I’ve been thinking about taking a medical leave of absence due to my mental health, but I’m worried it will set me back and it’s too early to do it. I am a freshman attending school at a college roughly 7 hours from home.
I’ve struggled with mental health issues for years, but it’s sharply worsened recently to the point I find it hard to function at all. It’s heavily affecting my GPA as well- I currently have a 3.0 in engineering, and rank near the bottom of my class. I’ve struggled to connect to my peers and feel increasingly withdrawn. It is often a struggle to function at all, and I feel like I am about to collapse from stress. I have joined clubs, sports, started a job, etc, but I haven’t been able to connect with anyone and my mental health hasn’t improved.
I’ve attempted to seek treatment, but for a variety of reasons things haven’t worked out. I’m considering taking a leave of absence, but I’m worried about falling behind everyone else at my school- my major is very small and tight-knit, and also requires a yearlong group project during senior year. I worry about being unable to do this project on time if I took a semester off. However, I worry if I try to keep going I will eventually just break down and have my academics suffer even worse than if I just took a semester off.
Whew! Big hugs! Breathe. You are trying so hard, I commend you on all your efforts.
I hope you may rest tonight and start fresh in the morning. Have you had a physical check-up?
Eating nutritious food, getting enough sleep, fresh air, exercise, can help with coping.
Glad you are reaching out. Continue to persevere, there may be telehealth or hotlines for advice and someone helpful will connect with you.
For stress, does your college have a counseling center?
Here are examples of how to cope with stress offered by our state university
Do you suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) ?
If yes, maybe attending school in an a sunny climate area may help.
Put yourself first. Your classmates will understand and perhaps you’d get new classmates.
Not saying you should leave - but in consult with those close to you and a professional, you should make the best choice for you, not others.
Engineering is obviously a very tough major. I don’t think at a 3.0 though you are the bottom of your class. That’s a solid major.
Best of luck.
Work with your family, a professional therapist, your academic advisor, etc. to come up with a plan that will work for you.
If you withdraw for a semester, be sure to go through the formal process at the college to square away financial and academic issues.
One of my kids has chronic health illnesses and took two medical leaves during college. They were originally the class of 2012 but graduated with the class of 2014. It really is okay to take a leave and come back.
Make good use of the leave. Find a therapist you like, try medications (are you on any now?) and do something fulfilling, like volunteer or an internship if you can afford it.
You deserve to do your best. You deserve not to suffer. Things will be okay.
Before you do this, make contact with a dean or advisor to discuss the withdrawal process and also what is required for reentry. I would add that your grades can be wiped clean for this semester if you so wish, at some schools, when you do a medical withdrawal like the one you are contemplating. (Don’t’ be scared by the requirements for reenetry which are often more flexible than it seems).
Do you have tuition refund insurance that covers mental health?
Please take care of yourself and give yourself a break. I hope your family will provide an understanding refuge for you and help you access resources. Are they aware of your struggle? Believe me you are not alone- mental health challenges are rampant in your age group.
How are you? Did you talk to an academic advisor or a counselor about your situation?
Hope you have a better day today.
Life is not a race. There is absolutely nothing wrong with taking a semester or a year off. There is absolutely nothing wrong with graduating one or two years later.
I hope that you are already talking to counseling services at your current school. If you want to take time off, either they or your academic advisor should be able to help you figure out how to do this.
Your health comes first. Everything else can be postponed and handled later.
Agree with the above but understand that 3.0 in engineering first year so far is great. It’s not a bad grade. Always room to improve over the next 3 year’s but as stated, take care of yourself first.