Hi all, I graduated high school from a little town in northern Texas in 2003. Following graduation, I went to the local community college in my town and experienced meager success. I received bad grades in a couple of classes, and just frankly wasn't a committed student. I went to this community college for two semesters and quit. Fast forward three years and I meet a guy my age who graduated from a high school twenty minutes from my hometown... What initiated my return back to college was a conversation I had this summer with a former acquaintance of mine. Over AIM, we began chatting about our lives in general and the issue of our education came up. Mind you, I had not been in school for about two years prior to our conversation, and I was struggling as a online 'entrepreneur' living with my divorced father. As we were talking, I casually asked Rob what school he attended and he replied "Notre Dame." I suddenly felt as though the energy in my body had been zapped away. I felt intimidated and ashamed. I felt inferior. I felt sick to my stomach. I ultimately felt lower than dirt. After ending that conversation, I went into deep thought and examined my life (compared to his). I felt as though my life was meaningless and I decided after speaking with my parents to enroll back in school. Meanwhile, I killed my friendship with Rob and started to develop a very competitive attitude against his accomplishments. I now wanted to accomplish more than Rob and be smarter than I thought him to be. When I enrolled in core courses this past summer, I felt as though I was putting myself back on track to success. However, being out of school for a substantial amount of time was not an aiding factor for success for fast track summer courses. I made a "C" in Biology I and a "B" in English II. I felt miserable again. Before I moved to Dallas, Texas, I began to examine myself academically and intellectually and question why I wasn't "smart" and couldn't make an "A" in otherwise easy courses. I could not find an answer. I then enrolled for the fall at El Centro College in Dallas, Texas. I found the environment and instructors to be more conducive for success. In fact I made a 4.0 this last semester, but I still feel quite 'dumb' because the classes were relatively easy. For the last few weeks, I have been purchasing and examining publications on how to increase my mental acuity and raise my cognitive performance. I just don't think my brain is functioning at a capacity to be academically competitive. I'm studying on how to change my diet, daily 'routine', and how to engage more mentally stimulating activities to sharpen my cognitive performance. I've even completed a non-formal IQ test and evaluated the areas that I need improvement on - I scored highly on logic and mathematical reasonsing. And, I'm still obsessed with 'outsmarting' Rob. I'm working to earn my Associates in Arts Degree while simultaneously earning credits to transfer to Southern Methodist University and major in Computer Science and/or minor or major in Business Administration. No, the school is not highly ranked like Notre Dame, but I do want to work hard to get into a top graduate school to acquire a joint degree in law and computer science from Stanford, Duke, or University of Chicago. I still want my chance to graduate from a well-respected school. Does anyone have any advice for me regarding completing my undergraduate studies?
I took the plunge and went to a an engineering university right after high school. It's been extremely tough. They like to weed out anyone not cut out and serious about being an eingineer. So I've had to stay on my feet or get the boot. After reading your story I just want to comment that being out of school for a few years and going back can be hard. Your brain got adjusted to a different role so to say. I think you should finish off your associates at your community college and than move on to a university. Give your brain some time adjust to intense coursework. Also sometimes it's not even you. Often times professors can be a big factor in how well the students do. I always look up ratings and reviews of professors if I get put into their class. I suggest you look yours up whenever you are planning on taking new classes.
That's what I'm on track to do. I've developed a matriculation strategy for where I've aligned equivalent courses from acquiring my associates and transferring to SMU. I also think that acquiring my associates (while simultaneously completing transferable courses to SMU) will be another source of motivation to complete my bachelor's degree.
You shouldn't think too much about it. If you keep thinking you will end up thinking for the rest of your life. I say jump in!!!
I'm not thinking about it, I'm actually doing it. I have one year left. Sorry if I didn't make that clear.
I took my first college class 10 years after graduating from high school. Like you, I felt that I was out of practice... I was also surrounded by people much younger than myself. After a couple of semesters though, I started getting back into the swing of things. 6 years later, I earned my degree... I honestly think it means more to me than it would have had I attended college straight out of high school. Since I had to work harder, I appreciated it more... Good luck with your studies!