Academic Probabation and a crappy attitude.. What do I do?

Student Lounge College Life
1

<p>Hey guys. No doubt you've seen a massive influx of threads saying similar crap to what I'm about to say, so feel free to hit "next" and pass this one up. But I do ask for someone to tell me what I've done and what to do next. I've kind of hit college rock bottom.</p>

<p>Long story short, I blew it. </p>

<p>I was a pretty good student in high school; I graduated top 10% of my class at a legit public high school with a 3.82, took a ton of AP/Honors crap, did <em>fairly</em> okay on AP exams, and scored a 1280/1600 SAT and 28 ACT. </p>

<p>This past fall, I started my college years at what is regarded as a decent state school, however not quite top tier. I moved in and immediately realized that I was in the wrong place. My peers seemed, to simply put it, retarded. It's not a very tough school to get into, and I never drew the line that that'd result in me meeting the typical college dumbasses and 1.8 GPA fratstars that you see in the movies. The idea that I felt surrounded by people who, despite their being-in-college, didn't give a **** about anything, lead me to believe that I could sail through my freshman year and get legit grades without lifting a finger. Don't get me wrong, I studied long and hard, and probably more than most, but I felt uneasy about it and I constantly found myself procrastinating and losing self confidence and wishing I were at a different school. I wasn't whiny, but I sure wanted to be.</p>

<p>Midterms rolled around, and I was making straight C's. "Cool, I'm passing!", I thought. Little did I know though how badass finals are and how it's take a toll on me. I kept studying bit by bit, but I truly never felt productive. I honestly, to this day, have no idea what the hell I was doing during those long hours hitting the books. I spend a LOT of time in the library doing something that probably looked and felt like studying, but it wasn't. I wasn't learning anything and nothing retained. I tried the flashcards for some classes, practice tests for others, and none of it did anything for me, even though prior to the exams I felt like it did. And this is what the entire second half of the semester felt like.</p>

<p>Before you roast me for potentially being just another "one of them" who goes off and parties too much," I'll let you know that I attempted to get involved in Campus activities and organizations but couldn't because of an on campus work schedule, and I rarely, if ever, party. I socialize a lot (I don't have a huge number of friends but the ones I do have are all very good, which I prefer), but I'm not the guy you'll see raving or getting hammered. </p>

<p>I finished the semester with a 1.9 GPA, making a solid combination of C's, D's and an F in my Chem class's lab-component, and I landed myself my very own spot on Academic Probation and my advisor is watching over me like an eagle. Needless to say, I don't care. Even if I continue to do this "whatever I'm doing" studying ordeal and accomplish nothing, I still feel like one of the smartest kids around and I still get poor results. And not even the D's and F's are enough to get me to change my motives. It just makes no sense.</p>

<p>Two questions Now!</p>

<p>A. What the hell am I doing wrong? The kids who never study did better than me, and I even "studied" a lot and consider myself to be a step up from most of these kids. And why don't poor results motivate me better? How do I know this won't happen again this semester, and how can I ensure it doesn't?</p>

<p>B. How ****ed am I for getting a job? 1.9 is not the funnest GPA to have and I'm sketch as to whether or not it's gonna limit my job opportunities to retail or bust. I understand that I can raise the GPA, but getting these bad grades in core classes looks awful, and employers are still gonna see them. </p>

<p>Really, if anyone can throw out any advice, It'd be great. Thank a lot everyone, in advance.</p>

2

<p>You sound like somebody who is entitled who needs to grow up.</p>

<p>You call everybody else retarted, but yet they are getting better grades than you. Plus, you state that you are still smarter than them.</p>

3

<p>it appears that you simply lack the intelligence to do well.</p>

<p>even if there were a magic pill you could take to make you smarter, it wouldn’t help because of your apathy.</p>

<p>ie. normal people seek help as soon as it seems they are having trouble, they don’t wait to fail the whole semester to seek approval here.</p>

4

<p>Ok, well I knew I’d get roasted right off the bat.</p>

<p>I suppose I wrongfully called some of my peers “■■■■■■■■.” But, plain and simple, there are kids who come across that way who literally never lift a finger (ad admit to it) and slide by perfectly fine while stilll managing to **** every other girl in the class, while other “entitled” people such as myself actually put in the solid effort but get nothing back. I asked why this happens.</p>

