<p>i was a freshman last year, and my first semester went fine, but my next semester went horribly. i developed a problem with getting to sleep and waking up, and ended up completely failing 3 classes. because of this, i have to take a semester off before i can apply for readmission. what are some good things to do during the fall. im really trying to get my act together. i hate that i cant get stuff done, and it hurts me so much to disappoint my family and let them down. one option for me is to stay with my grandparents for a couple months, but id rather not because, honestly, im a little scared of how my grandfather will treat me (hes a football coach/army guy). i was thinking of volunteering abroad or something similar, but i cant find any good programs. any help would be appreciated greatly.</p>
<p>The tried and true route of a job is probably your best choice. You don’t need to do anything but prove to yourself and your college that you can hold down a regular routine. Find a job that is a day job or doesn’t go late into the evening. </p>
<p>The readmissions panel is full of adults that know all about what it takes to hold down a fulltime day job. A job shows responsibility as well as ability to regulate your own schedule. I’d choose that over a volunteer position or travel.</p>
<p>Btw - assuming your grandfather is not abusive, there isn’t anything wrong with an army background. The army teaches integrity - being able to follow through on orders, being mentally tough, working as a team, etc. Are you dismissing that option too quickly?</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Annika</p>
<p>You may want to take a look at any Americorps programs in your area. They usually require 20 to 25 hours per week, you are paid a stipend, and you earn money for your education when you do return to school. And since it isn’t “full time” work, you could probably add a couple of community college courses.</p>
<p>MANY years ago I had a similar situation. I ended up taking a year off from college, worked and went to community college, re-enrolled and graduated and got into grad school. </p>
<p>Best of luck to you!</p>
<p>Could you sign up to re-take the three courses at a community college? If you did well, would the credits be transferable? I also agree that you should work part-time to give more structure to your days and help you contribute toward your family’s expenses. </p>
<p>About your sleeping patterns, were they due to your overactive social life or some other reason? Do you still have problem falling asleep and waking up? If the latter, you ought to consult a physician.</p>
<p>I want to reiterate marite’s suggestion - have you gotten the sleeping issues under control? I would think that would be job number one.</p>
<p>What if, in addition to whatever else you might line up, you go to a nearby Elementary or Middle school to ask if you can come in each morning for an hour, to help a child who needs daily practice with reading out loud? </p>
<p>You might approach the school principal, or if there is a “Literacy Coach” in your district, contact that person. You have time now to make a summertime appointment and line it up to start in September.</p>
<p>If you find another job and can’t do the hour, you’ll have to back out; but at least you’ll have that in place with a definite September start. </p>
<p>It will also regulate your schedule and give you a reference back to your college that you came in daily. Schools run by the clock, but the work is extremely valuable to the human family. It’s not your typical office job. </p>
<p>One-on-one with a child doesn’t offer discipline problems, although you need to be encouraging, motivating, consistent and patient with the student. I wouldn’t recommend volunteering to be a Teacher’s Aide because managing groups of kids can be so stressful. I think a literacy volunteer, for work l:l, is doable. If your talents are in Math, you could offer to tutor on-site instead. </p>
<p>If the principal asks, you can say you’d do better with a “below-average mainstream student,” rather than a special education student, because you’re not trained in teaching methods. If s/he wonders why you’re doing this, I’d say: be honest, and say you want to demonstrate to yourself and your college that you can keep a good schedule to re-enter next term. Ask her to set up a time sign-in chart, so she has documentation to say you always came, and on time.l </p>
<p>The advantage is that it is regular morning work. They need guys in early elementary schools as role models, to some extent. You’ll feel good helping one child improve.</p>
<p>Above all, take heart. A student I know was asked to leave collegel after a difficult freshman start. He went home and did several projects, all of which demonstrated he could stay organized. He also traveled a bit, arranging and managing his own trip, documenting it with a travel log. The college reviewed and reaccepted him. The next two summers, he made up that semester by taking summer classes at his college, to graduate with his class. </p>
