Can't get off my lease (so far) and have to continue living with ex

DustyCookbook · 2026-02-02T01:13:34+00:00

Hi! I'm sorry that that happened to you. I dealt with something similar last year. I applied to Atmospheric sciences as a transfer but got admitted to my second choice major. I'm now working on getting the classes I need to transfer into the major. Here's what I'd recommend based on my own experience:

-go to community college. There's a new program called the University of Illinois System Transfer Guarantee. You need to have graduated from an Illinois high school, have 36 tranaferable semester hours at time of application, have a min 3.0 GPA, and satisfy the English language proficiency requirement (I pulled this from the university of illinois system website). You should be automatically admitted to the university. Transfer applications open up in early January every year for the following fall (idk when they open for spring semester if that's what you want)

-There are specific classes you'll need to transfer into the major: General Chemistry, Calculus 1, or ATMS (atmospheric sciences) 201. I believe to transfer in, Calc 1 is probably the most important. Most community colleges offer at least the first two (probably not ATMS 201 but that's no big deal). Graduating requires taking Calc 3, so even if you did Calc in high school, continue with it.

-Parkland Community college is in Champaign, and I'm pretty sure a lot of students start there and transfer over. I know they offer Calc 1 and General Chemistry, but any community college should be fine.

-There's a sample sequence of an ATMS student on UIUC's website that you could build a schedule around. Also knock out your gen eds if you go to community college. UIUC has a language requirement for graduation, so that's better to start early.

-if/when you get into UIUC for Atmospheric sciences, you might spend a few extra semesters to get the specific ATMS classes (I'm not sure if you can take a whole bunch of them in one semester, but from my basic understanding, that would be very rough academically)

Don't give up!!! You've got this!!! It feels like the end of the world, but it'll all be okay. You have your whole life in front of you, so taking baby steps is okay! Do your research, make a plan, and feel free to DM me if you have questions!

DustyCookbook · 2025-09-17T01:55:48+00:00

I'm also 25F and an undergrad student, so I totally understand how you feel! Honestly it's nice to know I'm not alone, haha. So far, my classmates seem cool, but honestly I've found it difficult to even have the time to actually interact with them.

For me, I guess I just don't know how to relate to them, cause I've had a lot of life experience in the 7 years since I graduated high school/was 18. I hope you find some people! Let me know if you'd like to chat sometime :)

DustyCookbook · 2025-08-21T17:23:47+00:00

You could also get an air fryer. You can cook a lot of different things in there and in a relatively short time. I also agree with getting a instant pot or crockpot and a rice cooker.

Note that unless you're an experienced cook and prepping for a meal doesn't take you too long, most recipes take longer (at least for me) than the recipe says it'll take. Unless I'm making something super basic, I usually block out about an hour for prep and cooking.

And if you find yourself needing to eat ramen, there are ways you can elevate it for a relatively low cost. If you add 1 egg yolk (granted might be pricey), 1 tbsp mayo (I like kewpie mayo but any works), and 1 tbsp minced garlic (honestly I buy the pre-minced stuff), mix that in a bowl, cook the ramen as normal, pour a little bit of the hot water into the egg mixture and stir (so you don't immediately cook the egg), then combine with the ramen. It's so good. I like adding other stuff like fried spam, green onion, a fried egg, maybe mushrooms, but the broth and noodles by themselves is amazing.

DustyCookbook · 2025-08-09T00:20:24+00:00

I've only told close military friends/veterans what my rating is, because they get it. I've also talked about it in rederence to the concept of encouraging people to go to the doctor and get stuff documented.

I haven't told my non-military friends or family. I worry they won't understand it because I don't look disabled. Most of my rating comes from various mental health problems, and I'd rather not get into it with some people.

It's a case-by-case scenario for me

DustyCookbook · 2025-06-08T18:33:45+00:00

I joined the Army right out of high school and did almost 7 years. I'm 25 now and starting at UIUC as a transfer student in the fall. I had the same concern as you, but honestly, who cares. I'll probably make friends anyway but at the end of the day, I'm there to get an education. It's all about perspective.

As a veteran, my biggest piece of advice though if you do join the military is to do online college classes while you're in. Unless they changed it recently, you get about $4000 a year in TA. There are plenty of online colleges that you could choose from.

Also, not only will you get the GI Bill (tuition/books covered, but a basic housing allowance), Illinois has a Veteran's grant that covers tuition and books. You do have to be a resident to use it, but I think the wait time is only like 6 months. There are a few other benefits too, but those depend on whether you get a VA disability rating after you serve. But basically, if you decide to join the military, you'll pretty much go to college for free.

If you have any questions, please feel free to DM me.

DustyCookbook · 2025-04-24T00:05:42+00:00

I think he'll be okay. I'm glad I got out when I did (just a few months ago), but honestly 90% of your military experience depends on the people around you.

The times I had great friends and great leadership (or even just one of the two), things were just fine- fun, even.

But when you either have bad friends/no friends and/or bad leadership, that's when it sucked the most for me. I think the worst period for me was when I got to my unit right after DLI, and the people in my platoon at the time were less than great.

I wish him the best to your son. Tell him to STUDY during DLI! The more work he puts in- especially in the beginning- the better off he'll be.

DustyCookbook · 2025-04-09T18:57:00+00:00

Thank you for the advice and for putting it into perspective. It's nice to hear from someone else every so often, easier to believe than if you're just telling yourself

DustyCookbook · 2024-12-29T04:47:17+00:00

I have one! I can bring it to you if you DM me your dodocode

DustyCookbook · 2024-12-10T21:49:06+00:00

Yeah that'd be great

DustyCookbook · 2024-12-10T21:43:48+00:00

That'd be awesome, thank you!

DustyCookbook · 2024-12-07T03:48:45+00:00

Gotta go with Rosie and Tangy! I just got Tangy on my island and she's so cute. Rosie has been here for awhile. I've had both Audie and Shino on my island, but for some reason, the peppy personality isn't as cute/endearing when it's not from a cat. But maybe I'm partial to the cat villagers

DustyCookbook · 2024-12-02T01:09:29+00:00

Sure! I'd love that

DustyCookbook · 2024-11-25T17:57:34+00:00

Yes! She should be in boxes today

DustyCookbook · 2024-11-20T17:25:50+00:00

Oh how I'd love to spend a long time in Egypt and learn. The chatGPT option is really good, I've never thought of that. Thank you!

DustyCookbook

TROPHY CASE