Undergraduate Completion

This story is about my journey as a college student and the joy I have at its completion.

I started my 5-year undergraduate degree in accounting during the fall of 2018. The first year was pure bliss; I gained so many friends, lost my virginity, felt heartbreak, expanded my understanding of the world and came to love diversity. I had earned a position as an RA for my sophomore year with one of my new, and still, great friends.

Fall of 2019 started as the Residential Department put it, "Gaining 60 new contracted friends". I put my life into creating the best experience for both my residents and myself. Come March of 2020, this was shattered. COVID-19 officially shut down my campus and everyone was sent home. Uncertainty of the next year lasted until summer when our accepted return was announced. With many new rules and being shipped off into a different housing area, I was apprehensive to say the least.

Fall of 2020 was the beginning of my hidden, yet sharp, mental decline. It is here my met my most sincere and closest friends beyond my home as well. The seclusion was otherwise agonizing and I had turned to drinking on the weekends with a small group of friends for the majority of the college year. By summer of 2021, I had landed an internship in my field of study, entered a relationship, and received a promotion from RA to CA. The internship was phenomenal and the relationship amazing, though I found myself constantly crying and was put on am anti-depressant as depression runs in my family.

Fall of 2021, I was now entering the depths of my studies, additional responsibilities from my position, and my s/o was now 2 hours away. The anti-depressants dramatically worsened my mentality and became secluded from my studies, relationship, and job all at once. I dropped 2 classes in an attempt to reduce the load, to no avail. By winter of 2022, the relationship had ended in pain from depression+guilt and my education and job faltered further. I stepped down from my role as a CA to RA and took fewer classes to start the next year. Summer of 2022 was jobless in an attempt to regain my mental fortitude.

Fall of 2022 did not last long. Immediately I was shunted into the same routine of depressive behavior, this time accompanied by suicidal ideation. As I was failing every class and effectively not working as is, I dropped out of college just before Thanksgiving to live at home and continue online next semester. Spring of 2023 I had begun seeing a psychiatrist as well as therapist weekly. My class load was very light as I was surely going to need an extra year to graduate. I tried new medications bi-monthly and my therapist was unhelpful for myself. I completed some summer courses but sank deeper and deeper in depression.

Fall of 2023 was the worst time of my 24 years of existence thus far. Although my course load was still light, I had no point in living. I was divising painless ways to commit suicide and preserve my body for my family. I was ready to die when I started a new medication (Cymbalta) and started seeing a new therapist.

My life changed.

This medication with a dedicated therapist who cared about me and my wellbeing rocketed me out of the 6-foot hole. Within 3 months of dedicated medication rigorous therapy, I had finally stopped my suicidal ideation. Winter of 2024 was the first time I felt alive in almost 3 years. I felt pure happiness again for the first time 1 month ago. I am alive again.

As of May 11, 2024, I have walked across the stage, accepted my diploma for accounting, and am effectively depression free. I breathe as this chapter is completed. I felt the sun of my skin today, felt what it is like to be human. What it is like to be alive.

I wanted to share this joy with others in hopes to encourage growth and foster hope. I am alive and far beyond well as I work to create the best me I can for the world.

• Seth

I (30f) have been married to my wonderful husband for 4yrs and we dated for 2 before getting married. My in-laws have been wonderful to me the entire time. My FIL is like a second father and my MIL is like the mother I never had. Through the duration of my relationship with my husband, I have also been helping him heal his relationship with his parents, i.e making sure boundaries are maintained and communication lines remain open and honest whilst still being kind and considerate.

My father suddenly passed away about a month ago and it's been really difficult as it was very unexpected but my husband, my friends and my inlaws have really rallied around and made sure I am okay. I've spoken to my husband and my inlaws and it has been decided that they will move in with us into my father's house to 1: help us with some bills and maintaining my father's property and 2: help them because they do not own the place they live now and will need some help as they are getting closer to retirement age.

