<p>I am currently a Junior at a private University. Last semester, I left school one-month early due to severe personal medical reasons. My school suggested that I take a "medical withdraw" from my last semester's classes, which would have essentially erased all of my grades from last semester ( which aren't that great), and my 3.2 GPA would have been maintained. This would mean that I would only be "behind" one semester, and I would then have time to study abroad like I have wanted to do ever since I applied to colleges as a Junior. However, I opted to get "Incompletes" in my classes, and finish them up and receive grades in them. Bad choice. I am still working on my in completes, and am currently enrolled in four other units. I am technically a Junior and will not have time to go abroad because my school makes us take our last 8 units in residency. I could petition to go abroad the Fall of my Senior year, but this would leave me without great housing when I return. I am unsure about my major, and I am still thinking that I want to transfer. I feel stuck and am unsure of what to do. I chose to stay here this semester, against the advice of the deans at my school and of my parents. I don't think that I will do too well in my classes this semester, but I know that I will not fail them. I currently dislike my living situation and am taking classes that do not go towards a particular major ( in other words, these are "easy-ish" classes that I could be taking abroad that count towards some core and grad. requirements.) I could "withdraw" from my classes this semester, which would leave me with 5 withdraws in total. I could go home and get a job and do some traveling and maybe take some online courses and then come back in the Spring, ready to go. Please let me know what I should do. I really want to get into a top grad school and am very capable of getting great grades. I would love to re-take two courses which I received c-'s in my Sophmore year. I am scared because I know that Junior year grades really count, and I have not gotten off to a great start with them. I am already pretty behind and am looking at an average GPA for this semester. What should I do? Any/all advice is appreciated! Thank you very much!</p>
<p>Go where? As a current jr with 5 Ws and a 3.2, transferring is not going to be that easy.</p>
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<p>So where’s the disconnect? If you have the capability, why have you not shown it? You really need to get to the bottom of this question before spending energy thinking about getting into a ‘top grad school’, because at this rate, it’s not gonna happen.</p>
<p>IMO you need to stop thinking about transferring, studying abroad, traveling, grad school, etc. Instead settle down, finish your incompletes, raise your grades and graduate.</p>
<p>Thank you for the advice. Addressing the “disconnect”: I suffered from medical issues last semester, which is why I left school early, and which is why the deans at my university suggested that I take some additional time off this semester. However, I was stubborn and was unwilling to spend this semester at home without a significant plan. I received a 3.5 GPA my Freshman year. My sophomore year, I started losing focus and experiencing mental health issues. I was distracted by the thought of transferring and should have spent at least the first semester at a city college. Your advice is very good. I know that I need to settle down, finish my incompletes, and focus on doing better in my classes. I think that I have a loss of motivation, a burnout, and a part of it could also be that I have not been taking my ADD medication. What does “IMO” mean?</p>
<p>Hang in there, try to get your motivation from doing the best you can in your current situation. Even though it’s not where you want to be, try to find things that are good about it and look for the small things to enjoy and appreciate. </p>
<p>You made some decisions that perhaps weren’t the best in retrospect, learn from them and move on, don’t get bogged down with being too tough on yourself. You still have a long ways to go in life, first and foremost deal with your health issues, it will be hard to do anything else if you don’t take care of yourself. Take your medication, talk to your parents and friends, and take help where it is available. If your school has counselors or therapists you can talk to, take advantage of that resource.</p>
<p>Thank you. Your advice has really helped put things in perspective. You are right: There is nothing I can do about the fact that I am here now. I had many chances to go back home this semester, and to go abroad, but did not take them, so all I can do is learn some valuable lessons and move forward, while doing the best that I can. There’s no looking back and all I can do is start from where I am now. I will try my best this year! One thing that I have definitely learned is to not be too proud to take help when it is offered to me. I have also learned to listen to those who are worried about me and not be afraid to “take a break.” College is a very valuable opportunity that I am extremely fortunate to have, and I want to make the best of it, and try my very best. Thanks again for your advice and I will “hang in there”!</p>
<p>On that note, does anybody have any outstanding tips on how to do well in classes when dealing with an unpleasant living situation? Also does anybody have advice on how to do well when already behind in the material? I want to feel good and reach my full potential this semester, placing all other options out of my mind. And and all advice would be appreciated! Thank you very much.</p>