Venting first day of uni

[Renv1o_]

Just had my first day at uni (I'm doing art) and I'm struggling a lot- everything is so fast paced, talking to people is exhausting and i feel so awkward all the time!!! The first week just consists of social activities, which I thought would be fine, but I just feel so out of it and bleak- I can't bring myself to uphold a conversation, even though those around me are so sweet.

I haven't been within mainstream education in so long and I fear I wont be able to keep up. Art is all I've had and all that's kept me going, but it feels impossible to keep at. I cant do anything without panicking or feeling a constant sense of dread. I just want it all to end.
I feel like I'm in highschool again. Is that stupid? Its just the first day, so maybe it will pass, but I hate this feeling.

 

[Hennessy]

I've been in a similar situation. I dropped out of uni after a couple of months. The worst day in my life!

This is not the reason I want to die, but it sure adds to it!

You should talk to someone. Avoid dropping out at all costs!

I send you my best wishes and hugs! Stay strong, my friend!

 

[Renv1o_]

I've been in a similar situation. I dropped out of uni after a couple of months. The worst day in my life!

This is not the reason I want to die, but it sure adds to it!

You should talk to someone. Avoid dropping out at all costs!

I send you my best wishes and hugs! Stay strong, my friend!

I'm sorry you experienced a similar thing :( do you think its worth sticking through? I feel so ridiculous for having second thoughts about everything already. I definitely dont have a plan B to fall back on either :')

 

[Dayrain]

so maybe it will pass

It will definitely change. You say that you feel awkward, but actually this whole week is what's akward itself. Once uni has started properly, everyone is focused more on their own business, because concentration is needed after all and it get's quieter.

 

[LaVieEnRose]

It's normal to feel overwhelmed the first days of college. Hopefully you'll get accustomed to the way things are with a little more time. Art school I hear has its challenges and you will likely face a good deal of self-doubt but trust in your abilities. Not every piece you will make will be to your complete satisfaction. That's not possible.

Hopefully you will also find some other art-minded people you vibe with.

 

[Hennessy]

I'm sorry you experienced a similar thing :( do you think its worth sticking through? I feel so ridiculous for having second thoughts about everything already. I definitely dont have a plan B to fall back on either :')

Please don't give up! Fight as hard you can for as long as you can!

You must talk to somebody at the university and talk to your doctor. Tell them about your situation. You will feel a lot better if you have somebody to talk to. And hopefully they can help you.

I still remember my last day at the uni. I remember walking away from the uni and stopping and looking at it. I was then in a deep depression, and this, along with my medication, made my feelings indifferent to the whole situation. I remember how strange my feelings was. If I had been healthy at that point I would not feel indifferent, I can tell you that!

Please do not quit! Fight as hard as you can!

 

[Aergia]

I think it's normal to feel like that when you start off. With time, I think you'll get used to the pace, and meet more people and stop feeling so awkward. I know when I started uni, social interactions felt agonising and I was second-guessing all of my choices. I'm in my fourth semester now and I'm fairly happy with my college situation (hell, uni's respite from the rest of my life— it's probably the main thing stopping me from ctb). The early days can be rough, but I do think it'll get easier. all the best!

Edit: like the above poster suggested, definitely check out your uni's counselling unit. They've probably dealt with others in similar situations.

 

[ButterToast]

Just had my first day at uni (I'm doing art) and I'm struggling a lot- everything is so fast paced, talking to people is exhausting and i feel so awkward all the time!!! The first week just consists of social activities, which I thought would be fine, but I just feel so out of it and bleak- I can't bring myself to uphold a conversation, even though those around me are so sweet.

I haven't been within mainstream education in so long and I fear I wont be able to keep up. Art is all I've had and all that's kept me going, but it feels impossible to keep at. I cant do anything without panicking or feeling a constant sense of dread. I just want it all to end.
I feel like I'm in highschool again. Is that stupid? Its just the first day, so maybe it will pass, but I hate this feeling.

My advice is to try to stick with a small group of friends. You don't have to hang out with a lot of people, especially since it seems to me you're just starting to really learn social skills. Just find a small group of people who you're comfortable with, 3-4 is enough, and try to get close to them. You'll slowly get used to small number of people, and from there you can gradually expand. Sometimes you'd feel like not wanting to hang out even when they invited you to, my advice is to push yourself a little bit because it's very common for people to avoid situations that might seem intimidating, but really, it's not as scary as your head make it out to be. Good luck on your endeavor! Wish you the best

 

[Renv1o_]

My advice is to try to stick with a small group of friends. You don't have to hang out with a lot of people, especially since it seems to me you're just starting to really learn social skills. Just find a small group of people who you're comfortable with, 3-4 is enough, and try to get close to them. You'll slowly get used to small number of people, and from there you can gradually expand. Sometimes you'd feel like not wanting to hang out even when they invited you to, my advice is to push yourself a little bit because it's very common for people to avoid situations that might seem intimidating, but really, it's not as scary as your head make it out to be. Good luck on your endeavor! Wish you the best

I have terrible social anxiety but I really do wish it were that easy :') even though I managed to talk to some people today, I over thought everything so much that I was exhausted by the time I got home and ended up sobbing about the whole thing I really dont know how people do it at all

 

[Dayrain]

I have terrible social anxiety but I really do wish it were that easy :') even though I managed to talk to some people today, I over thought everything so much that I was exhausted by the time I got home and ended up sobbing about the whole thing I really dont know how people do it at all

I can relate. But for me overthinking is part of the character as well and hasn't to be always a bad thing. It is good that you are reflecting the day. It's very much natural to some extent. I can imagine that you will possibly find some balance when days are about classes and your interests and not about introducing oneself, as you said that your interests keep you going.

 

[ButterToast]

I have terrible social anxiety but I really do wish it were that easy :') even though I managed to talk to some people today, I over thought everything so much that I was exhausted by the time I got home and ended up sobbing about the whole thing I really dont know how people do it at all

It's not easy lol, it'll take you minimum a year to get comfortable with a SMALL group of people, and several more years to get OK with people. It won't be easy nor quick, but it is a progress, and that's the sad part of these kind of development.