Academic Troubles

LegacyUser

Hi there. Basically since September 2007 I've been having trouble with my academic life. I loved secondary school and I never had any problems and also got great leaving cert results. I started college in September 2007 in an Level 7 course in an IT, and basically I failed the year. This was due mainly hating the college, wondering what if I did the other courses on my CAO list and unsure about what career I actually wanted, Business or Healthcare. So I took the following year out working. Then last September (2009) I started in Arts, only because I had still not figured out what I wanted to do. I honestly hate the course as I'm doing 4 subjects. I really like one subject but it's fairly tough. I have not worked one bit in this course. I do less than the bare minimum (well as of last week I've been working hard....I think!) and now I'm afraid I'll fail the year again. It only registered with me in February that yes I'm doing this course I better start working as opposed to giving every week a shot before this thinking I might drop out. I'm really attracted to a career in another area (healthcare) but I seem to not be able to just grab it if you get me, as in do something about it. Thing is this whole situation has been stressing me out a lot since May 2008 (did not think about it too much during summer of 2009). I did not know what stress was but I definitely had it and still do. I actually over-think everything if that is any help. I'm just looking for peoples opinions and any advice you may have. Thanks in advance.

RedXIV

If you want to get into healthcare, then my advice would be to get out of an arts course and apply for something in healthcare. I realise that chances are now it'll be difficult to get the high profile courses for the coming september, but you can definitely get other ones? there's a year long pre-med course in Dun laoghaire for example?

I know how hard it is to do something in college when you're not interested, I was in that position in my final year but I stuck with it simply to get the degree. You have at least another year or two left IF you pass, thats just unnecessary hardship.

See if you can talk to a guidence councillor in the college. That'd be my advice from here

LegacyUser

Hey, me again. I was looking at courses in the UK in healthcare such as Physiotherapy, but the UCAS closing date has passed, while I can make a late application and still be considered if quotas don't fill, I've pretty much missed my chance to start in September 2010. Ok I'm going to see a guidance counsellor tomorrow. At the moment I am so stressed out, I can barely concentrate on my college work. I have one other thing going on in my life right now which I just can't deal with at the moment, which may be causing some of the stress. Can anyone offer advice for stress?

Victor

Stress - get some exercise and try to eat and sleep properly.

tenchi-fan

You might be best concentrating on finishing one course. Managing your workload and knuckling down isn't just a skill in college, it will help you out no matter what career you choose.

You could easily start the healthcare course then after christmas realise you're still stressed out, haven't studied yet.. and convince yourself you wanted to do a multimedia course.