r/GaState • u/virginia_virgo • Aug 29 '26
General I’m learning to just accept where I’m at this semester
Ok so last semester, shit got ridiculously hard for me both academically and mentally.😭😭 I literally wanted to drop out sooo badly, I was just over everything honestly.
For one, I was in denial about the fact that I don’t actually want to be a doctor and that I honestly never have, and secondly, it just bothered me soo much that I didn’t finish undergrad in ‘24 when I was supposed to, still being in undergrad at almost 25 just made me very insecure in myself, idk why it bothered me so much, but it just did. I just kept comparing my current self to a version of myself that I was “supposed to be”, and that version would’ve already had an undergrad degree plus a masters.
Thinking about both of those aspects constantly just started to make me feel miserable, and if I’m being honest, a part of me is still kinda in that place, however, I’m also just learning to accept my life for what it is in this current moment. Yes I would’ve preferred to have graduated with “my class” in ‘24, but you know what?? That didn’t happen and I literally cannot change that, all I can do is appreciate where I’m at now.
Also, I’m in the process of being evaluated for ADHD, because it’s something that my therapist has STRONGLY suggested that I do lol, and I feel like starting this process is kinda liberating for me, because I’ve suspected that I may have ADHD for awhile now.
Anyways I guess that’s it lol, just wanted to say that I’m learning to accept where I’m at 💕💕
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u/AnAntsyHalfling Aug 29 '26
I'm 34, have autism, and am going back to school (for a second bachelor's but still)
I have a friend who just finished her last class for her first bachelor's at the age of 35.
I have another who graduated a semester "late"
You'll be fine if you let it.
Find out what you want to do or at least find a field that won't suck your soul
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u/Careless-Room4328 Aug 29 '26
I am 57 and I just started college this week. My son graduated law school 5 years ago and my daughter and I are at the same University where I am a freshman and she's a senior at 21. There is no right way to do education (just do it), because while you're living, life happens. Give yourself some grace and kindness. I am so very proud of me that, despite all of the ups and down of being a teenage single mom I raised a brilliant young man who serves our country and I'm raising an equally brilliant young woman. Who will be whomever God has created her to be. Don't compare yourself to your 'class'. You are an individual and you are exactly where you need to be. Just push forward because the end goal is right at your fingertips. You can do it! Be kind to yourself!
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u/sarahtonin0220 Computer Information Systems Aug 29 '26
I understand exactly how you feel.😔I was supposed to graduate in 2025, but I had undiagnosed adhd. So now it might take me a couple semesters to finally graduate. The thought of that is so daunting, and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought about just quitting for now and continuing at a later age. I’m just so over school now, it’s exhausting for people like us😭 But you know what, we are still here!! We should be proud of ourselves for not giving up and seeking help despite all the challenges. We’re gonna get this degree one way or another. And also getting diagnosed helped a lot and made me realize that plenty of other people are struggling like me, and graduating in 4 years is not realistic at least in this day and age. The other day I finally took my medication and it helped so so much. I wish you luck in your journey and I hope you get the help you need🫶🏼
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u/virginia_virgo Aug 29 '26
Congrats on getting diagnosed!!! It sucks that ADHD goes so unnoticed in women because of the lack of hyperactivity, but I’m so glad that you’ve gotten diagnosed! And yess!! All that matters is that we get through it even if it takes us a little longer. but I can definitely relate to the exhaustion around school, at a certain point you’re just ready for it to end, and the delayed gratification makes things worse😭
But thank you soon much and good luck to you as well💕💕💕💕
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u/Whole_Rice3186 Aug 29 '26
I’m 25 and still in undergrad. At the end of the day you’re here to better yourself. I understand where you’re coming from. But give yourself grace
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u/Informal_Load_4438 Aug 29 '26
I just started there this semester…. It’s a lot lmao. I screamed in my car after my classes were done first day.
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u/Old_Onion8500 Aug 29 '26
I am not sure this is normal. I have attended several universities but this is the first time I’m having full blown burnout and nervous breakdowns. GSU sucks and is too much. HIGHLY recommend KSU
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u/Informal_Load_4438 Aug 29 '26
I mean it’s the nature of the beast. The system says we got to get these degrees to get well paying jobs. Gotta deal with it I guess.
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u/virginia_virgo Aug 30 '26
I actually really like GSU for the most part, however I think that it can just be a little overstimulating to be a student here, just because we’re in the middle of downtown and the student body is HUGE!!!
