I am so stressed...

[InfinityRose]

So, I am currently in college and extremely overwhelmed by my work load. I have classes five days a week, and thirteen credit hours altogether, in addition to working 8 hours a week for my work-study job. Thirteen credit hours my not seem like a huge load for a full time student, but with the specific classes I'm taking and the teachers I have, it is. In one of my classes, I have four separate textbooks, in addition to a fifth book that I have to do a 2,000 word report on, and have to do a massive amount of reading each week. Before the class even started, we were supposed to have 500 pages read. I wasn't aware of this, and am now a week behind. In case anyone is wondering, this is only supposed to be a 3 credit hour course.

Another class in particular that I'm struggling with is Biology. It's not that the content itself is difficult, but the fact that the notes given are almost all pictures and my teacher goes over the information so fast that I have no time to write it down, makes it difficult to get the important information. He also has a habit of not telling us what assignments are due before the next class and just expecting us to figure it out on our own, and not telling us what's going to be on the tests and quizzes beside "look over the recent lecture notes." As you can probably tell, I'm having a rough time. The one semester where I took 17 credit hours wasn't nearly this bad. I really want to drop one of my classes, but I need to be a full time student to get financial aid. I would get tutoring, but I literally have no time in my schedule for it. Hell, I barely have enough time to eat and sleep. I don't know what I should do. I don't want to fail my classes...

 

[Chance]

Hey Infinity... College is tough. I think its cool you are doing what your doing. I took classes for a while but I just couldn't keep up. However, can you use your phone to record what he is saying so you don't have to worry over taking notes so fast? I hope you can... And hope you can hear it. I do this at Board Meetings at work, there is no way I can digest what 7 other people are saying. It works and I just put on headphones to play back...

As for the A-hole Professor... Most of them have a pattern. Look for it and you will know what he is expecting. Some of them do this on purpose to find out who is paying attention. I seek out patterns easy. I just notice when someone is doing something like this and start noticing when they do it and the processes they use... I think its a game for some of them.

As for the rest, I wish I had some good answers. Get good rest and time management is about all I got.
Good luck to you, and stay positive... : )

 

[InfinityRose]

Hey Infinity... College is tough. I think its cool you are doing what your doing. I took classes for a while but I just couldn't keep up. However, can you use your phone to record what he is saying so you don't have to worry over taking notes so fast? I hope you can... And hope you can hear it. I do this at Board Meetings at work, there is no way I can digest what 7 other people are saying. It works and I just put on headphones to play back...

As for the A-hole Professor... Most of them have a pattern. Look for it and you will know what he is expecting. Some of them do this on purpose to find out who is paying attention. I seek out patterns easy. I just notice when someone is doing something like this and start noticing when they do it and the processes they use... I think its a game for some of them.

As for the rest, I wish I had some good answers. Get good rest and time management is about all I got.
Good luck to you, and stay positive... : )

Thank you for your advice. Recording the lecture sounds like a good idea. I don't know if I'm technically allowed to do that (I've been in other classes before where that was against the rules) but I could probably just record it on my phone and nobody would know. The weird thing about my Bio professor is that I don't even think he realizes how difficult he's making the class. It's a good thing I have a background in Biology from high school, and Chemistry from previous college courses, otherwise I'd be completely lost.

I suppose one good thing that's come from all this is that I know for sure now that I need to switch my major. Even if it doesn't have as many career prospects, at least I won't be miserable anymore (hopefully).

 

[Gracey]

Could you devise a rigid structure? Like a time management plan/time table for reading/research/notes/essays

If you think about the amount you have to achieve all at once, if you lump it all together your brain might melt.
If you break it down (compartmentalise) you only ever need think about one thing at any given time (if you work to a time table/structure)
?

Well done and good luck.

 

[Momo]

My schooling life is kind of like that at the moment, stressful. As for advice on how to fix it, I just sit at home in a blanket burrito and sob for a bit. So, not exactly helpful advice.

