Thinking about dropping out/ taking a semester off

College Majors Visual Arts and Film Majors
1

<p>I'm currently a senior at what's considered a prestigious art school on a full ride. After this semester, I only have another semester and one class to go. I definitely dont NEED to finish my degree since I'm already getting shows, selling my work, and I have a free studio space. I loved the school for the first two years andd now I hate my life.</p>

<p>Long story short, I love painting but the department sucks. They want me to make toddler art meanwhile I'm interested in hyperrealism. Last semester, I had some bad experiences with my last major, glass, because I just made whatever I wanted instead of what I was taught to make. Now I turn in pieces I don't care about (except for my one teacher that lets me do what I want) because I don't want the same problems. </p>

<p>Last week I applied for a studio at the school with my personal work. My other studio is on the other side of the city, which gives me problems with logistics. After the jurying, my teacher told me "where did you learn how to paint because you can paint better than the entire faculty". But I didn't get in. </p>

<p>If there weren't studio spaces I wouldn't care, but this is upsetting because they don't want to support my work. I honestly feel like if they won't support my art, I'm wasting my time. It would be nice to have a degree to fall back on, but I'm miserable. </p>

<p>Outside of school, I've also been going through a rough time. I was in a biking accident last semester, which left me with Post Concussion Syndrome and aggravated my PTSD. Since my accident, I've been having a hard time getting anything done because I'm consistently depressed or anxious. The only time when I'm not anxious is when I'm drunk or high. My PTSD is definitely worse now that I'm back in school, although my concussion is getting better. I've also been having nightmares where my teeth fall out, crying spells, panic attacks where my heart beats so fast I pass out, constant flashbacks, and I still see my face with a missing tooth and scars. </p>

<p>When my parents, whom I live with, see me depressed they start criticizing me and telling me to get over myself because "this is just what life is like". If that's true then I don't wanna live. The only reason I'm alive is because I believe things will get better. </p>

<p>I feel like, regardless of all my problems at school, I should take a semester off to move out of my parent's house and take care of myself. I'm going to a therapist once a week, but I definitely need more help. What should I do? Other than taking a semester off and talking to my teachers, does anyone have some advice about how to get through this? </p>

2

<p>Please don’t drop out when you are so close to finishing. The problems you mention are temporary, but dropping out could be forever. Congratulations on your successes to date and sympathies to you for your current difficulties. Please seek help, talk to your therapist and a trusted advisor or two to problem solve and explore your options. </p>

3

<p>Talk to an academic advisor and financial aid/scholarship advisor to see if you can arrange a medical leave (you have documentation of your accident’s impact). Make sure the scholarship is there when you get back. Take as much time for treatment as needed. Moving out from home might add stress unless you have a way to pay for it — along with a plan to pay for it once you return to complete your degree. Build up your art business in the meantime (yes, business). This will work out for you one way or the other. I’m glad you’re holding fast to life and the future. </p>

4

<p>I would say don’t drop out and try to give you some perspective like a few more months of school being nothing compared to the next 40 years of your life and having a degree will help even though art is a talent based career but…</p>

<p>…you mention some serious psychological issues. Very serious. Your thoughts and feelings are way out of proportion to your situation and you may not have the mental and emotional fortitude to suck it up as your parents seem to wish.</p>

<p>You need real help. Isolation will make things worse, you could further detach from reality. But toxic relationships are no better.</p>

<p>You need to seek professional help. Maybe even check yourself into a facility for treatment. You sound like you are on edge, I hope you find a way to work this all out for yourself for the best outcome possible.</p>