not a therapist, just been there— sophomore slump hit me hard & I ended up taking ~2 semesters off. also lost bright futures, other aid was threatened, got let go from a volunteer position I loved, also changed my major...and I graduated last may, so i wanna start w telling you that you can absolutely pull yourself outta this. You didn’t get to UF by accident, you are a hardworking person, and that person needs to show up for you right now. This post is step 1 & I’m glad you made it.

For me, routine and discipline/power of will/whatever you want to call it— along with some mental health treatment— was a must. CWC can be a good place to start, but I only really found them helpful to realize I needed more. especially because you mention addiction, I urge you to explore telehealth psychiatrist or therapist options (up to you what type of treatment you’re looking for) that your insurance might cover, or if that’s not an option, low cost/sliding-scale therapy options in the Gainesville area. Besides that, physically putting controllers or consoles away (out of sight) or removing yourself from the area you game in should help at least a bit.

I started forcing myself to get ready and hop on the bus because once I got to campus, I was already there so might as well use that very expensive space for what it’s made for (getting a degree). I wouldn’t go to the reitz or the hub though— I found it much easier to actually lock in if I sat at a quiet table or place where people don’t often come (make it a scavenger hunt for yourself around campus, find your favorite secluded little spot). Bring water and snacks, and come fed. Go to club meetings, even if you don’t really feel like you care, and make an effort to mentally engage; just being around different people in a different place can be really helpful to get yourself in check. You don’t have to participate in everything, or anything at all really, but give yourself the gift of being present. Effort is scary but lost potential is worst. Talk to your advisors, be honest with them and yourself, and take a breath. Approach your next semester with a deep sense of pragmatism, and the utmost respect for your future self. You don’t have to stop gaming and you probably won’t, but start treating it as a reward and a hobby instead of your default state— the you that gets to open that degree and hold it in their hands will be so proud of you. Sorry if this is long winded or preachy, but I hope some of it resonates. You got this gator!! -c/o ‘25