<p>The last couple days I've been really thinking of withdrawing...I attended the fall extension program, and I guess now I'm an official student at Cal. The thing is I think I've lost all academic motivation. I don't see the point in laboring away at school work anymore. Aside from the point that I'm trying to switch into engineering...all these classes seem really pointless. Do you guys think its normal to take this time off? Maybe I'm being lazy..maybe I'm scared of the transition on campus..whatever it is..I don't want to deal with school for the time being. I guess I'm asking is it weird to take time off of school for some soul searching? anyone have any stories to share about taking time off? any advice would help. thanks</p>
<p>Are you feeling uneasy because of the transition to campus after attending the fall extension? If so, maybe you should give it some time to see if you get over it. I usually don't like starting new classes and miss my old ones but I know I'll get used to the new ones like I did before. I don't get why you say you want to switch to engineering but at the same time you've lost all academic motivation. Maybe you just don't like the classes you're currently taking? Then switching to engineering may solve some of your problems because I'm guessing the college of engineering has fewer requirements then L & S (if you're in l&s) and you can focus on engineering courses. I heard the college of chemistry only has the reading & composition requirements and the american cultures requirement apart from chemistry.</p>
<p>Don't worry - most Cal students lose all of their academic spirit eventually. I'd honestly transfer if I could, and I don't think withdrawing would work, since I'd have to come back anyway. Just know that you're not alone, and that anyone with half a brain hates this place as well.</p>
<p>No i dont really think the transition part plays that big of a role..I mean I did have english on campus during fall extension. I want to switch into bioE and that's like the only reason I made it through fall semester, but now that I dont really know what I want to do anymore..Ive lost that academic drive. Its not like the load im taking this semester is heavy either...math1b,chem1a, and anthro2ac...ok math1b and chem1a is kind of scary but its just i don't want to deal w/ any school work. I think I'm just being lazy...I'm going to give it a week or so just to check it out....but i feel so dead set on withdrawing. I mean with the time off I plan on getting a job and learning how to drive finally....so it wont be a complete waste of time. Plus I could always come back by reapplying..my mom thinks its the end of the world though. sigh.</p>
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Don't worry - most Cal students lose all of their academic spirit eventually. I'd honestly transfer if I could, and I don't think withdrawing would work, since I'd have to come back anyway. Just know that you're not alone, and that anyone with half a brain hates this place as well.
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<p>That's so true. I'm getting tired of laboring for classes already and I'm only in my second semester. Does anybody else feel this way?</p>
<p>The drop-out rate is the highest for freshmen, so it's not abnormal for you to feel that way. But if your only reason for withdrawing is the lack of academic motivation, then you need to look around and realize almost everybody is tired of schoolwork. You're not the only one. Just stick it through and I'm sure you'll get into BioE.</p>
<p>Berkeley is hard, and hell, it's cold too. You just have to keep your head up and work.</p>
<p>Haha, it's beyond cold right now (by California standards). I hope everyone is okay - a few of my friends have been getting sick. I'd recommend that you all get space heaters if you haven't already.</p>
<p>As a parent, this would freak me out a little as well so try to see your mom's point of view. Sometimes though, kids do know what s best for them. I would say to check in with a counselor at the student health center and get your thoughts straight before going back to your mom with a final decision. It is worth a two or three hour investment of your time to talk with an experienced professional about your feelings. That way, at the vey least, you can say it was a well thought out decision and will have gotten advice on how best to go about breaking the news to your mom. Can't hurt, might help. Good luck!</p>
<p>There are those of us that happen to love Cal, even on cold (and rainy) days and nights.</p>
<p>How could you be "sick of it [Cal]?" I frickin love i here and i love the challenge of the classes here. i couldn have asked for more from college. coming to berkeley was by far the best decision ive made in my life (and i got into brown, dartmouth, and yale too)</p>
<p>GoldenBear10, I think you're one of those applicants that every college wants -- the kind of person who meets challenges with excitement/determination, not a whiny attitude or a lack of enthusiasm. (Sadly, Berkeley lets in too many of those with such an attitude.)</p>
<p>I'm sure most people came here with that same enthusiasm...at least I did. I guess some people just lose it.</p>
<p>Interesting.. kids who go to a prestigious college in the sunny, warm state of California complain. It must realllly suck to wake up in the morning to walk to class through the freezing cold temperatures.</p>
<p>"Berkeley is hard, and hell, it's cold too. You just have to keep your head up and work."</p>
<p>Forecast for Berkeley California: Lows in the 30's
Current Temp at Eau Claire, Wisconsin: 18F</p>
<p>You don't know cold. We drill holes in the ice and go swimming at 30F; I scoff at you.</p>
<p>=D</p>
<p>Notsomuch: Actually the forecast in the low 30's must be the overnight forecast... it's not that cold at night. We are in California after all. :)
And I don't want to speak for the the majority, but I wake up every morning thankful I am part of the Cal community and I honestly feel those that aren't happy are in the minority. It's a great place to learn and live.</p>
<p>I hated Cal my first year. I would say I rather enjoy it now, despite its faults. ;) There are a helluvalot more positives though if you bother to look for them. Hey, Larkin? You thought about rushing a frat/sorority or looking into a co-op or couple of clubs? Get into some activities and it'll certainly renew your zeal.</p>
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GoldenBear10, I think you're one of those applicants that every college wants -- the kind of person who meets challenges with excitement/determination, not a whiny attitude or a lack of enthusiasm. (Sadly, Berkeley lets in too many of those with such an attitude.)
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<p>While a lack of enthusiasm is no good, l think I prefer having students who have 'whiny attitudes', as at least that's better than having people who just don't care one way or another. Things generallly don't improve unless people complain or 'whine' about them. Complaining about something just means that you have high standards and those standards are not being met. It's better to have high standards than not to have them, and it's better to complain about not having your standards met, than to say nothing.</p>