What to do about college?

College Life
1

<p>Hello, I am a first semester freshmen at a public college. I had a 90 GPA in a NYC specialized high school but I was a slacker. My brains alone has gotten me this far but of course college performance is based on time and effort rather than brain power alone. </p>

<p>My issue is that I can't get past my lack of motivation, lack of productivity, and procrastination which is why I only got a 90 GPA in high school. (I think all this has caused me to have anxiety, although I would not know for sure since I'm not a doctor) Now, all these issues have gotten way out of hand to the point where I think I will get a 2.0 GPA in my first semester. I am just trying to be realistic here since it has been frustrating me so much. </p>

<p>I already started networking in my school's physics department (because I love physics/science/engineering). However, I realized I am not cut out for this field due to my poor work ethic and I know I will not go anywhere in this field with less than a 3.0 GPA. Anyways, while I do have a negative attitude towards school and studying, I'm always looking for opportunities to get real experience. Hence, my position in a physics lab and my previous internship. </p>

<p>Taking 17 credits- Gen chem, calc I, Writing, Government, Economics (a full course load), working about 10 hours, commuting to college.</p>

<p>That was just a background just in case anyone asks. </p>

<p>My questions are
1) what majors do you think a procrastinator can do considerably well in? (By no means do I think that getting a college degree is easy, just a major that is easier)
2) Should I just quit college [Many less than 3.0-ers have low job outcome) and start work in a trade school/retail? (That is a pretty scary option but if its the best option what can I do?)
*3) If by any chance there is anyone who is/was on the same boat, what did you do?</p>

2

<p>You said it yourself – college success is a reflection not just of brains, but of time and effort. I’m equally smart as my classmates, but they can and do get better grades because they put in more time and effort than I do. </p>

<p>Goal one for you would be to change your work habits, flat out. You can too train yourself out of being a procrastinator with low motivation – I did. I still struggle with it, and what helps me is feeling accountable to to-do lists and scheduling out my days religiously. I know that at 1-3PM I’m going to be studying, doing Japanese transcription, and reading. You work 10 hours, right? That requires motivation and a good work ethic, you can translate that to school.</p>

<p>Can you lessen your courseload or change your commute to give yourself a bit of ‘downtime’ before school days begin? I did both this semester and it’s been the difference between last semester (when I was overloaded with no downtime and got poor grades as a result), and this semester (when I took what I knew I could handle, gave myself breaks, used my strategies, and though I’m taking harder courses while working the same amount as you, I’m getting better grades than when I had no other obligations last semester).</p>

<p>If you love your field, it also inspires you to work hard, and if you’re not, you gotta be tough with yourself. Do you want to leave college with “any” degree, or with a degree in something you love that could translate to work in that field later in life?</p>

<p>Of course you have school anxiety, you set yourself up to do poorly by not being disciplined and then watch as the potential you know you have is wasted. I suspect that if you started taking things seriously by tackling problems head-on, you would feel a lot more in-control and a lot less anxious. If you have generalized anxiety, see a doctor or counseling. It was, again, something I needed to do in order to do better in school, and it made a night-day difference for me.</p>

<p>Good luck. Go out and pursue what you know you can do.</p>

3

<p>I think you will kick yourself 15 years down the road for not taking advantage of the opportunity to study what you are really interested in now. Agree that you need to improve your study habits instead of just giving up. Treat each weekday like a job (working) day. When you are not in class, eating, or working between 8 am and 5 pm, you should be studying(not kidding). Block off your calendar and find a study space on campus to use. Don’t go home… too many distractions. Turn off your internet on your computer unless you are actually researching, too.</p>

<p>Find ways to reward yourself when you get something done (a few minutes of internet time, a snack, whatever). Then move on to the next thing.</p>

<p>You will need to block off some weekend time for work as well (say Sunday afternoon & evening). Maybe a couple hours in the evening each week, too. And more right before midterms and finals.</p>

<p>If you don’t have a planner, get one. Mark off classes, work, meals, and other obligations you must do. Then block off study windows and do it. You will be glad in the end. You can recover from one semester of bad grades if you do this.</p>

<p>Also… don’t overload on classes. Not sure how many credits 5 classes are, but a lot of places 4 (especially if you have a science with a lab) is a full load. So keep your load so you are on track for graduation and your requirements, but don’t overload.</p>

4

<p>So, you are trying to figure out a way to do college while maintaining your slacker ways? And then what do you propose to do in the real world in a real job? Bosses don’t pay slackers–they fire them. </p>

<p>So pull up your big-kid pants and start doing what you already know you need to do. You will make yourself a lot happier in the long run.</p>

<p>Pursue your interest in physics if you have a passion for it. As intparent says, make a plan and work it…one chunk at a time.</p>

<p>Or is procrastinating so desirable to you that you would rather guarantee yourself a lifetime of “settled for…” instead of a career you are passionate about?</p>

5

<p>Thanks for the help people. I actually do have a planner but was never able to stick to it. I was finally able to start hw on a FRIDAY! Awesome progress. And i finished one hw Saturday afternoon, which I haven’t done since about freshmen year of high school. Something just clicked in me that made me realize that I do not want to become a lunch lady or settle for something. I can indeed kick procrastination out the door. While I did procrastinate quite a bit this weekend, I did make A LOT of progress. Baby steps ya’ll. Thanks again for taking the time to reply I really appreciate it.</p>

6

<p>@Tenpakun Thanks so much! It seems you relate to me so well and you went through the same. It shows me that even I can get through this. I don’t want to be those kids that failed to take advantage of college resources. I will try my best to get rid of this procrastination monster.</p>

7

<p>Grow a pair?</p>