So I’m about to enter the eleventh grade this year, in September, and I’ve started thinking about university and what I want to study; however, my OCD has been hard regarding the uncertainty revolving around the question of whether or not I’ll actually get into the university I want to get into. I don’t know how to deal with the stress! Does anyone have some tips? Thank you so much.

"Pure" OCD

pureolife

Date posted: 5y ago

Applying to schools is so stressful. I think the important thing to remember is that no matter what schools you do or do not get into, you’ll be okay. If you don’t get into your first choice you will of course feel sad, but you can deal with that sadness. You can still go to another school. And I can tell you as someone who did not go to their first choice: I don’t regret it for a second. I loved my college experience and I wouldn’t have wanted to go to any other school. It ended up being perfect for me, even though I couldn’t see it when I accepted and decided to go. And remember: you can always work hard wherever you go and transfer. There are so many back up options and things to explore. Don’t get caught up in one idea of what will be “right.” There are so many “right” things out there for you.

Anonymous2

Date posted: 5y ago

Me too! I will be starting 11th this year as well. The fact to keep in mind is that fate is everything. There are people who got perfect score in SAT or ACT, perfect GPA with loads of extracurricular activities and couldn't even get into a decent college. The first biggest challenge is identifying which stress or anxiety is OCD related and which is not. You already know that this stress is coming from OCD so you should not be bothered by it. You know this stress is not legit, or rational as this is OCD making you stressed out so you should just ignore it altogether. Even if you can't, just tell yourself you dont care about this stress and dont be bothered. And at the end of the day, just persevere in your hard work by thinking that even if this stress keeps bogging your mind, you will just gonna persevere in your hard work. Getting into college is not about the ability or talent but how much work and dedication you have put into it. People not smart enough but enough hard work has made to their dream colleges. Just persevere and dont get bothered.

Anonymous

Date posted: 5y ago

Thank you so much, this helped a lot, honestly. There’s also just the constant doubting of my academic ability that doesn’t seem to go away! So I’m going to be trying some exposure for it soon, hopefully it helps in the long run.... It’s hard when your mind is so set on something you obsess over it for so long, you know?

MichaelK

Date posted: 5y ago

Take everything one step at a time, and have someone there to help remind you if deadlines. Applying to college is a long and hard process, but the year will fly by before you know it. If you’ve been trying hard these past 2 years, just keep it up and I’m sure things will work out, and if they don’t, then who knows? Maybe that degree wouldn’t have done much and you avoided student loans, or maybe you go to a college you didn’t intend on, and you get your gen ed’s out of the way for cheap on a scholarship then transfer to the university you really want to go to. They make it seem like junior year is where everything happens and it’s some kind of point of no return, but truth is you’ll never be out of options even after you begin college, so don’t give up on the things you want to do because of a couple bad grades or test scores. Colleges take on students they believe will thrive on campus, so if you don’t get into that dream school then maybe where you end up isn’t a mistake but an opportunity, as it can give the ability for you to stand out rather than feel like the dumbest person in the room all the time (which would be awful going to a school surrounded by stuck-up rich kids who don’t know what it’s like to have to TRY to get where they are because everything just came to them naturally ?). Also speaking as someone who just finished freshman year of college, I really think no matter where you end up the people you interact with will have the biggest impact on how satisfied you are with your situation. The ability to be surrounded by good people with similar goals to yours is something you can find at any college, so don’t sweat it too much if the dream school you want to go to doesn’t work out, as being with like minded individuals who support you is something available to anyone regardless of where they end up. I had a lot of OCD related problems that caused heavy procrastination and fears in high school related to college, but everything had a way of working out in the end. I truly wish the best of luck to you this next year. Go gators?

Anonymous

Date posted: 24w ago

Failing the GRE

Hi, I am new to this community and don’t know much about OCD or if i even have it. I am a college senior going to a university that is relatively close to my home (1.5 hr) My goal was to apply to OT school at my current school because I love it there and can’t imagine myself anywhere else. I have a high gpa, many observation hours, and was told i would be a top candidate-if I passed the GRE. This school is the only school in my state that requires the GRE for OT school. Well, with the stakes being so high I was a complete wreck before the exam. It stressed me out so much that even looking at study materials made me nauseous. I did not score high enough to get into my desired program when I took it. I am retaking it next Tuesday (which i had to beg the admissions committee to let me do due to it being past a due date) and i feel the weight of my whole future on my shoulders. If I don’t get into my desired program, I will have to go to programs that are very far from home/my boyfriend of two years who I currently live with. I feel if I don’t pass, I will have to move away to a different school and I will lose my boyfriend. He is my rock and is so important to me. My other option is to stay where I am and attend the radiography program at the local community college and stay close to home and be with my boyfriend . Note: i just decided to apply to OT school this year (changed major from nursing). Do I risk my relationship/happiness for a career that i don’t even know that I will enjoy or do i keep my relationship, stay close to home, but regret not taking a huge opportunity given to me. This situation stays in my mind all day and night which is stressing me out greatly. Sorry for such a long post, I just want an unbiased view on what I should do/how to get this thought out of my head. thx for listening <3

tlousluvr

Date posted: 13w ago

advice 🧸

hi. so one big factor of my OCD is rumination. i met a guy who i have a crush on the idea of (idea bc there are red flags). my biggest fear is not finding true love, my ex told me no one else would deal with what i have (my ocd, specifically reassurance seeking and getting overstimulated after intimacy). a few weeks ago, my friends and family all gathered and tried to give me advice that sounded like “you’re shy and you’ll never find someone.” after that, i’ve felt off. i’ve been using an unhealthy coping skill, daydreaming, and i’ve just felt unbalanced. my ocd makes everything feel different sometimes, i can’t explain it. life, myself, almost like being in a dissociated state. has anyone else experienced that? i don’t know how to remain balanced during my off times and i know pms exasperates it all. i take ashwaghanda and omega 3s in a multi vitamin daily. i take them all together in the evening but i’ve missed three days recently and also messed with my rocky sleep schedule because of fun times with friends. i hope these supplements work, because i don’t know if i’d be brave enough for medication. i had a bad reaction on prozac and often am forgetful. i just have been battling my OCD consciously for almost ten years now and unconsciously for longer. i am so tired, as my mental health extends beyond my OCD. i’m in talk therapy with some cbt aspects but i only see her twice a month. i’ve broken down so many times and promised myself id get on track or that certain things would work, but it’s like i am stuck in a circle that gets smaller when i’m able to help myself. i just want to be normal. i want to be able to mess up my sleep schedule to enjoy good times and not suffer horrible consequences or fear that i will be entirely thrown off balance. i don’t want to worry or doubt or feel so dissociative that i squint my eyes for a moment and wonder why i feel so unreal. i will never understand why god has allowed me to go through this. i cannot let it be for nothing but i don’t know how much more to bend and contort my body and brain to get somewhere stable but how lovely it would be if i could. i don’t have much of a schedule right now, i get apathetic and give in with things from time to time. one thing can trigger me and i am back to square one wether in a week or month. any advice, any and all is so helpful. your stories, your thoughts. maybe feeling less alone and knowing what has helped you is exactly what i need right now. thank you 💗

Ellen_l

Date posted: 8w ago

Advice?

I’m having a big OCD relapse and would like to hear anyone’s tips on how to be present and healthily deal with these intrusive thoughts and the “need” to preform compulsions. Thank you!!

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