Withdrew from all my classes this semester

[mrp0pularrr]

---

Members do not see this ad.

This is my second time I withdrew from all my classes. Of course the first time was back in 2007, I feel like it's going to affect me with acceptances. I'm a freshmen (with 25 credits earned) and I have a 3.04 GPA. The main reason why I withdrew was because I wasn't understanding the material.

My biology TA is horrible (Intro to Biology). Her class is 50% online and the other 50% is in class. When she would have her 'in-class' sessions sometimes she wouldn't have enough time to finish what she is saying and would leave everyone in the blue. I understand that sometimes you have to teach yourself, but I don't think you should teach yourself everything otherwise why have a class? Why even show up for lectures? I want to end up learning something useful that way I can utilize it later on.

My chemistry teacher - where did she end up graduating?

My Pre-cal/Trig professor - if he wouldn't try and rush us out of class before the class even ends I think the class would better understand his material.

I feel like I said too much, but it's only because I feel like I did this to myself by overloading. I know I also posted a similar post before, but I still feel like I need some guidance. What should I do?

 

[VikingLegacy]

baleeted

 

[chman]

Stop blaming your teachers and learn to self-study.

I don't mean that in an assy way, I'm sure your teachers genuinely do suck. The thing is, that's how this goes. You probably did get unlucky with your teachers, but on the other hand, of the people that stuck it out in the classes you dropped, some of them are going to ace every test regardless of the teacher sucking. You need to find out what they do, and do it - or, better yet, innovate your own way to do what they do, just better.

This is the truth.

I've had some bad luck, real bad luck, with prof's in the past, including two fairly unbearable ones this quarter. You can get pissed about it, and perhaps even b*** with your fellow students, but at the end of the day you need to suck it up and do what is necessary to get by. The advice I would give is that you need to find a way to be successful no matter what kind of teacher you have. Without more information of your study habits and stuff, that is kind of hard for us to do, and to be honest a lot of people are probably just going to rip into you.

 

[mrp0pularrr]

Both of you make great points. I know that if I would have stuck with it I would have passed, but it would have all been for nothing. I'm only grasping a couple of concepts here and there, but I'm not getting it fully.

And as far as studying I study every opportunity I get. But I still don't get 'why'. I ask the teacher my questions and she deflects my question. The main reason why I wasn't doing so well in my other classes was due to the fact that I gave too much emphasis on one specific class instead of working on each class equally.

I have learned my lesson and I know what I must do. I work full time (36 hours weekly) at a doctor's office for children so I must find a way to make everything work. Unlike the fortunate, I don't have the opportunity to work less in order for me to study more. So what I must do, in my opinion, is instead of taking 16 credits next semester take 12 and somehow manage to get 2 days off of work and school. And if I have work slightly less it's all for the better. But I started off badly this semester and when I have less than a 50/50 percent chance of passing I thought I'd rather take the 'W' than the 'C', 'D', or possibly the worse of them all an 'F' in all of my classes this semester.

 

[chman]

Well, you probably did the right thing, or I should say you did do the right thing, if you were sure you would get all C's or worse.

You say you studied a lot but didn't understand the why. I really think this happens with a lot of people, including myself in the past. They memorize a bunch of stuff, which is necessary of course, but can't apply that memorization. Depending on the subject, you need to find ways of practicing the CONCEPTS of the memorization you have learned. Your professor or TA should be able to help you with this. If they can't or won't, there must be some type of tutoring on campus.

As far as your work situation, I can really relate. It is hard to work full time and go to school full time, to say the least. Have you considered taking out loans to take some of the burden off? That's what I had to do. It's not great, but it is worth it to help out your GPA.

 

[Overmjnd]

my teachers suck too, but you don't see me making posts like these. My physics teacher last year had early stage Alzheimer's, my TA's weren't very good, and all around I don't think I really learned anything from any of them.

I did, however, teach myself quite a bit, and thats why I've gotten A's.

 

[mrp0pularrr]

In reply to chman, I am gaining financial aid (federal loan). But that's not entirely the reason why I work so much. I'm working as hard as I am because I have my own bills to pay (example: car, car insurance, gas, etc.) and besides that I need the full time benefits; medical being the main one.

And overmjnd, I understand that I shouldn't be venting off on this website about my personal problems. I apologize for it, I've just been overwhelmed lately. And yeah, I'm happy to hear you understood Physics on your own.

 

[RynoTheGuy]

This is my second time I withdrew from all my classes. Of course the first time was back in 2007, I feel like it's going to affect me with acceptances. I'm a freshmen (with 25 credits earned) and I have a 3.04 GPA. The main reason why I withdrew was because I wasn't understanding the material.

