#DroppingOut #CollegeLife #HelpNeeded
Hey guys, so I have a little dilemma and I could really use some advice. So here’s the scoop – I’ve been dealing with chronic fainting spells this semester (like, fainted 4 times…yikes) and the medical staff on campus basically brushed me off with a “go see your primary physician”. And get this – my primary doc is a state away! 🏥
I’m 19, 5’4, and barely 90-something pounds. I can barely eat, barely drink, and barely function. It’s like my body is revolting against me. And to top it off, I’m failing a class and I’m completely lost in terms of my future. 😩
I’ve been putting on a happy face for my parents, but the truth is, I’m miserable. I’m considering dropping out of college, but I’m scared about what comes next. Any advice or words of wisdom? Help a girl out! 💬🙏
So, what do you think? Should I stick it out or make a bold move and change my path? Cast your vote below and let’s chat! 🗳️💬 #DecisionTime
Tell your parents all of this. Wonder what all they did bloodwork wise for you. Maybe you are not eating or drinking enough? Maybe you have a deficiency issue. College isn’t for everyone and just getting a degree in something doesn’t guarantee anything for you. I wish I had gone and just tried things I was interested in before pursuing my degree.
Have you spoken to any on campus mental health services, ranging from a therapist, student support services, etc?
Your gut flora determines your mental health status (at least according to a few studies out there). You need to eat, and you need to drink water. Carry a water bottle around with you.
When I was in a similar situation, with 12 hours of school for 5 days a week, I would bring oatmeal (if an electric kettle or microwave is available on campus), and I would just eat little bits. I would also have granola bars. I would eat small amounts often, during class, between classes, before labs and seminars. Having a constant low blood sugar is not good.
Do you have allergies? Have you been able to clean your room often? Often allergies can affect how you feel mentally.
Are you able to drop that one course that you’re not doing well in? Even if it’s a financial penalty, it’s worth it in the long run if you can secure the grades for the other courses.
Regarding motivation, talk to career services n campus, see what you can do with your current degree.
Or, see what alternatives seem more enticing and manageable for you.
Have you been able to get involved with any extracurriculars on campus? Any kind of exercise? I’d recommend going to the gym at least 3 times a week. Doesn’t even have to be long sessions each time either. 15-30 minutes.
You have to eat and you have to drink water.
This is actually really dangerous because you could smack your head and do irreversible damage during one of these events. As an RN myself one blood test is not conclusive. They are blowing you off, and you need help. What shitbags. Start by discussing this with your parents and seek legitimate medical attention. I don’t know your parents or if you’re comfortable talking to them, but if you feel okay talking to them and don’t they’ll get upset with you down the line because they dk what’s going on. I get not being hungry and not wanting to drink. I’m that way myself many days. But you’ve gotta make a point of it to take vitamins, an electrolyte supplement (this could easily be mag deficiency) and drink 2l water a day minimum, that’s if you’re sedentary. Easy for you to get dehydrated af and just pass out. That’s really hard on your heart and kidneys too. I’m really sorry you’re dealing with this. Try to muscle through it we all fail classes. Just try to do the minimum for your health and hopefully it gives you the energy to push through. Depression is a bitch
Passion isn’t a constant thing happy people feel. It comes and goes. Make sure the degree you pick will give you the time off and ability to live your life (Six figs minimum for 40h/week or don’t pick the degree). Make sure the job is attached to the degree. If you’re not happy now you won’t be happier working at McDonald’s with a degree, that’s certain. The best we can ask for is that we tolerate what we’re doing and it facilitates other aspects of life or goals (work/school). You’re normal.
Hi!
Obviously as the other comments have said – focus on feeling better. Your physical and mental health are linked – if your physical is bad, your mental gets worse, if your mental gets worse, your physical gets worse, etc. Figuring out the root cause and being in an environment that will allow you to do so is important.
I say this all the time but we expect people to choose their entire lives too early. Another comment says college isn’t for everyone, but sadly it sure opens way more doors as a basic requirement, especially when you don’t have any passions or motivations.
I’d 100% say don’t just drop out and do nothing – have a reason, goal, and a plan attached to it.
If you drop out: talk with your family first and let them know everything that is going on. If you’re going to take a break from a university, try taking part time classes at a local community college that count towards an associates degree. There might even be one that accepts credits from classes you passed already. Depending on the school, you reserve the right to go back and get a BA from a more formal university after aquiring your associates which is where research comes in. You can use that extra time to focus on having a better relationship with food which will help in the long run. If you do find something you enjoy, you don’t want to be fainting as you do it or not having enough energy to do anything.
If you don’t want to take classes, find something productive to fill your time. Staying at home and and doing nothing all day can produce a feedback loop and make you feel worse over time. Working on yourself is great, but its one of those things that both does and doesn’t take a whole day if I’m making sense.
” I don’t care of myself and my body is starting to shut down because of it. I don’t know what to do. ” That is literally what your post says… get help. Professional help.
Look into WGU, regionally accredited, online, all self paced! And affordable. Its been a godsend for me as a full time working adult and gives me the flexibility to still pursue my bachelors.
Anemia comes to mind. Tell your folks. How’s your heart rhythm? Do you feel dizzy or light headed just before you faint? My daughter’s friend had an arrhythmia that was genetic. She couldn’t get medicine until she turned 18. But her mother also has this condition. My sister was diagnosed with HCM recently. Get yourself checked out.