I've just recieved a letter saying i've been dismissed from University because of my grades. This is the second time. It's been ingrained in me since I was little that a person is nothing without a degree and those who don't have one will be working at McDonalds for the rest of their lives and wil...
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YOUR POST
JENNIFER TURNER
Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 08:57 AM -
PERSPECTIVE
A work in progress
Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 11:16 AMJen,
I feel your pain, humiliation, loss...and so much more. I have found that my successes in life have come from dealing effectively with huge losses. My marriage, a pregnancy, a job, (yes, my grades), my income, my job, my dream home. We as a society have come to value so many things. Yet what we need to recognize that if we are fortunate to live a long life...and a woman's life expectancy is right around 85....that if we look back on this moment it is but a blip on the screen of our biography. When we are in the loss, it feels huge and all consuming. When we pass through the fire to get to the other side there is hope. Hope to begin a new, hope to reface the obstacle, hope to go a different path, hope to know that most decisions can be changed or impacted.
At 40 years old I went to college for the first time. College degrees in my home were utopic. Despite my depression I was able to get through recognizing that a C was passing just as much as an A. That when you get your degree while it's nice to boast of a 4.0, a 3.0 would get me the same degree and basic knowledge. There's a saying "Act as if". Rather than assuming that I knew how to study, I took a class on how to study so I could learn to be successful at college. Oh I had classes Art classes where I got A's and Economic classes where I got D's, but it all came out in the wash. The most important thing is that you take care of yourself and have realistic expectations of your own capabilities. Work with a trusted friend to figure out what's blocking your success. Are you sabotaging yourself, I myself am guilty of that from time to time. Right now I have taken one exam twice and failed. I get one more shot and I'm out of the program. It does cause me to pause and take inventory of myself. But if I recognize simple facts like -- I can do just about anything if I put my mind to it AND I can do just about anything if I can read and comprehend...then I have some great tools to work with to help me reach my goal.
Please recognize that if you have depression as I surmise you do because you are on this site. It affects your concentration significantly. While I made it through school, I have been unable to maintain employment because of my inability to concentrate and/or focus on detailed tasks. I know that my chances increase if I a) take my medication b) eat right (avoid sugars & carbs) c) exercise daily d) get adequate sleep e) share my concerns with a friend. All of these things impact my ability to concentrate, it seems a pain many times that I have to do those things daily, not overlooking any. For me I have a legacy to leave, I am a role model for my kids. That motivates me to dust myself off and start over. You need to find what motivates you. It could be as simple as you are taking too hard of classes, your time management skills suck and so you aren't able to set time aside to study...examine your daily living. Write it down, log it for 2 weeks and you will see patterns in your behavior which you can tweak and improve, one baby step at a time.
I believe that you can succeed, but as everyone keeps telling me, first you have to want it and believe you deserve it!
Hang in there!!!!
j
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Failure
Robert
Monday, May 26, 2008 at 09:03 PMI just read your post. I am sorry you are feeling so bad right now. Being in a hole can sometimes be pretty overwhelming. I've certainly had some pretty spectacular failures in my life. I remember how hard it was for me to move forward. I happen to be in one of those ruts today as I write you. I don't want to compare my feelings to yours only because I am not you and cannot possibly understand how you feel. All I can do is speak through experience. Right now. Today. I know that God will walk with me. He will be at my side no matter what happens. No matter how my troubles work out He will be there to help me. To pick me up and dust me off and help me move forward. I know it is sometimes hard to think that when you are in the depths of depression, but trust me He will be there for you. He may not make your problems go away but he will be there to help you heal.
Getting a degree is important to some and less important to others. Ask yourself if getting a degree is really something that you want. Is doing all the work that is required to get a degree going to make you happy? Once you have to degree what will you do with it? Will that make you happy? Do what makes you happy (unless it is illegal) and don't let anyone tell you different.
thoughts and prayers
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Untitled Comment
isolation
Thursday, May 29, 2008 at 01:10 AMevaluate why your grades are low and try to fix the situation and ask for help from friends...i have been in similar situations...maybe take a break until you are ready to return to school. and there are plenty jobs you can work at without a degree.....doctor's offices, stores, preschools
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MY DEAR JEN, NO WONDER I HAVE,NT HEARD FROM YOU. SO MANY PROBLEMS FOR A YOUNG LADY LIKE YOU. I KNOW THERE ARE SMARTER PEOPLE THAN ME THAT WILL READ THIS AND MAYBE THEY CAN SAY SOMETHING THAT WILL HELP YOU. I DONT WANT YOU TO FEEL SO BAD, WE HAVE THE SAME NAME, REMEMBER? I FEEL YOU ARE SPECIAL TO ME. HONEY, THERE ARE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE THAT DONT HAVE A DEGREE, YET, THEY CAN AND DO LEAD A PRODUCTIVE LIFE. I AM SO VERY SORRY THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO YOU....I WILL WRITE MORE LATER..YOU REMAIN IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS....JENNIFER
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