Incogneato: No, it would not be the end of the world. It wasn't the end of mine. Unlike you, though, the subjects I did worst in were the ones I loved and majored in. My grades did mean that I can't get into one of the graduate programs I'd like to, at least not until I'm a few more years past college when they'd be more likely to make an exception for me.

Speaking from my own experience, the more time you have to take to keep yourself together, the less time you have to make friends, to do homework, to go to class, to join activities, to actually explore and enjoy college. Because when you're so busy just trying to stay barely functional, you miss out on all the things that college has to offer, including the social networking that can benefit you in your career. Lots of people make mistakes, "fart around," behave irresponsibly. It's just a lot easier to bounce back when you don't have that extra burden.

In more practical terms, if the LW chooses college, her anxiety attacks can (and perhaps will) cause major problems if she doesn't figure out effective ways of dealing with them ahead of time. The huge set of standardized tests that potential teachers have to take to get their certification springs to mind. (Hmm...I wonder if LW has even taken the ACT or SAT). I guess my point is that, though you're right, it won't be the end of the world, her life will be much easier if she gets her problems under control now, not after she's failed all her final exams, or when she's in her second jobless month after graduation. She should sit down with her folks, figure out a treatment plan and time table, and get down to work. It's either get her shit together now, or pay for it later.

Just my experience, and the LW actually has to want to deal with her problems for any of it to be worthwhile, anyway.