My biology TA is horrible (Intro to Biology). Her class is 50% online and the other 50% is in class. When she would have her 'in-class' sessions sometimes she wouldn't have enough time to finish what she is saying and would leave everyone in the blue. I understand that sometimes you have to teach yourself, but I don't think you should teach yourself everything otherwise why have a class? Why even show up for lectures? I want to end up learning something useful that way I can utilize it later on.

My chemistry teacher - where did she end up graduating?

My Pre-cal/Trig professor - if he wouldn't try and rush us out of class before the class even ends I think the class would better understand his material.

I feel like I said too much, but it's only because I feel like I did this to myself by overloading. I know I also posted a similar post before, but I still feel like I need some guidance. What should I do?

There is some excellent advice given from the above posters. I graduate this year and have learned over my undergrad career that it is RARELY the professor/TA/etc. that is the problem in a class. Get used to having bad teachers- its apart of academics. Poor teachers are rare but we all end up getting them eventually. (ratemyprofessor.com can be your friend). I have had several but I learned that if I did poorly in the class it was almost completely on my shoulders. I have had "poor" professors but did well in their classes because I learned how to study. Don't use the excuse "well I did poorly because my teacher/TA sucks." Buck up and study the material, ask questions, visit with your professors and TA's and get help. I would make this semester the last time you ever withdraw. It reflects very poorly on you because it says to any med school "I can't handle the material so I dropped out", if you think it's hard now wait until your juggling physics and organic chemistry.

I can relate with the work situation - I've had to work throughout undergrad and its tough. One of the best decisions that I made was to cut back from 36 hours to 20. I not only hada life but I found that I was FAR more effective in school. Get as many Grants as you can (Pell grants paid my tuition almost every semester) and take out student loans. Doing well academically is far more worth it in the long run than working full time and having a fat paycheck through undergrad with crappy grades on the side. Cut back where you need to: academics are you #1 priority from here on out.

I will graduate undergrad and start at FSU's med school next year. I have done this while being married, working and my wife and I will have 2 kids by the time I graduate with my bachelors next April. This year (my senior year) I ended up quitting work, things have been tight financially but not that bad. It has been worth it because I have been able to focus very well this last year. I have learned that there really is no such thing as "the really smart kid who never has to study and gets all A's", the difference between those that get A's and those that don't is the ones who get A's have learned how to study effectively and work. You can do it man, there is no magic formula or equation for doing well. It's simple: study and work hard.

 

[wristbandMD]

I'm just going to come out and say it, rather than sugar coat it:

You will ultimately fail all educational endeavors if you continue to drop classes like this. You've said that you've done it twice. I'm wondering why you had to drop all of them? Couldn't you have dropped just one or two?

I hate to say it, but bad teachers and TAs happen. It's a part of college life and, unfortunately, you'll have to get used to it. I would not suggest doing this again, as it will ultimately ruin your chances of professional school.

You need to find a study method that works for you. I'd say only 10% of learning happens in the classroom. The rest comes from reading the text, doing practice problems, assignments, studying, etc.

In the future, try to drop only one class.

 

[Mr Hippopotamus]

I'm just going to come out and say it, rather than sugar coat it:

You will ultimately fail all educational endeavors if you continue to drop classes like this. You've said that you've done it twice. I'm wondering why you had to drop all of them? Couldn't you have dropped just one or two?

I hate to say it, but bad teachers and TAs happen. It's a part of college life and, unfortunately, you'll have to get used to it. I would not suggest doing this again, as it will ultimately ruin your chances of professional school.

You need to find a study method that works for you. I'd say only 10% of learning happens in the classroom. The rest comes from reading the text, doing practice problems, assignments, studying, etc.

In the future, try to drop only one class.

Words of wisdom. If you were withdrawing from college classes in 2007 and you're still a freshman today, you need to look at how you're approaching the material. You can take slightly fewer classes at a time, but bear in mind that eventually you're going to take the MCAT, and if you took gen chem 4 college years and 12 calendar years ago, it's going to be a nightmare. Take the classes, find a study buddy, and teach each other the material. And if you don't understand your professors, ask questions! Good luck!

 

[ObLaDi]

If you have hopes of getting into medical school, you need to remember that there are people who CAN take 16 credits and work 36 hours a week who manage to make A's -- even with terrible instructors. Yes, there may be people who don't have to have a job during school, but there is nothing you can do about this fact.

