Hey. If you happened to read one of my previous articles from my “other” category, you might know a little about me by now. For this article are important this 2 articles ” I – an artist where I explain my interest in art and connection to the pharmacy and this one called How I became a vegetarian and how my mental health made me stop – very personal article explaining a lot about what happened to me in last few years.
You don’t really need to read those articles to really understand this one (even though it would be super nice of you) as I’ll try to sum it up in here as well. This is the story of my University drop out.
Introduction to how I got here:
As a kid, I loved to draw and my dream job was to be an artist. My mum is a pharmacist assistant and she used to take me to her job a lot as a kid. When the time to make my life career decision came at the great age of 15.
I stood in front of the hardest decision any teenager could possibly make. What next?
Of course, the inner child in me screamed “artist” but the realist in me started questioning this dream of mine. I was good at chemistry and biology. I was a straight-A student thanks to my parent’s strict nature. No B or worse were ever allowed as I would get grounded, banned TV or computer. I remember crying a lot if I did not get 100% at some test or ever got B that was way much worse. Primary school was over and here comes the next part.
Part one in my breakdown:
Because of the perfect results of mine, it was easy to get to Medical Vocational High School to study pharmacy as my mum did. It was the same school my mum attended, the same (very old) teachers taught us both and I even lived at the same girl’s dormitory as she did.
But I was no longer a straight-A student (like my mum was ) and it upset me a lot.
Looking back I’m so glad I made it and I’m so grateful I have some profession now. It is much easier for me to get a job than if I went to grammar high school.
But it was hell no matter how glad I am I went through it.
Far away from home. Living on my own. The school was harder than I thought and the pressure of following in my mother’s footsteps was noticeable.
Being a depressed teenager who feels like they are failing their parents in not bringing in the greatest grades was when my first health problems started.
I was stressing way too much, shaking, hyperventilating, vomiting, and having my first panic attacks before almost every test.
But yeah no one else is feeling that way so I’m just weak and need to pull my shit together.
I started taking pills and drops to calm me down. Worked for a bit but you can’t expect them to fix me for the next 4 years.
Even the worst year (in my case 4) must end sometime and I was finally a Pharmacist assistant as my mum.
And check this out: WTH STRAIGHT A FINAL CERTIFICATE.
High school is over – What next?
I had all I needed to work and get paid pretty well already but as my parents ( who never went to university) wanted just the best for me and wanted to give me the opportunity to get my degree and have a slightly better life, I started thinking about university on their behalf.
Part 2 in my breakdown:
So proud of myself, full of dreams and great belief I could be more than just a pharmacist assistant I set myself higher goals. To be a doctor or dentist. I send out 4 (very expensive) applications – 3 to Bratislava – to medical, dental, and pharmacy school and 1 to Hradec Kralove – pharmacy.
I attended every entrance exam which I studied very hard and paid a lot of money for extra tutorage.
But the results that came was not something I was prepared for.
I wasn’t good enough for any of them.
I remember me and my classmates were at this cottage in the forest having our last goodbye party when the results came and not one of us who send out an application to Charles University in Hradec Kralove pharmacy got in.
We all cried and got so drunk that night.
But that was not the end for me. I refuse.
Quickly I send out appeals back and waited if they could find one more spot for me if someone from the students already accepted would choose not to study there.
I and my family were on a family holiday in Bulgaria at that time when I got a letter from Charles University. Stating that they reconsidered my application and decided to accept me into their school. I remember my mum coming to my room with tears in her eyes and hugging me saying I got in.
That night we got drunk as well.
The funny thing is I never really wanted to send my application to Charles University. I did not want to study pharmacy anymore. I had it enough for the last 4 years and I was interested in something new now. But my parents convinced me to send it there as a safety in case I did not get into the school I actually wanted – medicine.
But when I found out I got accepted to the pharmacy and seeing how happy my parents were I was actually relieved I did not disappoint them again.
I convinced myself that this was my destiny and I am supposed to be a pharmacist with Mgr. degree.
This is what I want from now on. No one other from my class got accepted there so I was facing moving to a different state and studying at an old famous university all by myself.
Part 3 of my breakdown:
I was 19 and starting university right after high school. After my stress-related problems, I was very worried about how would I manage a university that was supposed to be way more stressful than any high school exam could.
But for my and my family’s great surprise, I was OK.
No panic attacks no stress. I should have known something was odd as I was feeling nothing at all. No stress, no worries, no pressure, no excitement no nothing.
