The right thing to do???

I am considering a HUGE step, and I have no idea if it is the right thing to do or not.

I decided quite a while ago, during the summer actually, that I was going to keep my life separate from school. When I made that declaration to myself, I had no idea how hard it would turn out to be. Now I am starting to realize. There are times when I am simply having a really rough time and have difficulty concentrating on work. I have to admit that I am extremely high functioning at this point in my life. A few years ago, when I was in what I suppose would be called the "crisis stage," that was definitely not the case. I have accomplished a lot in the way of stability over the past few years.

Today I met with the counselor. We talked about the topic of the last post, how I feel so incredibly alone. I do not actually have friends to whom I can speak about life. I listen and provide advice when I can, but am unable to divulge my own life and ask for support or advice from anyone. I do not wish to minimize the value of either the T or the counselor. They are both amazingly helpful and supportive. However, interactions with them are not on any kind of social level. I see them because they are professionals, and that makes it a very different dynamic.

I am a non-traditional student in a college that has very few. I believe that there are approximately 5 of us, all in different departments (for our respective majors that is), in a school of almost 2,000 students. We range in age from 25 to 70-something. Although it isn't a bad thing, it means that most of my friends are about 18 years old (I do have a few in other classes as old as 22). In the end, however, I do not feel comfortable burdening 18-year-old's with my problems. They won't know what to do or say (yes I know that is an assumption that probably has a few exceptions), and it isn't fair to put something like that onto them.

The other option is to talk to faculty or staff. A few staff, I can already rule out for various reasons. I realize fully that faculty and staff are not my friends. They are still in a professional role that they leave behind at work. However, as a non-traditional student, I have a slightly different relationship with them than many of my student peers. I feel comfortable talking to them on a more contemporary level.

What this all comes down to is this: I am considering telling my advisor. I don't know how she will take it. I know that I can ask for it to be kept confidential. I'm really not sure if I should. When I first spoke to the counselor, she suggested that I might want to consider telling one of the faculty members that I've developed a good relationship with. At first, that seemed like a really good idea. As I thought about it, however, I started to question whether or not I wanted to introduce that into the relationship. It may complicate things in a way that damages what we have now. For that reason, I thought of telling my advisor. She already knows that my history wasn't exactly beautiful. I also happen to have an appointment with her tomorrow to discuss a paper of mine that I am really struggling with. I have to figure out what to do by then.

Guess that's it.

Me