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Returning Stronger: How Mental Health Support Helped Me Finish my Degree

Lilly Uvalle Graduate UC Merced

by LIlly Uvalle

When I first came to UC Merced in August 2010, I had no idea how much my mental health would impact my college experience. What started as excitement quickly turned into confusion and despair. I began missing classes, couldn’t concentrate, and felt constantly down. I would read pages of material and retain none of it. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was undiagnosed — or possibly misdiagnosed — and struggling silently. 

I left school twice. Each time I tried to return, I hoped things would be different. But the last time I came back in 2017, my mental health challenges reached a peak. I experienced overwhelming social anxiety and frequent panic attacks that forced me to leave class. I felt defeated and had to walk away from school once again. 

In 2019, everything changed. I finally received a proper diagnosis and began treatment. Getting on the right medication and having access to real mental health support completely transformed my life. 

When I returned to UC Merced in 2023, it was a world of difference. I was able to focus, keep up with assignments, and attend classes regularly. For the first time, I felt like I could succeed — because I had the right support in place. 

Sometimes we think school just "isn’t for us," but the reality is that untreated or misdiagnosed mental health conditions can make it nearly impossible to function, let alone thrive, in a college environment. That's why it's so important to look at your academic struggles through a health lens. 

Today, UC Merced offers excellent mental health services through CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services). They’ve also added psychiatric medication management, which was a huge help for me — especially during 2024 when I was having insurance issues. I was still able to get the care I needed. 

Once diagnosed, I also took advantage of Student Accessibility Services (SAS). They work with students to provide accommodations based on individual needs. I was able to take exams in quiet spaces with extra time and received support with note-taking. These small adjustments made a huge difference in my ability to succeed academically. 

I know it can feel scary to reach out for help — I’ve been there. But trust me, getting support changed everything for me. I was able to complete my degree in December 2024, and it felt amazing. 

If you're returning to college after time away, or even just struggling silently, I want you to know this: You’re not alone. There is help. And there is hope. 

Your journey might not look like everyone else’s — and that’s okay. What matters is that you keep going, get the support you need, and take care of yourself along the way.