Failing College Course

[yg17]

Dude, if 12 is too much this semester, then how is 14 next semester lightening the load?

Well, I'm not sure how other schools are, but at my university, almost every class is 3 hours. So an upper level math class is worth the same amount of credit hours as a low level freshman class. You might end up doing more work (homework, studying, etc) in 1 3 hour math class than you'll do in 2 3 hour freshman classes. So looking at numbers, yeah, you're not lightening the load, but if you take the classes themselves into account, then you can very well be lightening the load with more credit hours.

Last semester, I had 18 hours, which is certainly considered a full load, but that semester was also my first 4.0 in college (ever, actually, never had a 4.0 semester in high school), mainly because I had classes that had less work loads and were easy to me.

 

[abijnk]

Assembler Programming.

Well, I must be the loser in this whole thing, because I've read through this whole thread and can't stop thinking "I love programming in assembly language..." And about how frequently I use the assembler I wrote instead of something like PCSpim to test MIPS code...

Nevertheless, I would still say dropping down to part-time in school (I assume its around 6 hours, like it is most places) and staying full time with work is your best option...

 

[Rodimus Prime]

Well, I'm not sure how other schools are, but at my university, almost every class is 3 hours. So an upper level math class is worth the same amount of credit hours as a low level freshman class. You might end up doing more work (homework, studying, etc) in 1 3 hour math class than you'll do in 2 3 hour freshman classes. So looking at numbers, yeah, you're not lightening the load, but if you take the classes themselves into account, then you can very well be lightening the load with more credit hours.

Last semester, I had 18 hours, which is certainly considered a full load, but that semester was also my first 4.0 in college (ever, actually, never had a 4.0 semester in high school), mainly because I had classes that had less work loads and were easy to me.

I have to agree some classes eat up more time than others. I have had 15 hour semesters than I put in maybe 4 hours of work out side of class a week. Compare that to my current 9 hour of "real" class work than been eatting up 15+ hours a week. Reason I saying 9 is because 3 of the hours was just a 12 page paper over my internship I did this summer so that was just one burst of 10 hours of work. I might like to point out by most people standards I have a very light last semester but for me it is the most work I had to do since changing my major and by that I mean I have 2 classes that require attention.

I might like to point out that my course load is very abnormal. I change my major and because it added a semester to my degree it allowed me to really spread out my harder classes where they never double up. That and the other heavy classes I ended up having to take them before my major change when I did get stack with 2-3 hard classes. I have been milking the benfits for my last 2 years.

Also please forgive me for any spelling errors I am on a school computer running IE 6

 

[jng]

<snip>
I want to finish school just because it is important to me. I enjoy school and would love to get a degree in Comp Sci and Comp Sec. I just suck at freaking programming and its really killing me.

Also, I have no social life nor do I party. Work and School is all I have and I am so used to it that when I have off from one or the other it is like a void.

Any advice or your stories about failing a college course would be greatly appreciated.

During freshman and sophomore year, I worked about 20 hours a week, entirely on weekends to pay for school. Junior year went abroad and senior year I worked less first semester but full time my last semester.

Honestly, if I could go back, I'd change what I did. I had no life my first two years in college. I was always studying or working. After my year abroad and my senior year I realize it wasn't worth it. I was much happier - and poorer. But I slept better, felt happier on a daily basis, etc.

What school do you go to? This matters because you have to choose between the two. If you're at a good school, I'd choose the school and work on the GPA.

How great is your job? In the grand scheme of things do you see it as a job you'd continue after you graduate? Do you need the money - rephrased: can you borrow the money instead?

My junior and senior year I ended up borrowing much more than my first two years of school. It made a huge difference for me. Less work meant more time for social things. And less work also meant I was more productive when actually studying. My grades actually were bad my very last semester, even though I was only taking 1 class for real, writing a thesis and taking another pass/fail. So working full time can really hurt.

My opinion is that it's not worth it. If you don't see yourself working for this people after you graduate, I wouldn't struggle for it. Also, I realized too there's no point in making a lot of money if you don't have time to enjoy it. I enjoy being poor in Europe right now more than making lots of $$ in the U.S. (loans are deferred at the moment).

Also, consider studying something other than programming. Seriously. If you hate it, don't study it. I studied something I loved - International Relations and German although neither really have any bearing on my field: technology.

 

[extraextra]

I'll echo what most have said... lighten your load.

