Riight now Im a sophomore in college as a general studies major anticipating a transfer to either Texas State University, or Texas A/M College Station. These schools have really high acceptance rates, and thats perfect for me because so far I’ve proven myself to be lazy and my academic performance has been absolute garbage.
Tomorrow I will be dropping my third class after not carefully going over each Rate My Professor page for that instructor. Little did I know June 2012’s reviews and April 2017’s reviews would be so extremely, god awfully different. (It literally went from, “just study, you’ll be fine” to, “holy mother of christ please do not take this class”) I obviously didn’t see the cries for help before registering. i only re-checked the reviews after my friend began begging me to drop the class in the middle of the hallway. Im not going into detail about why Im dropping this class, but so far the reviews and my friend’s stories add up quite well. I feel really lousy because I’ve also dropped a math class before that wasn’t even at college level. It was an algebra class I had to take because i failed the math section of a test(Texas’ TSI test) to be considered “college ready” I eventually took that class again and passed the required test and got out of it in the middle of the semester, so thats good i guess. My second drop was another math called “Business Math” and I had to drop because i didn’t have the textbook and the instructor put me to sleep every time i was in lecture. The last day to drop classes happened to be the day we got our Third exam grades and he wasn’t there that day. Ive also failed a humanities class (sad, i know.) because i was too focused on ditching class and eating lunch most days. I didn’t drop that class because i didn’t realize how good just dropping classes is for your GPA. speaking of which, my GPA has taken a beating so far. last time i checked it was at a 2.5 and I’m sure its lower now. I can’t say that i got an A in any of my classes last semester.
So far that sums up my college experience, except for the fact that ii feel like I’m struggling with depression of some sort. Every time i go back to school i feel like I’m not ever doing good enough and that everyone around me has their s**t together. The main reason that keeps me from focusing is that i haven’t officially picked a major to transfer to yet, and the fact that I feel like I’m going to be stuck at this school before transferring for a really long time. (I know, I know, college isn’t a race) But i really feel like I’m just wasting time because i keep messing up in my classes at this school. So far my plan is to try to get accepted to Texas A&M first and enroll into the Architecture program. If i don’t get accepted, i’ll try for Texas State for business or something since they don’t have an architecture program at Texas State. I just have no idea what i just wrote and if it made any sense. i just needed to get this out somewhere and god i have a biology lab quiz i need to be studying for. hopefully I will make up for that dropped class by making all A/Bs this semester. I’m feeling confident for the short term, but for my long term goal I’m really worried.
So the class that you’re planning to drop – have you had any bad experiences with it yet? Or is it just based on other people telling you it’s bad?
I’ve hated professors other people thought were fine and excelled in classes other people failed. It’s all individual.
If you really are set on dropping it, though, I agree with your plan to really knock this semester out of the park. You’ll have fewer classes to focus on, so work your absolute hardest and don’t fall into the trap of skipping class or slacking on studying.
it was an overwhelming amount of people saying the same thing, and my friend that i mentioned doesnt really talk to me much unless i pass him during class or see him while I’m working. he was THAT concerned about that class.
“i feel like I’m struggling with depression of some sort.”
I feel like this might be the big issue that needs to be dealt with. Are you seeing counseling? If so, does it seem to be doing any good? If you are suffering from depression then you need to get this under control before you can do well at school.
Also, transferring with a 2.5 GPA will be at best rather “challenging”.
The first, most important consideration, is your mental health. College will still be there, you can find coursework and schools that will accept you-- but you’ve got to get a handle on your mental health.
There’s a mental health counselor on campus somewhere. Make it a priority today to stop by and make an appointment. You need to get a handle on that depression before you can tackle the academics or the idea of transferring.
You might be depressed, but I don’t see why you need to drop a class based on what others are saying. Not even ten years ago, ratings websites didn’t exist. You showed up to class and hoped you got a good teacher. Do the work and you will be fine. Meet during office hours for concepts you don’t understand.
You should, of course, get counseling for all kinds of good reasons, but I don’t understand the thinking that if people say a prof is bad, you must avoid the class at all costs. If you need the class, you need it. You just have to get through it, whether or not you like the prof. You have to deal with people you won’t necessarily like throughout your life. You don’t get to just choose to only deal with nice people. The world is made up of all types of people, and part of being an adult is dealing with things you don’t necessarily like.
You say depression, but I wonder about focus (“i just needed to get this out somewhere and god i have a biology lab quiz i need to be studying for” “I had to drop because i didn’t have the textbook and the instructor put me to sleep every time i was in lecture” “he wasn’t there that day” “i was too focused on ditching class and eating lunch most days”" I will be dropping my third class after not carefully going over"). I know this is a stream of consciousness rant, but I suggest that the stream of your consciousness suggests somebody who is not focused on the academic/professional side of life- short term or long term.
On a related track…go spend some time talking to career counselors. Architecture is a pretty mathy subject, and is definitely a detail-oriented field, in which it typically helps to be somebody who is good at seeing the big picture/long view.
Counseling is best use of your time and energy. Share all of your concerns with a professional who can help you focus on prioritizing the various issues that are bothering you.
I believe the issue of transferring should be last on your list. It is as if you are sinking on the Titanic but instead of looking for a lifeboat, you are too busy packing your luggage.
There will be no transfer if you don’t diagnose and address your mental health. And transferring will not solve the issues you describe. Remember, wherever you go, there you are. Your issues will not get lost when you change schools.
You might qualify for a medical withdrawal. Ask your counselor. A break from college can be a good thing.