And to be honest, I wasn't the best college student only because I wasn't focused. However, times have changed and I matured a great deal. My G.P.A. did suffer yet I am willing to put all I got to restore it to the way it should be. What should I do from here?
124501
As a parent of children with chronic health care needs, I was approached about being part of a program called "Family Faculty."  It is designed for residents, but the idea is this:  Doctors learn from people who deal with the medical world in a real-life day to day basis.  In our case, that is pretty much our life.\n\nIf you are serious about becoming a physician, you should hang out with people who can help you be the best physician you can possibly be... patients.  I would try to hook up with the Child Life Specialists at your local hospital and see if you can volunteer as part of the team.  Or, volunteer at the local Adult Day Care.  Or, try going to the Social Services Department and asking them if there is a way you could participate in improving patient life while you are pre-pre med.\n\nSeriously, you could really improve your vision and your patient understanding by being with those people you hope to one day help.\n\nGood luck.  I really hope you dig in and find something that inspires you.  I wish you the best in your educational pursuits.
353975
You are SOL buddy.  Why don't you just go back to school and apply for financial aid.  Start off at a community college and go from there.  Take your basics and some remedial classes.  there is nothing wrong with that and it will help you with your other studies, trust me.  You still have plenty of opportunity and I suggest you take advantage of it and get a small part time job while going to school.  You can live in a dorm and get a dorm scholarship to pay for it.  You have options.  Don't blow it.
38136
I would have said that I'm a ex-college non-grad. that doesn't know what hes doing and trying to find places that make me happy. When people tell me to go back to college or join the army. I like to traval and I think that George w. bush blows and I can't really do anything about that except not listen to his crap.
432698
I came out of service at age 22, with just a GED, got into the University of Chicago on the GI Bill, took courses  summers and nights and three years later had a B.A. and six years after that I had two Master's and a Ph.D.  \n\nNo boasting here, but just to tell that the past is a poor index to the future, and you will get in and never look back.\n\nGo girl, and best to you.
343407
welcome to the real world. Hey this is going to be a big step in your life. You are now becoming or are now an adult. This is going to be your opportunity to grow into and experience the world out there. Dont worry, if you stress out and worry, then your years in college will suck. Make time to enjoy(partying to a limit) and then stay focused with school work as well.  You will be able to party 20 times more harder after college, but make the most out of the years in college. If I had a chance to, I would LOVE to go back to college, those were the best years of my life....seriously, you will enjoy it.  It is a whole new world.
255954
I went through some very similar things.  Ultimately I had to realize that my father was not very emotionally mature, and that he had a lot of personal defects of character.  You are not to blame.  The first thing that you need to do is care for yourself.  Living as an adult in a troubled family of origin is an express train to depression.  If at all possible, get out: go back to campus, get a part time job.  Enjoy your life.  But also, try to get some assistance; most colleges have well-developed counseling services.  Trust me; anybody living in your environment would be depressed.  You are responsible for one person: yourself.  Take care of yourself and other things will fall into place.   You don't have to go through this alone.  Hundreds of thousands of people live through similar experiences; try to find a support group.  You could check free or inexpensive community services, you could even try out 12 step groups.  Whatever you do, don't sit in the emotional booby trap of your father's house and float in the pain.  Get your body somewhere healthy and your mind and emotions will follow.  May God bless and protect you during this difficult time.
340235
If your overall GPA isn't great, but you improved in your senior year, and you can explain your situation in your essays, then colleges tend to view that well. The good thing is that your most recent grades are good, and you now seem to have your depression under control. This is a positive thing. \n\nIf U Minn doesn't accept you, then yes, you can attend a community college and then transfer. In fact, you may want to call U Minn and see if they have a "transfer compact" with any particular community colleges in the state. In these sorts of compacts, the University would have an established relationship with a community college, guaranteeing all of the graduates of that community college admission, or those with over a certain GPA. So, it's possible that you could attend community college for two years, get your associates, apply to U Minn, and be guaranteed admission. Call them and ask if such a thing exists. \n\nAlso speak to them about your situation and see what they think about your chances for admission. And apply there, because you never know. Again, your recent grades are good, your grades improved, and you've gotten your depression under control. Even if your overall GPA is a bit lower than they normally admit, they may put more weight on your recent grades and allow you entrance. Worth a conversation at least!
