Doing poorly in community college - what next?

Parents Forum
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<p>Do you not feel like taking your parent’s advice and quitting the job and focusing on a diverse course load at school in the fall? Seem like that would give you a greater chance for success in the classroom, make your parent’s happy (and maybe wipe out the backlash from the bad summer term), and get your GPA up. You might find you come away with a more focused purpose after having some dedicated attention to classes.</p>

<p>If that doesn’t work, then you know you have issues to address and maybe taking off time to work would be the way to go.</p>

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<p>I think I will fully commit to school come fall. I am just absolutely terrible with time management and commitment. It’s funny because at work, many of my coworkers tell me I have an amazing work ethic among other things but when it comes to doing something for myself, I just fail miserably. I feel really foolish in hindsight; I’ve never underestimated the importance of my grades, or even the cost of college, yet there lies some form of breakdown in my mind.</p>

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<p>For some people, working is simply more compelling than studying. That is OK. It really, truly, is find to take some time off from college to just work, save money, and think about what you might like to study if you were to return to college in the future.</p>

<p>If you have a good work ethic on the job, what kind of potential does that workplace hold for promotions? If not that specific workplace, what about that industry? How soon can you expect to move up, and what kind of salary could you command? If you are working full-time, is that a 40 hour week that leaves you time to fit in a class when you are ready to take one, or is your industry one where 60-80 hour weeks are more the norm? If you work full-time, and live cheap, can you save up a nice nest egg for yourself so that you don’t have to rely on your parents when it comes time to pay for the rest of your education?</p>

<p>Think through some of those options too.</p>

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<p>You mention time management frequently. Have you been evaluated for ADHD? Is your depression treated or in remission? Have you had a physical in which your thyroid and other physical reasons for low energy have been checked?</p>

<p>I think it is too bad that our culture now gives young people the idea they should know exactly what they want to do, at your age. Ideally, college years should give an opportunity to explore your many interests. Many students go to college as “undeclared” and declare a major at the end of two years. There are also schools where there are no majors but instead the student carves an individual path that combines disciplines.</p>

<p>I also think it is too bad that our culture is so dogmatic about college. There are many paths to success, and delaying college is fine too. Once you are over 23, financial aid will consider your application based on your own financial situation, as long as you are not a dependent of your parents on their taxes. There are many adult learner programs for non-traditional students, some on campus, some online, some “low residency,” and it is fine to take one class or two classes at a time for several years.</p>

<p>I gather you did not do well for the fall and spring and now are not doing well for the summer. I would certainly try to withdraw if your grades are going to be terrible for the summer, but that option is only available for the second half of the summer at this point, is that right? It is true that the cc transcript will have to be sent anywhere you apply, so a clean slate is not possible. But when you start somewhere else, your GPA will start over.</p>

<p>I wonder if cc is a good environment for you, period. Some studies I have read indicate that for some students, a cc can lower motivation. Maybe you should consider taking one class at a state university, or a private college or university for that matter, if there is one near enough- or online. Try to find a stimulating, exciting environment. (I am a fan of cc’s and one of my kids is going to one, but another one of my kids would wither in that environment.)</p>

<p>I think you should work full-time, or go to school full-time and not mix the two, or, at least, work fewer hours and take fewer classes, doing both p/t. Understand that there is no hurry and quality is better than quantity right now. Most of alll, get a grip on your time management: look into whether you have ADHD, see a therapist for both depression and focus issues, or a coach. Have that person talk with your parents. </p>

<p>I sincerely hope you can explore your many interests at a college that emphasized learning over career, for just a little while. You can decide on a career when you graduate. Have you taken a class in meteorology, or geology? Try a class this fall, at a university. And your class choices don’t need to hang together at first: take classes from many different areas. Most schools will require that anyway.</p>

<p>One of my siblings left school and bartended for several years, drifting, then volunteered at a tv station locally. He returned to school in his mid-twenties and is now an executive at a major network. Give yourself some time.</p>

<p>And check out ADHD and other mental health issues with someone who can also work to help your parents understand.</p>

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<p>I am unable to edit for some reason. </p>

