A problem and a half...

maxymax86

well ladies n gents, i got a huuuge problem and would really appreciate some level headed help or advice.
Basically, as soon as i got into trinity, i started doing drugs. Dont ask why, not a day goes by without me asking myself the very same question. And those were hard drugs, arguably THE worst one. Anyhow i obviously failed my first year. Decided to quit my dirty habit. Couldnt. Tried but it was absolutely futile. In the middle of my 2nd attempt to pass first year (repeat) i had to go off and deal with my problem. Unfortunately at the time i was not thinking straight and didnt let anyone in college know (shame?). I was sorting myself out for a good few months and didnt even manage to sit my exams. So i was excluded for bad attendance. Now i am back to my old self i would really appreciate any help or advice on how i could get back into college for this academic year, if its possible at all at this stage.
Regards,
M

prothalamium

I'm not sure how the college looks on drug addiction for a reason for failing your year - but I suggest you maybe get in touch with your ex-tutor by email to get some answers. If you've dealt with the problem properly I assume you can get some sort of medical note from the institution who helped you, and that would come in handy as proof. Also, an explanation of your mental state (it can't have been good) at the time would help, and also that you had to leave half-way through your repeat year in order to deal with said problem.

I'm not saying this is a surefire way to get back in, though from my own experience I would say you would be at least listened to, as college is sympathetic to personal problems.

ApeXaviour

^^^Seconded.

If you make an honest full on humble effort, do everything prothalamium said I would be hopeful. Your tutor is the first port of call. If he/she is no good then contact the senior tutor.

maxymax86

thanks very much for your replies... i really appreciate the help. I will go and try to do what you recommended, hopefully.... But i am a bit hesitant about actually saying to my tutor what was hapenning to me since Trinity is such an.... whats the word i am looking for here.... "upmarket" college if you will, and i am afraid that as soon as i mention the word addiction they will look at me in a very stereotypical way and won't want to have anything to do with me anymore... But then again what do i have to lose at this stage... Anyways god loves a trier.
Regards,
M

prothalamium

Yeah I would advise you to play up the 'mental issues' card, and then say that that 'led on to' your drug addiction. You have to be careful with words. Definitely don't forget your medical note(s) though, and also offer any phone numbers/addresses of people who worked one-on-one with you (psychologists or psychiatrists especially) during your rehab. That'll be important.

As for the college looking down on you because of your particular problem, I don't think that's really true. TCD makes an effort not to discriminate because it's important for the college to lose that hoity-toity image as they're up against other progressive Irish universities. What they want to hear is that you're regretful and that you're going to work very hard if you get back in.

Tell the college what's true, which is that you really want to get back in as you've come so far in your recovery and that you feel going back to college would mean the completion of your recovery. Just be honest, humble, don't say you're expecting anything from them, but that you hope to be heard out.

Good luck!

John

Trinity won't look down on you, you're not the first student with such a problem and unfortunately you won't be the last. I'm sure there are procedures and protocols for this, once you contact your tutor they'll know what course of action to take. They may refer you to another part of the Trinity administration but you'll get a fair hearing. Just tell the truth and everything should work out all right. Good luck with it and let us know how you get on.

maxymax86

thanks very much John and Prothalamium for taking time to write a reply. Thats exactly what i am gonna do first thing tomorrow morning. I will definitely let you all know how it works out... Thanks again.
Regards,
M

gymrabbit

i'd get in touch with the welfare officer and see what advice she has. fair play giving that **** up dude. keep up the good work.

maxymax86

thanks very much for all your feedback.
wrote a few emails, made a few phonecalls but theres no feedback so far. I dont expect much at this point, its the suspense of waiting for an answer thats killing me.
I swear to god, if by some miracle i manage to get back into trinity, i will DEFO create some sort of organization within college for students who might find themselves in a similar position like i was a year ago. Because the welfare thing was useless, all they did was refer me to an outside organisation where the waiting list is over a year. Much help that was. I realize they might not be equipped to deal with that sort of a problem but still....
BTW if any of you or your mates are in the same sh*thole of a situation as i was in, feel free to pm me and i hopefully would be able to give some advice.

Regards,
M

Tacitha

If your tutor doesn't get back to you, check whether s/he's actually around this year - could be on sabbatical, retired etc. You could go straight to the senior tutor's office and talk to the tutor or executive officer there - they're both great, and you won't normally encounter either in an official capacity again, so if you're worried about what people think, they might be a good option.

Here they are: http://www.tcd.ie/Senior_Tutor/contact.php

Or think about going to someone fairly sympathetic and senior in your department - anyone who struck you as helpful while your were studying. No-one is likely to be shocked or scandalised: they have families and problems of their own. You might not get an immediate response, but it will help to find some allies.