<pre><code> Hey Guys Im in major trouble!
</code></pre>
<p>Im a Freshman at Siena College a Small liberal arts school in NY. I just got my Final Grades for the first semester, and I don’t know what to do, I killed my GPA, I have a 1.10 GPA, </p>
<p>30956 ENVA 020 03 Biological Diversity Main D+<br>
31733 FYSM 100 42 FYSM 100: Democracy Main F<br>
32534 PHIL 103 6E Reason and Argument Main W<br>
30477 POSC 100 08 FRSHContemporary U.S. Politics Main C </p>
<p>Im Still Waiting for one class, Ill post the grade when I get it back. </p>
<p>Heres my story</p>
<p>So my midterm grades were pretty decent, All A’s and B+'s and a B-. I was doing really good, i withdrew from a class, then my life went upside down. Some of my friendships were falling apart, I was having issues with Certain people and girls then to make things worse… I get mono. I was diagnosed with Mono after blood tests on November 11th, the 2 weeks before i was diagnosed I was feeling off. The week of November 3-9th I was feeling terrible, Missed several classes. For the rest of the month up to Thanksgiving I was missing multiple classes, I couldn’t move or function. All my absences were excused. I Did not inform my parent to how many classes I was missing, They believed I missed at most 6, I missed above 15-20 classes. I just didn’t want them to have to worry about me, I thought I could recover, I guess I was wrong, the weeks before finals were stressful I had 3 Projects, 5 Essays and 2 tests to complete. Things were being done at the last minute I must admit but that was due to the fact that I still had to catch up on notes and readings. This was all added to studying for final exams. The exams went well or so I thought. Then I come back home tonight and I see my grades and my gpa, and I stopped breathing. Can I even dig myself out of this hole? all my friends are posting about great grades. How can i possibly inform my parents about this? They are extremely proud of me and they pay for my tuition, how could I crush them like this? Its a freaking 1.1 GPA I have never heard of something so low. What do I do. So much for happy holidays and a new year. Please Help ME!</p>
<p>adog: First, take a deep breath. I feel your pain. This is what I would advise: find a counselor/advisor at your school to talk with immediately. Take any documentation you have about the mono…as you may have already done, since you say the absences were excused. However, a counselor/advisor can document what went on fall because you also need to find out if that GPA puts you on a ‘watch’ for any type of probation so that the college can see how you do your second semester. That is: can you do better next semester? Yes, you need to get some stellar grades like you started with in order to improve upon fall’s grades, but it’s not impossible if your health improves and if you find support/people to help you sort out the fall situation. Your exams MAY have gone well, but missing the other work could have pulled everything down in the end. The ‘W’ shows you knew that with the health issues you couldn’t keep everything; the ‘C’ shows you are capable even when ill of getting work done. The F/D+ show what happens when ‘life’ and mono take front seats. Also, if you can show counselors/advisors those good grades you had mid-semester (and to your family, too, if you choose to disclose the grades) it demonstrates you are fully capable of achieving success when healthy.</p>
<p>I also advise that you share with your family what happened. I know it’s hard that friends are posting how great they did; write down for yourself what you learned this semester about yourself, college, and dealing with major setbacks/illness and not giving up.</p>
<p>Again: major point is to find a counselor/advisor on campus to discuss how this all affects your next semester. Good luck, don’t give up, try to recoup strength during the semester break, and make sure your load spring semester helps you achieve success. Hang in there. Breathe. :)</p>
<p>Don’t worry about your friends. They will have their ups and downs to. lawrencemom gave excellent advice. One thing I want to add and an advisor will be able to clarify this is if you are to retake the class you failed.</p>
<p>Breathe. Everyone wants you to succeed, including the professors and your parents, so realize that first of all. Before you go home you must have a plan. When you meet with your advisor, do not leave until youhave put together a plan for second semester that will help you recover as much as possible academically by the end of the next term/semester without stressing yourself out and risking further health and emotional problems. I think you should warn your parents a little before you go home and let them know that you are disappointed, you have a problem, but you have a plan and will need their help. Don’t freak them out into thinking you have a catastrophic illness or anything, but just let them know that you have found yourself in over your head academically and did not know how to handle things the best possible way. After talking with advisor and perhaps professors about what you could/should have done differently, you can discuss all of this with your parents. Be prepared to work a couple of jobs during the summer to pay for some classes that may need to be added or retaken, and show everyone through consistent actions in your follow-through, and you will be in a different situation in a few months. Take courage :)</p>
<p>I am sorry, this is a heartbreaking situation to be in. I know how difficult it is to share with your parents. But remember, they are the ones who after the initial shock and disappointment will stand behind you and help you get through. I am assuming you have a loving and caring relationship with them.</p>
<p>And as the above posters have advised walk in to your advisors office asap and seek guidance and help. Make a plan on how best to fix it. Every problem can be overcome. This is not the end. This is the beginning of you taking charge of your life and you can do it.</p>
<p>With regards to breaking it to your parents, share it with the one you are more close to. Write to them first if that makes it more easy. Convey your disappointment and regret about not sharing it earlier. Apologise and express how you are going to be more responsible and are seeking help and guidance and have a plan on how to move on. Trust me, I am a parent, they will be angry and sad at first. But after that will come the instinct to protect and damage control.</p>
<p>My D faced almost the same problem with you just a year ago. I was disappointed but it was more painful for me to wait and see my D struggling for her study and life with broken self-confidence. After restoring her confidence, she finally gets all A’s this semester.</p>
<p>You can DO this only with positive mind. Believe yourself every moment. Love yourself every situation. Just one semester passed and this should be the valuable experience for your entire life. Your parents, academic advisor and professors are always supporting you mentally or with long-term perspectives.</p>