<p>I just want to add that, if you do have ADHD or some sort of focus issue, then you may feel intense interest in things but be unable to sustain the interest. In that case, the suggestion made by others to do a short-term, career-focused program might be a good idea. Again, I think professional evaluation and advice will help clarify whether you should do that, or instead try to get yourself to an environment where you can explore geology, climatology, writing, philosophy etc. but also be able to maintain the level of work needed over a longer period of time. Don’t blame yourself too much. Help is available! It is possible that a medication adjustment will help, or coaching, or support from the school. Also a good therapist or psychologist can help your parents understand.</p>

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<p>Thank you, compmom, for the thorough reply. You mention the possibility of ADHD; that is a very interesting point and one that I’ve considered a lot recently, especially during the school year. I struggle with describing my exact issue but it is very similar to what you have suggested. I often have intense passion for a subject or idea but I cannot sustain it for very long.</p>

<p>I do enjoy my job but I have already reached the maximum level of advancement for someone in my position. I’m not proud of this thought and I know my parents have helped ingrain it into my mind, but I honestly feel like I am wasting my time while I am at work. I learned many things the first year but now I merely view my time their as additional experience. I am blessed to come from a family that is financially secure and I have no genuine concern for my paycheck; I feel as though I go to work just for the sake of it. I value education and personal development, perhaps too much, but I always seek to improve myself and the law of diminishing returns has begun to take effect at this job. I’ve taken a lot away from my time at work but during the school year, my mind becomes quite restless when I compare what I’m doing to that of many of classmates from high school.</p>

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<p>Chiming in late here. It sounds like you have already been giving good advice, and I think your idea to concentrate solely on school in the fall is a good one. With that said, make a promise to yourself that you are not going to miss class. Also, schedule your classes late enough in the day that you won’t oversleep or feel like not getting up to go to class. By just showing up to every class, that will help you raise your GPA. You can do it. Good luck!</p>

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<p>Eric515 I just wanted to say that you sound intelligent, thoughtful and articulate. You are obviously a smart person and you write well too. I know that you are going to succeed when you figure out what to do.</p>

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<p>I’m going to start off by saying that your posts are quite well-written and that I can sense an incredible amount of intelligence and passion in you. Hone in on this passion and don’t give up! </p>

<p>I’m not a parent, but I’m a student that comes with a history of needing school to serve as a way out. Good grades led to scholarships which led to university which led to more education which leads to a better life, and I know that this is true for everyone, including you. I know you feel trapped by it right now, but please don’t. See the wonder in it, see the challenge; see the opportunities involved in furthering your education and doing the best that you can. </p>

<p>Being a student is like being a sponge. You absorb everything your professors propel at you and somehow keep it all together, if only for a while. To be the best kind of sponge, you need to have the best lining to be able to hold in everything. </p>

<p>For you, that lining is putting your best foot forward and attaining good grades. If you learn a lot, you’ll be exposed to more elements of the world that are waiting for you, and you can’t really do anything unless you can see and taste it. By just putting in that extra effort, you can get a glimpse of what’s out there. </p>

<p>So in short, my advice to you would be to give every class your all from now on and try and connect with the material. Like a soul mate, you might never know when your dream major might reveal itself to you, but in the end, you’ll feel what’s right after potentially many trials. </p>

<p>Good luck to you, and please don’t fret because it’s not too late. You’re going to do great in life!</p>

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<p>Just want to reiterate that you might want to speak to a physician or psychiatrist about ADHD as a possibility. Many very bright, inspired people have this (I actually don’t think it is really one thing: every brain is unique) and there are not only meds but strategies that can be used.</p>

<p>The fact that you have lost interest in your job now that you are no longer learning anything new is also familiar in terms of ADHD.</p>

<p>You can have a neuropsychological evaluation but there is no absolute test for ADHD. An interview and questionnaire could be a beginning to understanding, but a full neuro-psych. evaluation might provide a lot of helpful information, about the whole picture (including depression, motivation and focus issues, etc.)</p>

<p>I would not see this as diagnosing a disorder so much as finding out about your learning style and needs so that you can move forward. Sometimes insurance will cover but if not, I hope your parents might be on board to pay for it. It is well worth it at this stage of the game.</p>

<p>For a bright person, ADHD is sometimes compensated for until college. It is not unusual to uncover that or other problems that were not necessarily apparent in high school.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>