67552
You know...you got me, you may have to start rock bottom and try to work your way up, with the experience that you have achieved in the past with the education you now have, I think you will do great.  You may just go through it like a "hot knife through butter" (food pun, lol).  But to be on the serious part, just work from the bottom up and may be you will get that out of the way.  i hope the advice helps..email me to let me know bmsc208@yahoo.com and the name is brandon.
550089
First of all you have to realize that you will be depressed most of your life if you depend on others for your own happiness.  Don't expect a man in your life to make you happy. (Believe me, I know all about this, since I just went through my THIRD divorce)  This probably sounds crazy but since you can't afford to go back to school you're actually in pretty good shape.  You can get scholarships and grants, and go for free.  If you know what career you'd be interested in, go to the local college and apply for the grants.  You'll be fine, just remember, YOU are responsible for your own happiness, not a man, not your family, YOU ARE.  Good Luck.
127845
Going to a great school is wonderful pay-off for working so hard through high school.  But getting bad grades can ruin your self-esteem.  And then having a mental break down makes you question whether you'll really succeed in life.  I'm also a minority who had a nervous break down after getting my dream job, and then I lost it.  I'm still in the process of recovering and focusing for the next stage of my life.  But it sounds like you've gotten help and regained focus.  I'm happy to hear that you're ready to continue to be successful!\n\nIf you majored in Political Science but want to go to Medical School, it sounds like you're going to make a major change.  You may want to contact med schools directly and ask them what they're looking for in admissions.  They might be more interested in letters of recommendation than course grades -- at least you shouldn't worry about those courses in your major field.  If this is the case, find several professors who can attest to your diligence and maturity.  If you had a nervous breakdown, sought help, and are now taking charge with your life, you shouldn't have a problem finding someone to champion your cause!\n\nIf you're really worried about your grades, you should consider getting a Master's degree.  This will help with your transcript a little, and perhaps give you more time to investigate medical schools.  Of course, you can lessen any fears about your grades by doing well on entrance exams.  I assume you'll have to take the MCAT.  You can spend time working on a Master's studying for the MCAT by sitting in on a few biology and chemistry classes.\n\nMost importantly, don't be discouraged!  I strongly feel that the most difficult part of life is coming up a plan.  After that, the easy part is making it happen.
246563
I'm really sorry to hear you are struggling. You seem to have hit a rough patch, but don't give up on yourself. You are making some great progress in your life: \n1) You are holding a job. Okay, so the job sucks, but it won't be forever. Keep an eye out for other opportunities.\n2)  You are working on  your education. Your grades may not be stellar right now, but you can change that, too. \n3) As a student, you have access to the school's resources, like Career Services, who can  help you find a better job, improve your skills, update your resume, and become excellent at interviewing. You can also speak to academic counselors that can guide you to tutoring help (often free) and emotional counseling support. \n4) You are trying, and if you speak to your landlord or creditors to make an arrangement, you may find a sympathetic ear. They probably won't write off your debt, but they may give you an extra week or so to collect the money. \n5) You are recovering. You've made many of the hard steps already. Don't give up. See your counselor and get more support. \n\nThese things show me that you are strong, you just need to trust in your ability to make it through this. And when you do, you will have proof of your resilience. You may need a good cry, but don't give in to saddness. Collect all your skills and go change your circumstance. \n\nBest wishes.
