What should I do? Classes not going well again.?

Question

I am a junior in college but because of my grades last semester I will be in school for another 2 years after this semester. I changed schools as well so I have been on this new campus for about 2 months. I was stressed out, over loaded and ended up failing 4 classes, getting 2 Ds and a C last semester. This semester I'm only taking 14 hours compared to last semester with 17. Its not that I can't do the work its that I don't want to. I don't like going to class and I have had no motivation at all this year. I thought about taking a semester or year off (probably just a semester), but the problem with that is that I am 21 and my parents' insureance won't cover me if I'm not a full time student. I really just want to take a break before I blow my chances of getting my degree. I'm not even 100% sure I want to major in this anymore. I'm really not sure what to do and I can't talk to my parents, they just don't understand me. I've tried talking to them before.

Sorry, I forgot to say that my current major is elemtary education. Since I was little I have wanted to teach children in school but now I'm not so sure I want to do that anymore. I really want to teach the public about animals and how to properly care for animals. Animals and teaching have been my passions ever since I was a very young child.

Sorry, I forgot to say that my current major is elemtary education. Since I was little I have wanted to teach children in school but now I'm not so sure I want to do that anymore. I really want to teach the public about animals and how to properly care for animals. Animals and teaching have been my passions ever since I was a very young child. And once I'm off the insureance I have to stay off. I also would have to start paying back my student loans after my 6 month grace period.

I really don't need people telling me that I'm whining because I'm not. I have lost motivation and was wondering what others in this situation have done or if someone that knows someone that went through this what they did. Yes I feel bad about failing, those grades are going to follow me for the rest of my life. My mom's insureance would be the same cost if I wasn't on the plan. My parents are paying for part of my education and I'm paying the rest. I don't want to get a degree and never use it, that's why I'm trying to figure out what I need to do. I want to get a degree and I want to do something professional but I just can't figure out what. I feel that if I continue then I will end up wasting the money it took to get this degree. And really, would you want a person that didn't want to teach your child teaching you child how to learn math or reading? I would sure hope not!

Answer 1

Wow, just stop your whining and do your work. Since your parents are paying for your insurance, I'm sure they are also paying for your education. Don't you feel bad about waisting their money by flunking your classes? Sometimes classes suck, but you've already come this far, you might as well just finish. At least then you would have some occupation to fall back on even if you decide you want to do something else.

I don't feel sorry for you, I feel sorry for your parents and your professors. I know I wouldn't want to have to deal with you.

Answer 2

Honestly, I am thinking that you do need to take some time off from school, and longer than a semester. I think you should complete this semester, then take at least a year off and work. Give yourself some time to figure all this out.

Try to find a job that provides health insurance and, ideally, that also gives some sort of tuition reimbursement. This means that you'd want to be looking for a job in an office for a major corporation or something like that - so likely you may be an administrative assistant, or working in a hospital as a clerk, or something fairly admin.

Once you've worked for a while, start thinking about going back to school again. By then, with some work experience, you will have more of an idea of what school can do for you, and what you want from it, including what major. Then go back to school part-time, using your employer's tuition reimbursement.

The alternative is to continue at this university, but unless you make some major changes, this semester will be no better than the last. And what's the point of that?

If working really isn't an option, see if you can make an appointment with a counsellor in mental health at your university. They have experience helping students figure out life direction. That may help.

Answer 3

NOOOOO! Don't take a semester off. You will NEVER go back. Do college now while you don't have to pay rent or utilities or work 12 hours and then go to a 3 hour night class. Aggh!! I know so many people who are like 29 years old and 18 units shy of a bachelors degree. They dropped out for a few semesters, life changed and now they don't have the time or money to finish their education. Bad Bad Sad.
Look, I know college can be sucky. I typed this just yesterday. The educational experience, just like the military, widdles you down to the core of your being. It breaks you down and rebuilds you. The process can stretch you past your perceived limitations and that is a wonderful thing.
Are you a quitter? I didn't think so.
Finish all your general ed, upper division requirements, the WPE. Take a couple of summer courses to shorten the time to graduation.
Liberal Arts is a general BA degree you should look into. After you graduate you can take the CBEST or CSET and teach 2nd grade or high school. You can teach abroad. Get your MA and you can teach college level.
Many jobs do not care what your BA degree is in, as long as you have one.
For instance my sister-in-law has a BA in History but she works for a child development grant agency, reviewing applicants and coordinating them with with available funds. A business degree, child dev degree, human resource degree or sociology degree was prefered in the application and she got it anyways.
An employer just wants to know you can jump through the hoops, sacrafice yourself and meet deadlines. All of those are proven by obtaining any BA degree.
I promise you that when you finish your last semester, when you turn in your last typed paper and walk out of a classroom, you will feel magic... weightless, indestructible, reborn, incredible.

Answer 4

I am a college sophomore going through the same thing. I think taking a break will be good for you; it sounds like you are burnt out and need some time off to build your motivation. If you feel like you can do it, finish this semester then take time off and get a job (or better yet, an internship). I'm sure when you finish your break you will be so tired of working you will have the strength to finish up school.

Good luck!

Answer 5

As for the insurance, do you have any ongoing illnesses that will require you to see the doctor regularly or get prescriptions? If not point that out to your parents. Would you be able to get back on their insurance one you do become a fulltime student? I have been in your situation with not having motivation. right now i am only taking 8 credits. (2 classes). I have just found that it is better for me. going to school fulltime can be such a drag.

Answer 6

I don't see how anyone can say anything to change your "I don't want to." to "I want to". For crying out load, that's what your doing, you know. I'm sorry for you. I never had a chance to go to collage. My parents wouldn't even pay for my high school. I had to get a GED after I left home. What do you want to be, when you grow up? (If you grow up.) Good luck.