I'm not finished yet. Entering final year come September, but I intend to stay on and do a masters for a year or two after.
To answer your questions, I go to a UCG (University College Galway), in the beautiful west of Ireland. My degree began as a "General Science" degree but I've shoehorned myself into Applied Maths. It's the best subject in the whole wide world, in my opinion.
As for my experience, I'll spoiler out the biographical parts (Lord knows my life isn't that interesting) but I'll leave a bit of advice after it - things I would tell myself if I could go back in time. Hopefully you can find them relevant too.
Crappy platitudes: You might not adapt at first, and you might hate yourself for it. But the fact is, you're still a teenager and you're gonna do stupid things. You'll be forced into situations you're not wise (or equipped) enough to deal with. But never second guess yourself, or be afraid of doing something stupid. It's the only way you'll ever learn to respect yourself. It's not about reinventing, it's about learning and adapting, in more ways than one.
Your depression will draw you back, but that's a bit of baggage you have to come to terms with. I've met so many people in the last three years who've all told me the same thing - "I was a loser, I was lonely, I'm pathetic, no-one will ever love me, etc" - people without any confidence or self respect, but learned to overcome themselves and find their place in the world, or at least gotten a hint. The point I'm trying to make is that you're not alone, and you're not beyond help even if you're convinced otherwise. There are many people entering college right now that are just like you, and (as stupid as this sounds) just want to be your friend.
I'd also tell you to join clubs and societies and stuff but the uni is gonna force that stuff down your throat anyway. It is, without a doubt, the best way to meet people.
And try have fun.
EDIT: I forgot to address the parent thing. I wouldn't bother, but it actually sounds very similar to my parental situation.
First thing, avoid them as much as you possibly. I don't know if this is particularly healthy or sound advice but it's worked wonders for me. I mean, keep in contact obviously, but try to avoid physical interactions. This is especially easy if you're moving out (like I did) but it shouldn't be too hard regardless. Not after a while, anyway. Again though, maybe this isn't good advice. Distancing yourself and your parents sounds like the kind of thing that'll bite you in the ass later down the line. However, this is what I've chosen to do, and I'll keep this mindset until learn better.
Second thing, and I don't mean to be harsh, but stop blaming them, even if you have legit reasons to and even if up until now it is their fault. From now on, you have to assume your mistakes and current life situations are your own. But even more importantly, your future is your own, even if they don't agree (like mine). Whether you suss it all out or fuck up everything, YOU did it, not them. Being an adult comes with that freedom.
To answer your questions, I go to a UCG (University College Galway), in the beautiful west of Ireland. My degree began as a "General Science" degree but I've shoehorned myself into Applied Maths. It's the best subject in the whole wide world, in my opinion.
As for my experience, I'll spoiler out the biographical parts (Lord knows my life isn't that interesting) but I'll leave a bit of advice after it - things I would tell myself if I could go back in time. Hopefully you can find them relevant too.
My first year was probobly my least eventful. Moving to a city (kind of) was a bit of a culture shock for me. College itself felt a lot different from school too, and the workload was much heavier than I expected. Knowing how to manage my time was possibly the toughest (and most necessary) skill I've had to learn so far. But the main obstacle for me was that I went in knowing nobody - none of my friends attended college until much later. I'm not particularly shy or anything, but I felt way out of my element. My biggest regret about college was not being to handle it all better - which is actually a GOOD thing, considering. I joined a few clubs and societies but only ended up sticking with one really. Not that that's a bad thing, I met my best friends that way.
By the second semester I was a bit more acclimatized and smarter. The only problem was that I broke up with my girlfriend around this time and for about two months I was bouncing between faux - alpha macho-ism and bitter self pity. I should've handled that better too, in hindsight. My grades took a bit of a slip, but I was still managing ok education wise. Surprisingly, I crippled my social life a bit. I said things I regret and lost a few friends - and I don't even have that much to remember it by. And as well as that, I missed out on a first degree honours mark. I was off by one percent. Pisses me off to this day.
But life since then has actually been pretty good. I've had some rough times of course, but since starting second year I've really found myself. The workload never ends but I've learned to handle and I'm doing pretty well for myself for the moment. I'd go into more detail but there's no point really, I'd be here forever otherwise.
By the second semester I was a bit more acclimatized and smarter. The only problem was that I broke up with my girlfriend around this time and for about two months I was bouncing between faux - alpha macho-ism and bitter self pity. I should've handled that better too, in hindsight. My grades took a bit of a slip, but I was still managing ok education wise. Surprisingly, I crippled my social life a bit. I said things I regret and lost a few friends - and I don't even have that much to remember it by. And as well as that, I missed out on a first degree honours mark. I was off by one percent. Pisses me off to this day.
But life since then has actually been pretty good. I've had some rough times of course, but since starting second year I've really found myself. The workload never ends but I've learned to handle and I'm doing pretty well for myself for the moment. I'd go into more detail but there's no point really, I'd be here forever otherwise.
Crappy platitudes: You might not adapt at first, and you might hate yourself for it. But the fact is, you're still a teenager and you're gonna do stupid things. You'll be forced into situations you're not wise (or equipped) enough to deal with. But never second guess yourself, or be afraid of doing something stupid. It's the only way you'll ever learn to respect yourself. It's not about reinventing, it's about learning and adapting, in more ways than one.
Your depression will draw you back, but that's a bit of baggage you have to come to terms with. I've met so many people in the last three years who've all told me the same thing - "I was a loser, I was lonely, I'm pathetic, no-one will ever love me, etc" - people without any confidence or self respect, but learned to overcome themselves and find their place in the world, or at least gotten a hint. The point I'm trying to make is that you're not alone, and you're not beyond help even if you're convinced otherwise. There are many people entering college right now that are just like you, and (as stupid as this sounds) just want to be your friend.
I'd also tell you to join clubs and societies and stuff but the uni is gonna force that stuff down your throat anyway. It is, without a doubt, the best way to meet people.
And try have fun.
EDIT: I forgot to address the parent thing. I wouldn't bother, but it actually sounds very similar to my parental situation.
First thing, avoid them as much as you possibly. I don't know if this is particularly healthy or sound advice but it's worked wonders for me. I mean, keep in contact obviously, but try to avoid physical interactions. This is especially easy if you're moving out (like I did) but it shouldn't be too hard regardless. Not after a while, anyway. Again though, maybe this isn't good advice. Distancing yourself and your parents sounds like the kind of thing that'll bite you in the ass later down the line. However, this is what I've chosen to do, and I'll keep this mindset until learn better.
Second thing, and I don't mean to be harsh, but stop blaming them, even if you have legit reasons to and even if up until now it is their fault. From now on, you have to assume your mistakes and current life situations are your own. But even more importantly, your future is your own, even if they don't agree (like mine). Whether you suss it all out or fuck up everything, YOU did it, not them. Being an adult comes with that freedom.
