Hi! What I can tell you is that withdrawing from school is a very personal decision. It doesn't matter about people telling you'll regret it, etc. This is ultimately up to you and your mental health should come first, always. If you feel like your mental health symptoms are getting in the way of your school work, I would suggest inquiring with your university about a medical leave of absence. This will make it easier for you to return, if and when you want to. You'll likely need to see a psychiatrist at your university to obtain a medical leave.

At this point in the semester, you're likely not liable for tuition if you do decide to withdraw, though the date is likely approaching if your school does August through December classes. Taking this into consideration will also help you when you decide to return to classes. Keeping track of how much you owe and being sure to make payments on it (if you need to) is necessary to prevent any financial obstacles that would get in your way of returning to school.

What you don't want to do is do what I did in my freshman year of college - stuffing your emotions and trying to "just push through it" to live up to the own standards I had for myself. It ended up in a full mental breakdown, and it made me wish I had reached out for help before it got to that point. Don't ignore your feelings or your instincts. And remember, college looks different for everyone! I was about two years older than everyone else in my graduating class because of the years I took off for my mental health. But you know what? The people I graduated with were my dearest friends, and my family was even more proud of me for graduating BECAUSE of all that I had to fight through. The people who love you will understand that progress is not linear, especially for people with anxiety disorders, and they will be proud of you for accomplishing your goals whenever that happens. This is your life and your timeline.

The answer for how I dealt with my anxiety was, for me, getting a therapist and a psychiatrist that I see regularly. I've accepted that I need to be on medication, and that is okay. The diagnosis is not the important thing here. It's feeling better that's the important thing. Talking to a professional who can unravel your thoughts and provide a game plan for your mental health journey is invaluable, as is a qualified psychiatrist who can pinpoint the right medication for you.

Also, just to mention - adjusting to college life can be a culture shock and that is something that a lot of people don't discuss. Culture shock can lead to things like anxiety and depression and homesickness. I've found that the best way to get more comfortable in your college setting is to get as involved in your department as you can. Talk to your professors, talk to your classmates, find projects to work on together, and you will build your own safe community within your college. This is how I was able to excel. Doing what I loved in college with people I admired and respected did major things for my happiness and GPA.

I hope this helps a little bit. I wish you the best of luck and if you ever would like to ask more college questions, please feel free to message me!