Either Gap Year or Drop Out

[Kodirate]

Howdy,

Haven't been active much on here lately due to studies.

I have a phase test exam online about MySQL Databases Implementation.

Only been in University for two weeks now and already giving up.

What do people do to help with studies?

 

[Tofty]

I'd stick with it if I was you - I didn't really like it in my first couple of weeks and now I'm loving it.

Get into regular routines with times when you're going to study, eat breakfast every morning and try to go to bed at the same time. Actually put the work in and do the readings and you'll feel much better.

 

[Louwtjie]

I loved my gap year.
Was worth it at first. Once I started my first class it felt like a sleb.

I would suggest skipping the gap year and going on with your studies.

 

[RileyN]

I took a gap year before starting my associate's (and I plan on going back for a second degree this spring), and that time I took off was really enjoyable, allowed me to decompress after high school, start thinking more about what I want to really do, and allowed me time to get help from others.

If you're doing your degree online, here is some of the best advice I can give you:

• Try going to your online classes in a different environment (for example, a family member's home or a public library), sometimes being at home allows you certain comforts that aren't best for an educational setting. Plus, it just breaks up the routine and makes it more interesting.
• Use your camera and microphone as much as you can, even try different filters to remove the background of your surroundings to increase your feeling of privacy. The online school structure lacks so much physical interaction, using a cam/mic is the best we can do to develop a relationship with peers and instructors.
• Speak with your Academic Advisor/Counselor (or someone in a similar position) and ask for help creating a "road map" (outlining the classes you'll be taking, in what order, etc) all based on their experience. Colleges (even tech ones) have many resources available to students.
• Take the lead in group work, people online will often screw you over on group assignments. Lol.

If you're in person, many of the things above can help you get on the right path.

Before making any final decision, I'd meet with your Advisor and express your feeling to them. This is a great starting point.

 

[J3wishBanana]

Howdy,

Haven't been active much on here lately due to studies.

I have a phase test exam online about MySQL Databases Implementation.

Only been in University for two weeks now and already giving up.

What do people do to help with studies?

Unless you have a solid alternate plan, DO NOT dropout. In life you always need to have a main path and then a second route and even a third for if things don't go the way you planned. If you don't do this then when you have no planned path and are out of options this will lead you to depression. You have to persevere a lot in life and this will just be one of those times, if you really don't like it I suggest swapping courses and trying something else.

 

[Rej]

Some solid advice given above!

I personally would not drop out. I recently graduated from my undergraduate and found that starting out was the hardest part. Once I got into it and find a routine/study methods that worked for me, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Out of all my years are uni (grade-wise), my first year was my worst. Finding people who study something similar and have a drive to also succeed in what they're studying is key. I was lucky enough to find a solid group in my first year.

Take the gap year! Go travel, find a passion and enjoy the world for a bit!

 

[Palen]

I'd stick with it if I was you - I didn't really like it in my first couple of weeks and now I'm loving it.

Get into regular routines with times when you're going to study, eat breakfast every morning and try to go to bed at the same time. Actually put the work in and do the readings and you'll feel much better.

This is pretty sound advice; it'll take some time to adjust and once you do, it'll be fine.

If your specific major is too difficult, try switching to another one that has decent job prospects and isn't as demanding. If that doesn't work out either, you can always change to a trades school. Trades are good money and usually do pretty well during recessions (like the one that is about to hit us in a bit).

This issue with gap years is that you need enough drive and will power to come back to Uni. A lot of people take a gap year and never come back, which they may end up regretting afterward.

Dropping out is a terrible idea unless you already have a concrete way to sustain yourself in the future. Even then, Uni lets you have a couple years away from the constant hustle for money that you'll go after for the rest of your life afterward. You may also learn and experience things in Uni which you won't find elsewhere (seriously).

P.S. Online school sucks for some people, including me; I didn't really learn much from the classes I did online and had a more difficult time with them. That might also contribute to your feeling.