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u/FleetingFuror Aug 29 '26
Hey, so I dropped out (am 26) without my parents knowing because I chose a major to appease them. To be fair, I should've never gone to school since I never knew what I wanted. Sometimes it takes time to figure that out.
It doesn't matter when you graduate and take it at your own pace. I think society makes us feel like we have to graduate within a certain time limit or we're failures. But that's not the case at all.
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u/virginia_virgo Aug 30 '26
Yeah, I’m really trying to work on decenter the whole 4 year timeline for my undergrad degree, but like you said, it’s just hard to do, because we’ve been told repeatedly that graduating in 4 years is “the normal way.”
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u/virginia_virgo Aug 30 '26
Yeah, I’m really trying to work on decenter the whole 4 year timeline for my undergrad degree, but like you said, it’s just hard to do, because we’ve been told repeatedly that graduating in 4 years is “the normal way.”
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u/skinnymini69 Aug 29 '26
I dropped after my first year and took a gap. I got some help and signed back up at a community college to get my core classes, raise my gpa, and just overall get myself all back together. I would 100% recommend that route for anyone that’s struggling. It’s okay to allow yourself to get back into the rhythm instead of being in a rush and overwhelmed to finish as quickly as possible!
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u/rosaxan Aug 29 '26
For real, just gotta take it one day at a time. We’re getting older every day anyway.
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u/TheSilentPizza Computer Science Aug 30 '26
I totally feel you about being insecure about undergrad in your mid 20s cause I am in the same boat. I'm retaking Calc 1 this semester (repeat to replace cuz I got a C the first time), and literally there are freshman in my classes (they were in high school 3 months ago omfg 😭). I'm pretty much the last one from the people I met at GSU that still go to GSU. I've known I've had ADHD the entire time yet I still was late to cross the finish line. I can't change any of that (even though I want to (I'm trying to change that thought process)), all I can do is make the most of it. I'm wishing you the best my Panther friend 🐾, lets make the most of this semester 🫂
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u/hasbroelefun Aug 30 '26
it took me 5 1/2 years, because i had to slow down and let myself breathe. i also had to take an entire year off before going back for my master's, because i was so burnt out by school & working. i kicked myself a lot for a long time, but then i look at the life i was living the first few years, hustling and struggling, compared to the beautiful life that i have now, where i have been able to allow myself the time to build relationships, be with family, recover my body from stress, enjoy traveling, etc. ALL things that i had pushed aside to do my degree, but turned out to be the very things that fuel my work/education.
undergrad is not supposed to be some traumatic, masochistic circle jerk. if you're in college at all, that's already an achievement. sounds like you are finally starting to let yourself live. i wish nothing but peace and fulfillment for you!
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u/FlightPatient6130 Aug 31 '26
Hey hun! I’m just now finishing up my associates at the grand ol age of 36! Life three come curveballs, I had to take care of my mom until her death, I was super depressed about my progress in life compared to my peers, until I realized that the time just kept going by. Years were turning into decades, fast! Im also a late soon to be clinically diagnosed ADHD person! So keep going! Accept this as your now but def not your forever! Have patience with yourself, but dammit be proud of your accomplishments no matter how small. It’s going to alllll work out in the end!
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u/Clonewars177 Alumni Aug 31 '26
Im three close to four years removed now. “Graduating with your class” doesnt mean a damn thing honestly, and really no one even cares especially after you graduate. Job market is fuxking trash, stay in school and enjoy the time. I spent 6 years to graduate and sure it bothered me a little when I was in school but now I can see it really doesnt even matter. Either you get a job, move on with life, all the other people you “graduated with” move on and move to a different state for work. Its all pretentious. Enjoy your time and if you dont want to wonder whats next then stay in school and draw it out. One way or another you will be here wondering where the time went
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u/cacacqcq Sep 01 '26
I am a late diagnosed adhd, high school dropout, and will be graduating in the fall with a b.s psych, with a 3.7 GPA at 28!!! Never too late, never too old, never have to put your entire value as a person in your academic career! We are so much more than that! Get the adhd diagnosis 🥲it was life changing for me I was 22 when I got mine and it was the only reason why I stayed in school and actually enjoyed it!!
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u/ellbeecee Aug 29 '26
There's no timeline for "supposed to". The last time I saw stats, it was only about half of students finished in 4 years - but even then, your timeline is yours.
Also, I started my undergrad (many years ago) as biology major, pre-med. I finished undergrad as a history major. I'm good with how things have gone - medicine would have been a terrible career for me! And it's good to know that before you spent all kinds of money on mcats and possibly medical school!