(REPOST) Failing the semester

Student Lounge College Life
1

So I am an undergraduate at a community college, fresh out of High School.

I have untreated ADD and depression, which my parents don’t know about. Because of this, I can never focus on my class and am forgetful when it comes to turning in assignments online. I also have social anxiety and (just my luck) was put into a discussion based class where talking is 50% of my grade. I was doing SO well at the beginning of the year but as the months dragged on, I couldn’t focus, everything upset me, looking at my grades upset me so much to the point where I couldn’t focus even more and ironically, my grades have gotten worse.

It’s November and the semester ends after Winter Break. My GPA for this semester is a 1.5 but my cumulative GPA is a 2.00 and that just kills me. My parents think I’m doing so well because I didn’t want to disappoint them.

Basically, if I fail this semester, what will happen to me? And do you think I could or is it physically impossible to try and get my act together by the end of this semester and raise my GPA to at least a 2.5 or higher?

I don’t know how this works. None of my parents got a higher education and I’m only 17 so we went into this blindly.

Thank you.

2

You need to talk to your parents so that you can get treatment. Until you are 18 you can’t do this on your own. Once officially diagnosed you may be eligible for some accommodations. Treatment may help level out symptoms. Talk to an advisor about your current academic situation as well, and see what you can do to improve as much as possible before the end of the term. Passing, even at the bare minimum is still better than failing.

3

Talk to your advisor. This is a chance to get some of the challenges you have already identified better managed. If you try to pretend there are no challenges it will probably became harder.

Many students with ADD are helped by learning skills classes, and some take medications. There is help for you if you ask. Your advisor, your pediatrician, and your student health center are all resources.

Your parents’ expectations should be pretty low on the list of things to worry about at this point.

Your advisor can recommend how to handle this semester’s work and help you start again next term.

4

  1. Many college students experience depression/anxiety freshman year. Up until then, you always had the structure of your school that was familar, familiar students in classes, and mom and dad to help you stay on task and to make you food etc.

  2. All of a sudden you are on your own in a new room, with new people, at a new place, where you have to feed yourself and do your own laundry and go to class and keep up with assignments on your own.

  3. You need to get help for your issues. It is great that you realize that you have an issue. Your CC should have a counseling office. Go to them and tell them what you told us. They are there to help you and have seen many kids like you.

  4. They may refer you to a psychiatrist. Go, and if medication is suggested, take it. It helps so much with anxiety (my DD takes anxiety meds and it has helped so much).

  5. Talk to an advisor/dean about this semester. There are people on campus that want you to succeed. Use their help. Is a medical withdrawal possible/advisable? Is it too late to withdraw from a class and concentrate on the others? Ask them what they suggest. make sure you abide by the “rules” of the college…e.g., don’t just stop going to class because you will get an F. See how you can salvage this semester (at least a 2.0).

  6. Talk to your parents. They want you to succeed. Tell them what you told us and what the counselor/advisor/dean say and see what they think about your plan.

  7. Do you need a tutor? Do you go to professors office hours? Maybe that would help. If anxiety prevents you, then have a trusted friend go with you.

5

Definitely do tell your parents; most parents will understand and want you to get treatment.

Have you been able to find what you have to do in order to stay in school? I think this is usually getting at least a 2.0, and if you don’t, you have one semester to fix it. But make sure you check with some sort of advisor, as it may be different for your school. The advisor will also probably help you with scheduling so that you don’t have such a hard time, refer you to a counselor/psychiatrist, inform you about tutoring options, and possibly refer you to disability services, among other things.

Depending on how bad your ADD/depression is, you may consider taking time off from school. However, this is probably a scary option. I don’t actually personally know how works.

Good luck!