College is stressful for anyone, especially when you flunk an entire semester. According to Collegeatlas.org, "being unable to balance school, jobs, and family is one of the top reasons for dropping out," (http://www.collegeatlas.org/college- dropout.htm). But, what if I told you that sometimes that one bad semester can help turn your college experience around for the better? Well, from my own experience it can. In the last semester of my sophomore year, I had quite a terrible time, I flunked my classes that pertained to my major and barely passed my languages. While all of the school issues were happening I also was diagnosed with suicidal depression and OCD induced anxiety, I had four different on-campus jobs, and I lost most of my friends. I realized soon after failing that I needed to look back at the semester and see why everything went the way it did.

First, I had to look at my classes. I realized that I did not do my research before picking my classes and I had taken all paper-heavy classes, all of them needing 12-20 page papers written by the end of the semester. I learned that I need to choose classes that were diverse: some focused on writing and some not. Through acknowledging the struggle in the scholastic part of my life, this semester I will be taking a diverse range of classes. I also learned that I needed to take a class that was not major or minor based; just something I was interested in. Sometimes it’s a great idea to just take a class that will help you take your mind off of class, so I will be taking Swing Dance this fall! Although I have my classes figured out, making changes didn't stop there.

Next, I had to focus on my mental health. Since being diagnosed I have tried different medications and have only recently found the right dosage and medication. Since my last semester, I was trying different things, my grades and personal life suffered greatly. I also found that having an emotional support animal was something I needed to help with my problems and life at school, as well as a bigger living space on campus. At first I did not want to have to use accommodations, since it can be seen as "misusing the system" to some people since I am not physically disabled, but through having a bad semester I have learned that I just require extra help even if others judge me for it (which will be discussed in an article later on). Although I had lost friends through this troubling time, I have gained some as well. I have had to learn that some people move on and new friends come. Learning this was very hard for me because of the depression, but the friends I have are very understanding and caring when I am in need. After fixing my classes and mental health, now I had to focus on the hardest part: spreading myself too thin.

Through my experiences of last semester I have learned that I have a problem with turning down a job offer. I really love making people happy and I love having so many opportunities given to me. Last semester I took every job I was offered while also being an on campus Resident Assistant, which in itself is a 24/7 job. I not only learned that being a Resident Assistant was not for me but also that I was really hurting myself by having 4 other jobs. I was only working a maximum of 25 hours with all four jobs, but stressing myself out with so many things turned into pain for my mental and academic health. I have had to quit most of my jobs on campus and only focus on one or two at a time, which has helped significantly for my well-being.

I am obviously still learning, but I have been able to take my faults of last semester and turn my life around, focusing more on myself. I have learned to not give up because of my weaknesses, but to make my weaknesses strengths. I believe other students can do the same, rather than simply dropping out in fear of not being able to continue. I am simply writing this article to help students out there that may have my same issues, who do not know how to restart or continue. I am not an expert, but I do know that helping myself mentally and physically has already helped immensely.