Burnt Out-Keep Going?

[SkittlesSuck]

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*Please don't get into politics/arguments aboutt immigration. I'm really asking for suggestions b/c I have no one to ask. Not too many people I know well and can talk to about my situation understads fully. For some reason, I find asking strangers on an online forum might help me see clearer and give me strength 🙂.*

IM ALSO NOT A TROLL AND I MIGHT SOUND RIDICULOUS BUT IT'S CAUSE IM GOING NUTS!

As the title says, I'm burnt out. Simply put, I am an undocumented student. I had trouble getting into an undergrad because of my status, but fortunately, I was able to get a lot of money from a top school. So...I'm in school, and I am preparing for med school, hoping for some sort of legislation to pass so I can just have the opportunity to apply. (Of course, there is a chance it won't pass and i will simply be fu$k)d.)

Anyways, this has been a burden on me for the past 3-4 years (that's when i found out)and it's been constantly on my mind. First off, there is the reality that things will never turn out in my favor, so what I've been doing may be in vain (in terms of preparing for med school). I will be heading into my third year, and in the best case scenario I will be able to apply 2-3 years after graduation so I would have 4-5 more years to prepare. My GPA is good so far, and I have been involved in volunteering and a little bit of research. I have also been working while doing other little things in between here and there.

Bottom line is, as the title says, I'm burnt out. Its not the schoolwork or the activities. I can handle them. It's just the fact that there is a good chance that this will all be in vain and my uncertainty about my plans after school are just so stressful that I really want to do nothing...literally nothing. IM GETTING WHITE HAIRS AND I FEEL MY BODY/MIND DETERIORATING CAUSE THIS ****! LOL

So my qeustion is, should I take it easy this summer and recover/regenerate? I'm working two days, and I'm volunterring at a place where I plan to volunteer even after the summer is over for several hours for one day...leaving me 3-4 days off in a week. I was planning to do another volunteering thing which is like tutoring underpriivlaged students , but i feel like it will be too much even if its just once a week. Should I do this tutoring gig, which was offered by my friend?

i know having 3-4 days off in the summer is alot and can seem like a waste, but I think I would dread this tutoting thing as well as be a ****ty teacher since I won't even want to be tehre. If I don't do the tutoring thing, I will still have 7 solid/somewhat solid things I have done so far throughout my first 2 years, and if i happen to apply i will have 4-5 years more to build up on the activites as well as add new things to my resume/application.


ULTIMATE QUESTION AGAIN: should i do this tutoring gig? in the realm of applying to med school, it's a plus and to be honest, if i do do it, i would be doing it just to fill up my resume. I, hwoever, feel like if i don't do it, i will look like a lazyass who did not do much in the summer to adcoms in the futur, but then again, I have alot of time compared to others. A part of me is also forcing me to do it because I've been going on strong for a few years and taking a little break now could be the beginning of a spiral down. SUGGESTIONS PLEASE!

P.S.
I know i sound like a crazy person/ typical premed who is burnt out, and I AM! ITS PAST TWO, I"VE WORKED 12 HOURS TODAY AND I'M SLOWLY DIEING INSIDE! HAHAHAHA....But then again, my situtation is different than most other student's, so I am at a loss, and am really asking for help....


🙂😀

 

[thegypsyqueen]

You definitely need to relax.
Also, I am sure you have looked at gaining citizenship, is that a viable option?

 

[mirimonster]

You need to focus on getting legal before tutoring for a summer will matter at all. No joke, I had a friend in the exact same situation (minus wanting to go to med school) and she married her boyfriend to stay because no company would sponsor a visa to let her stay legally once she was out of school. I watched her struggle with that, and I saw how stressful it was. Stabilizing that situation should be your first priority, not figuring out if tutoring (which you seem to hate) would look good to adcoms - on that point, do things that interest you, not things that you think will look good. Volunteer, get a job on campus, get involved in research, whatever fills your time without making you more stressed.

Don't sit around waiting for the government to save you with legislation, more than likely you'll be waiting forever.

 

[gobigorgohome22]

You may need to look into joining US military. I have heard of programs that allow immigrants to become citizens if they serve for a couple of years. This option would also allow you to pay for medical school.

 

[kami333]

ULTIMATE QUESTION AGAIN: should i do this tutoring gig? in the realm of applying to med school, it's a plus and to be honest, if i do do it, i would be doing it just to fill up my resume. I, hwoever, feel like if i don't do it, i will look like a lazyass who did not do much in the summer to adcoms in the futur, but then again, I have alot of time compared to others. A part of me is also forcing me to do it because I've been going on strong for a few years and taking a little break now could be the beginning of a spiral down. SUGGESTIONS PLEASE!

Yes, I would take it easy. I would even consider taking the summer off entirely, no one is going to ask what you did during the summer 5 years ago. Since you are planning to take a few years off after graduation, by the time you apply interviewers will be more interested in what you have been doing since graduating than what you did while you were in school (other than your grades of course).

This path is a marathon, not a sprint.

