We just need to stop arguing about if I can or can’t do this because it’s useless to do so. How about I work on my math program for the rest of summer to have my knowledge fresh for when I go back a month from now and tell how I do after this fall or next spring semester? There are a few people who have been in my shoes and have gone on to be successful in STEM. Read the responses that I got in my thread that’s about my algebra grade.@JC2017@Ruskointhehouse@erichioro had good responses about there failures and successses. The title of the thread is called that because I originally thought I would have a C in that class.
@NASA2014 if you do the backup plan, do plan on going into Teaching? Unless you plan on going into Teaching or research, liberal arts is useless. Geography is good major because you could still take Meteorology classes in it. Are there B.A science programs at your college?
One good backup plan is to do a B.A degree in Biology, Geology, or Environmental Science since this would be less math. Also doing a two year STEM degree such as Agriculture, Engineering technology, Biotechnology, or Chemical technology would be a good alternative as these still require college algebra and maybe Triginometry. Information technology or systems, cybersecurity, or criminal justice might also be good. Since I’m interested in Civil Engineering once alternative could be construction management and for Environmental Engineering it could be Environmental Science since these require less math but still require one or two calculus courses. I could move to another state and study something at the two year level not offered in Indiana such as Geological, Environmental, Wastewater, stormwater, Wildlife, or Petroleum Technology. Unfortunately I don’t think there is a such thing as Meteorology Technology Degree.
I might be able to still do Zoology, Meteorology, or Environmental Science as a hobby or side Job. I could work at a pet store, get a house and build a pond that’ll attract reptiles/amphibians to my yard, go traveling to places where I can see species, or volunteer at a zoo. @3scoutsmom had good recommendations for doing fun things with weather such as attending skywarn meetings, be a storm spotter, or participate on websites. For Environmental Science, I could Join an organization that promotes the well being of air or water quality, species or endangered species, or energy. There might be organizations some places that promote infrastructure which would let me pursue my interest of Civil Engineering.
Also, maybe If I end up in something outside of STEM I might still be able to pursue this later in life or slowly work towards it by only taking once class a semester. It would take a long time to do this but I actually like math and science and think it would be great to master Calculus, Chemistry, and Physics.
Start out with small goals like taking classes this fall and trying to get at least a B in all your classes. See how you do in fall and adjust you classes accordingly for the spring semester. If you do well proceed further if not talk to your adviser to see what other career areas you can look into.
To be successful in achieving your goal of getting a degree in a specific area that interests you need to have the ability to comprehend the material to move forward to the next class. Focus on things that you will do to make sure you have a successful semester. For example focus on how you are going to manage your schedule for the week? When will you be attending classes and when will you study? If you don’t understand something in class think what steps are you going to take to do better? Are you going to go to office hours or will you be going to tutoring? Your main goal should be to perform well in your classes this fall. Limit you time on social media. You want to do well this coming semester so that you can move forward to new classes and not have to repeat the ones you took in the fall.
@NASA2014 I didn’t pay the $400 because every time I make a purchase I feel like dave ramsey is judging me. @3scoutsmom my school has a weird system to where FA doesn’t cover summer but they say next summer it might be in place to where it’ll cover it. @raclut these are the following steps I plan to do be more successful in school.
Take afternoon and/or evening classes. I'm not a morning person so I often snooze the alarm clock when I wake up in the morning and end not waking up until a certain point when I only have time to get ready but not eat breakfast. I believe this will let me make sure I get plenty of sleep , give time to eat breakfast and/or lunch, and help in some way with my study habits and memorization as I could absorb information from lectures better and be more awake when studying. This will also help because I often don't get enough sleep If I have to sleep at night because I'm a night owl and my mom and her boyfriend can be noisy due to them staying up late. This will also make it less likely to miss or be late to class or get sick to where I miss class. It's nice how college has class time flexibility.
