I moved across the country to start a master's program- it was a big change for me. Friends always ask me how i like everything, and think that i am having the time of my life. The truth is that I am not. I don't have close friends here, hardly go out, and generally feel homesick and start having doubts about being here. To top things off, things at home are not going well at all, adding to my stress. I started to fall behind on my studies and totally bombed an important exam- since then i've felt like complete crap. I stay at home a lot, since i don't really have friends who want to go out (either out of town, studying, etc.). I started doing yoga a while ago with a friend- i swear she is the only one i feel is a true friend to me-- she is often busy too, and we do have plans to start yoga again- so that is my proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.
But lately I've been feeling down- not clinically depressed or anything, but down. I don't like where I am at academically, I don't feel connected to the department or professors; don't really have a shoulder to lean on, and I am stressed all the time. What to do?
Your school probably has a free counselor. I would highly recommend seeing them. When I went to college, it was far from my family and friends, I felt the same way. It really helped me regain control of my life. Whenever I was really down, I would call the crisis hotline. Just talking with someone helped.
The only thing you can control right now is your studies. It is ok that you bombed that test. Regain yourself and focus.
Get involved with a club or group at school. Talk to people in your class. Check out meetup.com . They have some great groups for different interest. I'm in a knitting group. The yoga sounds great. Do things that you love? I love cooking and baking, so I do that. [ Sharonj's advice column | Ask Sharonj A Question ]
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