2 days into college and hating it already

Student Lounge College Life
1

<p>i am a freshman at a top 25 us news university, and i was loving it here since saturday. its been alot of fun, since its only orientation right now. however, our first serious meeting about academics/class registration turned out to be a disaster.</p>

<p>in short, my uni is divided into to 4 schools and i was initially in "school 1" (i'll leave out the names of the schools to keep it anonymous) and then transferred to "school 2" over the summer, because i was more interested in a major offered in "school 2." Pre-med students in "school 1" take "bio 1" (also kept anonymous) for their bio requirement, and those in "school 2" take "bio 2" for theirs. the difference is that "bio 1" is a generic biology class, and "bio 2" only studies a specific aspect of biology.</p>

<p>basically, i had a small request to take my bio class in "school 1" in lieu of the class required by "school 2". i had asked many people, other deans, professors of the classes, "school 2" students, and all said this request would be accomodated. </p>

<p>i even got the professors to tell my dean/advisor to allow the request. however both the dean/advisor are both enforcing the rule about which class to take. i even got into an argument with them, to the point where when i asked what would be the consequences of just not signing up for "bio 2", and taking the other instead, and she told me that i will not be considered pre-med, and when medschool time comes, she will tell the medical committee to not recommend me.</p>

<p>i am really beginning to hate it here. i have some other small schedule requests (like wanting to take a class offered at multiple times at a diff time for convenience), and am afraid to ask after what has just happened. my family is struggling to pay $50k a year here, and i can't even be in the classes i want. in addition, i have now made bad ties with my school dean, who has even threatened to ruin my future/dreams (of being a doctor).</p>

<p>i now just have to suck it up and live with a really ****ty schedule. i am beginning to think i made the wrong school choice and been better off at my state school. i am cursing atmyself for not getting into my top choice (brown), where there are no general class requirements at all, and the philosophy is to study what you want tostudy, so they would have been more flexible in issues like this.</p>

<p>and i dont think there is anyone i can go to, because that dean who threatened me is like the highest authority in the school i am in, so she is just like the boss of all the other administrative faculty, and they will take her side.</p>

<p>i have lost my motivation to try hard and work for good grades when classes start this wednesday, since htey will be classes i dont even want to be in. if that keeps up that will also ruin my chance at med school b/c i will destroy my gpa if i dont have motivation to work hard.</p>

<p>i just feel rather helpless since i got nobody to go to, and want to transfer out or quit college altogether before it has even started. i no longer feel like leavin my room and meeting new people. i've lost all the excitement i had to come here and now i just hate it only 2 days in.</p>

2

<p>You might actually get some help if you post a less whiney request for help in your school forum here. Lots of students have trouble navigating the system for help in their first weeks........try making another post and asking for suggestions from a person who knows your school. BTW sorry you are so disappointed.</p>

3

<p>I really feel for you that your first few days haven't been going so well academically... however, you don't seem to have the best attitude about it. You seem to think that this dean is ruining your dream to become a doctor because she is forcing you to take bad classes, which will decrease your motivation, which will kill your GPA, which will ruin your chances at getting into med school. However, the fact that you are so upset about this shows that you are still motivated! You say that med school is your dream -- why would you let one stubborn administrator ruin your dream by giving in to a fatalistic attitude? You want to go to med school, so you should be willing to do what it takes to get there -- even if it means a rough first semester academically.</p>

<p>Also, I know it's hard to start off on the wrong foot, but don't let this ruin your social life! You have a few days before classes start -- force yourself to go out, talk to people, and build yourself an awesome support network. I'm sure whatever school you're going to has a lot of cool people who would cheer you up if you let them.</p>

4

<p>i saw go appologize to her and just do what she tells u right now....its a lot better than gtting the class u want and havin her write a horrible rec for med schools</p>

<p>i dont think fighting the administration will work in this case</p>

5

<p>
[quote]
i am a freshman at a top 25 us news university,

[/quote]
</p>

<p>How is THIS relevant at all?</p>

6

<p>It's very stressful to be in a new environment, and possibly some of the anger and disappointment that you're feeling now is related to that. </p>

<p>See if you can take a few deep breaths and look at the situation that you're in. It is very unlikely that the choice of one class your freshman year is going to make or break your getting into medical school. It's also not likely that after just 2 days on campus, you have a realistic overview of what that college is like or what it has to offer. </p>

<p>Is it possible for you to talk to a premed advisor or to the career center to find out exactly what kind of schedule you need to get into medical school? It may very well be that what you have now is perfectly fine. Talking to some upperclassmembers who know the ropes also may be helpful.</p>

<p>You also might want to send a written apology to the dean. From how you've described things, including her reaction, you may have gone over the top in your aggressiveness in trying to get the classes that you want. Getting a reputation as a malcontent who's obnoxious is the last thing that you need to have happen as you start your college career. That kind of reputation could hurt you even if you decide to transfer.</p>