Don't sit around waiting for the government to save you with legislation, more than likely you'll be waiting forever.

Since he is undocumented, there is currently there is no path to citizenship or even obtaining legal status other than leaving the country and facing a 10year re-entry ban so legislation is just about the only answer. Much different situation than that of someone who has a valid visa or even one who has over-stayed their visa.

 

[0919mmk]

You need to focus on getting legal before tutoring for a summer will matter at all. No joke, I had a friend in the exact same situation (minus wanting to go to med school) and she married her boyfriend to stay because no company would sponsor a visa to let her stay legally once she was out of school. I watched her struggle with that, and I saw how stressful it was. Stabilizing that situation should be your first priority, not figuring out if tutoring (which you seem to hate) would look good to adcoms - on that point, do things that interest you, not things that you think will look good. Volunteer, get a job on campus, get involved in research, whatever fills your time without making you more stressed.

Don't sit around waiting for the government to save you with legislation, more than likely you'll be waiting forever.

Yeah OP, this is actually a pretty great idea - green card wedding. Our immigration laws are so ridiculous here, and this is a really easy way around it. I mean I guess technically green card weddings are illegal (I think), so if they are, I am *not actually* recommending it, but... that's what I would do lol.

 

[mirimonster]

Since he is undocumented, there is currently there is no path to citizenship or even obtaining legal status other than leaving the country and facing a 10year re-entry ban so legislation is just about the only answer. Much different situation than that of someone who has a valid visa or even one who has over-stayed their visa.

Marriage or military or sometimes an employer will sponsor a valid visa or figure out an alternative career is what I meant. My point was that hoping for legislation to happen in the next few years is futile. You need to keep moving forward and live your life. Like I said, I know someone who was in the exact same position (illegal while in undergrad) a few years ago. She was just sworn in as a citizen in January.

Green card marriages between strangers is illegal and you have to stay together a minimum of 2 years. But if you're dating someone and they're willing, then you get married a little faster than you would otherwise.

 

[SkittlesSuck]

^There is absolutely no way for me to gain U.S. citizenship, or get a green card ATM. The ONLY way would be if Congress, which cannot agree on anything, passes some sort of immigration reform this summer, which is a possibility. However, they have a crap record of getting anything done. If they fail to do so, I will most likely have to move somewhere else since any sort of immigration reform talk will not happen for few more years. Even then, there is a chance nothing will pass. I can't even go back to my original country since I've been here for almost my entire lie, and I really don't want to. Living here in a crappy situation would be better than going there where I'll be completely clueless on how to live. Also, I will have be forced to serve in the military -_-.....

Ok, I will take some time off...I really need this...the stress is making things unbearable that each day which I would have considered a "good day" is feeling ****ty nowadays....

Thank you everyone for your advice. Instead of going into politics and bashing me about my status and how it's my fault, you helped...🙂

 

[MVP]

^There is absolutely no way for me to gain U.S. citizenship, or get a green card ATM. The ONLY way would be if Congress, which cannot agree on anything, passes some sort of immigration reform this summer, which is a possibility. However, they have a crap record of getting anything done. If they fail to do so, I will most likely have to move somewhere else since any sort of immigration reform talk will not happen for few more years. Even then, there is a chance nothing will pass. I can't even go back to my original country since I've been here for almost my entire lie, and I really don't want to. Living here in a crappy situation would be better than going there where I'll be completely clueless on how to live. Also, I will have be forced to serve in the military -_-.....

Ok, I will take some time off...I really need this...the stress is making things unbearable that each day which I would have considered a "good day" is feeling ****ty nowadays....

Thank you everyone for your advice. Instead of going into politics and bashing me about my status and how it's my fault, you helped...🙂

Unfortunately, the law is the law. Many legal immigrants can't naturalize to permanent residency after 10+ years b/c of our crappy system and cannot apply to medical school either. Non-citizens cannot obtain certain government/military related scholarships and jobs. If your passion is being a doctor, look into other health-related jobs first, and persevere. Immigration law will be passed soon and in like in 10+ years (or until the UC system lets in undocumented students) you will be able to apply to medical school. Getting in will be all the sweeter.

Don't let the system discourage you. Follow your dreams within the confines of legal reality. But realistically you can take it a bit easy for now in terms of the ECs, because you will be applying to medical school many years down the road (if you still want to) as a non-traditional.

 

[MVP]

military and marriage are always options too, of course

 

[deleted480308]

If you just want to be a doctor and don't care where, use your us bachelors to get into a carrib med school and become a doctor

 

[EmergDoc2B]

If you just want to be a doctor and don't care where, use your us bachelors to get into a carrib med school and become a doctor

That was my thnking too. If you do extremely well on your boards there's still a decent shot to practice in the states. Its the red button option but you gotta do what ya gotta do.

 

[Mdtichen]

You need to eat more skittles.

 

[Salaam]

I feel for you. I have a friend who was in a similar situation. I don't know what the answer is- I really hope the new legislation passes. Wishing you the very best!

