Struggling with Mental Health as a First-Generation College Student

I almost dropped out after my first (severe) manic episode. My mood and motivation were depleted for months. All I can say is that you are not broken, the system is. For school I found lightening my load that semester (even though I lost some aid- but a medical class drop can help avoid that) kept me from dropping out. I also got accommodations and used tf out of them. I even got a grad student prof fired for disrespecting my (and other students') mental health openly. I also used up all of the pass/fail classes I could and checked professors on RMP for attendance policies. I just graduated in December and it wasn't easy but knowing I worked harder than others will ever understand and seeing it through was so gratifying

as a recent college grad I know how you’re feeling. try to be easy on yourself and don’t be so quick to be angry at yourself for “not doing as well as you should be”. reach out to your professors! I nearly failed my last few classes bc of skipping class and letting my profs know that I was struggling but cared about the classes, they’ll be more lenient and possibly give extra credit. you got this, be proud of being a 1st gen college student and what you have done so far. your path isn’t always linear but that just means it keeps going