I was terrified to prioritize my mental health over my school and work life, but it turned out that feeling content and alive is a lot better than feeling miserable no matter what my grades turned out to be
Dec 21, 2024
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i was far too busy getting completely obliterated to do so in my early 20s. (do not recommend.)
but the experience of doing schoolwork now feels like it did as a little kid. you know.. before puberty knocked me awake to the reality of my shitty home life, which caused a haze of depression to fall over me.
in my single digit years i remember being so excited to do school work, and feeling so proud of myself when i did well. im getting a taste of that again.
i never lost the exhilarating feeling i got from gaining knowledge that truly excites me. but it’s a beautiful new kinda thing with the added clarity gained from not being ripped on weed 24/7 and the added confidence gained from surviving the shit hand that was given to me as a kid.
hang in there 🕊️
Oct 28, 2024
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i took two "gap" semesters, but instead of focusing on my mental health i went ahead and worked part time and took a few classes at a community college...unsurprisingly i still struggled when i went back to school
i would say if you do take a gap semester for your mental health, ONLY focus on improving that. go to a therapist, rest, do light exercise, and develop healthy coping mechanisms for whatever things you were struggling with doing school full time.
i so wish i prioritized that, because i feel i would've suffered a lot less during my undergrad.
cons would be: interrupting your studying momentum would be the only thing i can think of? there is a stereotype of students taking gap semesters and just not returning but i know of more who did return than didn't
because i took two semesters off i was a year behind my friends and that kinda sucked but more because i was sad about how things played out for me
good luck! you deserve rest and good mental health! you're still very young so take the time you need!
Aug 9, 2024
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i’m in my third year of university and it has been quite a ride. first year i was living in residence and had an amazing roommate who is still my best friend now, but i was not prepared for how hard classes would be so i was a total slacker and got some pretty bad grades.
second year, i don’t remember much. i was living at home and i had a few friends i had class with, and my grades improved a bit since i actually knew how much work it took. but my chem courses were making me want to die. i ended up passing in the end though, thank goodness.
third year, ive lost contact with most of my friends. people don’t talk to me in class anymore, i don’t really go out a lot, but ive finally figured out what i want to do post-grad. i’m working my ass off to keep my grades up, and it‘s really hard. i’m in a difficult program at a well ranked school, and it’s really taking its toll on my mental health. but i’m looking towards the future and working my way past the shit i’m dealing with. i have a few friends that i really love, and a partner that’s supporting me like crazy, so i’m sure it will all turn out okay.
just remember: it will always be more work than you expect. i sailed by in high school and then realized i didn’t know how to study (and still don’t) once i got to uni. but if you work hard, try different techniques, make friends with people you can work with, and forgo fun things sometimes, you’ll make it through
Jan 19, 2025
Top Recs from @hwinter451
Last night I spent 5 hours with my friends in my living room instead of doing my work, and at first I thought “wow I was not productive tonight,” but then I realized that hanging out with friends and letting my mind rest is incredibly productive!! I feel so refreshed this morning
Jan 24, 2025
I’ve recently begun to think I’m extremely beautiful, something I’ve never consistently thought about myself. It feels so silly, and I’m sometimes baffled by it, but I’m also enjoying it a lot.
Dec 22, 2024
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How lucky am I that I actually miss school when I’m at home, and miss home when I’m at school??? Being able to miss something, to look forward to returning, is such a privilege, and I will never take it for granted
Jan 12, 2025