Debating About Taking A Semester Off

[FindingMyself88]

I know I post so much on the forums, but It helps to have people who understand why I feel or act a certain way.

My current problem is that I am really concerned about my GPA. I am on academic probation and I have 12 credit hours to get it pulled up. This semester has been INCREDIBLY hard, honestly the last 3 have been (which is why I have such a low GPA). My depression has been something I cannot seem to defeat. We are however trying different medicines to find which best work and also I've started on a new medicine called mini press for nightmares. I just can't seem to focus in school. I skip class a lot because i just want to be alone or my anxiety is triggered. I'm in the process of getting approved for a PTSD service dog, but it could take 2 years...

I have seriously been considering taking this next semester off and registering for the summer courses. I can retake 3 of the classes I've done bad in and get them forgiven. The negatives of putting off school a semester is that my insurance is through the school and unless i can come up with $740 dollars, i won't have insurance from January until June. I will still be able to do counseling, but I have a lot of health problems and need the insurance.

But the positives would be my insurance of course, one more semester closer to being done, and some of the courses I will be re-taking will be fresher. I just don't want to start it and mess up again. Because if I don't get my GPA up the next semester I take, I will be FORCED to take a semester off.

I don't know what I am really looking for here, maybe someone who has been down this road? Any advice or tips. I really wish i could get my dog soon so that my anxiety wouldn't play such a factor...

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Are you registered with disability services?

 

[FindingMyself88]

No, not yet. That is something I need to do..

 

[DMerish]

I don't know if you're in the US. But I am, and I went through a similar experience.

I got a doctor's note. I ended up cutting my course load in half, which permitted me to keep insurance The doctor's note provided reason to extend probation. I took half course load the following term and the one after. This allowed me to focus on dealing with symptoms (to get them under control) and allowed extra time for focusing on just the classes I was taking - I didn't have the mental bandwidth to get good grades handling a full load of classes, and I knew the ability to focus and do well my classes would help my self-esteem. In the end, I graduated one term more than had I followed the conventional program. I found the administration to be very helpful, and understanding, in allowing me some flexibility - it was to their benefit to do so . . . If you don't fulfill probation requirements they're in the position to drop you as a student. They don't really want to do that because = less $ for them.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

The first step is to make an appointment with disability services. You need their help. The advisors there will be able to help you as right now you aren't entitled to allowances afforded to disabled students. A note from your doctor is all that is needed, but be sure to see disability services first as they have requirements as to the exact documentation needed from your doc.

 

[franciemarnie]

I was like you decades ago. I used to follow the schedule and required reading on my own and just show up to class to take tests and drop off papers. But maybe that's easier when you're an English major.

They used to have someone called an Omnabudsman who was paid by the university and had all kinds of power but who was on the side of students with all kinds of problems. he was like a kindly God. I wonder if there is anyone like that there who could help find a solution.

I didn't have any trouble focusing on my studies - I just couldn't bear to be outside my room if I didn't have to be. Couldn't finish sentences if I ran into someone on campus. Terrible panic in public.

If it was me - and it's just me remembering how I was then - if there was any way to get the money for insurance, I would take the time off to get better and more grounded and feeling safer.

No matter what you choose though, even if you stay in school and don't do well - there is always a way to finish school. Maybe not when you want to or where you want to, but you will get your degree someday if that is what you want to do.

 

[scout86]

When I was in college, about half way through, I went through a spectacularly self destructive phase. I wasn't depressed, I was having WAY too much "fun"... Anyway, I quit school before I flunked out. Worked for a couple of years then went back and finished. That worked out ok for me. Although, looking back, the BEST thing to have done would have been to have realized that I "needed help" and gotten some. At the time, I didn't realize there WAS a problem, I was just busily engaged in what my T calls "suicide on the installment plan".

The advice you've been given, about disability services sounds great, to me. The only way I can see it makes sense for you to take time off from school is if things would be, somehow, better, when you came back. If you can get the help you need from the system to keep going, I would, if I was you. Especially considering what you said about the insurance situation.

 

[catjudo]

I was in a similar position 20+ years ago. The last semester that I attended I received all incompletes because I had so much trouble attending classes and focusing on assignments. Had I actually completed that semester, I only had one more class to take during the summer in order to receive my degree. I decided to take a semester off. I never managed to go back. One of my big regrets in life.

If you can find a way to manage a reduced courseload like someone above suggested, I would personally try that route. My experience was once I let myself take time off, it was incredibly difficult to make myself go back.

 

[FindingMyself88]

Thanks everyone… I just don't really know what kind of help I need or to ask for from the Disability services? I know I need their approval for my service dog once that happens.

I think I am going to take a shortened course load this semester, and take some classes in the summer.

 

[scout86]

How about you stop in a Disability Services and say, "I have a problem, this is what it is (state problem: PTSD, etc). I have no idea if you can help me or how, what do I do now?"

I HATE dealing with bureaucracies. I'd probably starve before applying for food assistance. But, when I DO have to deal with bureaucracies, I've found that it often works remarkably well to walk in, state my problem, then plead total ignorance and ineptitude. (Nothing quite like telling the truth! LOL) Most of the time, the people who work at these places are pretty nice. They are USED to dealing with people who don't know the answers or the questions to ask. Besides, you need to talk to them about the dog anyway, right? Make you life less complicated and let THEM do what they get paid to do (help you work with the system). Think of it as an experiment.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

You don't need to know what services you need. You walk in the door and say "I have a disability and I need help". They will help you from there. They have the paperwork and the list of accommodations for you to reference. A lot of people don't know everything that's available until they meet with an advisor. If you're struggling now because of PTSD, I can pretty much guarantee that you can use their services at some point.