Yoga, tai chi, bellydancing… You need a health focused plan. Preferably something with other humans. What is your major? Pick one positive thing about yourself and your day. Write it down in a journal. One thing that you are proud of each day. It can be small. Start trying to see the glass half full.
Try to reach out to people. Study group. In campus concert. Local museum. You need to find your mojo. Your inner peace.
Just reread your posts. What about a painting class next semester? Sculpting? Something just for fun. What about starting a blog. Creativity and communications… Photography class? Is your next semester all drudgery or is there something that you are truly excited about?
@gearmom “I am also wondering if this generation has lost real life social skills needed to make friends and connections. Maybe the social media, availability of handhelds or structured childhoods. Something is different because so many seem unable to cope or connect.”
Maybe. Feel like that’s a whole different thread topic in general, but I’ll bite. Most online users tends to be of the introverted type - like, INTPs, INTJs, etc - and I feel like the population that comes on CC and post are of the extreme - the ones who are having bad times. I don’t think CC is a representation of all of my generation and that we all are addicted to social media and therefore have no social skills, think there are a lot of other variables involved.
Have wanted to study abroad, hoping I can go to Japan this summer. Thanks to a friend, I recently found out about a possible opportunity to go to Japan + the application. It boils down to getting the scholarships for it, though.
I’d say I eat pretty healthily. I eat salads every day w/ olive oil dressings, take any chicken breast and fish/proteins when the dining hall has them. I have my crappier eating periods - like this week - because I’m only human, but overall I drink tea, water daily, stay away from processed foods, etc, etc.
If all my class times don’t interfere with one another, I plan to take Creative Writing. Not only does it fulfill a requirement I need to graduate, but yeah, it’s a subject I enjoy.
“You need a health focused plan. Preferably something with other humans.” Anxiety workshop, as mentioned above. Mental health. Involves one-on-one interaction and group interaction. I figure if I’m going to put myself out there, I should actually be happy with myself first, fix what’s going on upstairs instead of denying my problems.
Post#23 Your diet looks healhy. Doctor I spoke with recently mentioned that your generation has a high number suffering from anxiety. FYI
@bvo112 Very true, and this is something I’m consistently guilty of. I think there’s also a disclaimer to that though (probably something that goes without saying, but I’ll say): you have to be proactive in meeting people, and be prepared to keep trying over and over and over. Because some people you won’t click with right off the bat.
All the clubs do ice-breakers, which, I mean…conversation really doesn’t generate from. Or it does, but slowly trickles off. Not saying that’s a valid excuse to stop socializing, but I guess hindsight is a good teacher - I know I could’ve been better at those events, or maybe come up with a more creative things to break the silence, loosened up and shown my sense of humor/playfully tease other people, etc.
It was so odd, because it was like…something was holding me back from doing so, from trying harder. I think it just boiled down to being in shock at being in a new environment, fear of being judged, not knowing where to start, and not feeling nearly as privileged as several of the other kids there. I think it’s a socio-economic barrier that plays into conversation as well, not just the social-personality one, since you hear all these people talking about their experiences, the internships they’ve done or the business people they’ve met, the places they’ve seen… Sometimes it’s hard to realize we’re subtly competing against each other/compare yourself to others and how silly it all is.
I guess that is one slight positive I have noticed being back - I’m not as phased seeing all the privilege around here, where as I think last year I really let it affect me on a personal level, extreme FOMO/envy, etc.
I just read this and am hoping you are doing better! Also hoping you found a therapist that’s a good match. I’m not doc, but it sounds like depression may be playing a part. Best of luck! p.s. I also know several friends who gutted their way through college–for many, it’s a myth that it will be “the best years of your life.” Onward!
@JeanJeanie Hi, thank you. I coincidentally decided to revisit this thread after months, but I’m glad I caught your post in a fairly timely manner, haha.
I’m doing better now - September and October/early November were definitely tough months.
Rest of November and early December, however, I was in therapy and I attended an anxiety workshop - both were really helpful. I got to let out a lot of negative emotions, and I feel I’ve become better at managing my ‘trigger thoughts’. I’m trying not to be so hard on myself or compare myself too much to other students.
I’d say this semester is a lot more laid back. I am taking Creative Writing, I’ve joined a committee for a club, which I just got back from an event. I also finally committed to a major: Communications. We’ll see where it takes me, I’m trying to look online over the weekends for any potential internships for the summer, tweak my resume, etc.
I’ve also sent in an application to go abroad for Japan, so we’ll see how that goes.
Thank you for updating @K8Nichol . It is good to hear that you are making progress. Don’t feel that you must have a set path. I was all over the place in college, and in fact, my college years were most decidedly NOT the best years of my life. So far, my early 40s were, by far, my favorite times, with young kids and family celebrations.
You seem to have an honest view of yourself, and you seem open to learning about yourself and trying new things. I think you will do very well. I alos think you will have a lot of fun life experiences ahead, but they may not happen in college.
@Lindagaf Thank you, this is really encouraging to hear. I hope things will keep getting better with my time at school. It doesn’t have to be “the best”, as you were saying, but just better bit by bit.
I always feel this need to accomplish “a lot” in my life before I graduate, maybe just because of the environment I’m in, and that I’m running out of time and I won’t be ready once I’m out of school, haha. So again, just encouraging to hear your feedback 
You’re suffering from clinical depression. It’s very common with students because of stress and homesickness. Go to the health center and talk to a therapist about it. You should also see a psychiatrist to get on an anti depressant. Believe me, it can make a world of difference in short period of time.
Nobody can get a definite diagnosis over the internet.
@coolguy40 I have talked to a therapist (reference post #28). It definitely does make a world of difference!
Please do not take any medication unless under close medical supervision.
College is 4 years of your life and you are almost halfway through. I HATED my college experience, every day and every second of it. I got through it, went to law school (which I LOVED every day and minute of) and now have my life. At the time, college seemed so all consuming, as was my misery there. But, I am almost 60 now and college was just a small percentage of it.
I am glad you are doing better. Keep up the therapy, try for the study abroad and, remember, college is to get you started on the path to the rest of your life, it is NOT your entire life forever.
@Publisher No worries. I don’t ever want to rely on medication, as I believe there are other alternatives to gaining a healthier, happier mindset.
@techmom99 Thank you. I guess there’s always that ingrained fear that the decisions I make in college will follow me for the rest of my life and if I screw it up now, I’ll have to invest more money and time to fix it, haha. May I ask what made law school better than your college experience? Just the people, the courses, or just feeling more set in your life?
Yes - the media (television, movies, sometimes books) make college seem like it’s this perfect time of life. Everyone has a posse, they make instant friends they click with, party all day, take intriguing classes with caring professors, rush the sorority they want, etc. etc.
In reality…it’s just like any other experience. Some people really love it, some people hate it, most folks just coast along nicely and are generally content or okay with it. You don’t have to lay heavy expectations on your college life to be a complete blast where you make lifelong friends and all that. Maybe your close friends you’ll make in grad school or in your life after (that’s what happened to me!).