Should I drop out of University?

7mcghee · Dec 10, 2011

Let me start by saying that I am 20 years old, and the first semester of my Health Science Degree is about coming to a close. I have final exams for Biology, Anatomy&Physiology and Comp Sci.

It is my absolute DREAM to become a doctor and I know I'm going to have to work extra hard (I'm not naturally smart) to get the grades I need to get into Medical school. However Since I left Highschool at 18, and the two years I've taken off before University, I've had really bad health problems. I have constant fatigue, Brain fog like you wouldn't believe ( It's like I'm constantly hung over) :yawn:

and hair loss and muscle weakness etc. Its beginning to really impact my studies and I can barely keep my concentration/studying up so my grades are being affected. I can barely remember what I read off the page 5 minutes previous (it's really bad) And it doesn't help that my doctors have no answers for what's going on with me.. I know its some medical condition they just don't know what.

So my dilemma is drop out after 1st semester, don't go for 2nd, try and figure out what's going on with my health, get, THEN go back to another school and maybe start all over again, even though I would be 21 when I should be graduating.. It kinda sucks but I'm actually so determined to be a Doctor it would be a dream come true of mine.🙂

So does anyone have any advice to offer? My health is actually getting progressively worse and I just don't know what to do for myself.🙁

I also don't give a flying flip how long it takes me, I'm not giving up until I get to Medical School, It just seems the odds are gravely against me right now of that EVER happening.

DocGodfather · Dec 10, 2011

Do the best you can on your finals first off. Second, you should take time off and take care of your health issues if they're affecting your studies. There's no shame in graduating when you're 24, 25, or 30! People that rush things are usually the ones that end up having regrets (i.e. horrible GPA, many W's, etc.). Take some time off of school, and dabble in some review of courses you plan on taking so that you will be well prepared.

7mcghee · Dec 10, 2011

Socalpremedguy said:
Do the best you can on your finals first off. Second, you should take time off and take care of your health issues if they're affecting your studies. There's no shame in graduating when you're 24, 25, or 30! People that rush things are usually the ones that end up having regrets (i.e. horrible GPA, many W's, etc.). Take some time off of school, and dabble in some review of courses you plan on taking so that you will be well prepared.

Thanks! I guess this is what I'm going to have to do.. In Biology 1 I have a B in Anatomy 1 a B-, in Academic Writing an A+ and Comp Sci a B. Guaranteed to go down after finals I know that, And I'm cool with starting from scratch if I have too.

Thanks for the advice 🙂

DocGodfather · Dec 10, 2011

7mcghee said:
Thanks! I guess this is what I'm going to have to do.. In Biology 1 I have a B in Anatomy 1 a B-, in Academic Writing an A+ and Comp Sci a B. Guaranteed to go down after finals I know that, And I'm cool with starting from scratch if I have too.

Thanks for the advice 🙂

No problem. Hope things work out.

UpwardTrend · Dec 10, 2011

As long as your medical symptoms are documented, you should be able to "start from scratch". You should go talk to someone at the school and find out the process of withdrawing without penalty due to your condition. Have you looked into DO? Osteopathic schools generally accept lower stats than Allopathic. They also offer second chances in the form of grade replacement.

7mcghee · Dec 10, 2011

Well doctors are still scratching their heads about me so no "official" diagnosis has been made yet. Well seeing as how I am only one semester in, I wouldn't say MD still isn't an option (Though I'd still consider DO). But yea I will go talk to my academic counsellor and see what they say, It could be problematic as I have no "official diagnosis".

UpwardTrend · Dec 10, 2011

Documented signs and symptoms should be good enough as long as you and the medical personnel agree something is wrong. Don't worry about being too old. I'm 29 and there are many older than I in the non-trad forum. Take care of yourself first.

I suggest researching Primal Blueprint.

seersucker2011 · Dec 10, 2011

7mcghee said:
Let me start by saying that I am 20 years old, and the first semester of my Health Science Degree is about coming to a close. I have final exams for Biology, Anatomy&Physiology and Comp Sci.

