Well, this year of college (taking animation) was a bit of a smack in the face for me. I went into it being told not to freak out too much at the beginning by the 2nd years, and well, now I wish I had freaked out. There's so many principles that you have to learn, and each project we did that I did medicoerly on is now biting me in the butt for the finals. This is all hands-on stuff, there is no winging it really. I'm feeling like my best option now is to drop out and take Year 1 next year. Then that would give me a semester to work full-time, and gain my bearings. My boyfriend is moving into my apartment with me, and last year was the first year i've lived on my own, in a different city from my parents. I feel like it would be good to just get my act together, I'm still not used to living on my own, I can't handle a budget because I've always got to worry about schoolwork. I just feel that if I had a semester to do administrative work full-time, save some money, and have a chance to get used to living on my own and to get to appreciate how much more I would want to do something artistic with my life, it would benefit me very much next year.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

You're obviously overwhelmed. I would keep in mind, though, that once you leave it's REALLY hard to go back. Are you sure you're not just bailing out because you can't think of any alternatives? Is it possible for you to cut back to part time next term? Have you talked to your professors about this?

My advice: think VERY seriously about the consequences and examine ALL of your options before dropping out.

i dropped a bunch of classes one semester, going from full time to part time, and didn't regret that decision. i've heard many people say that it's *so* hard to get back into college. both because you get used to living on more $$$$, and, you'd have to re-apply. what if you don't get accepted again? if you end up on academic probation because of low grades after this semester, they give you a semester or two to pull them back up. but, if you drop out when your grades are low, then try to get back in, i imagine it'd be much harder. something to think about anyway...

have you talked to a college guidance counselor about your options? i kinda remember that re-taking classes you get a low grade in wipes out the lower grade (assuming you get a higher grade the next time around).

it is a really tough transition! when i transferred from a smaller college to a bigger university, i freaked. i had to get special permission from the dean of the school i was in to drop classes later than was normally allowed. the following semester, i took a light class load, and the semester after that i was full steam ahead again. i was disappointed, but, it seemed wiser to take smaller bites than it did to stop eating.... ugh, terrible analogy, but, hopefully you get what i'm trying to say.... :)

good luck!

w.

It's funny for me going back has never been hard. Staying in once I am back is the hard part for me. I think each person needs to do what is right for him or her. They way I see it, school will always be there but person's self esteem and even sanity may not.

I am on a semester off from school right now. On this semester of leave, I got diagnosed with ADD. I am hoping that the meds will help when I go back. I can't wait to go back to school, but I'm glad I took the semester off.

my university has this co-op work program, where you alternate school terms with work terms in your feild... its really neat, because while you are away working you retain your student status...

i have really appreciated getting some time away from school. i am in my 4th year now, and i find some time away makes me pretty excited to come back... but then, i really love school.

WINGING IT... i did this, up until the end of last year... when things started to deteriorate... the beginning of this year i realized it just wasn't going to work anymore. too much was expected... i couldnt hold/get it together.

my advice: GET SUPPORT. find out what the support networks are at your school, peer counselling, counselling centers, campus clinic/doctors, disability centers.... and GO THERE. its amazing, some supportive people can really help you find some strategies. i have been learning that if someone helps me organize, write down everything i have to do in an agenda, with times and all, it is way easier for me to 'stay on top of it'. follow the book. you have to work at it, but there are techniques, mechanisms that can really help. FIND THE HELP. plus, having a disability gets you all kind of consideration. if you withdraw because you cant manage it, because of ADD things, THEY CANNOT PENALIZE YOU. go find your ombudsman. (yes, that is spelled right) student legal advice. whatever. there are networks and systems to help you. find them.

i am about as ADD as it can get, and i am also in the top 15% of my faculty... this is because i get a lot of help. i talk to my profs, A LOT. in their office hours. i get DOCTORS NOTES when things get out of control.

living on your own: this isnt easy if you havnt done it before... bills, forms,.. all kinds of crap. i hate that stuff. i like to rent a place where everything is included, so i only pay one thing a month, and i only have to worry about feeding and dressing myself. cut down on potential problems.

living with YOUR BOYFRIEND... DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE HOW MUCH WORK THIS WILL INVOLVE.... oh my god. if i can impart one little bit of wisdom.. it would be, Be very careful living with your partner. it takes a huge amount of time and energy to maintain a relationship... its a big commitment. i would say, taking time off just to get used to living together is enough of a reason.

um... time off... part time??? why not only take one or two courses? keep a foot in the door, practice some coping skills... jumping in cold is not going to get easier, no matter when you do it.


anyway... good luck! :p