I didn’t email my professors and now I have to pay $1,000

As a child, I wanted to be a lawyer. I had a scholarship that covered most of my tuition. I was able to work nearly full time throughout my college career. I had a solid 3.8 GPA. I was on the debate team. I was a Supplemental Instruction leader for several classes, which meant I tutored and held extra sessions for my classmates. I was a residential advisor. I was in the honor’s program. I had an internship every semester. <br><br>I was ready to apply for law school. I did extremely well on the LSAT. My GPA was great. I had excellent letters of recommendation. I actually got into my first choice law school. I was so proud of myself. <br><br>I moved across the state to go to this law school. I thought I deserved to live a little, so I got a roach infested apartment near campus. I immediately began working for my university as an academic success coach. I had a solid 3.4 GPA. I got an internship at a prosecutor’s office. <br><br>I was in a happy relationship for about two years. I was winning at life. I was so proud. <br><br>Then, my boyfriend broke up with me. I was devastated. He had cheated and he dumped me. I was so sad. I began to spiral. I barely went to classes. I stopped going to the gym. I stopped hanging out with my friends. I gained a lot of weight. I had a 1.5 GPA in my classes because I never turned in assignments. I failed most of them. I was so depressed that I barely left my bed. <br><br>I decided to take a year off to get myself together. I moved back to my parent’s house. I got a job at a grocery store. I worked a lot. I did get some mental health counseling. I was able to keep my scholarship. I was feeling good. I was going to the gym. I was in good shape. I had a good relationship with my family. <br><br>After my year off, I returned to law school. I was back to my happy self. I began working as a teaching assistant for a first year class. I had a solid 3.5 GPA. I was in excellent shape. I was going out on weekends. I had been doing well for about a year and a half. <br><br>Then, COVID-19 hit. <br><br>I had a solid 2.3 GPA. I was in so much debt. I barely had a social life. I had gained a lot of weight. I didn’t have a job. I barely had money for food. I decided to drop out and move across the country to pursue a new career. <br><br>Now, it’s been a year since I moved away. I’m finally coming out of my depression. I’m working 40 hours a week. I’m actually doing well in my classes. I’m in decent shape. I have a solid relationship with my family. I’m coming back to life. <br><br>Last night, I received an email from my university. I owe them $1,000. They haven’t gotten my $1,000 for over a year. I’m not in danger of losing my financial aid, but I have to pay it to get my transcripts. <br><br>I kept thinking about it all night. I couldn’t sleep. I’m back on track and now I just want to give up. I don’t have $1,000. I have about $100 in my bank account. I keep thinking about my failures. I was so successful and now I’m in a huge mess. <br><br>I know I can’t stay in my past. I need to move forward. But why did this have to happen? I feel so defeated.