187832
Wow.  This one is a doozy.  First, I wanted to let you know that I've been where you are and that you really have no concrete way of knowing whether the "mistake" you think you may have made is a "good" or "bad" decision.  As for the "other" program, are you sure you can't get in?  It's never too late to try.  Even if you try and don't get in, you can always try to strengthen you portfolio/resume/cv and try again next semester/year.  As for being a "nobody," I don't think that's true.  We live in a society that constantly bombards us with the impression that if we are not beautiful, rich, and successful (on society's terms) that we are failures or a "nobody." I personally happen to believe that every human being carries with her or him a spark of the divine, and that this alone makes us all "somebody."  It sounds like you are really striving to do something good for yourself, keep trying, and don't let these bumps in the road get you down.
450532
When I went back to college, a lot of my friends and family felt as though I was "leaving" them behind.  This was not intentional, but due to my overwhelming change in interests and hours devoted to my schooling.  There is a camaraderie which develops between people who travel down a new road together.  I was never closer to a few individuals than when I was going through law school...it was like having been in battle together.  No one else quite understood what I was going through.  Talking to those going through the same experience took less explaining.\n\nMaybe this would be a good time to return to your own education.  It would serve two purposes, 1) you would have similar experiences and knowledge to share with boyfriend, and 2) if that doesn't work, you will be more capable of being on your own, hopefully, with a degree and new friends, if it comes to that.
515773
I return to college in my late 30s and it was easier to study then when I was in my late teens and 20s. I believe the reason is you have more of a social life when you are young. Also you might want to check on how you are situated in your classes. I found setting up front and near the instructor was a big help. I could hear and see better then setting in the back.\nI ask a lot of questions..this help me with my grades. \nAnd last...I work hard to get an A in the beginning because later on was when I started burning out. If my grade was already high in the beginning..I didn't drop but a few points in grade.     Hope this help.
391075
College can be tough that way, pretty lonely, not knowing what to do with your life, feeling nostalgic about high school. I went through the same thing, and I let it get really bad until I needed the antidepressants to get me on the right track again. It sounds like you're just starting to slide, so now is a good time to take some action. How about getting iin touch with the career counselors at the college? There are a few tests you can take that match your skills and personality to certain jobs that people like you enjoy, so it might give you some direction. Pharmacology is something I find interesting, and it is certainly a good field to join, financially, but if you don't like biology and biochemistry and organic chem, it's probably not your thing. Again, start with what you like to do and are good at, then look for a way to make a living at it.\n\nDepression-wise, the symptoms to look for are: sleeping more or less than before, eating more or less than before, gaining or losing weight, losing interest in things you used to like, not enjoying things the way you used to, feeling sad, guilty or hopeless, feeling worthless, and the symptoms last on most days for two weeks or more. Don't hesitate to get help if you think this sounds like you. Depression is really common in college students, and it is very treatable. Just walk into the college health clinic. They'll know how to help. Good luck.
590145
I didn't have it as rough as you did, but I never fit in in high school.  I just did my own thing, had a very few friends, and ignored the rest.  I wasn't really interested in going to a reunion and didn't go the the first couple.  My wife went to one of her reunions and had a lot of fun so I tried going the the next one of mine that came around.  It was just like school.  I still didn't fit in.  I left early and didn't worry about it.  \n\nIf you have reservations about going, don't go.  If seeing the people who treated you so badly would bring back bad memories, don't go.  I wouldn't go just to brag or show off, though many people would.  \n\nIt sounds like you have a good life now.  Living well is the best revenge.  Let it go at that.
545678
You should not concern yourself with fixing the past but focus on fixing the here and now and the futre. \n\nIn the past two months you have posted many questions. You have said that you are 16, 17 & 18. You have talked about Skye going to the same high school as you and about how he went ot a private school and sad bad things about the school you went to. You have said that you lost your Grandma 4 yrs ago when you were 11 but that would make you 15 and not 16, 17, & 18. \n\nYou have said that you have been having 3 hours home tuition and 5 hours home tuition. \n\nIt sems to me that your past is a mass of confusion. \n\nI would think about discussing your concerns with your Doctor and getting some help or counselling to get your life on track and start buildig a future.