College: Am I missing something?

College Life
1

<p>I'm a freshman at UConn and have been wondering about a general aspect about college life...</p>

<p>I was raised thinking that all the work done in grade school/high school would pay off once you get to college, where you could focus only on your intended career. However, as my first semester comes to an end, my schedule consisted of ONLY useless classes. For example, as part of my General Education Requirements I've taken English (mindless essays, over-analyzing fictional characters) and Sociology (common sense taught to you by a 'qualified' individual) and will be taking Communication, Psychology and Globalization next semester, although my intention is to become a graphic designer. I haven't even taken a single art class. Incidentally, I'm told that in the only art class I'm able to take next semester, I'd have to sculpt and interpret art, despite my interest in focusing on digital media. I know of someone who's interest is photography, but must take a drawing class despite having no drawing ability! My friend's goal is to become a lawyer, and she says the most work she's done in college is for an art class (she wrote 10 pages on art interpretation a while ago)! Meanwhile, over the years, I've self-taught myself the Adobe Suite of products and basic web authoring and have been doing freelance work and have made quite a bit of money (in addition to building up a nice portfolio) designing packaging and websites. However, since starting college, I haven't had time to do more than 2 jobs! In addition, while I've always been an "A" student, I'm having a hard time focusing on my classes, as I just can't justify the money I'm wasting to take these useless classes. Despite a professor saying that my writing is at a level beyond the requirement for his class, I still worry about failing. I haven't been sleeping or eating much, my work is suffering, I can't do the work I love doing due to my preoccupation with college work, and the school's Health Center website (which I checked out after a staff member visited one of my classes) believes I may have **Generalized Anxiety Disorder<a href="according%20to%20a%20quiz%20they%20have%20you%20take">/b</a> and recommended that I call for an appointment (I haven't). I've always been a calm person!</p>

<p>So my question is: is this the norm? So far, college has been a mostly horrible experience, and nothing like what I was promised growing up (I actually looked forward to it when I was younger). They tell me this is to help me become a "well-rounded individual". However, isn't that what elementary/high school was for; to give you basic knowledge in all subjects so you could decide what to focus on in college? I didn't come to college to become more "well-rounded"; I came to earn a degree in my career path of choice in order to prove that I'm worthy of securing a job! The only thing holding me back from dropping out is my family (being Latino, college is seen as a necessity; despite the fact that I've shown them that I can find work) and the fact that I already had to take out a loan for my first semester because my 50k scholarship +the Pell Grant didn't cover most of the tuition. Is it normal to feel this frustrated? What would you recommend I do?</p>

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<p>It seems like you are going through a totally normal aspect of college right now, freshman year most people aren’t jumping directly into their majors but by the time they graduate they have very few classes that don’t relate. Just hang in there and the relevant classes will come later.</p>

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<p>To be honest, it sounds a little bit like you misunderstood or ignored some of the facts. You must have known that you had Gen Ed requirements going in - right? Did you research to see what classes you’d have to take?
Also, why is there only one art class you can take next semester? Is it the only one open to freshmen? Is it a prerequisite?
I know all of this stuff sounds annoying and it’s frustrating, but colleges do things this way for a reason. Most schools have Gen Ed requirements because it really DOES help - I may not have loved my first-year English, but reading Homer and Virgil and Dante proved indescribably useful for so many little things later on. I suffered through two semesters of astronomy, but in the end it helped me think a little bit in a different way.
The school isn’t trying to stop you from doing what you love. Make a four-year plan and see how it’s going to work out. And try to enjoy the classes you’re in now - you never know, you might find a new passion!</p>

<p>That being said, if you aren’t eating or sleeping properly, you should talk to somebody. Don’t assume that just because you’re a “calm” person, nothing is wrong. You aren’t trained to handle this; your school’s Health Center is. Call and set up an appointment. It absolutely won’t hurt, and it could do a lot of good.</p>

4

<p>" So far, college has been a mostly horrible experience, and nothing like what I was promised growing up "</p>

<p>Who promised you a good experience? Its what you make it, you are obviously not stupid but you aren’t thinking.</p>

<p>When you applied for the major, you saw the curriculum so you should have known what you are getting into.</p>

<p>They do have Gen Eds for a reason. All students have to take them.</p>

<p>College is only there so you can get a degree. That is all it is. Jobs will teach you their own way, college just means you took the time to learn the theory.</p>

<p>Transfer out and go to a community college. Best solution when your in a situation like this. You can work, go to class, and transfer back in later.</p>

<p>Starting at a community college, I’ve saved myself around $40,000 by taking courses at the c.c.</p>