@“aunt bea” i am considering going to a therapist or something. and i will ask about the random classes because i never knew that was possible. thank you for your advice.
@bethcollege I understand feeling that way; the first time I was put on antidepressants I didn’t like feeling dependent on meds, and so I stopped taking them cold turkey (which you’re not supposed to do because there are serious side effects). But if you need medicine for high blood pressure or diabetes, you need it; and depression can be an actual biological problem (low activity of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine). What does it mean if you are “dependent” on meds to adjust your brain chemistry? That you’re weak, or that you did something wrong? Not at all! Also, I have been told that unless you have severe or chronically reoccuring depression, you’ll be able to taper down and eventually stop the meds after a few months to a year.
However, I do agree with rhandco that your sadness might just be situational, and meds really won’t help in that case. I guess the best way to tell is by looking at how the other areas of your life are going, and how you feel when you’re not in school. Depression has many components to it, but the way it comes on a lot of the time is that people may have a “biological vulnerability” to being depressed, but it takes a stressful event or transition to trigger a depressive episode.
As for the degree, I hear it’s not really the degree that helps you get the job; it’s who you know and can build connections with, as well as the experiences you’ve had outside of class. Obviously, some degrees are required for certain careers (like engineering and nursing), and a degree may certainly influence the decision of a person who is just choosing people based on credentials. But, for example, if you have a Liberal Arts degree and, let’s say, you spent two years editing the school’s newspaper, run a popular blog, and are involved in theater, those skills may make you a more desirable candidate for journalism than someone who only has a degree in Communications.
@onmyway2013 thanks for you advice. it is unbelievable what can depression do to your life. i’ve had enough with it. hopefully i’ll get back to the old me with the help of a therapist.
I’m glad that I could help. I wish you the best!
I don’t want to be a flamer. You asked for advice, and I’m going to give it, as if you were my daughter:
First, do go to a licensed counselor to determine if you do suffer from depression. I’m not a licensed counselor, but I don’t think you are clinically depressed. I think that you are just “down” about your predicament and you hear the clock ticking.
I’m a recruiter. I’ve talked to thousands of college students and recent grads in the last 25 years of my job, and I’ll tell you that about 80% of people your age know more about what they DON’T want to do than what they DO want to do. That’s why job interviewers ask the question “So, where do you see yourself in five years?”. So, you’re not special or unique or alone in that regard.
Three things stood out in your post: 1. You haven’t learned to organize your thoughts. 2. You’re overly concerned with where the universe matches your pleasures and unproven, unvalidated abilities instead of the other way around. 3. You’re looking for a quick fix to years of rational neglect.
Right now, you are like a gambler that borrows money for one last trip to the blackjack table, hoping that you can win it all back. It won’t end well. There’s a place for impulses and feelings, but they must be balanced with rationality. Maybe a philosophy class or three would help, but I’m not sure if you’re ready for that challenge.
Why don’t you just say that you want to be a Major League Baseball player, but you’ve never seen a game or swung a bat or thrown a ball before, and why can’t someone just tell you how because you’re athletic?
I say cut your losses quickly. You’re wasting other people’s time and money right now. You need to clean up the above three things, in the order given, before you’re ready to ripen. Only you can do it. Start right now.