Feeling kind of hopeless

[Kwixotik]

I'm posting this here because I know most of you are adults who have probably been where I am before and I really need to hear some advice. I'd go to my parents, but neither of them went through college or have had professional work before and I don't really have any adult close to me who has.

I'm about to start my second year at a top 50 liberal arts college. My first year I came out with a 3.0 (good for the school, they're really tough as far as grades go), but the only organization I was in was my fraternity.

I took English classes, but I'm switching to a behavioral neuroscience-focused schedule this year. I'm freaking out because I didn't do anything this summer and I'm not confident about being able to get into physical therapy school after I graduate (what I would like to do).

I don't have any backup plans. I don't know what other careers I could enter. I don't have any idea where I'm going or what I'm doing. I just feel hopeless. I don't see myself landing a job I like with a good salary and I don't know that I'd make it into grad school with my track record so far. I hope this summer hasn't been crippling as far as that goes.

I was diagnosed with ADHD and possibly anxiety issues a couple weeks ago so medicine and therapy are helping me set goals. I know I need to get more involved on campus and try to raise my GPA. I did absolutely nothing academic over the summer, so I'm really afraid that's going to hurt me in the future. On top of that I can't really establish myself on campus and get officer positions in any organizations because voting is in the spring, when I'll be in France studying abroad.

I'm sorry if this is all a big rant. I just don't know what I'm doing with myself or what I'm aiming for and I'm sort of desperate for advice or consolation and I don't really have anyone to talk to about it.

Thanks to anyone who responds. Sorry if this sounds like no big deal, but it feels pretty huge to me.

[BoringSupreez]

I'm not confident about being able to get into physical therapy school after I graduate (what I would like to do).

What makes you think you couldn't get in?

[Kwixotik]

I'm not confident about being able to get into physical therapy school after I graduate (what I would like to do).

What makes you think you couldn't get in?

From what I hear it's pretty competitive and I feel like I wasted my first year by not getting involved in much. Then I wasted my summer sitting around when I could have been racking up volunteer/intern hours at a hospital or doing research. I feel like that puts me pretty far behind everyone else with similar goals.

And then if I don't get accepted, I don't really have any backup ideas. Which is a huge factor in how I'm feeling atm.

[BoringSupreez]

I'm not confident about being able to get into physical therapy school after I graduate (what I would like to do).

What makes you think you couldn't get in?

From what I hear it's pretty competitive and I feel like I wasted my first year by not getting involved in much. Then I wasted my summer sitting around when I could have been racking up volunteer/intern hours at a hospital or doing research. I feel like that puts me pretty far behind everyone else with similar goals.

And then if I don't get accepted, I don't really have any backup ideas. Which is a huge factor in how I'm feeling atm.

Couldn't you just do some volunteer stuff for a while after you graduate, then apply to the physical therapy school?

[emwearz]

Couldn't you just do some volunteer stuff for a while after you graduate, then apply to the physical therapy school?

This is great advice.

I could not find any paid work in IT after I finished my studies, I am now looking for volunteer work and actually getting called back (Funny that), hopefully after I have some real world experience under my belt I can find paid work.

[lisalover1]

Sorry to hear about your college classes stressing you out. It sounds to me like since you are still just in your Sophomore year, you have two more summers in which to earn credits. Also, try asking your professors if there are any other activities you can participate in or shorter classes you can take that will bring you closer to your credit goal faster. Finally, if you can afford it, graduate school is always an option that is a surefire way to make you a lot more eligible for whatever profession you are going into.

[J T]

Don't give up after your first year mate. You've got time to turn things around for sure.

I don't know how things are in the physical therapy world, but I do know psychology. Most graduate programs in psychology care much more about your GRE scores and your psych-specific GPA than they do your cumulative GPA. They also care more about your experience in research settings, which you've got lots of time to gain. People don't expect you to have it all figured out by your first year. You should talk to some people that are in the careers or grad school positions you want to be in and ask them for their advice on what you should do to build your resume/curriculum vitae now so that you can achieve your long term goals.

You also might want to look into getting some meds for ADHD (they can be quite effective) and an official evaluation if you want to request time & a half for tests or something like from disability resources.

[MrPopo]

I wouldn't worry about your first summer at college completely tanking your chances at anything. If you kept up a history of that then I would start to get concerned.

[dsheinem]

I'll echo what JT said. As someone who has been on both sides of graduate school applications, your extra-curriculars are really not very important unless they are extremely relevant to your field. GPA in your field, GRE scores, letters of rec, internships - these matter much more than whether you were secretary in your honor society or did volunteer work at the Y.

The fact that you are thinking about this stuff so early - at a time when the vast majority of students don't - already shows you are better at planning ahead than most. That's good, until it becomes obsessing and worrying about the future. You certainly have a lot of time to put a solid resume together. If you plan to go straight to grad school, just treat your Junior year and your first half of Senior year as the real time to shine. In the meantime, just keep the GPA above a 3, keep pursuing unique opportunities like study abroad, and work on getting to know your professors.

[Luke]

First off, it's a good sign that you're thinking ahead, so give yourself a pat on the back for that. Secondly, it doesn't matter if your parents went to college or not, I'm sure they can provide some advice that would be relevant in your current situation.

But the best advice I could give you is to not freak out right now. It's a waste of your time and energy. If anything, you should appreciate the situation you are in, even if that's a tough pill for you to swallow. You are young, bright, and have the time to rectify any academic mistakes you may think you have previously made.

I also had that "what the hell am I doing here, and what do I want to do?" feeling in undergrad. I think everyone gets that feeling, along with doubting their career/educational path. Take this as an opportunity to take a few weeks (you have plenty of time, trust me) to see if you know exactly what you want to do for the rest of your life. You'll sped more time in your office than at home. You'll spend more time with your co-workers than with your own family. Let that sink in, and then really look inward on how you want to spend the rest of your life. You may not have an immediate epiphany, but it is something to ponder.

And again, don't freak out. You're in college. Embrace it, and use these years to the best of your advantage. Extracurricular activities can help, but at the end of the day, you're selling yourself during interviews and having a positive outlook and great personality means a lot more than being on a lacrosse team.

You'll be fine. Just focus on what YOU want out of life, and you'll be fine.