Learn HOW to study. Take fewer classes. Do what ever you need to do to turn yourself into a successful student. It might be tough, but if you give up this soon, you'll never see Dr. before your name. So you might suck it hardcore in your intro to Bio class. So what? Learn something from your experience. Who knows, you just might be one of those people who went from barely understanding the basics of cell division to acing organic chemistry?

 

[FirefighterDoc]

If you have hopes of getting into medical school, you need to remember that there are people who CAN take 16 credits and work 36 hours a week who manage to make A's -- even with terrible instructors. Yes, there may be people who don't have to have a job during school, but there is nothing you can do about this fact.

Learn HOW to study. Take fewer classes. Do what ever you need to do to turn yourself into a successful student. It might be tough, but if you give up this soon, you'll never see Dr. before your name. So you might suck it hardcore in your intro to Bio class. So what? Learn something from your experience. Who knows, you just might be one of those people who went from barely understanding the basics of cell division to acing organic chemistry?

+1
OP I know where you're coming from. I have to work two jobs to pay for college and my apartment too.

Maybe you need to look at your study habits, because mine have definitely changed since high school. I was able to get by with little to no work with high grades. That kind of "stuff" doesnt fly in college. At least not when you want to be a doctor.

This of it this way. A physician prescribes a pt. medication. The pt. is found to be allergic and they end up in anaphylactic shock. The doc doesn't leave them on that med ( he knows it would be setting them up for failure again). Instead, he prescribes a new medication.

You need to find a new prescription in order to be successful. You cant just try the same thing and expect different results.

 

[mrp0pularrr]

I feel that everyone has a good point. I should have not blamed my teachers for my mistakes because that is immature of me. I guess I said it out of anger. But my study habits are not the problem. I always found the time to study here and there, but never a good amount.

My schedule:

Monday: 8:00am - 10:45am (school), 12:00pm - 5:00pm (work), 6:30pm - 9:15pm (school).
Tuesday: 8:00am - 5:00pm (work), 6:30pm - 8:40pm (school).
Wednesday: 8:00am - 10:45am (school), 12:00pm - 9:00pm (work).
Thursday: 8:00am - 10:50am (school), 12:00pm - 5:00pm (work), 6:30pm - 8:50pm (school).
Friday: 9:00am - 11:50am (school).
Saturday: 8:00am - 5:00pm (work).
Sunday: Free.

The way I study will guarantee me the ability to understand and retain information. Maybe like someone else mentioned earlier, I probably have to modify my study habits to fit my circumstances but I would like someone to advise me on how I 'could have done it' this semester based on this schedule? Suggestions?

 

[Vadoff]

Uhh, this is college dude.
You're supposed to learn from the book.

 

[StephBee]

I feel that everyone has a good point. I should have not blamed my teachers for my mistakes because that is immature of me. I guess I said it out of anger. But my study habits are not the problem. I always found the time to study here and there, but never a good amount.

My schedule:

Monday: 8:00am - 10:45am (school), 12:00pm - 5:00pm (work), 6:30pm - 9:15pm (school).
Tuesday: 8:00am - 5:00pm (work), 6:30pm - 8:40pm (school).
Wednesday: 8:00am - 10:45am (school), 12:00pm - 9:00pm (work).
Thursday: 8:00am - 10:50am (school), 12:00pm - 5:00pm (work), 6:30pm - 8:50pm (school).
Friday: 9:00am - 11:50am (school).
Saturday: 8:00am - 5:00pm (work).
Sunday: Free.

The way I study will guarantee me the ability to understand and retain information. Maybe like someone else mentioned earlier, I probably have to modify my study habits to fit my circumstances but I would like someone to advise me on how I 'could have done it' this semester based on this schedule? Suggestions?

Two things spring ot mind immediately. On fridays, your'e done at noon. Spend the rest of the day doing work for the next week. Get ahead of your classes if you need to and you'll be surprised how much more sense your prof makes when you already kind of know the material. Ditto for sat and sunday.

Just to give you an idea, this was my schedule and I pulled a 4.0 junior year

Monday: 9:30 - 5pm Straight classes (no breaks. 5-11 pm Work
Tuesday: 9:30 - 6pm straight classes. Night off from work
Wednesday: 9:30a - 8pm classes with 2 hour break. Off work
Thursday: 9:30 - 5pm, classes. Work 5-11pm
Friday: Off classes, research from 10AM-3, work 3:30 - 11pm
Saturday: work 3:00 - 11pm
Sunday: work 2 - 10pm

