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I currently have 3 problems in my life and together, they are crippling me. The first, and most major stems from my best friend. She is in an abusive relationship, and she's the only legitimate friend I have. Her boyfriend has been really pressuring her to get rid of me altogether.

Second, school. I'm a senior at Pitt and supposed to graduate this December. I'm more than positive I won't graduate though. The history department has forced me to write my senior project on something I have no experience with, and it's very demoralizing. Combine that with my best and her problems, I am very upset and not able to focus.

Third, the friends I have at school, and my family, they not supportive in anyway. They belittle me and tell me to just give up and I have no idea what to do. One of my more helpful classmates suggested e-mailing the head of the history department, but I'm very hesitant to do that. My one teacher, who I really trust, and isn't from the history department wants to talk to me, but I don't feel like sobbing to my teacher over this situation.

If anyone has any advice or prayers, or whatever, I could really use them, as could my best friend. Thank you, God bless.

Dear Sister in Christ,

Your problems do seem overwhelming right now...my daughter went through something similar her last semester with her thesis...Neither she nor we thought it would ever get finished to the thesis advisor's satisfaction (also History, coincidentally)...I know how stressful what you are going through is, but do NOT give up! Your college really wants you to succeed, so do not hesitate to email anyone you can in the department to get help...Also, DO talk to that teacher, and do explain to them how distraught and confused you are. You need guidance right now, and they can give it to you. Trust me, they will give it, and will be more than happy to help you when they realize how much you need their help.

I am sorry about your best friend. I am sure that is something which is hindering your confidence right now. As painful as it is, you really need to concentrate on your studies. Chances are, she will miss you too, and at some point you two will reconnect, boyfriend or not...so don't let that get in the way of your success. Again, you should NOT give up. You will be able to overcome all this if you reach out for help.

I will pray for you because this confusion right now is not of God, and therefore, prayer should also help. Would you mind messaging me your name? It would be helpful for me in praying for you.

May God bless you-- and aid you, give you the courage and confidence to get help, and enlighten your path.

Please keep us updated.

With love in Christ,
Alice :=)

Aw, what a wonderful reply. Well, I did actually get my mom to pay attention to the situation and talk to me about it. She's been exceptionally distant with this school stuff. Earlier in the semester I was battling bronchitis and did 2 days in the hospital, then this stuff happened with my best friend, and the history department nonsense has gotten to me.

See, I'm an Imperial Chinese major, specially the Han Dynasty. I spent 3 years studying it, buying expensive books on it, and cataloging them for my thesis project. The school...however, assigned me a 15-20 page paper on the civil war of 1898-1908 in Venezuela. To make matters worse, there is almost NO record of this war. My professor even said we were be the first Americans to ever write about Venezuela in this fashion. The teacher even told me to look up Venezuelan censuses and use them. I can't speak, or read Spanish. I can speak and read Chinese, so.

I e-mailed the professor, told her I'm either not going to come back to class, going to switch my major to Chinese, or simply write her a 20 page paper on the significance of the Han Dynasty and let her grade it accordingly. I e-mailed my advisor telling him this situation. This is kind of funny, because I already told him over the summer about this situation and he just said "Nope, against department policy."

I'm meeting with the only teacher at Pitt I still trust, my one Chinese professor, and she has a very successful track record of helping me. I guess, once again, I will depend on her for help.

Thanks again, I really, really appreciate the prayers and words of encouragement.