I have failed out of two colleges with nothing to show except lots of debt, do I try again?

Question

For over 10 yrs, I have tried to take college classes at two colleges and have failed almost everyone. Most of the classes I took were repeats of failed classes. All-in-all, I have only 12 credits (6 from 12 yrs ago) out of a possible 50+ credits. I really want to get a degree, but i can't seem to pass a class. People say I am intelligent enough to do whatever I want (I have taken a real IQ test and have scored extremely high, above average) but I just can passes test, quizzes, papers, reports, etc. I try my best, study long hrs, and still get bad grades. I want a degree to change jobs (I make good money for what I do, way more than I should without a degree, but I am maxed (and stress) out). Should I try at a 3rd college or try again at one of the other two. Should I just cut my losses and give up? Will I even get accepted into a different college with my transcripts? I know what I want to do in life, but I can't even get into the door without a degree.

Answer 1

Have you been diaganosed with a learning disability of some kind? If you do decide to try again, go to a counselor, show him or her your previous transcripts and talk candidly with them about your difficulties. They can have you tested and diagnosed. With help from the office on campus that helps learning disabled students you can get the college degree you so obviously want.

Answer 2

I think you should keep trying. Don't let money stop you from your dreams - where there's a will there's a way and you have the will to do it.
Perhaps you should start at a community college where you can get into smaller classes. Just because you're at a community college doesn't mean you're not intelligent, so don't let that be a factor. I suggest community college because the classes are smaller, which means more hands on instruction.
Also, see about tutoring. A lot of times, the schools offer free of charge tutoring.
And on a final note, perhaps the classes you're taking just aren't your calling. Complete the general requirements first (English, math, history, science, etc.) and then move onto the more difficult and specialized courses.
Good luck to you in your academic endeavors! I wish you success!

Answer 3

Have you had yourself tested for a learning disability? If people tell you you are smart enough, but you keep failing, that seems like a real probability to me.

If I were you,I would go to a good community college, so that you don't waste huge amounts of money. See if they have a learning center that can help you. If you get the problem fixed, and do fairly well, you will then be able to go on to a 4-year college after that with the confidence that you can succeed.

Good luck!

Answer 4

You need to stop and examine why you are failing out. You say you just can't pass tests, papers, etc, but why? Are the classes too hard? Do have trouble concentrating on the information, or studying? Are you too pressed for time? Does your work (and work stress) intrude on your class and study time? To you have test anxiety?

You need to see why you are failing before you make another run. Talk to your professors and classmates. You may need to see the counselors at the school to seek a solution.

It will also give you a chance to pay down some of your debt.

Answer 5

Katie, After a careful second reading of your plight, I feel that you never really started at all. You are not worthless but apparently you are in the hole financially. Perhaps the answer is to just stop now, since you aren't 'doing good' (should be doing well, BTW), get into counseling, get grounded enough psychologically so that you can set reasonable goals based on your talents, and then 'start'. From your letter it seems likely that your parents will be supportive and understanding and you owe no one else anything. You don't even owe your parents because they are always there to help if you allow them. Good luck.

Answer 6

Never give up.

Maybe you just didn't want it before, and now you do!


Does your current employer offer tuition reimbursement if you get a minimum grade? That would be a good motivator for sticking with it.

I'd suggest just taking one class at a time until you get into the habit of studying and take classes that really interest you to begin with.

Alternatively, check out online classes, they're a lot more flexible to fit into a schedule, particularly if you're working full time.

Answer 7

I would try an alternative college, like the university of phoenix. (NOT the online classes, but the campus classes.)

It's pricey, but you'll have tons of resources, tutoring, and everything else you need to be successful included in tuition.

You do one class at a time, but it still only takes 4 years to get a B.A. This allows you to concentrate on just one subject instead of mucking your brain up with an overload of learning.

I had the same problem you do. It takes a lot of work to overcome it, but it's possible if you try hard and make up your mind to be dedicated.

Answer 8

u can get success by working hard and using ur skills...u should do some business cuz if u r genius then ur apptitude is may be towards business thats y u r not getting success in any of the college...or try to choose some other field...cuz if u r genius and confident u'll get success in ur life ...it actually depends whether u r using ur intelligence in right direction...concentrate in ur field on interest

Answer 9

Go to community college and choose a job training instead of a career univeersity training which will never happen

Answer 10

Never give up, if you really want to do something, keep going for it. If you cant quite make it in the exact thing you want to do, is there something similiar that you could do?