Have a planner/schedule/calendar on my phone and/or tablet to set reminders. Even though I can remember things I may have fifty things to do at once, it can be hard to choose which task to complete, and then I waste so much time thinking that I don't get anything done. I think this well help me be organized with what I need to do, have my days planned, and know the specific task I need to complete. I still have to be motivated to complete my tasks to do it. This might make my life a little easier.
Don't drink soda, only eat meat in moderation, and eat a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables. I talked a lot about this in my soda and fast food thread. I just think soda messes up memorization and sleep. Is breakfast as important as people say? This will make it less likely i will get sick as I did a lot this past semester.
Study and do homework/assignments at the library and/or campus. This should be a quiet place to study as I mentioned in Step #1 my home can be noisy and another problem is I don't have a desk at home to study at and the bed is not a good place to study. This will also give access to computer labs, tutoring, and research(books or computer) while I do this. I wish my home was a good place to study.
I'll try the best in my power to make sure I have access to a support on campus or therapist to get help or have someone to talk to if I have depression, anxiety, and other problems as these will not go away because of my aspergers. This will also help me so that If a family member has problems again or passes away again I can talk to them and they might be able to give advice on staying focused so that this won't interfere with my grades again. This will also help with current life issues and help me move forward.
Not only will I go to tutoring or professor office hours but I will make sure the person I seek for help is the right kind of tutor for me and make sure that I don't have anything to do while he Is there at the tutoring center. I know the tutor I really like and the tutors I don't like. I started staying away from the bad tutors even when I really needed help because they were so rude. Tutoring is also great for if the instructor isn't good.
I will make sure I only work on the weekends so that during the week I can focus on my studies and get all the help from tutors or professors I need. I made a mistake of working too much this past semester so I think this will really help and make a difference in my academics and still have some money.
Study with Flashcards for classes that focus on memorization and test myself or have someone test me before a test. for math i will do my homework again or do extra problems, do practice tests, and make sure I am doing things right with the tutors, professor, or other classmates before a quiz, test, or final exam. For English, i will make sure that I do every paper with a writing tutor and have it read before I turn it into my professor.
9.I will make sure I have my accommodations in place for fall such as taking the exams in the assessment center, using a smartpen in class that’ll allow me to take notes faster or record lectures, and maybe using earplugs while i’m in the assessment center(the assessment center was noisy as I could hear background noise and got distracted). I’ve always had an IEP in my K-12 education.
Get rid of the apps such as social media and the ones that give a lot of notifications on my phone and tablet to avoid time Tooken away from studies. I will also get rid of things I get emails from I don't read.
@bodangles@3scoutsmom@happy1@raclut@intparent@NASA2014 does it sound like I have a solid plan to be successful or is there more to add? I think social studies is an easy subject but I’m worried about Public speaking, any tips on being successful in that class?
I like your post. It shows me that you have really thought about how you are going to approach the fall semester.
The link in my post is for a book to read this summer. It provides tips on how to be successful in college and how to study and prepare for class efficiently. It will really help you with how you approach your education to meet your goals.
I think it is great that you are focused on taking care of your health and watching what you eat. I would only add that you participate in some form of exercise because that will increase your energy and productivity. After a workout I feel energized, happy that I did something good for myself, and relaxed. (helps a lot with managing stress) One thing I like is that I feel that my mind seems very alert and I am able to handle multiple tasks at once. Exercise will reduce your feeling of being overwhelmed and you will have a more positive outlook when things get tough. Think of it as a time when you are not thinking about school or work and it will give you a chance to clear your mind. ( just listen to music while you exercise) Stay away from negativity if possible. Surround yourself with people who are encouraging.
Check in here and give us updates so that we can encourage you and uplift you. You will have good days and bad days but stay focused on why your are doing this and know that when you work hard and achieve your goals (do well in class) there is no greater happiness and satisfaction than that. It will give you confidence and you will start to believe that you are capable and can do this. Learn from past mistakes and move forward. (don’t look back)
Here is an inspiration I want you to read everyday. Put it on a piece a paper and make sure to read it daily.
