How exactly does one get their **** together?

I have just finished my last exam in college. To be honest, my performance was laughable and I'm praying that I will get a B- in the class and cumulative 3.3 GPA. To clarify, there aren't any extenuating circumstances such as a deceased parent or a hard major for this GPA. I'm just burnt out beyond recognition.

Things weren't always this way. Coming into my junior year, I had a 3.9; prior to my senior year, I had a 3.7. I can't really articulate why, but I've been stuck in a terrible slump since my junior year. My grades have dropped, my professors are confused, I've abused my body in all sorts of ways, and I visibly do not have my shit together. Somehow, I've been able to experience both unhappiness and substantially lower grades.

To be sure, I've been extremely fortunate to have had my set of experiences- over the course of college, I've lived in 5 different cities in 3 different countries on scholarship, I've become fluent in two different languages, and I have an IBD SA offer for the summer. There's no way I could have seen this as a scrappy dog coming from a ghetto public high school 4 years ago.

But I know I still don't have my shit together. I know that even though my parents, friends, and classmates are congratulating me on my graduation, there's no real reason to celebrate. I know that if I keep this up, I will probably get fired on the job.

I'm writing this in a last-ditch effort to see if anyone else has been in a rut, and if they've managed to climb out. I'm not talking about breaking in from a non-target school; I'm talking about when your mind plays games with you and you have no motivation to do anything whatsoever. My parents and professors simply say 'try harder"; this isn't very helpful. I've even talked to therapists about this; they've prescribed me all sorts of antidepressants, which I refuse to take. For whatever reason, I'm exceedingly good at putting on a facade of normalcy, so I can't really talk to anyone in person about this. I think I may be going insane.

49 Comments
 

"I'm exceedingly good at putting on a facade of normalcy, so I can't really talk to anyone in person about this. I think I may be going insane."

next Patrick Bateman?

"The right to have children should be a marketable commodity, bought and traded by individuals but absolutely limited by the state."—Kenneth Boulding
 

I do, but not enough. I have a fairly soulless exercise routine of running on the treadmill for 3 miles every day. I think I'm going to get back into martial arts...

 
KenzenI think I'm going to get back into martial arts...

getting back into muay thai really helped me with the same problem man, along with motivating me to get back in shape in general.

 

Laugh at me all you want..but i ran into a similar situation when my girlfriend left me. Start working out more...or get back into martial arts. Keep yourself busy and things will return to normal again. Like someone above said, it is a cycle and you must break the habits.

 

Happens to a lot of people man, and most people (in my opinion) make the mistake of just sticking it through until everything builds up and explodes. You definitely have to change something.

My advice? Pick up tennis. It's a great sport, you get to be outside, you're hitting something with all you've got. And it's not terribly physically taxing (unless you really get into it). Good luck!

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer "Your grammar made me wish I'd been aborted." -happypantsmcgee
 

March yourself down to GNC and buy the most concentrated B-Complex vitamins you can find. This will boost your mood.

Then, get out and socialize a bit. Sports will help. If you're in NYC, PM me and let's do lunch.

Get busy living
 

I'm in pretty much the same situation. Graduating tomorrow. Kind of started feeling weird end of sophomore year/beginning of junior year. Burnt out beyond belief because I have maintained a 3.9+ GPA (and a 4.0 in my major). I narrowed the cause down to what everybody on here has been telling you: the same daily routine started wearing me down after a couple years. I have continued the routine, but now it's finally over. I'm looking forward to graduating tomorrow and bringing drastic change. I will be going to Europe on vacation for over a month. You just need to change it up and you will be back to normal soon enough.

MKballer
 
kmzzu have a 3.3 not a 2.3 newb

probably depressed imo

Yeah, the problem isn't that it's a 3.3; the problem is that it USED to be a 3.9 and it would probably be a 2.3 if I didn't graduate already.

 

I'd say try drugs, but you have to be very careful with that. Depression + drugs easily turns into addiction. That includes pot (mental addiction)

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer "Your grammar made me wish I'd been aborted." -happypantsmcgee
 

Why do you refuse to take the pills your doctors prescribed? Also, consider trying concerta or one of the other similar drugs. Could help. And for the record, I hate meds, but you really sound like you could benefit from them. Good luck!

 

I agree with most posts above talking about repetition.

I went through a tough time, lost a girl I digged, and became extremely repetitive. I killed it in terms of accomplishing goals, but I felt extremely unhappy. Then, I said screw, this, drove down to Westwood with my buddy that goes to UCLA, and got drunk every weekend. Hooked up with random chicks, and let loose - but woke up Monday back to the productive routine. When I found that balance between work and play, life got better.

Feel better man. PM me if you want to talk.

 

Deprivation. Starve and meditate in solitude for like 2 or 3 days. clears ur mind and body. go help crippled people or at a homeless shelter, def. makes you appreciate what you have and gives you a new purpose. Load up on sleeping pills and just hibernate for a week. Get exercise and sunlight.

Stay away from alcohol and drugs, like DM mentioned, not good during depression.

More is good, all is better
 
ArgonautLoad up on sleeping pills and just hibernate for a week. Get exercise and sunlight.

Stay away from alcohol and drugs, like DM mentioned, not good during depression.

