Navigating the Tough Transition from High School to University: A Personal Journey

At the age of 20, I embarked on my university journey in the spring of 2023. Having taken a gap semester after high school, I found myself already a semester behind my peers. My initial experience was marred by challenges that left a lasting impact on my mental well-being.

During my first semester, I encountered roommates whose attitudes were less than welcoming, revealing a troubling undercurrent of racism. Compounding this was my longstanding struggle with depression and anxiety, which flared up as I adjusted to college life. Unfortunately, my efforts to forge friendships were in vain, leaving me feeling isolated and disconnected.

In the summer of 2023, I made the decision to enroll in summer classes, hoping to catch up academically. However, without any familiar faces around, I found myself descending deeper into isolation, spending days without speaking to anyone. This solitude took a toll on my mental health; after two weeks of virtually locking myself away, I reached out to my parents and withdrew from the summer courses.

The fall semester of 2023 presented little improvement. My ongoing mental health struggles prevented me from keeping pace with my studies, leading to yet another withdrawal. By spring 2024, I returned as a full-time student, but once again I found myself overwhelmed. I began with a promising 14 credits but ended up dropping most of my courses, ultimately taking only two. This pattern continued into the fall semester of 2024.

Now, in spring 2025, I am feeling the weight of my academic journey more than ever. Originally signed up for 14 credits, I am now down to 10 and facing the grim reality of possibly failing one of my classes. Motivation to study has waned, and even when I commit to sitting down to learn, I find my focus slipping away. The material feels disjointed and incomprehensible, leaving my thoughts clouded and my concentration broken. In high school, I thrived academically, maintaining a 4.0 GPA and having the ability to engage deeply with my studies. Yet now, I feel like a mere shadow of my former self.

The experience of college has been anything but pleasant. I often contemplate whether to continue my education, but the uncertainty of what lies beyond dropping out weighs heavily on my mind.

I want to take a moment to express my gratitude to those who have offered kind words and support. Hearing your experiences has