Start looking at internships and reading trade publications tied to whatever industry or profession you're majoring in. You'd be surprised what kind of resources your campus library has and how much a lot of those journals and data services (like Lexis Nexis) would cost in the real world. This shouldn't be used as a pretext to reaching for opportunities and experiences you're still too young for (Juniors and over only), but it should give you some motivation to study more. Also, you'll only realize this later in life but the general knowledge that you're getting from your core courses is more interesting and rewarding than any movie, video game, TV show or music you're indulging in right now on your off hours.
I pretty much never go to the advisors here since they tend to cater to you getting out as soon as possible. 12 hours is fine in my book, esp if you're a freshman getting accustomed to the workload of a hard major. I dropped a course last year simply because I knew I had too much on my plate at the time (Q-drop), went through the rest of the semester and recouped my second semester of taking an extra (core, easy class) to recoup for dropping and staying eligible for fin aid. Advisors are overrated, only useful if you are confused with a career path, questions about credits, or transfer (though it can easily be looked up online). Take my advise and plan your own schedule, decide the classes/hours you want weighing in the stress factor of the harder classes. The pace may be slower compared to others, but you will be doing yourself a favor of not being continuously stressed, having control and reaping the benefits of actually learning/applying the material. Also if you are coming in with credits, all the more reason to take your time, along with summer school sessions.
Count me as another that's not on the "college is the best time of your life" bandwagon. Some people have to work a lot harder on their studies. Could be because of the expectations they set for themselves, their natural abilities, or simply the major they have chosen. I will tell you it was definitely not easy for me. But I do agree that it got slightly easier as the semesters went by, with the first semester being the toughest by a long shot. Still, I don't regret college for once second given how much it has given back.
1) College isn't for everyone; 2) I think you'll do well in college I understand where you're coming from on all that you said. Many of us have been there too. Except when I was 18 I didn't seek advice like you are now, I probably just moaned and whined about it. So you're off to a better start than I was! As for feeling overburdened with the actual work load, I would recommend maybe making a schedule. Class from 8-2, study from 3-6, etc. Of course, your schedule would likely be more nuanced than this. You'll get through it. College life is a big adjustment, and one month is not long enough to have fully adjusted. Also, this very well could be the "best time of your life" - it was for me, although I'm only 26 now. So try to squeeze in some fun time. Join some student organizations, play intramural sports, or join a fraternity if that looks appealing to you. F*** 'em. I had 5 different majors when I was in college because they wouldn't let me choose Undeclared. So I just kept switching every few months. I think they went in this order: Criminal Justice Biology Sociology English Economics (what I eventually stuck with)
I haven't had the chance to read through the other responses so I apologize if this has already been said. What you are experiencing is normal and I am sure if you talk to classmates and dorm mates you will find a lot of them are going through the same thing. College should be challenging on a few levels. My advice to students is that if they find everything too easy then they should challenge themselves, academically and personally. My advice to you is you are doing the right thing getting your general Ed reqs out of the way. While they might not be as interesting as your major you don't want to end up being a junior still trying to fulfill your general reqs. Find other ways besides classes to fill your life. Join a club, play sports, etc.. As far as travel look into study abroad for your sophomore or junior years. Other than that I hate to tell you to suck it up but as far as being a freshman in college that is pretty much what you have to do. College is going to be an experience that will change your life but like any life changing experiences there will be good and bad. A lot of that though will be up to you.
The key to college imo is to find the right balance between educating and partying. The latter is meant to reduce the stress from the former. I couldn't imagine having to go through college on the straight-and-arrow just educating. That would have sucked. It also helps to have a friend base that you can do stuff with to let off steam. You sound like you are locked up in a room doing nothing but educating and going to classes...and nothing else. I would have quit the first chance I got if that's all I did in college. College requires work and prioritizing (like was said)...with some colleges more difficult and requiring more studying than others in that regard. Some people fail to achieve this balance because they do too much of the latter while blowing off the former. But, all work and no play...well...just ask Jack Nicholson in "The Shining".
the first months are hell for students who are serious (like you seem to be). Since you really like your only course in your major, that's a phenomenal sign. A lot of people hate their GEC requirements, and a lot of the profs teaching those hate the courses as well, so it can be truly miserable. But it only gets better.
College definitely requires an adjustment factor due to the lack of structure. To me, OP sounds stressed, either due to the pressure to succeed, or expectations not meeting up with reality. If you feel overworked, I would drop a class if it doesn't affect your financial situation. If you feel like you aren't making the grade, I would examine your studying habits. If you feel lethargic, I would start hitting the gym in your free time and try changing up your diet. If you feel like your not socializing enough, try looking around for study groups with classmates.
