When we first arrived at college, we were introduced to a humbling experience called limitations. A boundary set by the amount of skill and determination that one can exhaust before reaching a breaking point, which could led to cursing into a desk/keyboard/bottle of booze. But eventually, as we grow, we learn how to overcome these limitations and succeed in ways that only Gabriele Muccino (Director of Pursuit of Happiness) can present. Some people can achieve this on their own, while others familiarize themselves with their inability to push forward alone. Since the former is all ready rich in their success, this one is for the latter.
Ever since middle school, I have had to deal with attention deficit disorder(ADD). Not the worst thing in the world, I know, but I recently found that separating from meds could make a simple chemical imbalance become a terminal disease for my GPA. Unable to tolerate prescribed drugs, for medical reasons, I tried to continue college without the kick to the head from FDA approved “Speed pills”. However, I hit a few dozen mental boulders early on in that venture, which I seemed to have started collecting like giant cognitive sabotaging arrowheads. I fell behind in my classes, I dropped a course and I continued to try and beat this dilemma by my lonesome. Word from the wise, not changing anything while you’re circling the academic drain is surprisingly ineffective.
Fortunately, a professor of mine noticed my plight and recommended that I seek help from the counseling office. Which brings me to the advice I have for all you struggling Blazers out there: Seek help.
All too often, students do not take advantage of the Student Success Center and the Counseling Center. College is hard, folks. Sometimes, it takes more than sheer will and a few dozen cups of coffee to survive a semester. On those days, you should find someone to help you get by. If you are having problems, for whatever reason, there is all ways a place on campus that you can turn to. Whether it’s a tutor for a math problem, a seminar to teach you proper time management, or when you just need someone to talk to. During school hours, VSU provides the services you need to keep up and make it through the academic year.
Perhaps students think they can handle college on their own, but let me tell you that getting help could make the difference between passing and failing. Just because it’s possible to get through college without trips to the Student Success Center doesn’t mean you should. I thought I could handle school on my own, but it turns out that I can’t. In my case, I found that I have to be on medication in order to get through college. It sucks, but that’s life. I would have been much worse off if I had continued on my own, and I urge all troubled students to give tutoring or counseling a try. There is nothing wrong with asking for a little help when you’re falling apart from the stress and workload of college. Relying on people to help you out does not make you a failure, but you risk possible failure without it.