I’ve been lurking on this site for quite some time now searching for someone who would have any remote similarity to my current situation - I know you’re out there but I just haven’t found you yet.
I have been a student at City College of San Francisco since the fall semester of 2008 taking only 2-3 classes per semester as I am employed full-time - you’ve heard this a thousand times. Over the past few semesters, my enthusiasm for attending classes has dwindled - ending up in 13 withdrawn classes (13 W’s) and 5 F’s. My current GPA is 2.03.
For those of you who haven’t closed out this thread yet in spite of having the lack of hope for me, I thank you. I shall remember you when I am president. I am certain of the replies to follow suit “you are not ready to be in college”, “there will be a college out there that will accept you, just not the one you want”, “just kill yourself now”. But in all seriousness, do I even have a chance of mounting this horse and getting it back on track? In the fall of 2009 my GPA was 3.83 - I bit off more than I could chew in sights of transferring out faster but all these attempts blew up in my face. I’ll blame my cousin Mary Jane but she is no longer anywhere to be found… and has left me conveniently alone and desolate in this barren land called the transfer-less transcript.
I have an appointment with a counselor on Monday, but wanted to see what the members of this awesome forum had to say. Be gentle, be nice. Many thanks in advance.
Of course. But like you have already learned firsthand you need to take an appropriate course load, stay off the drink and drugs, make the sacrifices in your social life to block out enough time each week to do well in your classes, and stick with a class and see it to the end.
I liked to think of each class I took as a 15 week relationship that I committed to when I stayed in the class beyond the first two weeks (when one can still drop with no record of anykind on the transcript, not even a W). Once I was in the class I was <em>IN</em> the class. I gave up time with family, friends, recreation, vacation opportunities. I certainly didn’t even drink because I knew it messed up REM cycles and one was less likely to retain any studied information from the day.
Look into academic renewal. Take one class or two at a time–slow and steady wins this race. Don’t go fulltime until/unless you have built up your skills to handle it. Honestly, some people are great students but just are NOT up to juggling 3+ classes at a time.
And if your enthusiasm is gone, then look into ways to rejuvenate yourself and your goals. Or honestly, take a new-age “find yourself” course to get back on top of things. PM me if you want suggestions, I know 2 that are useful that I’ve done in the past. It might sound like an odd suggestion, but you need to clear out self-defeating self-chat one way or another, though it is ironic that it is yet another class. Or go jog on the beach and find yourself some inspiration.
Thanks so much for the reply annika… I am trying to get myself out of the island of perpetual indecision when it comes to picking out my major as well. I think you’re right about trying to go through a “find yourself” course to best aid my soul searching on the path to actually take.
It’s fairly difficult to get out of CCSF, there are so many interesting classes to take… but having gone around in a circle like I have yields no bearing on a solid education.
I would love to hear what courses you’ve taken that might give me a good jolt.
[San</a> Francisco Narcotics Anonymous | The therapeutic value of one addict helping another is without parallel.](<a href=“http://sfna.org/]San”>http://sfna.org/)
Can you recover? Sure. I had a 1.51 cumulative at one point in my life. Now I’m a grad student at Harvard. OTOH, there’s a gap of 20 years between those two things. It took me a while to be at a place where I could devote myself fully to my studies.
Mau, I can relate to the position you’re in. My early academic history was riddled with F’s and W’s. I think my cumulative GPA was like a 2.1 for this first half of my record. I was always partying and exploring my world and not paying too much attention to school. I then realized that I needed to get my act together if I want to achieve the goals I had in mind. I distanced myself from all “distractions” and devoted myself to school. My last 75 units I have pulled a 3.95 GPA, all in science, math, and engineering classes. So, can you mount that horse? Of course you can, just keep your eyes on the prize and distance yourself from anything that can jeopardize it. Best wishes to you!
I started same time as you - fall of 2008. I also work full time, and took 2-3 classes per term when I first started. I decided 2 years into it that I would limit to 2 classes even though it took me longer. I’m 49 now-so it’s not like 1 or 2 more years is going to make much difference. I did get my AS degree this last May, and am still taking 1 class this term as I still need more to possibly transfer.
Just take it slow if you are over-whelmed. Take 1 class that you really like, and do well in it. That will help get you back on track.
Good luck to you. You can do it!