Advice

[CUTigeRGirL]

If you want really hard and competitive, try medical school.

As a liberal, I take exception at the sweeping generalization you wrote (in bold) above. I don't blame the government for anything, and if you'll reread her post, you'll see CutieGirl wasn't, either. She was simply lamenting the interest rate on her student loans. She didn't blame the state of her grades or her choice of majors on the government.

Watch out for liberal-bashing. Many of us are a whole lot smarter than you realize. Almost as smart as conservatives, I daresay. (I was being sarcastic there. I happen to know I'm 10 times smarter!)

Well said!

[CUTigeRGirL]

What's your major?

Psych

[Mississippi Steve]

If you want really hard and competitive, try medical school.

As a liberal, I take exception at the sweeping generalization you wrote (in bold) above. I don't blame the government for anything, and if you'll reread her post, you'll see CutieGirl wasn't, either. She was simply lamenting the interest rate on her student loans. She didn't blame the state of her grades or her choice of majors on the government.

Watch out for liberal-bashing. Many of us are a whole lot smarter than you realize. Almost as smart as conservatives, I daresay. (I was being sarcastic there. I happen to know I'm 10 times smarter!)

IDK about 10 times smarter.... LOL

Any of the medical, engineering, or science disciplines are hard at best, but most all will just about guarantee income comensurate with their respective level of difficulty.

When you have some age and experience under your belt, you will understand where I am coming from a little better.

FWIW, just a little bit of my background.....
I am 51 years old, have 2 kids in college
Journeyman Machinist
Retired Military (22 years active duty)
HAM radio operator for 30 years
MSME with a minor in environmental science
National certification for HAZMAT Technician Specialist
HVAC business owner
Energy Consultant
Master HVAC Technician

Thats the short list.

Yes I read her post, and the question still remains... Why does she have to scramble to ace one class to have a 2.0gpa to graduate?? The average liberal arts degree takes 4 years... and now it comes down to 1 class??

I don't understand.

[napolitana869]

she said 8 classes with all A's.
My school has a program for some majors where you can start taking classes for your masters while you're still an undergrad. Maybe you could look into something like that to save yourself some time.

[Storm Crow]

I work in education. Here's a few things you can do to get better grades.

First get a cassette recorder! Read your text books into it and replay the text often, while driving, doing housework, etc. I guarantee you will learn it!

Second, begin work ASAP on all assignments. The kids in college though I was crazy because I started on term papers a couple of weeks into class. By the time finals came around, I was done with it and could focus on JUST the finals- while everyone else was going crazy trying to do both for all their classes.

Third, type out your notes! Retyping them makes you pay attention to what you wrote.

Fourth, Study in a group! The feedback from fellow students sticks in your mind (usually more than what the teacher said in class!). They did a study on this and kids who worked in groups got better grades.

Fifth, I had a lot of luck writing my papers stoned and cleaning them up straight. Math (for me) was a disaster when I was stoned, however.

Sixth, Use a reward system. "I won't play my Xbox/get stoned/ have a cookie until I finish this assignment.

Another thing you can do, if you are creative, is to take a tune you know well and set new words to it- the facts you need to learn. I can still recite Poe's poem "El Dorado" that I learned in the 60s! I set it to some music and sang it through over and over. Remembering a song uses a different part of your brain than learning nonmusical stuff. So basically, you have it "written" in two places in your memory, making it more likely that you will be able to remember the facts.

As a tutor, one third of my job is getting kids to believe in themselves. The other thirds are- teaching kids how to study (tricks and tips), and the actual teaching of the facts and formulas. Most of you are just lacking the "tools" you need to learn- you're not stupid, you just don't know how to learn! And HOW to learn is not something most schools teach! I just gave you a few tricks that work for a lot of people. You DO have to work, though. Facts don't just jump into your head, you have to put them there. Very few of the kids I've tutored have remained stuck in their low grades.

[rebgirl420]

Side thought, having bipolar is NOT an excuse for shitty grades.

But in all seriousness, if you really wanna get A's you will. Tell your professor your situation. More than likely he/she will help you if you need it. Just bunker down and study, study, study. I assure you your not the only college kid thats in this situation. I too have to pay for all my college by myself. My parents ended up having to use my money to pay for my cancer stuff.

[CUTigeRGirL]

Side thought, having bipolar is NOT an excuse for shitty grades.

It isn't, but when it was untreated and mixed with the circumstances that I stated and other things that I'd rather not mention, it was hard. And of course, I will be honest...Due to my first year or so at college partying, and then what happened the next year or so, I am paying the consequences now. It is taking me 5 years because I am getting a dual degree in order to go to grad school. I am sorry to hear that you have cancer.

M. Steve: Maybe I made a mistake of posting this, but it was not an open invitation to be rude just because you are bored. I am happy for you and that your children are in college, but it has nothing to do with my situation. I am sorry that you feel that you must criticize others in order to fulfill your own happiness.

[surreys princess]

i do not think ms was coming across like that at all....i think you are misunderstanding what he is saying.....

all i know is you do what you have to if you want to...

i dont know what financial advisor in the world would not be telling you that you should be paying your interest charges monthly so they dont compound..they are nominal payments and save you a bunch in the long run.....and your precentage rate on your loan is not that high, you should see what some of these kids are paying through wells fargo and sallie mae...

who comes out of school making *major money*? very very few....

i dont mean to come across rude, but in my eyes, you made your bed and now you have to lay in it....fix it, deal with it, realize being a grownup comes with grownup responsibilities and decisions.....sorry if you see this as *criticizing* and not as another point of view maybe seeing some things you cant because you are in the situation.....

good luck....

princess

[Quantummist]

Buck Up! Quite making excuses (death of family member, diagnosed with bipolar, etc) and work hard for a goal. If you have enough functioning brain cells to use that puter you have enough to step up to the plate and not be blaming the government, your issues, your momma or the cat for you not getting to where ever you really want to get.

You are no different than any other person walking into the world where you have to earn a living. Its whats inside that counts and you can put in 16 hour days and make up grade points and work the remainder of your day at Waffle house if necessary. You can Sleep when you Die...

And Welcome to the Real World...