport of some sort?
You do realize that you aren’t really “on your own”, right? Your parents are a phone call away, but you shouldn’t call too often because that just makes you rely on your parents. There are tons of adults on campus ready and knowledgeable about how to help students who are anxious or homesick. Go talk to someone. Does your residence hall have an adult who lives there to oversee things? Someone above an RA? You could talk to that adult. You are living in a new place, meeting new people, but you are in a very controlled enviornment that is different from living in an apartment and really being on your own.
Do you keep a journal? Try writing about whatever is stressing you, and keep writing until you feel calmer. Sip tea or hot cocoa, and realize you are physically safe. Then, meet people, make yourself smile, sit with people during meals and make small talk. Remind yourself of your age, and that you are capable of being away from home and you aren’t away from home forever. Good luck!</p>
<p>jdhoops924, have you been to the counseling center at your college? They could really help you.</p>
<p>Good luck, and hope you are feeling better soon.</p>
<p>Hey thanks again for the replies. I have been still feeling very uncomfortable all week and I just decided to really talk to my parents. I told them that I want to come home and we decided that if its what I want, I can come home and commute to a branch campus about 45 min-1 hr away. Just about everything is set up so I just have to make the final decision to leave and Ill start there. Is 45 min to an hour to long of a commute? Am I making the right decision?</p>
<p>If you were uncomfortable and anxious to the point where you couldn’t function at the college, then it would probably be in your favor to commute to the branch campus. The 45 to 60 minute distance doesn’t seem like something I’d want to do multiple times a day, but if you can afford the gas and if it would help to learn better, than I don’t see a problem with it.</p>