7

<p>Sorry, but...everyone has to take gen ed requirements that they really don't want to take, classes scheduled at a time they'd prefer not to take them because the rest are full, and everyone has to follow the class requirements for whatever they're studying even if they don't want to take 100% of the classes on there. That's just the way it is. Just because you were told by other students and professors that you could switch your classes around doesn't mean that that was ever going to happen, because that decision isn't up to them. Just take the bio 2 class like everyone else does and move on with your life...there's no reason for it to affect the rest of your college life unless you decide to let it.</p>

8

<p>Hardtimes - somebody put lemons on your plate - so .............. make lemonade with your situation. Believe me - you are not the only one this has happened to - sometimes in life - you just have to suck it up and make it all work - to your best interest. Go with the flow - with a better attitude BTW - and you may find it is not as bad as you seem to think it is right now.</p>

<p>Sorry - but you sound a bit immature in all of this - like take your ball and go home if you don't get your way. Sometimes life is not fair - but you can turn this around if you choose to - or you can let this spoil a great opportunity. </p>

<p>I also agree that you should send a note of apology - it may help you out in the long run.</p>

<p>Now - take that ball and run with it - do what you have to do - work hard - change your attitude - you are in control of all of this - make the best of a not so great (as you now think) situation. See how strong you really are and rise to this challange.</p>

9

<p>
[quote]
i am a freshman at a top 25 us news university, </p>

<p>How is THIS relevant at all?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>It's not. The snobby kids just like to let everyone know how much homework they did in high school.</p>

<p>"When life gives you lemmons, make lemonade. Then find someone who life has given vodka and have a party."</p>

<p>I suggest getting drunk and burning down the dean's office and/or home. It always works for me. Or you could just stop whining and act like an adult.</p>

<p>636</p>

10

<p>Self inflicted suicide is not the answer, no matter how much everyone tells you it is!</p>

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<p>this person is obviously having a hard time and there's no need to be mean and call the OP snobby, etc. if you're cranky, take it out on people who deserve it at least.</p>

12

<p>Calm down a little bit. </p>

<p>If I were in your position, I would write the Dean a written apology stating that you respect her role as an administrator and do not want to get off on the wrong foot at a school you are happy to be at. No matter how much this person is a complete jerk, you have no choice but to realize that she has authority over you. I know it sucks, but there is a line between standing up for yourself and looking like a bratty, overindulged student. You definitely do not want to be on her bad side, especially if she has anything to do with you getting into med school. Suck it up, and no matter how much it hurts, apologize and ask if it would possible to set up another meeting with her. </p>

<p>In that meeting, remain calm and mature. Explain your situation as rationally as you can, mentioning that you chose that school because of specific classes you wanted to take. Tell her it is a serious financial burden for you and your parents and that you passed up other schools that offered you scholarships (if its true) to come to this school. Then POLITELY ask what your options are as far as reworking your schedule. If she still doesn't agree to your request, you really have no choice but to take your current schedule. Either way, write her a thank you note mentioning that you appreciate her taking the time to go over your needs. </p>

<p>If you have to take the schedule you don't want, do not let it ruin your entire first semester experience. Go in with a positive attitude. Often the teachers/classes that weren't my first choice ended up being inspiring and better than my first choices. Then, next semester when you are planning your schedule, go into the academic advisor with CLEAR ideas about what you want to take, and make sure the right classes are set in stone when you leave.</p>

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<p>I can't ignore the irony in your screen name.</p>

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<p>which "top 25" school is this?</p>

15

<p>give it some time</p>

16

<p>"i am a freshman at a top 25 us news university, </p>

<p>How is THIS relevant at all?"</p>

<p>maybe they're expected to behave better than this? i dunno.</p>

17

<p>ah, ease of changing schedules was requirement for my college selection</p>

18

<p>people here are literally so mean. people cant even ask for advice or vent or anything without a dozen people deciding to argue with them. jeez.</p>

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<p>hardtimes:</p>

<p>Regardless of what else you do, don't let it get to you to the point where you end up shooting yourself in the foot by slacking. If nothing else, try even harder to prove to them that you weren't trying to switch courses due to slacking and show them what an outstanding student you really are. If you slack, nobody loses but you. </p>

<p>As another poster pointed out, many (most) colleges have some required GEs, some of which you're bound to dislike. You pretty much have to just suck it up and try your best like everyone else does. Many students will choose a college or program based on the required GEs for a particular major.</p>

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<p>Suck it up and take the course. One biology course that isn't "generic" enough for you is not going to kill you. Life does not always work the way you want it to. Let this be the first lesson in life for you.</p>