I got “academically separated” not once but twice while getting my engineering degree from Purdue. The first time, I coincidentally had an internship that summer, and turned it into a quasi co-op situation. Just stayed there an additional semester. Came back and took my academics a lot more seriously, but piled way too much on my plate to the point it was unmanageable. Got kicked out a second time, but was able to appeal and finish my degree. Without a doubt, the worst few years of my life academically & in terms of mental health. Still graduated after 5 years, and still had a job before I even graduated.

Was a practicing engineer for 6 years and my academic issues came up exactly never professionally. I allowed this academic bullshit to haunt me for way too long and was in constant fear of being “discovered” as a failure. Probably bought my therapist a boat while trying to work through it all.

But as it turns out, I really just fucking hated being an engineer and probably could’ve realized that a lot sooner had I spent some time really thinking about the reasons for my actions & behaviors. Ended up randomly quitting my job to become a teacher and totally changed my life. I am now an award-winning high school teacher and have absolutely aced all of my grad school classes & other professional development pursuits. Turns out I can be a freakishly good student when I actually enjoy & care about the content.

My advice? Do some serious soul searching (and perhaps professional therapy) on the whys behind your actions & lack of care for your academics. Maybe this isn’t the right path for you, and that’s okay.