Listen youngsters. Life is too short and you will have plenty to stress about later on in life. And by plenty I mean PLENTY. Take advantage of this opportunity that you have, let grow you and shape you. If you're actually going to all your classes then you have it 80% figured out already. But most importantly, have some MF FUN! Find a circle of friends that have your back, and you have thiers. Go hoop and workout. Drink and pick up some tail. Get into sticky situations, and manage to get out of them unscathed. Party, hustle and get money. Get a job at a retail store that you enjoy shopping at, use the discount to keep new clothes and stay fresh. Take roadtrips. Try new things. Smoke something. LIVE! At least that's how I did it.
If you hate it and it's not a 100%, or at least close, free ride, get out at the end of the semester. Get a job that has you traveling. They're out there. Trades are undervalued as the 'American Dream'. I respect the hell out of carpenters, electricians, plumbers, IT pros with experience, etc. You don't need a degree to do these things as experience is king. It's not the end of the world if you get out. It's your life. Your family will love and respect you for making your own decisions. If not, **** 'em. You can always go back IF you really want to. Live your life on your own terms.
How many hours are you taking, as a freshman you shouldn't be taking anymore than 12 credit hours. If you can go ahead and drop your most challenging class now before yo can't do that either. Just relax go to the gym workout, play basketball, take a stroll outside campus get your mind of of classes. One thing that is very important in college study, this in sot like high school where you can pass with an A+ by studying over night you need to study. I've noticed whenever I go in to a test site knowing the material covered I feel so much less stressed out, stay ahead of your schedule don't let anything take you by surprise and get a good nights sleep everyday. Remember every college student feels stress, if you fail a test don't let it bother you just make sure you kick the next test in the ass.
Man up. You're stressing out way too much. It's just college. It's not like if you fail college you'll become a nobody without a degree.
Learning an actual trade might be a good bet. For all the talk of lack of jobs or unemployment, there is a very real lack of tradesmen and they tend to make good livings.
This is very undersold in the US. Everyone says you need higher education, but it's not for everyone. You might end up wasting 4 years of your life and put yourself in terrible debt when it's not for you. Tradesmen are high in demand. There will always be a need for them. You could look into that if there is a field that you enjoy.
Hey brother, College is an adjustment - a huge one at that. I was fairly sad a couple of months in to college because I had to work about 39 hours a week and by the time I got home around 10:30 each night - everyone I knew was already out socializing & it was hard for me to meet people - this was before cell phones, so I had no idea where anyone was. That being said - by the end of the first semester things really took off for me socially, and by the 2nd year I was having the time of my life with a serious girlfriend, lots of keg parties, etc. Drop down to the minimum # of hours that you can still be full time. Get out and have some fun. Look forward to next semester academically. Don't schedule any classes before 10am and add more of your Major courses. You have four years to get the "basics" out of the way. Sprinkle them in - it will make you much more happier. I still look back at college as an incredibly fun time in my life - you learn a lot about yourself and who you are, and its the most freedom you'll ever have. I'm glad I moved away for college instead of staying in Houston and going to San Jac. relax, have fun, don't stress - your doing college wrong. good luck my friend
Sounds like you're taking too many hours at once. I could be wrong though. I felt that way too and I took 12 hours the following semester and it worked wonders. Make friends in the classes you don't enjoy (actually make friends in all of your classes) so the group can slug out the 'uninteresting' courses as a collectively instead of individually. It really does work and it's much more fun! I don't think I would've gotten through Cal II without my friends. Once you get your feet wet, it should all click. Had a 3.1 with 17 hours in my first semester and got a 3.9ish in the second semester with 12 hours and from there on out (15 hours). You'll probably have to do summer courses but those are much easier. Also if your school has a study abroad program, maybe consider doing that too so you can get out of the country.
Collectively*. Finance major here so I'm not the best writer out there haha. Remember that college is a wonderful experience. You just have to put yourself in position to capture those great moments that you'll remember for the rest of your life! Join a fraternity if you are into that! Your decision. Enjoy and forget the stress!
Wow, thank you everybody for the advice. I really do appreciate it. I can't reply to everybody and everything so I'm just going to clarify a few things: I'm doing 14 credit hours, which is actually slightly lower than most other freshman (who do between 15 and 18 hours). I'm studying International Affairs, and I absolutely love the field. There's just a lot of gen. Ed classes I need to take first. I have some friends, and I do some orgs and clubs. But recently it's been impossible to go to meetings because of all the school work. I cannot drop a class; the deadline has passed and I'll be under 12 credits (and thus be considered a part time student and lose housing and aid).