But I was too busy studying, making new friends, exploring a new country, and of course, as any first year at university – partying.
I was passing my exams quite ok, some at first and some for the third time. But there was this one I did not make – Organic chemistry 1.
It was very upsetting for me cuz I knew I understand this subject very well and I was teaching and explaining it to my friends, who all passed it but I couldn’t pass my own exam. I was always missing 0,5 points. If I did not pass this subject I could not take the Organic chemistry 2 exam and some other subject related to that so I would not have enough credits to get to the second year. So what I and many other students before me did in these situations is this:
quit your first year, send the application to school again, pass the entrance exam and get accepted again, go to the first year again, ask for acceptance of all your already passed exams and focus on organic chemistry and subjects from the second year.
That’s what I did- I was first-year student 2 years in a row on paper but I was studying the second year with the rest of my classmates.
I tried to screw the system but in the end, the system screwed me.
At this time something in me broke and things got pretty messed up.
Now would be really good if you could read the whole story of my mental health issues HERE.
But to make it short I was going from doctor to doctor for around 6 months.
Final diagnosis the Panic disorder and severe depression.
I missed most of my lessons and couldn’t attend the exams. I ask my school to excuse me from my duties as I had health problems. They refused to accept it as a valid reason to miss school. Even though I had enough credits for next year they simply send me to “middle year”. I was no longer first year nor the second year even though I had most of the second year finished.
I was pretty angry as I hit rock bottom for this school, spend 2 years of my life there and they still treated me like nothing.
At the beginning of the 2017/2018 school year, I’ve spent most of my time at home as we were building a new house and I was helping out a lot. In the second part of the semester, I found a part-time job at KFC to earn some money and spend time as I was having only one class at school every 2 weeks.
Bussy with my part-time job and blogging job I tried to spend all of my free time studying. Unfortunately ( or maybe luckily ) a few days before my exams my notebook broke down with all of my notes, books, and other study materials.
Obviously, I failed the test, and even though I still got one more chance to retake it. No one from the professor would set another term for us.
So basically got kicked out of university and I never felt so free.
There is still a chance for me to send out an application for the first year again but honestly, I don’t have the nerves for any of that crap anymore and study 5 year school program for over 8 years and pay a shit ton of money for it.
I don’t have an interest in being tested anymore.
So I quit.
In conclusion:
How do I call it?
Destiny?
God’s plan?
Failure?
My stubborn refusal to quit no matter what sigh was thrown into my way?
Godsend me a clear message when I did not get accepted to university but I said:
“No God I don’t like your plan I’m gonna do it my way”.
Then after the first year, he said:
“Natalia listen this school really is not for you and you should quit”
And I was like
” Nope, you’re wrong, I’m gonna try it again and make it this time”
God:
“K – Here have depression – will you quit now?”
Me:
“Eh.. nope? Let’s try it again”
God:
“How many times do they need to kick you out for you to realize this is not what I have planed for you?
Me:
“Well I guess you’re right I’m gonna quit now”
It took me a while to sort my life priorities into the right order and put myself and my happiness first.
It took me 3 years and several suicidal thoughts to realize this.
I can’t keep living trying to make everyone around me happy except for me.
I appreciate everything my parents did for me and I tried to give back and did everything they wanted me to do but in the end, I’m studying for myself, not my parents. Of course, they are so disappointed in me and ashamed for being a uni dropout but they are also ashamed to have a depressed daughter, still think I’m making it all up, don’t approve of any of my life choices, critical of my work, art, blog or fashion brand I’m currently creating.
Maybe a university degree would finally please them but I’m not gonna risk my health for the possibility of my parent’s approval.
They need to say goodbye to a daughter they dreamed to have and try to settle for the daughter they have.
I could write down all of the cheesy self-empowering quotes and be all sloppy about the new-found point in life. But I cringe at just the thought of that.
Here is the list of stupid questions I got asked so far and my answers:
Won’t you regret it when you’re older?
Maybe but it’s what I want right now. I never really planned my future before as I never believed I could have any, I always assumed I would die till I’m 25. Now I don’t plan for the future cuz there are just so many things I want to do and have the opportunity to do I can’t limit myself to something simple like “plan”
I don’t even regret not quitting sooner. If I quit earlier I might never fall into such health problems but I would also never met people I met, friends I made on the way, a blog I created, countries I traveled, and I would probably not be in this clear and free state of mind.
Couldn’t you just keep it for few more years?
No. Last year I thought I was gonna die for real and realized I’ve spent the majority of my life worrying about school. I’ve learned so much about myself and I learned how to listen to my body as it knows best what I really need.
