Least helpful visit ever

You probably saw on Facebook that I went to talk to a counselor on campus last week. I was at the end of my rope, feeling overwhelmed with my life and ready to drop out of school. The counselor was a great listener – but I actually went because I needed advice or at least encouragement. Here’s a sample of the suggestions she gave me:

• Try to take things one day at a time.
• Try to take things one week at a time.
• Keep a detailed calendar.
• Block off sections of time for just school work, just family, etc. (She actually told me to try ignoring the kids for 2 hours every day so I could study.)
• Talk to an academic counselor.
• Talk to a stress counselor.
• Attend a stress management workshop.
• Just make it to the end of the semester.
• Do my best.
• Spend more time relaxing.
• Have pizza and salad for dinner instead of cooking.
• Care less about grades.
• Accept that my grades might be bad this semester.
• Accept that my life is difficult.
• Accept that my best might not be enough.
• Come talk to her again.

It was definitely an experience. I ended up telling her that I had really hoped for some secret trick that would put my life back into balance, and she turned the question around and asked what I thought would be helpful. You know what she didn’t suggest, that I came up with? Asking friends and family for help. I hate to do that because everyone else is crazy-busy too – but we’ll see how it goes. My own suggestion seems to be working a little better than all of hers.

So, I didn’t end up quitting school, but I did miss one of my classes to talk to her. I’m not sure yet if it was worth it!

Edit: I forgot, after I told her I probably needed some help this was her bit of widsom:

• People will dislike me if they think I’m handling all of this on my own.