What do I do now?

Fluorescence

Ok guys, I need help, right now. I completely failed all my modules last semester, and now I have until Friday (2 days time) to figure out what I'm going to do. I'm currently in my 2nd year of a 3 year BA (joint major in English and Music).

Option 1: Resit all exams in the summer. Not really a plausible option as I have neither the money nor the time to prepare for 12 classes by May.

Option 2: Tack an extra semester onto the end of my degree. I graduate a year later than expected and have to pay half tuition fees for that repeated semester.

Option 3: Drop out of college. I'm not really very interested in my course, but I haven't a clue what else I might do if I were to do this.

So, what do you think? I'm considering option 3, but it is terrifying me at the moment because I haven't any idea at all what I would do if I were to choose it. AFAIK I wouldn't be able to re-enter college on a new course until September 2012 because I missed the Feb 1st CAO closing date. Besides, I don't even know what other course I would even be interested in. It's also unlikely that I'd be able to secure some kind of employment in the mean time because Ireland's really in the gutters at the minute. Option 3 is pretty bleak

How do I decide what the flying hell I'm gonna do with my life? I never ever get stressed but this makes me want to rip my brain out of my skull :eek:. HELP

Sardonicat

Don't even consider option 3!

If there is an academc advisory office at your unniversity, go to them and talk it over. It sounds to me like option 2 is your best option at the moment if you haven't the money to sit summer repeats of all your exams, plus the extra pressure of this could be a demotivational factor in semester 2. If you choose option 2 you can head into smester 2 with a clean slate. this will take a load off your mind and help you to focus better. graduating a year later makes no odds in the grand scheme of things.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

LegacyUser

I know this isnt on the same scale but last year I failed 2 exams in the first semester of 4th year and I was only allowed repeat 3 exams. I worked my ass off for the seconded semester and my lowest that semester was 53. I went off on my J1, came back a month early repeated the two I failed and the 53 brought up my overall average to a 2.1. I now working in a massive multi-national company.

I wouldnt consider #3 either just not worth your while seeing you have gotten so far already and you can always go back and do a conversion masters. As for the other two, it depends on what you think you will be best able to do.

Fluorescence

Yeah, option 2 seems the most sensible but I'm not 100% sure I can do it (I'll be talking to my programme office tomorrow to see if I can but AFAIK if the modules I failed aren't prerequisites for next years I can tack them on the end).. We'll have to see on that one.

The problem with this is I'm already behind this semester. We're in week 4 (out of 12) of classes now and I've already missed a few too many lectures/tutorials and I'm starting to panic a bit. AGH. I just dunno what to do

Sardonicat

You aren't too far behind in semester 2 to catch up! You are thinking about this as one massive workload instead of do-able chunks.

Go and see those people tomorow and when you come out you'll have a clearer head. The most important thing is to have a strategy to get yourself through this academic year. If in any case you may have to repeat a few of those modules this year (if they are pre-requisites) and the rest at the end of your degree, that will break up the amount of work that you will have to do. once you know what you are doing it won't seem so bad, I promise. the worst thing you can do is nothing 'cos you think it'll be too much. Trust me, you can turn this around! Are you a traditional student or do you fall into any of the categories (e.g. mature/have a disability)where you can avail of some support with study and planning your work? whatever support is available to you, take it. Plus, if the departments know you are having difficulties and are seeking help they take a much kinder view and more flexible approach to re-sits and late submissions of work. You are not the first person to panic themselves into this mess. Lack of motivation and not working cos you feel like you left it too late are common things to happen to students. They will have seen all this before (and some of them even went through it, i can guarentee you!) .You will be able to sort this out! It's not as bad as you think it is right now, believe me. you dont need to beat yourself up over this. treat tomorow as day 1, and take it from there.

Best of luck!