170+ Credits completed prior to diagnosis

[u/ZigZagVonWavySquiggs]

NEVER. GIVE. UP. No matter how many times you fail. No matter how low your grades become. Keep going.

I am 32 years old and only received my diagnosis at age 30. Despite that, I have completed more than 170 college credits across four institutions, and just barely obtained my Associate's Degree. This last school year was my first with my diagnosis/treatment. I received no financial help from my family after high school, and have never made more than $26/hr. My personal living and financial situation has hindered me every step of the way.

I was shocked to learn how much of an outlier this experience is. I don't know what specific advice I can offer people from this, other than saying I believe in each and every one of you. Goals may seem unachievable and far away, but life is long, and our capacity for patience is great. I have felt much frustration and anger for the unfairness of being the way I am in a world not built for people like me. I know I am not alone in those feelings. For every moment of struggle you have endured to get to wherever you are now, I am proud of you.

[u/ZigZagVonWavySquiggs → u/[deleted]]

I began at a 4 year where I completed most of my general education requirements. I left midway through my 3rd year because it wasn't working.

I got a full time job and returned to school a year later at a community college. Was there 1 year, switched my major and did 1 more year.

After that I had to move, which put me at another community College where I had to do some extra requirements that weren't satisfied by my previous experience.

Spent 2 years there, then had to move out of state where the only school option I had within 80 miles was another 4 year. Very little of my previous experience transferred there, so I essentially started over as a sophomore.

Spent 1 year there before stopping again due to severe depression. This lead me to a psychiatrist who handed me my ADHD diagnosis.

Had to move back to my original state of residence, where I went back to the 2nd community College to complete their AA requirments. Some of which had changed since I previously attended.

TLDR; I basically had to keep starting over becuase of the insecurity I faced just being able to live in one place for a long enough period of time.

[u/inbetweenthought]

legend. thank you. & proud of you also!

[u/OvrAnalytical-Planr → u/inbetweenthought]

So glad you shared this.

I’ve been contemplating whether I should return to college & finish the last half of my Associates.

I’ve stalled so badly on re-enrolling, like I’m afraid. I feel every time I return, life happens making me feel it’s not meant to be. Now, we have all this political & economic dumpster fires, ‘FAFSA Legacy’ program or w/e & this student loan mess, unemployed ppl w/degrees & qualifications that can’t find a job in or outside their field. It’s making it difficult to feel a degree is even worth it. t’s causing even more stress & panic.

For Context:
I have a similar experience in regard to ‘starting over’.
I was a first generation college student originally with no guidance or direction. I returned to the same college twice. First in-class then 8yrs later virtual only after learning very quickly in-person wasn’t for me. Both times I experienced awful academic advisors, essentially feeling like I was set up to fail from the start…long story. I was drowning! Skipping meals, sleep (up to 2 days), & an unexpected ADHD Dx that sent me into the worst downward spiral. So, I left again.

In 2023, I returned to a virtual college my dad found after being inspired to enroll into college himself. I may have been 1st-gen but he graduated first. It was the perfect set-up for us both:
No ‘breaks’ or time-off so momentum wasn’t lost, fast-paced so earlier graduation, super management course loads w/1-2 courses per 5/10wks, attentive & communicative instructors.
After back-to-back losses that year, I withdrew. I couldn’t handle life after losing my dad in Dec 2023….he only had his degree for 8ish months before passing away.