 

[Streetwise]

My schooling life is kind of like that at the moment, stressful. As for advice on how to fix it, I just sit at home in a blanket burrito and sob for a bit. So, not exactly helpful advice.

See if there is a mental health hotline in your state that you could phone, we have a free one in the north-east of England and you can talk ,they don't give advice but they don't judge you.
Also you can email the samaritans in the uk at [email protected] they can take up to 24 hours to answer, it depends on the number of volunteers they have,also check your junk mail as their email might have gone there .

 

[Professori]

Nope, not all of us A-hole professors have a pattern . I don't but one pattern that I expect is for students to process material and learn.

Learning is not just about doing the work, but processing and sifting readings thoughtfully in order to retain. If you think that one of your professors does not realise that he is making the module so difficult, then speak to him - you are entitled.

Unfortunately, the academic mindset that has developed is to burden with a great deal of work, the implication being that this then means the module is worthwhile and learning would have taken place after completion.

Learning takes place through the sifting, often done alone, but also in groups which then critically- analyzes each others' work. Do you not have such a group?

I realise I am not helping, but I cannot really assist with advice without knowing more. I usually sit with my students in the hopes of drawing out individual potential and assisting the learning process. The understanding that one size in education fits all is rubbbish - each is unique and learns through their own set of characteristics.

This conformity and standardization that epitomizes education today is the death knell of individual creativity. Conformity leads to academic depression and lack of self-esteem. Find yourself a professor who listens.

 

[Alaska]

So, I am currently in college and extremely overwhelmed by my work load. I have classes five days a week, and thirteen credit hours altogether, in addition to working 8 hours a week for my work-study job. Thirteen credit hours my not seem like a huge load for a full time student, but with the specific classes I'm taking and the teachers I have, it is. In one of my classes, I have four separate textbooks, in addition to a fifth book that I have to do a 2,000 word report on, and have to do a massive amount of reading each week. Before the class even started, we were supposed to have 500 pages read. I wasn't aware of this, and am now a week behind. In case anyone is wondering, this is only supposed to be a 3 credit hour course.

Another class in particular that I'm struggling with is Biology. It's not that the content itself is difficult, but the fact that the notes given are almost all pictures and my teacher goes over the information so fast that I have no time to write it down, makes it difficult to get the important information. He also has a habit of not telling us what assignments are due before the next class and just expecting us to figure it out on our own, and not telling us what's going to be on the tests and quizzes beside "look over the recent lecture notes." As you can probably tell, I'm having a rough time. The one semester where I took 17 credit hours wasn't nearly this bad. I really want to drop one of my classes, but I need to be a full time student to get financial aid. I would get tutoring, but I literally have no time in my schedule for it. Hell, I barely have enough time to eat and sleep. I don't know what I should do. I don't want to fail my classes...

Some colleges that I attended had short courses that started later in the quarter or semester. They were sometimes intended for working community members who only wanted to learn a little extra, so were not advertised to students. I was able to add these more than once to keep my units up so I could drop another class. From the sound of it, that biology class might be a good choice to drop. There may be another biology class available from another teacher, that you can take later or during the summer. If you get a summer break, you might even consider going to another college to get that biology from a better professor. Just make sure the units will be accepted at your college.

You may also be able to get needed credits in other ways. A professor that you like might let you do a special studies class based on what you are learning from your job, or doing a research paper.

Resist the temptation to skip taking care of yourself, because that will only hurt in the long run. Taking regular breaks to stretch and rest your eyes can actually speed up your studies.

One sort of divot that you can eliminate, is that book you need to write the report on. Get that done immediately and avoid having it hanging over your head at finals time. You might get extra points from the professor for doing that also. It will not only benefit you, but your professor as well, since they get swamped at finals time also.

 

[InfinityRose]

Nope, not all of us A-hole professors have a pattern . I don't but one pattern that I expect is for students to process material and learn.

Learning is not just about doing the work, but processing and sifting readings thoughtfully in order to retain. If you think that one of your professors does not realise that he is making the module so difficult, then speak to him - you are entitled.