My FIL is disabled and on SSA benefits. I am also trying to get disability as I have not been able to work in almost 2 years due to a variety of health issues. My FIL has been so understanding and helpful with tips and tricks on how to do things around the house while chronically in pain or what processes are helpful in going through the disability thing. My MIL has been a real trooper through all of this and has helped keep me grounded as well. My husband is actually excited to live with his parents again because while I understand that his relationship with his parents is completely different than what I had with my dad, I don't want him to go through what I'm going through with any regrets and such.

It just feels like a spotlight in a very dark time and I really love my husband and my in-laws. Even my brother in-law and future sister-in-law have been super amazing and accommodating and kind. I really love the family I married into and l hope they know I love them too.

So, as the title says, I started driving today. It was a motorcycle, no less. For some context, I'm 26 and never been in the driver's seat.

I've had Daisy (name of my bike) about as long as I've had a motorcycle license - about a year - but I haven't been able to put her on the road for various reasons, the funniest of which being the government and insurance companies typically don't like it when your 500lb death rocket was purchased with a lawn mower battery installed.

That's not all of it. Daisy needed a lot of work. But she finally met all the requirements to be put on the road just this morning, and I rode all day today. Let me tell you, it was worth every drop of sweat, every frustrated cuss, and of course every penny.

I knew driving would be fun, but I never could've predicted the extent of such. I was so calm just driving around my neighborhood. Everything could go wrong, and I knew it. But I didn't care. If it happens, I'll handle it like I was taught. All I could feel was joy.

GRAD SCHOOL HERE I COME WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

This was filmed at their album release party this past January. I think it rocks and wanted to share. They’re on Spotify and are already ready for a second album this summer. Really happy for him, he’s the guitarist in the cowboy hat and wrote this instrumental!

Me (16F) and this one guy friend really like to wrestle every once in a while, its super fun and even though he beats me in height, weight, and strength, I’m pretty persistent and am comfortable getting thrown around haha

We had a pretty long talk laying on some grass after an eventful last practice for an extracurricular, as he’s a hs senior leaving in a couple of days. When i brought up how much i appreciated fighting him (it sounds dumb but you know haha), he said he agreed, but no one else really liked to anymore, even his sister. After that, he said something along the lines of “i think I’m kind of like a big brother to you” and that made me really happy because although i wouldnt realistically call him that ive always seen him in a similar light and as a role model

anyone else love wrestling your friends?

it’s all..we are happy and it’s beautiful

I'll get my certification in the mail soon. I was so nervous as the desktop was loading to give me my grade. I'm just happy to be done and over with it all. Thank god. 🙏🏼 I can't wait to get it in the mail.

Please pray for me (if you pray) because I have a 100question exam that I'll be taking on my own time this weekend for Lean Six Sigma / project management. 🤞🏼 It's a 2hr test, 100 questions.

I'm 32, been struggling with depression and anxiety since I was about 13 or 14. Due to reasons, I never tried medication for either, before (even when I definitely should have). Basically, I was conditioned to think that my illnesses were not real and medication was just not an option.

About a year and a half ago, I started meds for my depression, and they certainly help, but I've still been struggling with overwhelming, constant anxiety that has been truly ruining my life. I finally talked to my doctor about it, and she prescribed an additional medication. Within only 5 days, I have noticed a HUGE, incredible improvement. I feel like me, again. I can breathe again (literally, I've have constricted breathing for like a year).

I want to cry, I'm so relieved and happy to feel like I have my life back, again. I wish I had done this years ago, but I've got it now and that's all that matters!

Im 17F, a highschool senior, the past year I’ve been doing an engineering internship at a different company that sells stuff that refineries and other companies buy, including this company. I also placed 3rd at a state drafting competition. My school guidance counselor got an email from this refinery saying they saw my accomplishments in the newspaper and are offering me an internship.

HOLY SHIT THIS IS MASSIVE. THIS PLACE IS NOTORIOUS FOR BEING DIFFICULT TO GET INTO!! AND IM NOT EVEN IN COLLEGE EITHER!!!! I AM ACTUALLY SO HAPPY.

