Please help. How can I save my sanity?

Student Lounge College Life
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<p>I don't know where this discussion goes but maybe someone can give me advice on the problems that are worsening my depression.</p>

<p>I had really easy classes this semester -- a lot of the work I got was assigned at the beginning to be due a little before the end of the course. But I've been so stressed outside of class (one of the biggest things being that my long-distance girlfriend was in a car crash and eventually went into a coma -- and she's awake now but she doesn't even remember who I am because she suffered brain damage) and I've been so preoccupied with trying to get my mind off of that, that I forgot about most of it until now. I've failed assignments all throughout the year. Now I have only a few weeks left and nothing done in my Humanities projects (there's two: a group project and an art project), and I've failed the only paper in my American Gov't class and I'm way behind on Math and English work. That's all of the classes I'm taking right now. I feel like it's too late to tell my professors.</p>

<p>I hate college. All through high school, I was told it was going to be the most fun I'll ever have in my life but I've been seriously depressed and I've thought about hurting myself a lot, even to just get out of going to class. My parents are just telling me to grit my teeth and get through it but I can't take it any more. I don't think they understand or care because college is "what's best for me." How can I get out? I don't have any work experience and I'm not independent. I want to do something creative but I'm not a great artist and I don't write enough. What chances will I have out in the world? Please help me. Any advice is welcome.</p>

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<p>Projects: You’ve got weeks to do it! Yeah, it’ll suck, but try writing out a schedule. Break the projects down into do-able sized pieces, and try to get some work done every day. Personally I’d say you should prioritize the group project… it’s not fair to others if you don’t pull your weight, and you might get knocked a gazillion points if they say you didn’t help. So, get involved in the group one ASAP. Being around other people and being productive can also help with depression a bit.</p>

<p>Professors: I think you should talk to them. Ask for suggestions in catching up, what you can do to pass, explain the situation, ask for project tips, etc. It’ll show them that you care about the class and that you’re making an effort, maybe you’ll be lucky and get an extension, and they should have some ideas to help get you back on the right track.</p>

<p>Depression: Depression sucks, sorry. :x But please don’t hurt yourself, it’s hard to stop, it’s dangerous, and it doesn’t help anything in the long run. Can you seek out counseling at your school, if you’re comfortable with that? It could help. If not, find something that makes you happy (or at least something that makes you not miserable). Find something that helps, and set aside some time for that, same way you should be setting aside times for things like homework and sleep.</p>

<p>Is taking a semester off an option? Explain to your parents that you need help with your depression, that you can’t focus on your studies or schoolwork. Don’t drop out, your parents won’t like that, but take a break. Get some real help. If it’s a chemical thing, maybe doctors can find you a good medication. Find some coping strategies that work for you. And then once you’re feeling better, school’ll be easier to manage. Unless school itself is causing the problem… if it is, can you identify what about school is so bad (lonely, too hard, too easy?)?</p>

<p>College: If you’re not in school, what will you be doing? As much as the job market sucks right now, it’s much much worse without a degree. Having a degree opens doors, even if it’s just to show you can stick with something for four years.</p>

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<p>Go Greek! Seriously, we literally devote file cabinets to tests, homeworks, quizzesand whatever else that professors have given and graded. It’s also hard to be depressed when you got the greatest friends around</p>