I got kicked out of my major

College Life
1

I just finished my Freshmen year of college and I got kicked out of my major: Film. I go to a school that’s impacted with film majors. The problem happened when I failed the same class twice, fashion. I know it sounds really dumb. If I hadn’t failed the class twice I would have a 3.0 GPA.

What happened is that I was eager to be as involved in college as possible. I took on two jobs(paying for my own food and gas), 18 units and 3 clubs. On top of that, because of my involvement in clubs people had began to notice me and called me onto their Junior and Senior shoots. This was of course, a privilege, to be the only freshmen in a upper division final project. I couldn’t say no. I ended up quitting one of my jobs during mid semester and was able to drop one of my courses, without penalty.

The first time I failed my fashion class was because a misunderstanding of the online final, the teacher stated it would be up Monday through Tuesday, what I didn’t know was that she meant Tuesday 12AM. So I missed that final. The second semester, I had assumed the exam would be up for the whole day also since it was the same class, but the teacher instead only left a 2 hour gap to take it online. So I missed it as well. On top of everything, that month had been insane for me. I had gotten into a car crash only a couple of days before, I was dealing with the insurance company and the fear of telling my family. I had been looking for apartments for next semester. And finally, I had been started up on new medications for Depression and Anxiety.

I fully take responsibility for not being responsible with my finals. However, I do truly feel like I should be able to stay in the film major. I have spent no time in college partying or being lazy. Everyday (especially weekends) has fully involved film, going to sets at 4am or driving up to the mountains for a student shoot and working in 30F cold. I have spent so much of my personal money on other people’s shoots. I worked so hard, I sleep deprived myself, I came back to my dorm at around 1am everyday, and on top of that I have a mild insomnia where it takes me 1-2 hours to fall asleep (my mom also has it).

I understand that I had insanely cluttered up so many responsibilities and not taken care of myself. I understand that I cannot take up so much for the next semester.

But if anyone has any idea of what I can do.

My counselor says that she doesn’t think I can do anything else, but I do not believe it. I’m sure you can always do something as long as you put enough effort.

Thank you.

2

Is there a related major that you could try?

Speak to an advisor: what would be necessary to be reinstated into the program down the road?

3

Who is the department head? If you have done as much as you say, they should be willing to hear you out. Doesn’t seem like a fashion class should keep you out of film.

4

Agree, I would talk to the head of the film department and your academic advisor to state your case and see if something can be worked out. If you can’t arrange a meeting then perhaps write a letter affirming your interest/participation in film, taking responsibility for the fashion class, and asking if you can stay in the major or at least create a pathway for you to get back into the film major.

You already recognize that you took on too much over the last semesters. I would also take the time to understand how you didn’t get the information about the two finals when presumably the rest of the class did and be sure to remediate that going forward (be it checking email daily, looking at whatever system the school has for its classes etc.).

5

Also with the car crash and depression, did you talk to the dean of students about accomodations?

I think I would consider writing an appeal letter…include what @happy1 said about what resources your college has that you could use.