I started at my local CC in Fall of 2016, bright eyed and ready to start my computer science transfer degree. After a successful term ended, for some reason, I started to stress out about math. I looked at all the math I had to do, and thus, switched to business out of fear.
Well, now, I am deeply regretting this. I want to go back to computer science, where my passion is.
To do so, I’ll have to take a third year at my local community college, to get the lower division requires to transfer to my local state school and because some of the core CS classes are only offered once a year. (the CC and university has a articulation agreement).
I have been blessed with not having to take out a loan yet, and the biggest problem with this move is time. I have to make it though, if I stick with business, I will regret it for the rest of my life.
How do I get over the mental hurdle of this mistake? Why do I feel like such a failure for my graduating age projection to be 23, and not 22 like it was before? I hate feeling like it’ll take me 5 years, though I know it is what I have to do.
Yeah, and I’ve seen the reports of how (or so it seems) the majority of students aren’t making it in 4 years. Which I understand, it just feels like it’s something I could have avoided if I held true and worked through my fear of math.
When you are 50 years old, you will not care about that extra year, I promise. You might care then, however, if you don’t take it. Life isn’t a race, nor does it always unfold in a straight line on a certain timeline. One extra year to earn a college degree does not equate with failure, many other things do, but that isn’t one of them. You have to use positive self talk, take positive actions to keep moving toward your goal (even when that changes back and forth), keep looking forward, and don’t look back. That’s how you get past a mistake.
Thanks everyone. I’ll take this extra year to work on projects on the side, which are important to CS majors. And taking the extra year at the CC still means no debt, so I don’t have to worry about that yet.
I spent six years getting my degree. It worked great for me. I have a nice life. You are really young. What’s the rush to become a bill-paying adult? Stay in school as long as possible, I say;-)
In addition to the other advice… every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don’t plan it, don’t wait for it, just let it happen. It could be a new shirt at the men’s store, a catnap in your office chair or two cups of good hot, black coffee.
You will look back and be glad that you realized your mistake and took actions to rectify it.
You will be happy you took CC classes and stayed out of debt.
Also you may have to do another year now, but that will translate into 30+ years of a career that you enjoy.