What to do with my life...?

LegacyUser

I am an 18 year old girl and I've had depression for quiet a while and I was diagnosed with it a few years ago. The past few years have been pretty tough. I stopped going out and talking to friends and I was just feeling down for the longest time. I did my leaving cert this year but it was really difficult to deal with the depression along with study and I ended up getting none of the courses I chose. I just feel so frustrated with myself because of my depression. I used to love school and did very well until all of this. I wanted to repeat but I honestly just couldn't cope and it was recommended that I take a year off. I feel like I have just completely ruined my life. Everyone I went to school with is in college, having fun and I feel so left behind. I just don't know what to do. I try to deal with my depression, my family is understanding and helpful but I just feel like I have messed everything up too much. I'm not even sure what I am asking...

Taltos

Hi OP - we are approving your thread with caution. Medical advice is not permitted here so if the advice strays into that territory we will have no option but to close this thread.

Thanks
Taltos

Janedoe10

Girl18 wrote: »

I am an 18 year old girl and I've had depression for quiet a while and I was diagnosed with it a few years ago. The past few years have been pretty tough. I stopped going out and talking to friends and I was just feeling down for the longest time. I did my leaving cert this year but it was really difficult to deal with the depression along with study and I ended up getting none of the courses I chose. I just feel so frustrated with myself because of my depression. I used to love school and did very well until all of this. I wanted to repeat but I honestly just couldn't cope and it was recommended that I take a year off. I feel like I have just completely ruined my life. Everyone I went to school with is in college, having fun and I feel so left behind. I just don't know what to do. I try to deal with my depression, my family is understanding and helpful but I just feel like I have messed everything up too much. I'm not even sure what I am asking...

Hi anon . I read your post there and u struck a chord with me . U have not ruined your life . A year out is not going to hold u up . Believe me .
As u said your family have been there for u . Give your self time to decide what u want to do in college .
I remember in my sec school a guy repeated after spending a few yrs in college and realised it was not for him so repeated and took a completely diff course instead . Personally I think it's v diff for a 17/18 yr old to make an informed decision about a course / career so young . Use this opportunity to let your self avail of work placements/work

Knockout_91

Hey OP

I could have written your exact post myself!

Definitely take a year off, sure even take two years off. It will do you the world of good. You probably don't believe that now due to the frame of mind you're in atm, but you will strengthen so much as a person within the next few years. Life changes so much after you leave school, it honestly does.

I was in your position at 18. I ended up rushing into a course and I dropped out a few weeks later. I got myself a part time job and I took three years off working. I only began college this year. Like you, all my friends have now finished college while I'm only starting, it depresses me at times but at the end of the day it's not a race

Definitely take a year out - you'll be in a much healthier frame of mind this time next year. Remember you've only just finished school - you deserve a nice long break!

Best of luck OP and feel free to mail me if you ever want someone to talk to

sarah42012

Hey OP,

Your best bet is to take a year out and either work and save up and possibly do some volunteer work. It'll will give you a chance to properly tackle your issues and give you time to think. One thing I wish I did was take a year out after the LC and get my head together instead of jumping head first into Uni.

You haven't ruined your life, this could be the year you decide to get all your ducks lined up and begin Uni on a better note!

All the best op

irishbarb

You haven't ruined your life!
Take a year out to decide what you want to do and get mentally prepared. If you take a year out, make sure to make it a productive year in some way though! I just started college after a year out this year and I spent my year jobless, sitting at home all day everyday. I didn't get the results to do any of the courses I put down on the CAO. I got totally unmotivated and it wasn't good for my mental or physical health what so ever. Make sure if you aren't working, you volunteer, join clubs, take up new hobbies etc.

I also felt really ****ty about myself when I took the year out, I felt totally like a failure. This year I'm doing a PLC course which I'm really enjoying so that I can progress on to the course I didn't get on the CAO. Remember, even though you didn't get the best Leaving Cert, there are other options for next year, like repeating or a PLC.

Good luck!