I’m failing all my classes in college, and don’t know what to do. I’ve been telling my parents that i’m doing alright but i’m not. Ever since I was in high school I thought that college would be easy, but it’s not. Now i’m a freshman in college thinking about dropping out. I don’t know what to do anymore. If my parents find out that i’ve been failing they’ll probably be disappointed, and that’s one thing I want to avoid. It’s like ever since I got into college my life has been going downhill. I’m trying too, it’s just not working. And so much stuff has happened since I got in college, like legal issues and such. If anybody knows what I should do please help.
Are you on academic probation from last semester? And you’re also failing now? In that case, you may be dismissed from the university,
If you passed your classes last semester but are failing this one, you will be put on academic probation - which effectively gives you a semester to get your act together.
Either way, you may consider taking a break from school. People do it all the time, for all kinds of reasons. Taking a break may help you refocus, get counseling if necessary, address your academic issues. If you go back, be sure to sign up for tutoring and make your classes the highest priority possible.
As for your parents – yes, your parents will be disappointed when they find out you’ve misled them about your progress or that you may have, well, flunked out. You can cushion the blow by having a plan: whether it’s telling them how you plan to refocus on school (if you’re on probation and can go back) or by telling them you want to take a break, re-evaluate your academic goals, and work for a bit (in case you’re dismissed.)
Flunking out isn’t fun. But it’s not the end of the world. Once you’re ready to go back to school you could consider a community college – many people rediscover their academic mojo in community colleges and then transfer to good 4-year schools where they ultimately get their diploma.
Good luck. It sounds like you’ve gone through a rough time; I hope things get better.
If you learn one thing from this, let it be that problems do not go away by themselves most of the time. The first sign of struggling should have been your cue to reach out to all of your support groups: on-campus tutoring, counseling, family, etc. Whatever you wind up doing, please don’t let things fester until they are so far gone that your are forced into making limited - and sub-optimal - choices.
Go talk to your professors, privately in their office hours. Ask for their help.
Talk to your parents and be truthful. Yes they will probably be disappointed at first, maybe angry that you’ve been keeping your academic struggles from them, but these feelings will pass. Your parents may be in the best position to help you figure out what to do. One way another they are going to find out. You can’t lie forever.
Make an appointment at the college counseling center as well. Talking everything through with a professional could be helpful to you.
I suspect there is a lot more you are not saying here. Legal issues? You need to sort them out before you think about returning to college next fall, if indeed you will be able to return.
Some people need to take it slowly. I suggest you start again at community college. Do well in your classes. As @bopper says, go to class, buy the book, do the work. Go to professor office hours. Go to the tutoring center. There is no time limit on how long it takes to get a degree. You are young and you have time, but burying your head in the sand accomplishes nothing at all. Take responsibility for your actions and start again.
thanks, i’m trying man.
Go to the counseling center. You sound very depressed. This late in the semester, you probably would need to take incompletes in order to avoid the Fs. Then you might be able to make up the work, and get a passing grade.
Is it possible that academic college is not for you? There is a tremendous need in the trades. And you’ll likely make more than with a BA.
Take a load off.
Don’t be afraid to fail. People who are afraid to fail can never be successful. Believe in yourself. Like yourself.
Talk to your parents. Don’t worry about disappointing them. They love you and they will get over a little dissapointment. It’s not the end of the world, it’s a new beginning. It’s a chance to start over.
Ask for help. Get psychological therapy, get the legal help you need.
Learn strategies to help you manage stress and procrastination.
Think deeply about what you would like to do with your life. Think about what would make you happy.
Then get a job and excel at it. Each day, do your very best.
“Just win today!” said Terry Francona to his 2004 Boston Red Sox who were losing 3 games to none in the AL Championship series to the hated New York Yankees. He said that 8 more times and the Sox never lost again that year winning 4 straight games to defeat the Yanks, and then 4 straight against St Louis to give the Red Sox their first World Series win in 86 years.
Just win today.
If you are ever confident that you know what you want out of college, you can figure out the steps that you need to take to return otherwise just focus on excellence in whatever you decide to do. In the meantime, college isn’t doing you any good.
Life is not a race. It’s to be lived. One day at a time.
Check out ideas here: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/1920853-college-is-a-step-up-from-hs-16-tips-on-doing-well-in-college.html
The worst thing to do: Try to fix it yourself
The best thing to do: Use all the resources of your college…professors office hours, tutors, writing centers, counseling centers.