Failure

The best thing you can do is eat a little something, even if it’s just a granola bar, it helps you retain the learning material when your body isn’t exhausted and starved. I buy a box of granola bars and stash a couple in my bag plus a water bottle. Being under a certain BMI can also worsen depression, your brain isn’t getting the correct fat (yes your brain needs omega-3’s) and lipids to function. Don’t forget, you go to school to learn and get an education, hopefully better yourself, not to serve as eye candy for others. Who cares what other people think? You are paying for that education and you deserve to get it. They aren’t going to suffer if you get a bad grade so you need to champion yourself sometimes, don’t let them get to you (easier said than done I know).

Ok on to the technical nitty gritty to help you with school. See if you can talk to someone in the counseling department to get help with extensions for incomplete assignments (you may need to appeal and show history of mental depression etc.), see if someone would be able to email your professors explaining the situation and how to salvage some of the classes, usually they will have a counselor who can serve as a liaison or mediator or sorts if you feel to embarrassed or shy to talk to the professors on your own. They will also talk it more seriously, and once you are registered on disability, you don’t need to disclose that information to any of your professors for why you may need extra time or are having trouble with the course curriculum.

Ok so if that isn’t an option, for example my school has a strict 3 absences and automatic failure that can not be appealed. You can talk to the registrar about seeing if you are able to at least walk in the ceremony with your friends, but you will not be able to get your actual degree until you finish up any remaining credits. I know our school does that as many need 3 or more credits to finish in the summer but they are still allowed to walk in the ceremony.

I totally understand what it is like feeling like you look like a slob going to class, but the thing is, no one is going to care in three years what you wore, you probably aren’t going to see these people again and it’s not uncommon to wear sweatpants and a tee shirt during midterms and finals. My school is a little different, since everyone studies design and dresses really nicely but you know, I’m not the only one who thinks they look pretentious and silly and like they are trying way too hard, other people see through that. Dressing up a bit will may you feel a little better, nothing fancy, just have a couple staples in your closet, like a black silk jumpsuit, I love LOFT actually, and just tie your hair back and put on a little eyeliner and lip gloss. Or don’t feel like you need to, just whatever makes you feel better, and remember, it’s the degree that you are after! It might take longer but that’s ok 🙂