<p>And I know “normal” people get help when they see a problem. I felt like a was failing, and I know I should’ve done something, but having straight C’s ar midterm came as a RELIEF to me and gave me a reason NOT to work harder. Yes it’s parthetic, but it’s also in the past. It’s all a lack of motivation, and I know it sounds supericial, but it’s unconquerable. And I probably sound weak for saying that, but atleast I’m admiting it…</p>

5

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<p>How are those people ■■■■■■■■? You aren’t making any sense.</p>

<p>There were some classes where I barely did any work and got better grades than other kids who studied more. It happens.</p>

6

<p>I am going to answer this as if it is a legitimate post and you may take my answer as sincere or not (which it is); but that will be completely up to you.</p>

<p>First: Be grateful that you are in college, realize that it is a privilege. Not all students can afford to go to college even if it is a state school.</p>

<p>Second: Stop feeling superior to the other students who go to your college. if they are getting higher grades than you, they are doing something right.</p>

<p>Third: College is NOT high school. Many high achievers in high school do not do well in college. Classes move at a faster pace and there is much more required reading, also midterms and finals carry more grade weight. There are usually study groups available to join, join one. When your midterm grades came in as mostly C’s that should have been a wake-up call. Immediately, you should have met with your professors or TA’s and asked for guidance/help/extra credit assignments.</p>

<p>Fourth: (if you are still reading this): Life is not easy and the only real motivation to do well must come from within yourself.
Okay, so you messed up your GPA, there is nothing you can do now with semester one’s grades. However, going forward, you can gradually raise your GPA by doing well this semester and every semester after. Eventually your improved GPA will mitigate your lousy first semester. This will probably not be easy, so what, life is not easy. There are no shortcuts to success or happiness or self-fulfillment.</p>

<p>Fifth: People at home and at your college do care about you and your grades, but you must first care about yourself and your future. Surround yourself with people who are motivated and strive to be more like them. Use all the tools that are available to you through your college. There are probably study seminars, library videos and free tutoring services. Ask for help in locating these services and put them to good use.</p>

<p>Good luck in your future endeavors!!</p>

7

<p>okay, since christmas just ended, I’ll give you my advice… If you follow it, it will turn you into a motivated person.</p>

<p>Sever all financial ties with your parents… get a job and pay for all of your own expenses.</p>

<p>You’ll do well if you are the one paying for it.</p>

8

<p>Lack of motivation is the root of the issue.</p>

<p>Even if you went somewhere with grade deflation, anything less than an A+ should be reason for concern, unless there are other more important things. For example, while an A- is less of a concern than having a decent social life, a C definitely needs attention over pretty much all other things except maybe health or some other class.</p>

<p>Learn the mistakes and motivate yourself. If you can’t motivate yourself, I suggest you withdraw and do something more interesting.</p>

9

<p>Drop out and go to a community college or work for a while. You lack the maturity to be in a university right now. When you can call your peers “■■■■■■■■”, it’s a dead giveaway.</p>

10

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<p>That quote sums up your entire post. Study harder, give up that superiority complex and don’t settle for C’s and D’s. Really ask yourself how those “■■■■■■■■ fratstars” that “never study” have managed to make better grades than you.</p>

11

<p>Keep making an arse of yourself while your “■■■■■■■■” peers somehow do better than you. I recommend you spend some time at a CC before you even consider attending a university again.</p>

12

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<p>I don’t understand… even if I have a A+ in a class at midterm, I don’t get complacent. Finals are like one-third the final grade. newsflash: Studing longer and harder does not work. It’s how you study, being involved in class, going to the professor’s office to ask questions… being inquisitive. If there is material you know won’t be on the test, you should be looking forward to learn it. In fact, there is a threshold where studing longer is counter productive (sleep on time) Your subconscious needs sleep/rest to process information and store it in long term memory…</p>

13

<p>Wow. My first B in college completely destroyed my superiority complex.</p>

<p>You’ve got C’s, D’s, and F’s, and you still have the nerve to call yourself better than your peers?</p>

<p>Seriously, step 1: GET OVER YOURSELF. You’re clearly not the intelligent hot shot you seem to think you are.</p>

<p>Only when you’re done with step 1 can you move on to 2.</p>

14

<p>I didn’t read your article and I’m not going to. I just read your thread title. Now here’s my reply: grow up, and then start college when you are ready.</p>

<p>I speak from experience, I flunked out of college the first time too, and it’s because I was immature.</p>

<p>Now, if you can miraculously buck up overnight and be ready to do it right by the next semester, then great, because you only have a narrow window in which your parents will tolerate this crap. You do not want to be an older student, coming back to college, WITHOUT parental support. It stinks.</p>