Five things that kept me from dropping out 📝

[Garry]

1. The professor who texted me.
She didn't have to. I was one student in a hundred. She noticed I wasn't there. She asked if I was okay. I wasn't. But she asked.

2. My mom's voicemail.
She calls every Sunday. I didn't answer for two weeks. She left messages. She didn't ask about grades. She asked if I'd eaten. She asked about the weather. She said: "I love you, baby."

3. The guy in my study group.
He brought me coffee once. Didn't say anything. Just put it on my desk. He was failing too. We failed together. We passed together.

4. The counseling center.
I went once. Thought it was for people who were really struggling. I was really struggling. She said: "You're not alone. This is normal. You can do this." I didn't believe her. But I went back. Four times. She helped.

5. The unfinished semester.
I thought about quitting. Then I thought about explaining to my dad. Then I thought about the paper I hadn't finished. The presentation I hadn't given. I didn't want to leave things unfinished.

I'm still here. You can be too.

 

[Stalker]

Okay I'm crying a little. Not even joking.

Number 1 — that professor is a legend. Most wouldn't notice. Most wouldn't care. She texted. That's above and beyond.

Number 3 — the coffee guy. No speech. No advice. Just coffee. Sometimes that's better than words.

Number 5 — the unfinished semester. I relate so hard. Quitting feels like giving up on yourself. But finishing? Even badly? That's choosing yourself.

Garry, you didn't just survive. You're helping others survive by posting this. That's huge. Thank you.