<p>So here’s my story, after high school, I attended a university in my hometown because I didn’t really know what to major in, I also lived at home to save money on housing cost and grocery etc. I decided on majoring in Computer Science and finished my general education courses and planned on transferring to a different university because the school had a more reputable Computer Science and Engineering school, plus a lot of companies hiring engineers recruit from that school first. Last year, fall of 2012, I was able to transfer to the school that I wanted to attend and moved away from my parents’ house and it all went downhill from then; I struggled in my classes and received terrible grades. Since I wasn’t able to bring up my grades, I am suspended from my current university. I don’t understand what happened, I studied hard, I had a good gpa from my previous university (like 3.3) and now my GPA is just a 1.9 (it’s pathetic, I know, you don’t have to remind me). What should I do now? The university suspended me for a semester, and I was thinking of two things that I should do: a.) attend a community college or b.) find a job/internship to pay for the apartment I’m currently staying in. I’m leaning towards finding a job or internship but I’m having doubts on that being possible due to my low gpa. What do you guys think?</p>
<p>If you don’t find a job, how are you going to pay for your apartment? Getting a job usually isn’t optional (unless your parents are willing to foot the bill). I would recommend finding a job, even if it’s not in your field. If your parents are willing to support you, then you have more flexibility about what you can look for or accept. You may not be able to find a job and internship but look everything and apply broadly. You can’t get anything if you don’t apply.</p>
<p>In the meantime, you can take courses at a nearby community college. You can also see if these classes can transfer to your university. Are there any requirements to being readmitted to the university? That’s something to look into.</p>
<p>I would also highly recommend you try to figure out why you did poorly in your classes, or you may find yourself in the exact same situation when you return to school. Is it because your new school has a significantly more rigorous program and you weren’t prepared for the sudden change? Are you missing an prerequisite knowledge? Were the test format or style not what you expected? Were there assignments that you didn’t turn in or did poorly on? Look to see what academic supports your school has (tutoring, note taking services), and consider what you can do differently when you are readmitted.</p>
<p>You can find a job. From what I understand software companies don’t care that much about your GPA. Just don’t list it on your resume. What really matters is whether you can pass those difficult technical interviews. And also whether you have projects, like open-source contributions or your own personal stuff.</p>
<p>A job might teach you more than school anyway.</p>
<p>Well my parents paid for my apartment last school year since I was a full-time student. I just thought of paying for the apartment myself to feel less of a disappointment to my parents. To be readmitted to my current university, I read that I should send a letter of appeal to the admissions committee and have at least a 2.0 gpa. Apparently I’m allowed to take online classes during my suspension so I think I’ll do that as well as look for a job/internship.</p>
<p>Another question: how do I break it to my parents that I’m suspended? It’s kind of hard for me to do since they’ve always had high expectations from me, not to mention a lot of my family members are high-achievers so I feel really ashamed of admitting my academic problem.</p>
<p>You have a 1.9 now, so getting a 2.0 shouldn’t be hard at all. Try to make at least all B’s in your classes from now on.</p>