<p>Of course it was discouraging to have to do this, but he just dealt with it, so it’s all worked out just fine now.</p>
<p>If you were suspended by your college for a semester be sure to check with your advisor before signing up for classes at a CC. The policy at S2’s school is that a student on suspension for a semester is not to take classes at other schools during the suspension period if they plan to re-enroll after the one sem. off.</p>
<p>I strongly suggest getting a 9-5 job. The discipline of getting up and getting there will be good for you.</p>
<p>OK, but it’s not so easy to get a job today. People are unemployed and taking the same jobs we might envision – retail, restaurant, office. </p>
<p>If this student is free of financial needs (and I don’t know if that’s so), then I think he’d more readily succeed as a volunteer, where he is very much wanted each day.</p>
<p>The key is to take the voluntary position as seriously as if it were a paying job. Set up times when you are expected. Have them keep a time-chart for you. </p>
<p>The difference is this: they will be delighted to have you. You won’t get fired (no fault of your own) or have upsetting work politics. You won’t get laid off because of the work economy even though you’re doing a fine job.</p>
<p>I feel you should set up something that is guaranteed to succeed, for a short time period of 4 months. If you can find paid fulltime work, that IS ideal, but people are having real problems finding these spots this year. </p>
<p>The college won’t care if you worked for pay vs. volunteer, as long as you are diligent, keep hours (20-40), show up without fail, and maintain yourself well in the workplace. </p>
<p>And if you have a bad week as you work WITH A DOCTOR on that sleep improvement, the volunteer place isn’t likely to fire you; the job would.</p>
<p>I think I know your grandfather !
Maybe if you do move in with your grandparents, you can get a job and he won’t be hard on you.</p>
<p>I second the earlier post of checking on medical reasons for sleeping issues. If it was social related-excessive partying, or just staying up talking that’s an easy solution. However, if not-I strongly suggest you have some blood work-up examining iron levels, thryoid hormone and vitamin D levels. Problems in any of these areas can lead to sleep problems, mild mental confusion and additional physiologic problems.</p>
<p>I agree with much of the advice here. During this break from college you want to develop a very consistent schedule. Don’t take a job or volunteer position that has an irregular start time (ie-waiting tables or retail) unless they can promise you a 9-5 type schedule. Most importantly you should be seeing a sleep disorder specialist to help you determine the cause of your sleep problems. As the parent of a child with similar issues I can tell you that it may take a fairly long time to evaluate and then treat your sleep problem. Your sleep problem may stem from a physical, emotional or behavioral source or even a combination. It is however something you can improve with help from doctors and your own desire to get better. Also try and remember that a lot of kids struggle in the beginning and need to take time off - nothing to be ashamed of as long as you are trying your best to get back on track.</p>
<p>My daughter had a bad first semester and not sleeping was part of her problem. She came home and did local community college and then went back to her college. This time she got permission to live off campus and got a private bedroom in an apartment and that has made the difference. Dorms can be hell for light sleepers.</p>
<p>I am worried about my D too. We got her a single room in a quiet dorm. Has anyone tried a “white noise” machine?</p>
<p>I just wanted to check in to agree with the posters who suggest a medical work-up for sleep proplems. There are physicians who specialize in issues related to sleep, and it is possible to go to a sleep clinic overnight to determine if there is something going on that undermines the patient’s ability to get restful sleep. There are also psychologists who specialize in treating problems related to health, and who can help with sleep issues. If problems with sleep had such a serious impact on your life, it seems to me that addressing that problem would be a number one priority, even before dealing with the academic side of things.</p>
<p>My D adores her white noise machine! They’re not too expensive- get one and give it a try.</p>
<p>Lots of kids use fans to get the noise. I’ve been in dorms that remind me of overcrowded 24/7 monkeyhouses and have thought that some of the overdrinking might be kids trying to get some sleep.</p>