I got a D my first semester of college, and fell on academic probation. I had to go to academic advising, and they said to take one less class than I could normally handle. I was taking 4 classes, and I ended up with 1 D, and 3 C's. The next semester I took 3 classes, and ended up with 1 B, and 2 A's.

Somehow that first semester dug me into a hole (GPA-wise), and unless I get a ton of A's, my GPA has stagnated in the 2.5 range.

 

[anamznazn]

Do what I did...sorta.

Lighten your load by a class or two and try to take 2 courses during the summer break or another one during your winter break to make up for it. This way, you don't have to feel so overwhelmed but still be on track to graduate on time.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

I'll echo what most have said... lighten your load.

I got a D my first semester of college, and fell on academic probation. I had to go to academic advising, and they said to take one less class than I could normally handle. I was taking 4 classes, and I ended up with 1 D, and 3 C's. The next semester I took 3 classes, and ended up with 1 B, and 2 A's.

Somehow that first semester dug me into a hole (GPA-wise), and unless I get a ton of A's, my GPA has stagnated in the 2.5 range.

i am going to assume have not completed that many semesters yet. you can easily dig your self out o that hole and up to a 3.0 by gradution. you need 5 A and the rest be Bs. 5 A over 7 semesters is not that hard to do.
Hell try what I did. get a semester GPA of 0.98 for 14 hours. that tanked my gpa to a 2.38 from a 2.74. in the 4 semesters since then i have pulled it up to a 2.65 and i will be finishing college with around that. i think if i had a few more i could of pulled it up even more.

One bad semester is not going to kill you. multiple bad semesters on the other hand.

 

[applekid]

Well, at least you aren't alone in failing a college course. Just learned I failed a computer science course, too.

I think I'm behind on my computer science major track as is because I had to retake Calc last semester (apparently I needed a C to move on with computer science courses, which I find stupid). It kind of hits hard getting a D or below when you were used to A's and B's in high school. I was an honor student, and then college hits me like a brick. First semester was a C average GPA (thanks, Calc), but second semester I got just short of 3.5 for the semester.

I'm not doing well in school right now because of other reasons. I think I'm having anxiety issues or something because I might be done with class from around 4 PM, but I cannot get started on homework or studying until midnight or later at times. I cannot motivate myself for the life of me. And for computer science, you just can't really afford to waste time with these projects. My other courses are fine (A's and B's) for the last three semesters (including this one). It's just computer science and calculus (looks like I might be failing Calc 2, too). I know people may say to switch majors, but computer science is the only thing I'm interested in, and I really have no other skills.

I was thinking about grad school, but I don't know about that. I have no idea if my school has the policy where they replace your failing grade with your new grade either, so looks I'm stuck with this F on my transcript. How will this affect my chances of finding an internship and grad school? My GPA was a 3.125 at the end of last semester. Now, it's probably dropping below 3.0 (and maybe below 2.5 with that F in computer science).

Sorry to take over your thread, but I had to vent my own frustration, too

 

[jng]

I know people may say to switch majors, but computer science is the only thing I'm interested in, and I really have no other skills.

How will this affect my chances of finding an internship and grad school?

You will find that college isn't just about your major. It's about doing well and finding yourself just as much if not more.

How do you know that you don't have any other interests? Try classes in other fields, even ones you might not expect to enjoy.

Internship depends on your school. Sometimes career services will find stuff for you and your employer won't necessarily know about that F.

Are you thinking about a masters in comp sci? I'd rethink that if I had an F and also, I was under the impression that a bachelor sufficed for most CS jobs.

 

[juanm]

Damn those french!

+1

 

[CalBoy]

Drop the class. Lower your school load so you can focus on your job if you think its your future. If you think that your schooling will get you a better job, quit your job.

Yes, I agree. Retake the same class next semester, this time with one less class on the side.

I thought about lightening the load at school. Next semester I am doing 14 credits. two 4 credit courses, two 3 credit courses. 1 course is an independent study, so I am going to see how that works out if that lightens my load.

I also plan to take a course or two in the summer so that it does not slow me down too much.

14 is way too much. Cut it back down to size, maybe 9 units. Keep the job. Good luck.

 

[BigPrince]

I officially failed. The world did not end. My parents did not disown me. The burden of stress is gone.

My GPA is now a 2.949 which is not tragic.

Thanks for everyones advice and good wishes.

 

[ToddW]

Since you have a good job and they are helping pay for school, I would go part time. That way you can keep your GPA up and you pocket book will not take that much of a hit either.