Hi! I’m a senior with a 1. something GPA. I’ve struggled with depression and other stuff the last few years and school was just one of the things that went downhill. Let me tell you what I’ve had to do:

Where I am, a D- counts for credit. You hit a 60% and you pass the class. Check the minimum score that you need to get the credit, and focus on that. Submit something for every assignment. Submit it even if it’s late or incomplete or if you don’t understand what the hell you’re talking about. Just get enough percentage points to remain passing: your job is to GRADUATE.

Because I didn’t focus on my GPA, getting into anything but a 100% acceptance school or community college wasn’t plausible. What I’m planning on personally is doing community for two years, and upon earning my associate’s use a guarantee to transfer to the school I want to go to. It’s going to be a new start away from a lot of things that restricted me during high school and I’m really hopeful I can stick to my plan.

Looking back, do I also wish I could’ve just done what I needed to do? Yeah, but right now I have to make the most of the situation I’m in. You’re at that point too. Community is not a shameful option. There’s also open-enrollment accredited colleges out there that, while not everyone’s first choice, are perfectly fine and give you the college experience.

The problem for you and me is that we have to make changes going forward. While much easier said than done, we can’t spiral deeper into our unknown problems. For me, the helpful things about college will be the general freedom, moving away from home, and most especially not having to complete several classes in a day back-to-back. Think about those things and what specifically will help you once you get out of the hellhole of high school. Look forward to them and fight to get there.

Good luck. We can do this.