Severely Depressed! Need answers TONIGHT!

So, I started college for the first time this year in September. Things started off great! I was getting A's in all my assignments and I still have all A's, except in one class, that I'm close to failing. It's my intended major, too! Psychology.

The first exam we took, I got a D. It was really, really hard and there were questions on there that she never covered and weren't in the book. She's a horrible teacher. She's really nice, but she's a horrible teacher.

So, I studied really hard for my next exam. Granted, I still haven't done ALL the reading I should have, but even then, I knew enough that I should have been able to get a passing grade on my exam. But I did not.

I got an F! My first F on a test my entire life! I feel like crying, I don't know what went wrong! I thought I knew everything and it turned out horribly!
I get A's on all the assignments, I know all the material, too. But yet, I do terribly on the exams.

I don't know what to do now. Tomorrow is the deadline for dropping a class, so that is why I need answers tonight.

This is my problem.

My mom thinks I should stay in the class and work with the professor to see where I went wrong.

I, however, am really thinking it might be a better idea to just drop the class and take it again with the other professor, who is supposed to be a lot better. I might end up failing this class and needing to take it over again next time anyways.

So, any ideas on what I should do?

Thanks!

Mom may be right.....before dropping the class go to the professor and discuss your concerns. She will think more of you for going to her and telling her you are having trouble. You may be able to work things out!!

Well, if the professor is not a good teacher, I'd drop the class and take the same course with another, better, professor next quarter or semester.

This is your first experience, obviously, with someone who is not good at his/her assigned position. Teaching is something of a gift; you've had the misfortune of having one who isn't effective in getting material across to students--at least not to you.

You'll be fine with a good professor; your other grades indicate you're a good student. Just go ahead with your work and take the course with another professor.

Have you ever thought to ask this professor what you're doing that doesn't meet her critera for good work? You just never know--there may be a personality quirk somehow between the two of you.

Talk to the head of the Psychology Department and get his/her opinion--unless this
professor is head of the psychology division!

Take care.

missbelle: I can't do that. I have to make my decision tonight. The last day to drop is tomorrow. But I see that side of things.

genetic: Thank you! That's what I was thinking. Yes, it's partially my fault for not reading all the material I needed to, but I honestly don't think it would have made a difference. I'll talk with my mom about it tonight.

My daughter dropped numerous classes in her 3 years of college so far. They were all due to the professors. She just took the class again and made sure she got the right professor for her.

I look at it this way ... You are paying for an education why not get the best professor that can help you succeed !

Good Luck

You need to drop the class for sure. You are getting straight A's everywhere else, which proves that it is not your problem but her problem. Drop it while there is still time. It is very important to stop early when you get into a relationship with difficult people.

Thank you, you guys! I have to talk to my mom about it. She won't be happy, but I think it's the right choice.

Now, I'm not sure how to talk to my parents about it. My dad is going to be upset and blame me, since it is partially my fault for not doing all of the reading.

I'm not sure how to go about this.

Its ok...just be honest and retake with the Prof you prefer. I have been on the exact same situation. With a Health and Human services research class. Funny thing is- the curriculum was exactly the same as the first Prof! Like down to the letter on the handouts. The right Prof makes all the difference. Good Luck!

Thank you, treehugger. I think it will be better if I have the other teacher. I'm hoping so, at least. I just worry now, because I realized that the amount of credits I'm taking right now, makes me a full time student. But if I take one away, I'm not anymore. I don't think this would be too much of a problem, though.

Getting an F at the end of the class is worse than not having the status of a FT student.

It shouldnt be. I was as well and receiving financial aid and it didnt affect it. plus the lightening of the course load is a nice perk if you aren't feeling 100%... I was coming off a total hypo week, just had med adjustments and it was a welcomed lull...

Keep the class a W is still an attempt so it effects your grade the same as an F. You do not want to drop below full time if you are getting Financial aid. Go to your instructor and go often. Take both your tests in and ask for her to help you fill out the correct info. Ask her if there's a way to make up your test scores and before a test go to her office before the test to have her help you make a test outline. If she's not really thrilled about it she'll get use to it. If you really can't stand the teacher ask her to suggest a former student that past her class w/ a 3.5 or higher.