I get a lot of anxiety when I have to go home during breaks. I live in a fairly depressed suburb and did not have any friends prior to college. My family and I get along decently but I find it very difficult to relate to them or spend time with them especially since my parents announced that they were separating (but they’re still living together). So basically, being home makes me feel very trapped and isolated which spirals into a sort of depression. Look, I feel awful for the way I feel. But it’s just how I feel. Since summer break is soon and I will have to spend months back home, I was wondering if anyone had advice as to how to overcome this feeling. I’m sure I am not the only one who feels this way. Thank you so much.
I would be honest with your parents and tell them you think you need to meet with a counselor on a regular basis. I know that helps my daughter a lot - she suffers from anxiety, too. If you can’t speak to your parents, is there another adult you trust? You don’t want to be miserable all summer. Feel free to send me a message - all three of my kids see or have seen professionals.
Do you do anything over the summers? Volunteering, a job?
Agree with @MaineLonghorn; Also, get a job that has crazy hours and gets you out of the house.
My college ran the dorms as a hotel during the summer. See if your college does the same, for cheer conferences, exchange students, etc. We were required to work a minimum number of hours to cover housing. Since my scholarship didn’t cover summer school, I worked two summers, long fun hours, and racked up the $$$$.
Love that idea @TQfromtheU!
I’m guessing U Miami from your name?
Here are a few places to find something to do over the summer, that takes you away from home.
Student Conservation Association. There are internships and other groups. The site is a little confusing and has many opportunities in various places. The “hot” listings seem to be those that didn’t get enough applications and there may be some opportunity. https://www.thesca.org/
Volunteer.gov – click on the various housing options on the search engine to find opportunities with housing https://www.volunteer.gov/
Coolworks.com – https://www.coolworks.com/
workaway – lists part time positions around the globe, including your local area. They usually provide housing for a few hours of work a day. – https://www.workaway.info/
And you can also get some jobs in your area and volunteer work, like Habitat for Humanity, your local library, a home for the elderly, a hospital, various advocacy groups like for gender issues, homelessness, immigrants, or work at a food bank feeding the hungry. Or pair up with some friends and hike the Appalachian trail or do something similar.
http://www.appalachiantrail.org/home/explore-the-trail/hiking-basics
Continue taking classes or get a job.
@STEM2017 You know it! [_]
Can you live with one of your friends during breaks? Also, if you get off campus housing you can live there all year round and do internships/jobs over summers.