<p>College overall has been a positive learning experience, however, I have hit quite a few bumps along the way. </p>
<p>My GPA is on an upward trend but is still not so hot.
I believe I've been prone to depression (never have been officially diagnosed) for over five years now. All these setbacks have been really taking a toll on me recently.
I practically had a nervous breakdown after a difficult math test.
I haven't been able to sleep well and am just so worried about my GPA (after a freshman disaster) that it has been ironically negatively affecting my grades.
I really wanted to be a math major and I think I still can do it- it was just that this one math test really makes me put things in perspective. </p>
<p>A couple other things have been bothering me such as the fact that I haven't been in a romantic relationship since attending college, it was something I hoped to do but I am left with alcohol and friends who don't want to go clubbing because many of them already have boyfriends/girlfriends..and for overcrowding reasons, I will probably not be living in my fraternity's section next year. These have been some of my best friends in college and while I'll still be able to be in section all the time (and sleep there most of the time), it is still going to change things...I try to make it seem like things are good on the surface but inside I am crumbling. </p>
<p>I recently set up appointments with a counselor and had my first meeting yesterday.
I think I can make it through this semester (and I'll have to given the non-academic commitments I have made) but I think I need a break longer than summer from school. I think I need a break to sort things out in my personal life and hopefully I'll be able to return to campus a better student and happier person. </p>
<p>However, a problem is that my parents aren't very understanding of these things and would probably not approve of me taking a leave- up to the point that they would probably stop paying for Duke...I don't think that some 'quack therapist' (as my parents think of therapy) would be able to convince them that taking a leave is appropriate. </p>
<p>I have two questions.
1.) Would taking a leave help given I use it to sort out my personal problems?
2.) If my parents choose to be financially stingy and not understanding, I will obviously not take the leave, how do I sort things out without doing so?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance..</p>