What will you do without a degree?
I’m a pharmacy assistant, I’ll work in a pharmacy.
You would earn much more money if you finish university.
(Not really a question) Yeah, I’ll probably miss the money, but I have a blog, sponsors, and own fashion brand as an extra income so I think I’ll be fine.
You wasted 3 years?!
Let’s talk about the definition of “wasted” for a bit. I believe we all have a different definition of this word as we all consider useless something else.
I’ve spent these 3 years studying. Making new friends. Working. Traveling. Reviewing. Writing. Creating. Changing and growing as a person and if you consider that time wasted because I don’t have 3 extra letters in front of my name. Well, I can’t really fight you on that.
You give up too easily. Every other student made it.
Do I? Really?
I don’t have the strength to explain how we are all individuals with different abilities, interests, and qualities anymore.
Let me just tell you that every year Charles university accepts around 500+ students to the first year. Fifth-year and degree get 50 people a year. Yay school system.
What now?
Anything.
Why am I writing this down?
I don’t want you to feel sorry for me, judge me, or anything even though it’s ok if you do.
I just want to show how unpredictable life is. You can have planed every single aspect of your life until it all comes crumbling down. So you can build something better.
If you are a student, truly interested in what you study I wish you all of the luck to do what makes you happy. If you are a uni/college dropout like me I wish you all of the luck to do what makes you happy.
Take your own time and pace.
The comparison will kill you.
Thank you so much for your attention
xo Natalia
You just can’t base your happiness on other people’s expectations no matter how important they are to you. Doesn’t matter if you change direction over and over again. You have to do things to figure out what you want to do. I think that is much healthier than setting a single course for yourself and never veering from it. Hope you’re doing well.
Hey – a nice and thought provoking read!
My college experience was different from yours, but there are aspects I can certainly relate to. I was only diagnosed with depression and anxiety in 2008, but I’ve known I had these issues since I was a child. In 2001 I graduated from community college and decided to transfer to the University of Pennsylvania. I cannot describe well enough how difficult it was–especially since I majored in Physics. My grades there weren’t exactly good, and my stress levels were sky high. Still, I got to live in Philadelphia for three years and that part of it was one of the best experiences in my life and I’m glad I did it. I don’t know exactly what your situation felt like, but I think I understand enough to sympathize.
I just marvel at your fortitude and strength, an amazing journey, and more than a little wisdom for every reader to take in, thank you for sharing so intimately.
It takes a lot of courage to tell the world about you personal life. I loved reading it.
Accepting yourself for who you are is difficult, but rewarding. I sympathize with your experience with organic chemistry. When I took it, I thought it was the most difficult class I ever had, and that includes my law school classes.
There’s a quote I like from an American 19th century writer, Henry Thoreau.
“Every path but your own is the path of fate; keep on your own track then.”
They say that the modern woman is all sorts of things, usual cultural marxist jibber jabber. I’d say, like many have said, have some babies and find out what it means to bring into the world ones wholly dependent on parents and family. Apparently it puts all the other things in perspective, when they kick their little feet and such. Hopefully things are going better, those Juniversities are poisonous the way they are these days.
“How many times do they need to kick you out for you to realize this is not what I have planed for you?” So true.
I love this. Wish you the best, good luck.
We all follow life’s patterns at our own speed some fast some slow, but we all eventually reach the destination that is right for us!
Beautiful piece. Everything works out for our good. Glad God still got you. 🙏
You are a fighter indeed. All these things you’ve faced and certain realizations about what is good for you – make you. These things have helped you discover yourself and what you have finally done.
More power to you. God bless you.
I am a CFP, but I wanted my children to pursue THEIR gifts . My daughter is studying to be an artist in LA.
Trust that God has the plan. He gave you gifts & expects you to use them. SO HAPPY that through your trials you are now realize it . If the path is long, it is God – molding, shaping, and building us to be the best YOU . So just be YOU ! Nice honest writing .
There is so much here that I and an awful lot of others can relate to. Keep up the nonconformism.
Mike
Thanks for sharing. You are brave, beautiful, and wise.
From what I’ve read, you have many points in your favor. Some are “glow” points, and some are “grow” points. You seem like a passionate individual who wants the highest and best for yourself, and for those you love. In my opinion, and also colorful experience, I have learned best by not getting it all right on the first go. The frustration that comes with failing forward however is a great propeller. It drives us to keep going despite what we feel aren’t our best days.
