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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 2 of 2. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by LilAngel on May 30, 2012, at 2:56:09
I have just completed my undergrad degree mainly due to a lot of pressure from family and friends to complete the final year. I haven't started applying for jobs, can't even consider going to grad school yet and am not sure what the best course of action would be.
After severe depression my grades aren't all that I hoped they would be, but I do have experience in tedious, isolating lab work. Would even a complete change in scenery and lifestyle help or only serve to further isolate me?
What are other students thinking? Or what do you wish you had been able to do?
Posted by papillon2 on June 3, 2012, at 11:29:36
In reply to Student, posted by LilAngel on May 30, 2012, at 2:56:09
> After severe depression my grades aren't all that I hoped they would be, but I do have experience in tedious, isolating lab work. Would even a complete change in scenery and lifestyle help or only serve to further isolate me?
I don't know the answer to that question. Perhaps listen to your gut? If it were me, I think a complete change of scenery would be too stressful and possibly jeapodize my health, but you know yourself best. A fresh start might be exactly what you need.
I want to implore you to be kind to yourself with respect to your grades, though. Depression is hell and it can really mess with one's cognitive abilities, energy levels and motivation. IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT that your grades aren't what they might otherwise have been. Personally, I find it inspirational that you have been able to earn a degree at all (on account of how brutal depression can be). You should be extremely proud of yourself. Many people aren't able to earn a degree at all, let alone while battling the sorts of challenges you have experienced.
> What are other students thinking? Or what do you wish you had been able to do?
I wish I had deferred further education and career choices until I was healthier (I had to quit due to illness). I think trying and failing due to not being well enough has only served to make me more scared to try again, because failing again would be all the more heartbreaking. So if you need to take a step back, to take stock after completing your degree and to continue recovering from your illness, do so without hesitation!
Further study and/or career climbing can wait. Put your health and your recovery first. Don't expect family, friends and society in general to understand, but know that this is ok. You are looking after YOU and that's the most important thing.
Did I mention that you are amazing? ;-)
Papillon
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