Unfortunately, the academic mindset that has developed is to burden with a great deal of work, the implication being that this then means the module is worthwhile and learning would have taken place after completion.

Learning takes place through the sifting, often done alone, but also in groups which then critically- analyzes each others' work. Do you not have such a group?

I realise I am not helping, but I cannot really assist with advice without knowing more. I usually sit with my students in the hopes of drawing out individual potential and assisting the learning process. The understanding that one size in education fits all is rubbbish - each is unique and learns through their own set of characteristics.

This conformity and standardization that epitomizes education today is the death knell of individual creativity. Conformity leads to academic depression and lack of self-esteem. Find yourself a professor who listens.

Thank you for your response, it's nice to hear some insight from a professor. The thought of talking to him has crossed my mind, something along the lines of, "Hey, do you mind adding some more text into your PowerPoint slides? It's kind of hard to follow along with just pictures" but I was afraid that would sound like I was asking for special favors, not to mention the fact that he'd almost certainly say no.

As far as study groups go, I do have a lab group if that counts. There's one person who's really smart and always knows what's going on, but she's also really busy. I asked her the other day if she would like to meet up before the quiz to go over the material, but she had work to do for other classes. Other than that, I'm not so good at making friends so I don't really have anyone else I can ask.

I agree with you that the education system is messed up, though. Personally, I think one should only be judged based on whether they know the material they'll need later on or not, not about how much work they can handle. As a Bio major, I was required to take Calculus, and was point blank told by my professor that the only reason why I was required to take the course was so that the higher ups could weed out the ones who were bad at math. Despite that, I managed to do pretty well in the course, through sheer hard work and bitter stubbornness. I was already doubting my major at that time, but if I switched (and I will next semester), I wanted it to be on my own terms.

 

[InfinityRose]

Some colleges that I attended had short courses that started later in the quarter or semester. They were sometimes intended for working community members who only wanted to learn a little extra, so were not advertised to students. I was able to add these more than once to keep my units up so I could drop another class. From the sound of it, that biology class might be a good choice to drop. There may be another biology class available from another teacher, that you can take later or during the summer. If you get a summer break, you might even consider going to another college to get that biology from a better professor. Just make sure the units will be accepted at your college.

You may also be able to get needed credits in other ways. A professor that you like might let you do a special studies class based on what you are learning from your job, or doing a research paper.

Resist the temptation to skip taking care of yourself, because that will only hurt in the long run. Taking regular breaks to stretch and rest your eyes can actually speed up your studies.

One sort of divot that you can eliminate, is that book you need to write the report on. Get that done immediately and avoid having it hanging over your head at finals time. You might get extra points from the professor for doing that also. It will not only benefit you, but your professor as well, since they get swamped at finals time also.

You know, looking for a second quarter class to transfer into sounds like a great idea. Yeah, if I can get out of Biology and not lose my financial aid, I definitely will. I'll try to do the book report as soon as I can, after I get the book. Unfortunately, my teacher thought it was a good idea to make almost all the options she gave us not available in the school library. :/ After requiring us to purchase 4 books for her class, she really shouldn't be expecting us to buy a fifth one. It's a good thing that my understanding and loving mother said she'd help me find the book and get it, even though she was a bit frustrated with my professor when I told her.

 

[InfinityRose]

My schooling life is kind of like that at the moment, stressful. As for advice on how to fix it, I just sit at home in a blanket burrito and sob for a bit. So, not exactly helpful advice.

Trust me, there have been moments where I've felt the exact same way. All last semester, I felt completely numb most of the time when I wasn't on the verge of a breakdown because of my workload. Two heavy math based courses in the same semester... never again. *shutters*

 

[Alaska]

You know, looking for a second quarter class to transfer into sounds like a great idea. Yeah, if I can get out of Biology and not lose my financial aid, I definitely will. I'll try to do the book report as soon as I can, after I get the book. Unfortunately, my teacher thought it was a good idea to make almost all the options she gave us not available in the school library. :/ After requiring us to purchase 4 books for her class, she really shouldn't be expecting us to buy a fifth one. It's a good thing that my understanding and loving mother said she'd help me find the book and get it, even though she was a bit frustrated with my professor when I told her.