How will we know when you’ve made it if we have nothing to compare it with that isn’t exactly where we thought we were headed? My motto has always been: “Always Tested, Never Beaten.” I promise you it’s all about attitude. By the way, your attitude is more important than anyone else’s!
When you study in the light, it’s because a guy by the name of Thomas Edison got it wrong more times than he got it right.
So glad you liked my blog b/c it led me to yours… what awesome writing!
Love your words!
How do you increase your reach?
Your beautiful words just made my day. Thank you so much for adding such magical drop of words in my jar of motivation.I feel blessed by your writing right now.
I found delight love in what you just said in your post.
Again such a beautiful write up on your blog.
Keep the vibes on.
#PATRICKSTORIES
Peace ✌and Love ❤
Hi dear…I understood from your replies that you are a rebellious soul….you have the spunk to achieve something really good…so keep up the hard work and do write blogs like this…loved your writing…..
Hi people please go check out my blog! i literally have one active follower xD
My daughter, who is 10 years older than you, dropped out of the university when she was your age. Most of the relatives were disappointed in her, but we (her mother and I) could see she wasn’t into it. She spent the next several years working and doing things she likes. She finally decided what she wanted to study, went back to the university three years ago, and received her bachelor’s degree in December 2017. The thing is we live in the USA, where you can always go back to school. We lived in Spain for nearly 4 years, and there, at that time, dropping out and then going back to school later was not an easy option. Do you have to option to go back to school later? I assume, like Spain, it’s not easy to go back to school in your country. And that makes your decision to drop out a really major decision. I dropped out of high school when I was 16. I was working and I hated school , and I have never regretted dropping out. When people start putting down dropouts, I will challenge about what their problems with dropouts are (the prejudices and stereotypes people have are incredible) — then the looks they get on their faces when I tell them I dropped out are always priceless. I believe you will do well in life.
Thanks for posting Nat! I was actually a college dropout myself and just recently started back at college (over 10 years later) to pursue something I am very passionate about, and am doing quite well… So, school is really an option at any age, if you ever even did want to go back. I also did not feel my time was wasted at college (maybe my money), I met a lot of friends and learned a lot and took home some valuable life lessons. I wish you luck in all your endeavors and hope you find some inner peace…
I also hope you and your parents can get things worked out! It is amazing the power their opinions can come to have over us.
Take Care!
“A mans steps are ordered by the lord
How then can a man understand his way?”
God has a plan for you and everywhere you’ve gone is just a part of his path
While I value learning and economic independence, I have long questioned our culture’s educational/career demands. Even when I was in my late teens (graduated from high school), while I went off to college as a matter of sequence, I believed that I and my peers would have learned more about life by move away from home and working for a couple of years. That would have given us experiences that might have made our college years more valuable, or given some a realization that additional degrees would not be worth the time and effort. Too often, I meet younger folks (I’m nearing the 60 range) who have years of additional education, diplomas, certificates, etc. which they do not value nor use. Our educaitonal systems, especially with technical colleges and on-line learning, are much more accepting of older learners (e.g. late 20’s to 40’s) and those you are ready for career changes after 20 years of doing this-and-that. When I did get back to college (mid-20’s), while studying for a career (occupational therapy), I chose to miinor is something unrelated (art history). Yes, after 30 years in my career, I still enjoy it. But, going to an art museum or traveling to a destination with history is much more of a passion. – Oscar
So difficult to know what you want when you’re young. I’ve been to college more times than I care to admit to, and I always did really well. Thing is, I was better at the studying part, not so good at making a career at what I studied. I start a career, find out I couldn’t do the job with my mental health intact, and then float onward to something else. I regularly disappointed my family with this pattern. I wish I had gone with my original instinct… to work for a few years, then go to college.
Good luck with your career. You seem quite talented. Cheers – David
Good read … relatable
My mother met and married my father ath the university, and dropped out after having me. My wife – once a very good student of mine, though with panics and stresses, dropped out a few years into post graduate work. My sister the mathematician dropped out – she eventually became a school administrator instead of a professor. I by sheer stubbornness made it to professor – then dropped out to work in m,y field outside the university.
Each has a path. Each path is different. God steers us – And too often we resist. We need to follow even when we do not understand
I sympathize with you dropping out of college. I am a college drop out, too. The stress level was just way too high. It got to the point I was feeling ill.
I have looked at your art. It’s quirky, it’s lovely. It’s the stuff childhood dreams are made out of. You have talent. As a writer and a fine art photographer, or in other words a fellow creative soul, let me tell you that you are going to suffer for your art. But through it all you will learn and grow, and it will give you meaning and purpose.