It is my absolute DREAM to become a doctor and I know I'm going to have to work extra hard (I'm not naturally smart) to get the grades I need to get into Medical school. However Since I left Highschool at 18, and the two years I've taken off before University, I've had really bad health problems. I have constant fatigue, Brain fog like you wouldn't believe ( It's like I'm constantly hung over) and hair loss and muscle weakness etc. Its beginning to really impact my studies and I can barely keep my concentration/studying up so my grades are being affected. I can barely remember what I read off the page 5 minutes previous (it's really bad) And it doesn't help that my doctors have no answers for what's going on with me.. I know its some medical condition they just don't know what.

So my dilemma is drop out after 1st semester, don't go for 2nd, try and figure out what's going on with my health, get, THEN go back to another school and maybe start all over again, even though I would be 21 when I should be graduating.. It kinda sucks but I'm actually so determined to be a Doctor it would be a dream come true of mine.🙂

So does anyone have any advice to offer? My health is actually getting progressively worse and I just don't know what to do for myself.🙁

I also don't give a flying flip how long it takes me, I'm not giving up until I get to Medical School, It just seems the odds are gravely against me right now of that EVER happening.

Let me preface this with saying that I am not a doctor (not yet anyways =d), but is there any chance you have been checked for having a gluten allergy [celiac disease]? I am not sure if your doctors have brought up this possibility, but your Sx's sound very similar.

Gluten allergies are one of the hardest to dx due to the broad range of symptoms they present with. The cure is easy: stay way from foods with gluten. You can read about it here: http://gluten-intolerance-symptoms.com/ Also, about the "brain fog": http://celiaccorner.com/celiac-gluten-free/got-brain-fog-could-be-symptom-of-celiac-disease/ http://celiacdisease.about.com/od/symptomsofceliacdisease/a/Celiac-Disease-Brain-Fog.htm

Anyways, probably slim chance this is actually what you have but figured it would be worth sharing in case it actually is. If you havent looked into this yet, i strongly suggest you do some research AND be sure it bring it up with your doctors. Good luck with everything and hope you achieve your dream of become a doctor :luck:

ADolefulDream · Dec 10, 2011

I had some medical issues (still do) but choose to stay. I couldn't afford what would happen to my fin aid (AKA it would disappear for a long time ~year and a half). I had a conversation with my dean of students and she was able to point me toward some campus resources and gave me some ideas that significantly helped. Never be afraid to ask for help when you need it!

7mcghee · Dec 10, 2011

Yep that's one thing I'm scared about is my Loan/ Fin Aid. Though I think in Canada (where I'm from) OSAP (government loan) Will be lenient on difficult extenuating circumstances. Though I did get a $1000 dollar bursary from my school for next semester.. That I don't want to lose. Hopefully I can work out these health problems while being in school the same time.. But I'll tell you.. my grades will most likely suffer.. But I'll do my best. :\

rachforthestars · Dec 10, 2011

seersucker2011 said:
Let me preface this with saying that I am not a doctor (not yet anyways =d), but is there any chance you have been checked for having a gluten allergy [celiac disease]? I am not sure if your doctors have brought up this possibility, but your Sx's sound very similar.

Gluten allergies are one of the hardest to dx due to the broad range of symptoms they present with. The cure is easy: stay way from foods with gluten. You can read about it here: http://gluten-intolerance-symptoms.com/ Also, about the "brain fog": http://celiaccorner.com/celiac-gluten-free/got-brain-fog-could-be-symptom-of-celiac-disease/ http://celiacdisease.about.com/od/symptomsofceliacdisease/a/Celiac-Disease-Brain-Fog.htm

Anyways, probably slim chance this is actually what you have but figured it would be worth sharing in case it actually is. If you havent looked into this yet, i strongly suggest you do some research AND be sure it bring it up with your doctors. Good luck with everything and hope you achieve your dream of become a doctor

I was thinking the exact same thing when I read the symptoms. I don't have celiac's disease, but I have a gluten-intolerance and I had the exact same symptoms. I was tested for a lot of things, including mono multiple times. I would get tested for celiacs and if the test is still negative, try a gluten-free diet and see if that helps.

UpwardTrend · Dec 10, 2011

rachforthestars said:
I was thinking the exact same thing when I read the symptoms. I don't have celiac's disease, but I have a gluten-intolerance and I had the exact same symptoms. I was tested for a lot of things, including mono multiple times. I would get tested for celiacs and if the test is still negative, try a gluten-free diet and see if that helps.

Which is exactly why I think the OP should look into the Primal Blueprint or other Paleo diet that cuts out grains completely.

Should I drop out of University?

7mcghee

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