My academic self-confidence is to the floors right now. I am on my last semester of undergrad and I still have difficulties expressing my ideas on paper. Sometimes I question if I have a minor case of mental retardation. I just took an academic exam that required me to analyze an argument in less than an hour and I blew it! Impromptu essay questions make me look like a retard, especially when I am pressured for time.
Since high school I have struggled with writing essays and now that I’m in college I have the hardest time writing essays that require analysis and critical thinking. I’m probably the only person on the planet who can't think critically.
So you might ask: How is it that you are about to receive your bachelor’s degree? I always started on my papers weeks before they were due, and I read relevant material extensively. My last big paper was 30-pages and I got an “A” but it almost gave me an ulcer. I would become irritable and frustrated when I couldn’t put my words together, and it happened frequently. I am good with grammar and if I read more to increase my vocabulary and practiced writing essays I would catch up with things. I don’t read very much but just textbooks and when I do read for pleasure, it is material that is easy to understand. As a result from all this, I have been questioning whether I should even apply to graduate school. I will be a joke if I applied to graduate school and can’t efficiently write a comprehensive paper. I was thinking of taking a break for a year to experience life in the workforce, read new material, and then apply to graduate school. I don’t know.
2007-10-06 11:10:49 · 3 answers · asked by OH83 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
You should take the Weschler IQ test (given by a certified administrator) and have an intra-test analysis done on it. This will be able to tell you (for sure) whether you have any kind of mental disability or whether you are just experiencing emotional difficulties. From there, the test analyst should be able to suggest some options for you. (If you do have some type of learning disability, accommodations should be able to be made and this should not prevent you from furthering your education.)
Good luck!
2007-10-06 11:12:57 · answer #1 · answered by cajungirl_2004 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cajungirl is right on the money. You may have a learning disability or it may an issue of confidence & practice.
Since you've made it this far & you clearly are able to write, you shouldn't be so discouraged. Once you identify the problem, you will be able to get the help you need.
BTW, taking a year in between undergrad & grad school isn't a bad idea. You can earn some money & use the time to prepare for the rigors of grad school.
2007-10-06 18:23:15 · answer #2 · answered by Treadstone 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Based on the essay you wrote here, you're neither retarded nor illiterate.
The only way to run faster is to practice running faster. The only way to learn to write better is to practice writing.
You've identified your weakness - put some time into correcting it and you'll be fine in grad school.
2007-10-06 18:19:59 · answer #3 · answered by CoachT 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