God gave us talents, but with those talents he has given us a heavy burden. Keep working. Keep trudging on.
Thank you for your thoughts. You have a new follower.
Inspiring indeed
Here are some words from a song. Your story remined me…
Oh,leave me where I am I am not losing
If I am choosing not to plan my life
Colors of the Sun 1973
-Jackson Browne
https://youtu.be/IpAqo1MvL3U
It’s wonderful that you feel like destiny played a big part in your life so far. By the way I like your writing style.
Thank you for sharing since it’s relevant for helping others take a cue. As much as we want people around us to be happy, we must not deny ourselves as well. Great experience
Finding your soul takes courage. I’m still finding mine at 51yo. Don’t feel bad for any “waste” of time. It’s all a learning and teaching experience. Good Luck to you.
I love the way you have described it. It’s amazing. :’)
You go girl. Proud of you. Some people live their whole lives and not get to that point. Thanks, too for visiting my blog!
“This above all – To thine own self be true.” Alexander Pope.
Reblogged this on .
Hi Natalia, thanks for sharing this with us, it means a lot. I especially enjoyed the little tangent where you dialogue with God 🙂
Nothing we do in life is a waste if we learn from it – ultimately, I think that’s why we are here. Sounds like you’re on the right track. Keep living your life and growing!
Sounds to me like you have finally found yourself. The rest is still going to be hard but it’s a lot easier when you have hold of your own compass. Good luck.
Thank you so much for following and liking many of my blog posts. Good for you for realizing that your health is more important than anything. College is not for everyone . I’m glad that you realized that before continuing . If I had to do over again, I wouldn’t have wasted my parents money and gone to work right after high school and not gone to college . You can always go back but go back on YOUR time, if that’s what YOU choose to do. God bless you with your decision and keep on blogging 😊 .
I went all the way through law school, passed the var and decided I didn’t want to be “them.” Sometimes you have to do what you have to do!
Beautifully written account of your life, Natalia
You are amazing. Keep pushing. More blessings
Reblogged this on It's Always Darkest Before The Dawn: A Story of Hope and commented:
“God has a sense of humour, especially when seeing us making our own plans” ???
Great post! From my point of view, studies and money are not everything in this world. We, as souls, are more important than those. I mean it is more important to find out what resonate with us and to follow those things, our passion even if it will be difficult. You had courage to quit without spending time doing something that did not resonate with you. Nothing is wasted in our life, but everything is for our growing, for everything happens for a reason even if we cannot see that from the begining. Congratulations for your courage and wish you all the best with your life!
I took a year out to work before attending university, and it’s one of the best decisions I ever made. I still decided to go and enjoyed it, but it made me I think more ready for university and how challenging it can be. Working in higher education now I look at some of the students we have come to uni and think ’18 is far too young to go to uni for so many of these students.’
And! Not everyone is suited to academia anyway. And very rarely do people who go to uni, stay in that vocation their whole life (unless I think it’s very specific like medicine…). My sister did horticulture at college and how she’s a nurse. Brother did IT engineering and now owns his own handyman firm and lays tiles. There is always an option to go back later in your life if you want to, but university isn’t the be-all and end-all of everything.
wow. i’m in the 3rd year of my 5 year degree and i hate it. but then i’m not entirely sure what i want to do with my life and don’t have anything i am passionate about. i dont really have a job too. there is probably not much i can do except try to finish the degree.
i have one question though, why didn’t you pursue arts?
Interesting Read and well written, thank you for posting this <3
God bless you Natalia on your journey!
I have left universities twice in my senior years.
I am learning this past year just to surrender to God and ways are made 🙂
I can totally relate to how you were feeling! Others reactions, the shakes, everything! I have such a long story though…I wish you the best in life and continue to live with passion! 🙂 <3
Natalia, I love your story.
I am 28 now and a web designer (WordPress expert), I also dropped out in my final year – my 5th year in the University.
If I had never dropped at, I may never have been able to get to where I am today. I may never had met you.
I liked that part you said “I don’t even regret not quitting sooner…..I would also never have met people I met, friends i made on the way, blog i created”.
That is true. Sometimes there is a temptation to start to think that you wish you did this or that earlier, but we forget that if we had done whatever it is earlier than it happened, we might never had met the people and done the amazing things and decision we took, just like you in your own case.
You are a success story now. I am just in love with you and your stories.
BIG KISS NATALIA