This the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day to use as you will.
You can waste it or use it for good.
What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it.
When tomorrow comes this day will be gone forever.
In its place is something that you left behind.
Let it be something good.
Your main goal is to get rid of your high school thingy. You always seem to care about what high schoolers are doing. I think that’s what causing you not to do move on.
No @NASA2014. I was just trying to encourage him to challenge himself so that he puts his best effort. He needs a solid foundation so that he will be able to move to upper level classes which are more challenging. Also he plans to transfer so he should do the best that he can.
He may have some anxieties about the fall semester so try to give him some encouragement so that he feels that he can do this. Everyone makes mistakes and he seems to have learned from his past experiences so lets wish him the best. His goal is to pass all his classes and learn the material taught so that he doesn’t have to repeat anything.
Maybe you can share things that have helped you be successful in your classes.
@raclut@NASA2014 was right about me thinking about high school because I have threads about high school prom and how I didn’t go, high school classes that aren’t offered at my CC, and extracurricular activities that aren’t offered at my CC. I have found things to help me with those thoughts.
For Prom, I think about how many people told me it wasn’t fun or I didn’t miss much, how it was crazy expensive, and how there will be other or even better opportunities to attend dances at parties, dances at dance clubs in the community, lean dances or swingdance at a community center, formals at four year colleges, or homecoming dances. I’m not much of a dancer anyway but if I want to go to a dance I could.
For Extracurricular Activities, I might form my own organization at my CC, join the Astronomical society or Wabash river enhancement corporation, and/or join student government or organization that I think I won’t like but still would be able to do things or meet people.
For classes, I almost got this problem completely solved. I can take them if i transfer to a four year college but I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the environmental science,earth science ecology, and astronomy courses will be offered at face to face at My CC in the future. For Zoology, I actually asked a high school student if i’m missing out on anything if i never took it in high school and she said no because the teacher was mean and it was sad to dissect animals. I also talked to the meteorology teacher at my former high school and he said it hasn’t been taught in a long time and he only taught it one semester because not enough students signed up for it but he recommended a website where I can learn lessons and take quizzes on meteorology. Some classes that might be similar to Zoology, Meteorology, or Environmental science at my CC are science of traditional and alternative energy (one topic of environmental science), General Biology 2 or Biology II-Diversity of life(has Zoology content but not much dissection), Animal science or nutrition or anatomy and physiology(focuses on farm animals but not frogs or reptiles or fish), Earth Science(has weather content in it and maybe a little forecasting), or wind power and crop production(both courses have weather content as they related to crops or wind turbines). Another option i have is to go live with my grandma in another state where community college there has these courses for sure:)
Does anyone have tips for doing well in public speaking? @raclut another thing i’m doing is while it’s still summer is i’m getting my dental work done and I already got my physical done.
In the future you can take a communications class. In that class you get to practice public speaking. There are also a lot of videos on youtube. When you transfer to a four year college there maybe a club where you can get a chance to practice public speaking. You might want to ask your adviser if there are any opportunities at your current school to help with that.
@NASA2014 when @raclut was saying to shoot for atleast a B in all my classes, he/she was saying that because it’s a generalization that I need A’s and B’s to have atleast a 3.0 GPA but it is possible to have maybe one or two C’s with a 3.0 or above but you most likely would have to have enough A’s to outweigh the C’s. Purdue University is the school I hope to transfer to and most of the majors there require a 2.5 GPA or above but since that school is known for Engineering I will need atleast a 3.0 GPA if I transfer into that. Even If i didn’t need a high GPA to transfer to a four year university I know I should still shoot for it because I could be eligible for scholarship funding. C’s are average but usually put your GPA in the 2.0-2.9 range.
@supergeo5999 All I’m saying is challenge yourself and put your best effort. The important thing is to understand the concepts taught in class so that you can handle more advanced material in future classes. My own kid will be graduating next May with a degree in Engineering.