Wait, what?
Load up on sleeping pills
OK.
Stay away from alcohol and drugs
What?!
 

there are OTC sleeping pills that combine antihistamine with acetaminophen, nevermind other OTC sleep aids, none of which have been shown to be habit-forming. WTF were YOU thinking about?

More is good, all is better
 
Getgoyou know, a gpa of 3.3 rounds up to a 3.5 and that rounds up to a 4.0

I lol'd

But OP...I agree with the lifting advice. Really does make you feel better. And +1 to whoever recommended the Rippetoes book...it's a great plan for beginners.

Impossible is nothing
 

I'm in the same situation. I'm genetically designed to feel depressed all the time. There's just one thing that helps. Killing myself in the gym. Did it like 2-3 hours EVERYDAY, power lifting, while at uni. Then started banking and couldn't do it anymore. Did banking for 1 year, then had to leave. Greatest depression ever. 1 year closed at home since I left banking. I need powerlifting to avoid depression. Try it. Seriously. Kill yourself lifting stuff in the gym. Helps big time. It builds positive stuff inside of you. Don't know what it is but works. It's magic. According to doctors, I need some crappy pills to avoid suicide. But never took them and never will. You shouldn't if you don't want to. There's other ways to cure yourself. Try gym and meditation.

 
Best Response

Deficiencies you MIGHT have: vit D, vit B, omega-3, magnesium These are fairly common deficiencies in the US because the typical US diet is total shit (diet is a huge causal factor for depression that is often ignore and is part of the reason why depression rates are so high in the US compared to other countries - you are what you eat) - most americans need to eat more greens and fruits, and a lot less grains and meat/dairy; you don't really need the supplements if you eat properly, but if you're like most people you probably will refuse to go to a proper diet since it's so different from what you've had your whole life, so at least supplement what you're lacking

I can speak from personal experience that changing your diet can have dramatic impacts on both your physical well-being and your emotional well-being.

Lastly, change your routine; work out more, get a new hobby, make new friends, etc.

 
alexpaschDeficiencies you MIGHT have: vit D, vit B, omega-3, magnesium

I can speak from personal experience that changing your diet can have dramatic impacts on both your physical well-being and your emotional well-being.

Lastly, change your routine; work out more, get a new hobby, make new friends, etc.

So if you don't mind me asking, what was your situation like?

 

Senior year fall semester. In a span of three months I gained 30 pounds, failed two interviews, ran a business in to the ground, and had a stripper touch my baconk (didn't contract anything but I was scared man).

I was fat, ugly, and growing second chin. By the end of the semester I failed a class and was half a letter grade from going on academic probation. Fast forward to spring semester (p90x grad), I will be graduating with a 3.0, finishing my internship at a F500 company and moving on to a PE Associate Position out of college.

And to think, I was so close to being a fuckup.

 
karyptoSenior year fall semester. In a span of three months I gained 30 pounds, failed two interviews, ran a business in to the ground, and had a stripper touch my baconk (didn't contract anything but I was scared man).

I was fat, ugly, and growing second chin. By the end of the semester I failed a class and was half a letter grade from going on academic probation. Fast forward to spring semester (p90x grad), I will be graduating with a 3.0, finishing my internship at a F500 company and moving on to a PE Associate Position out of college.

And to think, I was so close to being a fuckup.

So just to clarify, do you still feel in a "slump"? Going to PE straight out of college... sounds like things could be worse.

 

Est qui voluptatem eaque quo ipsa facere eum. Neque minima quia odio nemo qui qui ipsum.

Voluptas dolores iure dolore earum corrupti quaerat cupiditate. Error occaecati voluptas cumque eligendi. Odit nihil tempore illum rerum ut ut. Porro porro asperiores sed. Dolore eum temporibus ut iure amet fugiat.

 

Officia dolorem nobis ut. Quis atque soluta maxime doloribus veritatis. Illo porro qui porro impedit aut. Laborum alias reprehenderit distinctio vitae vitae molestias numquam autem. Sit praesentium praesentium inventore cumque error fugit.

Magnam voluptatibus qui culpa. Nam similique eos dolorum quo. Ut fugit veniam quae similique. Omnis possimus architecto aut quia tempora officiis.

Quia modi delectus perspiciatis qui modi. Rerum libero vel alias asperiores quo dolorum. Facere et sapiente qui tempora qui similique totam non. Debitis explicabo veritatis placeat ea ullam iusto.

 

Velit quam architecto consequatur ut ut adipisci. Nihil nulla suscipit blanditiis modi. Qui occaecati debitis non quaerat et incidunt.

Quia omnis voluptatem sequi consequuntur tenetur ut dolor. Illo voluptas suscipit ipsa provident doloribus quo eius. Iusto repellat quis qui et in consequatur dolores. Esse sed ut neque expedita repudiandae maxime nisi quis. Voluptas laborum velit ducimus similique ipsa unde.

Dolorem nemo exercitationem omnis sunt. Minus qui quia rerum est quia et repudiandae. Enim facilis ea laudantium earum est et. Vel ex nihil consequatur temporibus esse exercitationem debitis. Accusamus ex dolor qui ducimus cum dolorem.

No one would remember the Good Samaritan if he'd only had good intentions; he had money as well.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (72) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”