October 23, 2001
College can be really hard sometimes. With all the classes that you take to try and keep up with the number of credits that you need to take to graduate, it’s hard to keep focused, and sometimes you get overloaded. I know that’s what happened to me last semester. I took the advise of my [crappy] advisor and took two really hard Graphic Design classes in the same semester. Just a quick note, I should have split them up into two semesters. If you’ve never taken Graphic Design courses before, there’s 5 times more outside of class work than there is inside class work. I spent many nights without sleep trying to finish these projects that were given to the class with very short deadlines, mind you.
To make a long story short, I was so exhausted and burned out that I lost interest in the classes toward the end of the semester that I lost all interest and gave up trying to complete them. Consequently, that meant I got an “F” in both classes, and my GPA drop too far, and now I’m on academic probation.
The sad thing is that I’m slacking off in my classes again, and they aren’t that hard either! They’re a breeze compared to what I was doing last year. Bad habits die hard with me. I’m a person who needs a lot of sleep to function. I also like to stay up late and play on my computer. By the way, you can read my August 21 entry to get a better idea of how I feel about that. What ends up happening is I start choosing sleep over class, even when I can go and be fine after I wake up a bit. The solution: Go to bed earlier, do homework right after I get it, and quick skipping class!! Will I follow my own advise? Depends on how quick I can get my head out of my ass and realize that I’ve only got one shot at college, and if I screw it up it’s going to be really hard to go back. College is optional and some people are just not cut out for it. I know this fact, but I refuse to believe it. I want to better myself. Some people can make a living for themselves by picking up on things and teaching themselves, but I’m not like that. I do need instructors and guidance still. I’m not a completely independent learner.
Having a high frustration level doesn’t seem to help either. I’m stubborn when it comes to asking for help on something because I want to prove that I can do it all on my own, and maybe I’ll impress someone that way. Boy, I really need to get my head out of my ass, don’t I?! : )
Lesson of the story…1) College is an opportunity that shouldn’t be wasted on laziness. 2) Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Everyone needs it every now and then, no matter what his or her IQ or talent level is. 3) Kim, get your head out of your ass! : )