Maybe talk to an advisor to see if there are any other options to keep your funding and still drop Biology. I just thought u might b able to take an online class in Biology also.

 

[Professori]

Thank you for your response, it's nice to hear some insight from a professor. The thought of talking to him has crossed my mind, something along the lines of, "Hey, do you mind adding some more text into your PowerPoint slides? It's kind of hard to follow along with just pictures" but I was afraid that would sound like I was asking for special favors, not to mention the fact that he'd almost certainly say no.

As far as study groups go, I do have a lab group if that counts. There's one person who's really smart and always knows what's going on, but she's also really busy. I asked her the other day if she would like to meet up before the quiz to go over the material, but she had work to do for other classes. Other than that, I'm not so good at making friends so I don't really have anyone else I can ask.

I agree with you that the education system is messed up, though. Personally, I think one should only be judged based on whether they know the material they'll need later on or not, not about how much work they can handle. As a Bio major, I was required to take Calculus, and was point blank told by my professor that the only reason why I was required to take the course was so that the higher ups could weed out the ones who were bad at math. Despite that, I managed to do pretty well in the course, through sheer hard work and bitter stubbornness. I was already doubting my major at that time, but if I switched (and I will next semester), I wanted it to be on my own terms.

Thanks for the honest response. I agree that it is difficult to find a group, never mind make friends. I usually form groups for my classes so they learn to work together, irrespective of who is in their group. But that is me.

I am always concerned when I read or hear of the genuine struggles that students have with all aspects of study life, especially the stress issue. I am convinced that education is structured in a way that makes it easier for those who lecture as opposed to those who are supposed to be learning.

The issue here is that life can be difficult enough for Aspies without the additional difficulties that come with studies (try being an Aspie professor). Thus, my comment on individual potential - with the focus on the individual and what subject matter resonates with each one, it is possible to teach effectively. So, it is possible to teach calculus through music, or art!

Unfortunately, until the focus falls on helping students to actually learn, which is what education is supposed to be, things will remain the same, and we will rely on principles drawn from the first industrial revolution. Produce widgets.

 

[Professori]

So, I am currently in college and extremely overwhelmed by my work load. I have classes five days a week, and thirteen credit hours altogether, in addition to working 8 hours a week for my work-study job. Thirteen credit hours my not seem like a huge load for a full time student, but with the specific classes I'm taking and the teachers I have, it is. In one of my classes, I have four separate textbooks, in addition to a fifth book that I have to do a 2,000 word report on, and have to do a massive amount of reading each week. Before the class even started, we were supposed to have 500 pages read. I wasn't aware of this, and am now a week behind. In case anyone is wondering, this is only supposed to be a 3 credit hour course.

Another class in particular that I'm struggling with is Biology. It's not that the content itself is difficult, but the fact that the notes given are almost all pictures and my teacher goes over the information so fast that I have no time to write it down, makes it difficult to get the important information. He also has a habit of not telling us what assignments are due before the next class and just expecting us to figure it out on our own, and not telling us what's going to be on the tests and quizzes beside "look over the recent lecture notes." As you can probably tell, I'm having a rough time. The one semester where I took 17 credit hours wasn't nearly this bad. I really want to drop one of my classes, but I need to be a full time student to get financial aid. I would get tutoring, but I literally have no time in my schedule for it. Hell, I barely have enough time to eat and sleep. I don't know what I should do. I don't want to fail my classes...

I forgot to mention previously, the classroom is the place for interaction, not lecturing, and so go ahead and ask your professor for written explanation of his picture based slides. You are really entitled to this.

Also, take to your classroom what you find interesting and what you need further clarification on. That is actually what your professor should be asking you!