Stress Center Peer Support

This week was a bit of a roller coaster ride for me. It started out pretty good with only some minor moments of anxiety, and I thought it was going to end on a positive note, too. Was I wrong!! It’s funny how you can be fooled into thinking one think when the exact opposite is true. That’s what happened for me this week.

I came to the realization early in the week that, as much as I want it to happen, I will not be well enough to return to school this fall. Even a best case scenario doesn’t have me driving back and forth to Tyler every day without someone going with me. Since that is not a possibility I had to accept the facts as they were and deal with them rather than moving into “what if” mode. I began weighing my options and gathering as much information as possible so that I could make an informed, intelligent decision.

The way I see it, I have two options: Option one is to wait this semester out, hope I am well enough to drive by spring and continue on at UT Tyler then. Option two is to finish my degree through the on line program with the University of Phoenix. Both options have positives and both have negatives. If I wait until spring to go back to UT, I will be able to get a refund on my student loan that is an influx of cash that I can certainly use. But, in waiting the fall semester out, I am losing the momentum I’ve built up over the last year and a half by attending classes each semester. Finishing my degree (the same one I would get at UT) through U of P would mean that I could continue going to school this semester even though I am not able to drive because all classes are taken via the Internet from whatever location you wish. However, the University of Phoenix is more expensive than UT and I would not get the benefit of the refund on my student loan.

As I said, both options have positives and both have negatives. I did as much research on line and talking to people who knew as I could. The University of Phoenix is an accredited university and its programs are recognized as legitimate degree programs, so that won’t be an issue. I do qualify for a Pell Grant this year and because of that, although I wouldn’t get a refund, I wouldn’t owe them any money. These things make the thought of finishing through the U of P very enticing to me. Either way, I need to make a decision very quickly. If I wait much longer, the window of opportunity will close for both schools this fall.


Please read the rest of the update on my blog: http://jwalkergs.wordpress.com/ .... as usual, all comments are welcomed and wanted. This isn't an advertisement because I'm not selling anything. I'm just trying to get advice and help wherever I can find it.

Jason -

That is a difficult choice. I suppose if were in your situation, I would ask myself whether I truly thought I would be able to return to UT within a semester's time. I know that's a difficult thing to do, especially when you're in the middle of dealing with anxiety and can't see things as clearly as you might otherwise.

If you think you can make it back within the semester, than I would consider waiting and using your time off to practice and master all the tools we're learning in the the program Program. My hesitation is that by enrolling in UP, you may be making it harder to integrate back into the outside world since you wouldn't have the same incentives to get out of the house.

However, if you think it will take you longer, then UP may be a good alternative, especially if it is considered an equivalent education. In that case, you're education wouldn't be put on hold due to your anxiety and you would be able to get into the workforce faster once you're able to handle anxiety and panic without having to escape.

I hope I haven't made things any more difficult since you already have enough weighing on your mind. Good luck in making your decision.

Jamie

Thanks, SR. No, you haven't made anything harder. You've just given voice to some of my concerns. My biggest fear about sitting this semester out is that, even if I do get better, I won't WANT to go back in the spring. I have the momentum now and I don't think I want to lose it. But, you're correct about all you say. If I do UP then I'll just need to make sure that I'm getting out and going other places since I won't be going to school.