<p>I did very poorly last semester in school and am now on academic probation for this semester. Anyway, I have to do good this semester or I will lose my financial aid. I am taking 3 classes this semester; Microcomputer Applications, Java, and VB. Anyway, I have to pass all three classes this semester to keep my financial aid and this worries me. </p>
<p>I am doing great in Microcomputer Applications. However, I am on the borderline of failing Java and VB. The teacher that teaches the classes teaches them like they are only one class so if I pass one, then I will most likely pass the other. On the other hand, if I fail one class then I will probably fail the other as well. The tests are so similar in the classes that they are both 108 questions, and there is only a 6 question difference between the two tests. Again, if you pass one, then you pass the other. </p>
<p>The classes are both set up like this: The classes are composed of 6 projects a piece, and have two tests. I am passing all of the group projects with flying colors in both classes. However, on both of the tests for the classes, I failed with a 45 F. This troubles me because the teacher told me that I have to get an 85 (maybe even as low as an 83) on the next test in both classes. </p>
<p>Anyway this troubles me because the teacher makes it very hard to grasp the material in both classes. The teacher has no classwork or homework and the only way to learn the material is through doing the group projects. However, the problem with this is that in both of my groups that I work in, in both classes, there is a person in the group with much more experience than me in writing code and has taken coding classes before. So what winds up happening is that that person winds up doing most of the work and I just wind up not understanding the material at all. I want to work longer on the material, but everyone in our groups have lives and jobs, and they don't have time to slow it down for me, so that I can learn this code stuff. So what winds up happening is that I get good group grades, but I wind up failing the tests because I don't get a chance to grasp the material. </p>
<p>The bottom line is that I live off of financial aid, and financial aid soley. If I were to fail this semester by not getting an 83 on both tests, I would be kicked out of the school and be completely broke. If this happened, I would not be able to pay my living expenses and this may cause me to be homeless. I am studying very hard for the next tests, but I only have a grasp of about 50% of the material that I need to understand. What would you do in my situation? Would you drop out or take the risk of failing and being broke?</p>
<p>It sounds as if you are in over your head at your current university. How were you doing at the community college? Does the community college have a good track record for finding jobs for its graduates? If so, transferring back to CC may be a good idea. I would pass on the goal of a masters degree until you can prove yourself at the CC. Think short term goals - learn a skill with the least amount of debt so that you can earn more than minimum wage and pay off the loans. Once you have a 2 year degree with a skill and employment history you can think about the cost/benefits of getting further education. In some cases companies may offer tuition benefits to promising employees.</p>
<p>When I went to the community college I had a 3.5 GPA when I graduated. What I really don’t like about the University is the fact that you’re really on your own. If you don’t grasp the material in class, then the teachers really won’t help you like they will in community college. Also, there doesn’t seem to be much tutoring in the Universities either. I’m good if I can have a tutor to teach me something, but I’m just not seeing it at the University. I have REALLY bad ADD so college isn’t the easiest thing for me. </p>
<p>It’s not just that, but I’m desperate for cash right now. I have several outstanding medical problems that I have had for quite some time now, and it’s very hard to work and go to this college because all the classes are in the day time. When I went to the community college I found it very easy to both work and go to school. </p>
<p>I guess what I could do is to try my absolute damdest to pass these classes, and if I don’t pass then I guess that I will try to get back into my old community college. That sounds like my best option. Do you have any other ideas?</p>
<p>BTW, can you go for a master’s at a university with a B.A.S. degree?</p>
<p>You mention ADD. Does your college have a student disability center? This might be a way to access tutoring or extra help. Is there a student CS group where you might find help? Is there a local public library with CS clubs/groups where you might find a tutor or mentor?</p>
<p>Have you asked the instructor for outside sources of information? Is there a recommended text book or website you can use? Have you tried sources like:</p>
<p>[Free</a> Java book: Java textbook<a href=“free%20java%20text%20book%20meant%20for%20high%20school%20AP%20Comp%20Sci”>/url</a></p>
<p>[url=<a href=“http://codingbat.com/]CodingBat[/url”>http://codingbat.com/]CodingBat[/url</a>] (Java coding exercises)</p>
<p><a href=“https://www.udacity.com/course/cs046[/url]”>Java Programming for Beginners | Free Courses | Udacity](<a href=“http://www.bluepelicanjava.com/]Free”>http://www.bluepelicanjava.com/)</a> (free online java course)</p>
<p>Also,</p>
<p>Does the instructor have office hours? I would go to every office hour I could, but go with specific questions about the material. You could start by going over the material on test #1 which you missed. You probably need to understand that material in order to succeed on the next test.</p>
<p>Well I just bought a really good book on java called, “Head First Java”. This book is really helping me more than anything else has yet. I’m gonna see if I can play catch up and still pass the class.</p>