As you can see. I worked 5 days a week. Some days I'd leave work earlier but I worked between 30-40 hours a week in a supervisory position so I was always the last to leave at night and was taking 17 credit hours, all upper level or graduate level classes. I didn't sleep much but I found I could come home from work, do homework for a few hours and goto bed at like 1:30AM and wake up at 8 and be go. There are * a lot * of us that work fulltime jobs that don't drop classes. I don't mean that in a bad way, just that these are the people you're going to be competing against. You have to learn to multitask. What kind of job do you work? Can you bring a textbook? (I couldn't, I"m a waitress and the boss doesn't allow schoolwork if we're slow). You need to sit down and plan out a study schedule. Look at your courses, look at the required reading,essays, homework etc. Every class will give you a syllabus so you know exactly what is required. If it's too much, drop the class in the first week! (I had to do this with an english class that required 250 pages of reading every night). Just an idea, over the summer, take a few classes at a community college and you can learn to really figure out time management while not feeling the pressure of a 4 year university.

EDIT: Do you have any control of your schedule? I found that working less during the week, even if that meant never having a day off (I didn't have a day off for over 3 months), worked best for me....

 

[wristbandMD]

I feel that everyone has a good point. I should have not blamed my teachers for my mistakes because that is immature of me. I guess I said it out of anger. But my study habits are not the problem. I always found the time to study here and there, but never a good amount.

My schedule:

Monday: 8:00am - 10:45am (school), 12:00pm - 5:00pm (work), 6:30pm - 9:15pm (school).
Tuesday: 8:00am - 5:00pm (work), 6:30pm - 8:40pm (school).
Wednesday: 8:00am - 10:45am (school), 12:00pm - 9:00pm (work).
Thursday: 8:00am - 10:50am (school), 12:00pm - 5:00pm (work), 6:30pm - 8:50pm (school).
Friday: 9:00am - 11:50am (school).
Saturday: 8:00am - 5:00pm (work).
Sunday: Free.

The way I study will guarantee me the ability to understand and retain information. Maybe like someone else mentioned earlier, I probably have to modify my study habits to fit my circumstances but I would like someone to advise me on how I 'could have done it' this semester based on this schedule? Suggestions?

I understand that it is hard, but you could have in fact done it. What if you dropped the night class and had that time to study? That's over two hours of time to relax and study. If you take the bus, that's about thirty minutes of study time. If you take breaks and lunches at work, that could add up to an hour each day.

Carrying that kind of schedule and succeeding in your classes would have looked spectacular to Adcom!!

So, I'll give you some tips that I learned during a few rough quarter (3-4 classes plus 40-60 hour work weeks):

* Make a list! Every single day, make a list (with times) of what you have to do. Also, have a column that says "Remember to..." on the list. This way, if your schedule changes at all (e.g., you call out of work, class is canceled) you have room to change things around.

* Study early, if possible--there are less distractions.

* Don't read everything, skim! Half of the stuff you are assigned you can get away with skimming. 30% you can get away with ignoring. you only have to completely read 20%

* Use time effectively (as noted in the first paragraph). When you're in the shower, quiz yourself. If you take a bath, bring in a book. It seems silly, but on a tight schedule it will make a difference. If your job is easy, you can usually let your mind drift.

Hope this helps a bit. Good luck next quarter!

EDIT: I saw that someone else posted their schedule, so I figured I'd bite and post my most difficult one:

Monday: 12:00am-4:00am (work cont.), 7:30am - 12:20pm (school), 1:00pm - 10:00pm (work)
Tuesday: 7:30am - 12:20pm (school), 1:00pm - 10:00pm (work)
Wednesday: 7:30am - 12:20pm (school)
Thursday: 7:30am - 12:20pm (school), 1:00pm - 10:00pm (work), 10:30pm-12:00am (work)
Friday: 12:am-2:00am (work cont), 7:30am - 12:20pm (school), 1:00pm - 10:00pm (work), 10:30pm-12:00am (work)
Saturday: 12:00am-6:00am (work cont.), 8:00pm-12:00am (work)
Sunday: 12:00am-6:00am (work cont.) 10:30pm-12:00am (work cont.)

This quarter I worked over 60 hours a week, plus I commuted from job to job. On Sunday nights/Monday mornings I took a 40 minute power nap. I received two A's, one A-, and one B+.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

OP no offense but there is a lot of time for studying in your schedule. get up early, stay up late, whichever works for you. you should have been fine if you were studying correctly. in short, i work 50 hours at my full time job, 20 hours on the weekends for my part time job, i am a volunteer at my kids' school, and i am taking 21 credits this semester and honestly, i think i could have handled one or two more classes. you need to reevaluate how you are approaching the material. you are obviously doing something wrong. good luck.