 

[gyngyn]

If you just want to be a doctor and don't care where, use your us bachelors to get into a carrib med school and become a doctor

Undocumented are not eligible for loans.

 

[nabilesmail]

I hope this isn't rude or anything, but your situation taught me to appreciate my own. It really does suck that your merit won't let you accomplish your dreams, at least at this stage. I wish you the best of luck :]

 

[xffan624]

^There is absolutely no way for me to gain U.S. citizenship, or get a green card ATM. The ONLY way would be if Congress, which cannot agree on anything, passes some sort of immigration reform this summer, which is a possibility. However, they have a crap record of getting anything done. If they fail to do so, I will most likely have to move somewhere else since any sort of immigration reform talk will not happen for few more years. Even then, there is a chance nothing will pass. I can't even go back to my original country since I've been here for almost my entire lie, and I really don't want to. Living here in a crappy situation would be better than going there where I'll be completely clueless on how to live. Also, I will have be forced to serve in the military -_-.....

Ok, I will take some time off...I really need this...the stress is making things unbearable that each day which I would have considered a "good day" is feeling ****ty nowadays....

Thank you everyone for your advice. Instead of going into politics and bashing me about my status and how it's my fault, you helped...🙂

Serving in the military isn't the end of the world. There's a number of prior service folks that frequent these boards and the founder of SDN was military doc. I got some great travel experiences, my student loans paid off, financial stability, and developed my leadership and confidence. I met some amazing soldiers and officers who were immigrants from all parts of the globe (Russia, Morocco, Trinidad, Nigeria, etc.) while serving in the Army. Something a lot of people underestimate about the military is the diversity.

If it's something that you think you could do I would recommend getting your degree and then try and get a medical based officer position. Serve your time, get your citizenship, and then when you get out your military experience will help you get a leg up in applying to medical school.

Just something to think about... It's a crappy situation, but you can get out of it.

 

[kami333]

Ok, I will take some time off...I really need this...the stress is making things unbearable that each day which I would have considered a "good day" is feeling ****ty nowadays....

Thank you everyone for your advice. Instead of going into politics and bashing me about my status and how it's my fault, you helped...🙂

Getting some sleep make you feel better? 😀

Just remember, if your legal status may change in the future but your GPA is forever, don't burn out and jeopardize it. I would continuing the research since it can be hard to get research experience once you graduate but most other ECs you can do in the 1-2years immediately before applying and you'll probably focus more on those on your app (the only exception I could reasonably come up with is if you had a really long term volunteer EC you plan to continue even after graduation).

Serving in the military isn't the end of the world. There's a number of prior service folks that frequent these boards and the founder of SDN was military doc. I got some great travel experiences, my student loans paid off, financial stability, and developed my leadership and confidence. I met some amazing soldiers and officers who were immigrants from all parts of the globe (Russia, Morocco, Trinidad, Nigeria, etc.) while serving in the Army. Something a lot of people underestimate about the military is the diversity.

If it's something that you think you could do I would recommend getting your degree and then try and get a medical based officer position. Serve your time, get your citizenship, and then when you get out your military experience will help you get a leg up in applying to medical school.

Just something to think about... It's a crappy situation, but you can get out of it.

I'm pretty sure he means that whatever country he's originally from has a mandatory military service requirement (ie Columbia and a few others) that he would be required to fulfill if he were to go back.

Undocumented immigrants are currently not allowed to enlist in the US military (legal immigrants can), though some do by using false identities or fake papers. At the same time, the Immigration and Naturalization Act also allows for illegal immigrants to be granted citizenship if they served honorably during wartime. The issue that generally comes up is that since they fraudulently enlisted, regardless of their intentions was their conduct honorable? Seems like the military can't make up their minds either: WSJ article on the issue

(Sorry OP, this is getting sidetracked)

 

[gyngyn]

military and marriage are always options too, of course

Even a real marriage can result in "re-patriation" for up to a decade to get a green card.

 

[Mr Avante]

You must be lucky OP, today is your day.

-Do not join the armed forces.
-There are ways you can pay for school. (Depending on state ofc)
-Loans will not be needed.

I would say take the tutoring opportunity and hope for the best.
-Be mindful of your financial situation.
-Never give up.

And above all else, my hat is off to you!

If you want you can attack my inbox. Legal q&a consultations and moral support 24/7.

 

[SkittlesSuck]

^
1. Yes, I meant join the army in my native country.
2. Also, yes, I will continue doing research. I am also confident I can prevent my GPA from taking a hit.
3. People in my situation cannot apply to medical school, except Stritch at Loyola, but even Stritch may pull out since students with DACA are still not 100% secured.

All in all, I just wanted advice on whether or not to take this one tutoring gig. Thank you all for your help!

 

[SkittlesSuck]

I hope this isn't rude or anything, but your situation taught me to appreciate my own. It really does suck that your merit won't let you accomplish your dreams, at least at this stage. I wish you the best of luck :]

None taken! I wish my friends think the same way as you do and make the most of their opportunities! Make the most of your opportunity (the possibility of furthuring whatever career you go into) since you have the chance!!! 🙂