First Year College

I am a first year college student and last semester (my first one in college) i did amazing i made all A's and stayed on top of everything with no issues.. but this semester i have fallen behind in 2 of my classes.. there is still time to catch up but i just... idk i have no urge to try.. i just dont know what's going on lately.. when the semster started i was all over everything but the last couple weeks i have slipped

how do i get back on track and manage to keep my emotions and such from making me fall behind!??

I am on scholarships so i have to maintain great grades...i cant afford to go to college without them and if i get kicked out or dont get to continue i will lose my health insurance..

It's good you are asking the questions...good that there is still time to catch up...for me its my perfectionists traits that hold me back...I get so caught up in it at can barely pull myself out of it...Do you have perfectionist traits? What kind of emotions are you feeling? Its hard to "trouble shoot" ideas for coping with emotions with out specifics, so let us know...ok?

This is might not be the greatest advice, but it's what I do. First, take a deep breath. Start trying to think positive. It's still early in the semester. Next, start making a list of everything you have to do for the up coming week. Prioritize it by due dates and how long it will take for you to work on it. Continue breathing. Next, sit down and tackle that first item on your list. Try to figure out what day you'll need to work on each item. For instance, if you have a long essay due on Friday, start it as early as possible. If you can write a rough draft on Sunday or Monday, with all of your ideas on it, not worrying about flow, or mechanical devices, etc, or anything like that. Try to take it to your professor or TA Tuesday or Wednesday (not only will you get some great help from them, they will see you are trying. They'll also get to know you more. The more they get to know you, the more supportive they can be when you need their help). Rework the essay, after you talk to them, and by the time Friday comes along, it's done.

This is my third attempt at college. The past two have gone horribly for reasons similar to yours. I'm finally doing well, and I"m really enjoying school. I know how hard it is to keep your emotions separate from your school work, but it's something you'll have to work on. Try to take little bites without getting too overwhelmed. Don't let your to-do list get you worked up -- only look at the things you need to get done that day.

Good luck!

I have worked with first year students in college and often encouraged them to talk to their advisor or someone in counseling services. Colleges and universities usually provide full time counselors for students to utilize. A lot of students go there to get support during stressful times during the semester, or to vent, or to talk about more serious stuff. It's totally optional, but I found it can be very helpful. They might have some insight into why things are going rough for you right now. Maybe you can't see it, but they might be able to help id it? It's 100% confidential right now, too.

Hang in there..and try and reach out for help...there are a lot of people who want you to succeed and are there to help.

I think it is wonderful that you get all A's

I am a sophomore in college and I went through something similar. What I did was prioritize. Write down everything you do for a week, so every 15 minutes or so to see what takes up the most time. For me it was the internet (facebook, etc) and organizations. After that see what you can cut out or multitask doing. Such as getting dinner and studying, or you could even do it with a friend who is in the same class which takes care of three things.

Do not think it is the end of the world if you get one bad grade that will make it worse. I am on scholarships as well, and at my school if you drop below a 3.0 for one semester you get another semester to see if you can get it up, your school may have something similar. Best of luck

I think you will "pass" your two behind subjects and that will be fine for your scholarship, you do not have to be perfect, just maintain a decent average and you can do that whereas the odds of getting straight A's every semester for four years are not so good :-)

Do the best you can! That's all you can do; take an interest in the subjects you can and try to find a connection to those you don't like so well.

There are lots of scholarships, loans, ways to get through school. I had a good friend who would work a couple semesters then do a semester of school, work a couple, then school; there are a zillion ways to go through school if that is what you want.

In my first year of university, one of the courses I took was introductory physics. In high-school grade 11 and 12, I did advanced placement physics (as well as other courses) so I thought it'd be easy as I'd have a head start. I slacked off studying for the mid-term and I tanked it with a 30% worth 25% of my overall mark. I had a long assignment that I put off and did last minute, which I got 20% on worth 20% of my mark, so 45% of the mark I flushed down the drain. I tried harder and got B+ to A on the labs and weekly quizzes but they were worth proportionally very little compared to the test and large assignment I tanked. I'm not sure how well I would've done on the next test and final exam, I'd like to think I would have gotten a high mark but I was too unsure at that point so I dropped the course and never looked back. Later on, I took a few courses I knew I would do well in and got easy A, sort of, "bird courses", don't be afraid to take some later on, especially in the summer.

I mention this story as it is similar to your situation with the 2 courses. If you understand the material, then you may wish to stay in the course but if you don't understand the material and cannot find motivation, you may want to check the deadline for dropping a course without a penalty or being indicated on your transcript. It's something to keep in mind, especially if those two courses are electives. Don't hesitate to talk with the professor or TAs, they've been where you are and they managed to get through. Also, try working in a group not only for the academic benefits, rather for the social benefits and the obligation you take to keeping up to date with your work.

I know how you feel...I'm not on scholarships but I have grants and I've always had trouble with school. I know it's important and I need to do well, but somehow I always let it slip and then in the middle of it, I am failing some classes and don't know what to do. I guess it just takes dedication and motivation. Even when I don't feel motivated anymore I tell myself I have to do this, and it's going to be worth it. Keep your future in mind, imagine what it would be like w/o a college degree. Know that you are smart and are capable, you just have to do it. That's what I do frequently! Best of luck!

I have to agree with everyone, prioritize !! I am a sophomore and I fell behind in two classes and I was a wreck for half the semester. Do your best to catch up on weekends, talk to people in your class to see if you can get notes/help on assignments. Definitely talk to your adviser and also consider talking to your professor. It is better to talk to them now and let them know that you are struggling, so they may be able to help you out in some way or another. Just take a deep breath and take it one thing at a time and soon the list will go down. Stay strong love and good luck !

Also my first year of college, and about 5 weeks into my first semester, I had a serious nervous breakdown. This prompted the whole therapy part of my life. The only way I got through it was relying on my advisor, and later my therapist. You must tell your teachers, advisors, anyone who is there to help you what is going on. I have found that they are so very helpful and caring and understanding. For the most part, their job is to help you succeed. Also, see if your school has a disability resource center. Don't get freaked out by the name, our school's center is very accomodating that if you are having any emotional issues, you can work with them to make sure that your school demands are not compromising your ability to cope. Ask for help, there is no problem with it, I hope things go well for you .