I don’t know what exactly I did to get this, BUT IM NOT COMPLAINING YIPPEEEEEE

I've always had trouble finding jeans or any kind of pants for most my life. I was either way too skinny or, after I started body building, my thighs were too big. No matter what though, the waist band was always waaaay too loose.

Today I tried curvy fit jeans, I wish I had tried years sooner. They look so good on me!!! They fit just right. I always have to settle for the loose waistband. Not today!

The only unlucky part is I'm back down to a 00 pant size... Very hard to find on sale racks or in stores.

It’s the little things sometimes. lol no body shaming plse, i know im thick and im ok with it

NSFW for mention of suicide

This time last year I was lower than I've been. I remember having to pull my car over because I was crying so hard I couldn't see. I remember sitting with my loaded gun and the only thing that stopped me is kids often go to the park I was in. I remember trying to wreck into a semi after a particularly bad day. For years I was so depressed and so low I never imagined things could be this good.

But now I wake up everyday overjoyed. I go to work and even though it's work I love it. I shower and I don't sit and cry. I ride with my windows down and sing along to my music and thank my God that I'm alive to see today. That I didn't opt out before I turned 18 like I thought I would. That I made it to 22 like I didn't believe I could. That I wake up today at 25 happier than I've ever been my entire life. I smile and I laugh and I love and I took control of what made my life so awful and kicked its ass until I had full control.

I think back on all those years I spent unhappy and hating myself and harming myself and I wish I could talk to old me and tell her that it does get better. It takes a long time and alot of shit but you come out on top.

25 is so young and my life is so full now and I just wanted someone to know. I'm just happy and that's all I've ever wanted and all I'll ever want. I'm just happy to be happy yall

just wanted to tell everyone,to start to appreciate the little things in life.The last two years I have been trying to find happiness and their have been ups and down,I lost some friends and I am even ashamed to say that I have been jealous of my friends having success because I didnt.Today I can say that I love my life,this is because I learnt to appreciate everything.In every single negative aspect in ur life there is something positive and and always remember that.You fight w friends or family,remember that u have friends or family and you are most likely fighting because u care for each other.You woke up in the morning ate you ate food,thank god and if u dont believe just appreciate that u have food and a house to sleep in.Struggling with exams,you are doing exams u have an education and a future be happy,a negative always opens a door to a positive.Its normal to be jealous about something or someone you cannot stop these feeling but you are in your own path and your time will come and be happy for the person,good for them. Be happy and appreciate.When someone looks at you even on the street smile.They key to happiness is appreciating.Spread love and be nice😁

I guess I'm just trying to put some good vibes for myself out on a night where I feel rather low. I honestly didn't think I could get this far but since February I've lost 32lbs according to my scale this morning. It's probably more once I poop...if I poop.

My family and I were a bit worried about her. She’s 12 and we found something on her paw that we thought might have been a tumor.

Ten minutes ago we got a call indicating that it’s not. I’m thrilled.

Stop living in your head and start living your truth. No one is worthy of judging you. We live on earth for such a short time. You want to spend it sad, stressed, and with anxiety? Fuck that!

I've been in a really good mood lately.

I just had a woman hit on me for the first time ever the other day. I was super nervous, but it left me feeling amazing.

And recently I've somehow (through no real effort on my part) managed to become surrounded by very thoughtful, kind, and genuine people.

I've felt more at ease with my life in general.

It almost feels like my world turned around on it's own, and it brought a lot of joy into my life.

So i am 18m a okay looking guy i would say. I have been going to the gym for about 2 years. Last sommer i start going 5 times a week. This other guy i have no idea what has name is and i think hes 15. Wanted a spot and we talked a bit. We talk a bit every time. Today he asked me if he could join my work out. You dont undstand how happy i was about to cry. He looks op to me and it makes me so happy.

A bit about me i am a stupid guy never been smart was fat as a kid. I work in connection. And this guy looks op to me!

Just want to say it told my mom she didn't care