Help w/ college and such

Student Lounge College Life
1

<p>I started college by going to a local community college. I started off reasonably strong, it wasn't difficult. Though, I could have done better if I had studied. It is noticeably more important than in high school. </p>

<p>The last two weeks though... I just stopped going to most of my classes. I accidentally slept in late once and missed the class... and after that I just apparently fell off the side of the world academically. </p>

<p>I'm now suddenly frightened. The consequences of my actions are starting to seem tangible as the end of the semester looms. It is quite possible that most of my grades will be D's and C's. That is a horrific thought for me - my grades in school have always been 87-95 with usually one or two below and/or above that. Before this started happening, I was expecting roughly that from college. I'm not entirely sure now though - I "awoke" in fear in time to be able to finish some major work. The grades will be dependent on how severely they punish me for turning it in late or whether they'll even accept it.</p>

<p>First of all, I'm afraid of the thought that the school won't accept me back next semester because of my quite likely abysmal GPA and the economic hardship I suspect they're facing. If I remember correctly, I think they mailed something where they said people below a certain GPA will not be accepted back next semester because of economic circumstances. I'm also afraid of the thought that Pell Grant won't be there for me to help me retake the classes. This is dreadful - I absolutely can do the work successfully, as long as I don't ignore my responsibilities again.</p>

<p>Before, my plan involved considering joining the military after I got a degree. To see the world, serve my country, get some life experience, and so forth. But, honestly, with that option seemingly brought closer by my stupidity, I have to admit that I don't think I'm the most qualified to do that, lol - poor eye sight, out of shape, seemingly monorchic, not even any job experience, etc.</p>

<p>I'm frightened. The thought of possibly being out of college for at least a semester with a poor GPA, having no job, admitting my stupidity to my strict father, no financial aid to retake the classes, etc... all in this economic climate. This all is only my first semester.</p>

<p>Please clear up some of my confusion! Specifically, Fell Grant and repeat courses, likelihood that they can reject me after only 1 semester, etc. At least offer some advice. :(</p>

2

<p>Um, Pell Grant, not Fell Grant. :|</p>

3

<p>I think you have already realized that your actions were very unwise, so I'm not going to lecture you for paragraphs about that. Although you really should have considered this stuff before slacking off.</p>

<p>How much work did you miss exactly? And what percentage of your grade does this count for? Did you already miss exams? How well did you do on other assignments, specifically?</p>

<p>First you need to ask yourself, "Why did I let myself do this?" It's important that you understand the reasons behind your actions so that you can fix them now, or else you will just repeat them. Something caused you to neglect your studies tremendously, and you need to fix it pronto.</p>

<p>If you do kind of badly, your school may just put you on academic probation. If you do really badly, they may be able to kick you out, I don't know. It depends on the individual policies of your school. Best thing you can do is go see/call someone and ask. You're going to have to be humble in this situation, take whatever punishment you are given, and accept that was where your actions got you.</p>

<p>The good news is I'm pretty sure the Pell Grant has no GPA stipulations, only financial ones, so if you are allowed to continue, you should still have access to those funds. You may very well lose other scholarships that you might have though, if they had a minimum GPA requirement.</p>

<p>So for next semester, if they let you stay and you can still afford it, you need to come up with a plan. Figure out what you need to do, very specifically, to get back on track. Dedicate yourself to a minimum amount of studying per day, at least a few hours. Refuse to let yourself procrastinate anymore. Do not miss class under any circumstances. Stick to this plan. If you do not, you are going to be confronted with reality even more harshly than you are now.</p>

<p>Some colleges will let you retake courses and they will replace the other grades in your GPA. Again, this is going to depend on your school's individual policy. But remember, if you decide to transfer or pursue a four year degree, the four year college will see your original scores and may recalculate your GPA with both the old and replacement grades included.</p>

<p>You need to talk to your professors and be very humble about this. Let them know that you realize your mistake and that you'll do anything to help your grade. But if they say no, understand that they have every right to do so. Next, you need to go talk to the administration at your school about these specific policies. Again, be humble. Explain that you will do whatever it takes to get back on track, but don't beg. Accept their policies and decisions.</p>

<p>If you do in fact get kicked out, get a full time job. Work for awhile, save up some funds, and try to go back to your community college or another one in the area in a couple semesters. Don't let this be the end of your education. I don't think you'd have a lot of trouble getting back in then, as community colleges are known to take on four year college dropouts with awful GPA's. You have hope no matter what. Do not give up.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

4

<p>You won't be forced to retake classes for Cs or Ds, but if they are in your major or intended major, you might want to anyway. </p>

<p>Most community colleges won't kick you out. If that's true about economic circumstances, you probably aren't bad enough to fall into that anyway. Your financial aid should be fine. If you have scholarships with GPA stipulations, then you may to take the losses. You may be placed on academic probation for next semester, so make sure this doesn't happen again. If you are working, consider working less. That was my biggest mistake early in college.</p>

5

<p>At our school, even though D's are "passing", you don't get any credit for them, except in obscure majors. In pretty much every major in our school, their department requires C's even on general eds.</p>

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<p>Actually, a Pell Grant does have GPA stipulations--"satisfactory academic progress" (usually a 2.0).</p>

7

<p>Wow, I'm really, really surprised.</p>

<p>My Term GPA is currently 2.800, though 2 of my classes are currently I's. Both are likely to turn out to be B's, based on how things have turned out.</p>

8

<p>You don't need a degree to join the military. Unfortunately, our military has been lowering standards like crazy, so unless you are severly retarded, 65 years old, 300 pounds, or tell them you are homosexual, they will take you. I personally, would not recommend that (this war was started for bad reasons, it has been run poorly, we are making things worse, lots of casualties, wounded veterans aren't getting the treatment they deserve, you could get killed, you could kill somebody, etc.).</p>

9

<p>
[quote]
you could kill somebody

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Somehow, I don't think that's a big concern in the military...</p>

10

<p>[Wow, I'm really, really surprised.</p>

<p>My Term GPA is currently 2.800, though 2 of my classes are currently I's. Both are likely to turn out to be B's, based on how things have turned out.]</p>

<p>Wow, they turned out to be A's.</p>

<p>Term GPA: 3.250</p>

<p>I'm really, really, really surprised.</p>

11

<p>the moral of the story is: you can slack off and it won't mean a damn thing</p>

<p>oh and don't worry so much</p>