I’m having trouble making a decision. I went to the University of Michigan right out of high school, but had two medical leaves due to severe mental problems. Shortly after that and taking a bit more time off, I enrolled in my state university close to home and did a year of classes there. Despite all of my time off and having to leave school so many times, I am not behind at all and could graduate on time if I choose to take a full load in the next year…which means I would have finished in 2.5 years if I had kept it up continuously. So despite the setbacks, my grades are doing excellent and things are moving fast.
But here’s the issue-I just reactivated my degree program at LS&A at Umich for the upcoming fall, but I am having second thoughts about going back. I am doing better but still have a lot of issues, and I crack under pressure and I can’t handle being overwhelmed. I have found a home at my local university-I love my job and my coworkers are a family to me, I have gotten super involved in student organizations, sports, acapella, and a sorority, I love the people here much better-less rich kid entitled attitudes here and way more mature. I am not learning less, quite the contrary-I really don’t believe I’m getting a lesser education here, it just “feels” less competitive and there’s less pressure overall but it’s not actually “easier.” Classes here are very small and all discussion based, and I spend a lot of time in my professors’ offices each week just talking about life and different topics related to the class. I have gotten so much support from them, and they have helped me through some of my challenges from my issues getting in the way with school. I keep getting emails like “thank you for your input on _____ in class, it really enhanced the class discussion. Maybe stop by my office and we can discuss _______ because I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject.” It’s just amazing, everything is so personalized here.
I also am doing an independent study with my favorite professor next year if I stay at my state school, and I was offered a research position by the same professor and just got my university funding for it approved. My professors are also helping push for me to get a job as a secretary for my department, as I would not only get hourly pay but tuition reimbursement. I believe that I am at the best school in the world right now and I couldn’t be happier; I cry myself to sleep every night over leaving this place. I deal with some serious depression issues and having things to look forward to is so important for me, and at this school I have that! But then there’s so much pressure to go to the big name school and everyone around me tells me they’d kill for a chance to go to Umich so I feel like I have to…
Also the cost would be the same, so that’s not a factor…but I don’t want to finish in a year. I want to take 2 years and be part time because I want to slow down-not working full time was never an option for me. And uofm’s part time rate per credit hour is ridiculously high, unlike my state school. Also, my graduate degree is going to be in school counseling…I’m not entirely sure an undergrad Umich degree is going to make a difference later on…help please