Last Semester Roadblock

[ZsaZsa]

I don't know if anyone else has ever had this problem...I'm almost done (1 Aleks, 1 PLA, 1 bio lab, and 2 ECE away from BA degree) and I seem to be paralyzed. The PLA is done except for finishing the narrative...which I've been writing in my head for months. I was blindsided by turning in a different PLA which was returned "no credit". This was the first thing I've ever failed at during this long and complicated journey. Now I just can't seem to get started again. Am I just shooting myself in the foot, or is it normal to freak out at the last minute? This group has become my classmates, and I've found so many answers here. My husband is my cheerleader, and is always supportive, but he has less than zero interest in the process. Now I'm afraid I have some underlying psychological issue that will prevent me from ever finishing (still need to take Abnormal Psych ECE, lol!) I'm also a mathphobe and have left that for the very last. AND [B][B]just for fun, I am now terrified of screwing up my GPA by doing poorly on the last two ECE's.[/B][/B]As usual for everybody, holidays are here and things are a little crazy, both inlaws are in different hospitals, and granddaughter is having surgery the 19th.
OK...I feel better for having vented.
Anyone else out there losing it?:willynilly:

[UptonSinclair]

I am working on the last month of my last course to complete a BSBA and I have decided to change degrees again. I feel your pain.

[KayV]

UptonSinclair, don't you have everything almost completed? What are you changing? And ZsaZsa, I am so there with you in terms of time crunch. I am trying to finish 6 hours of grad-level math classes and move classrooms where I teach. And go figure, moving is a whole different level of complication when you are in a wheelchair. On the bright side, all of this Will Get Done soon, ready or not. Hang in threre!

[bricabrac]

I feel your pain! I ended up extending my final TECEP out a month from mental overload. What I found worked to trick my self-imposed mindgame was to schedule my next goal, with a firm start date. That is what finally pushed me to take the exam.

To alleviate the stress, can you take those ECE exams as courses? If not interest in a course, why not print out a syllabus and start working though the material as if you were taking a course. It might just trip up your brain enough to move past the stress point. The true reward is it will only serve to prepare you even more thoroughly for the exam.

The best method I used was to leave an easy exam/course, either by subject or experience, until the very end to power down and relax my brain. (Even if I did not need the credit.)

Examples:

1. My final course for my BA Social Science was the intro course SOS101/102 CLEP. It was so easy after completing all the upper level requirements for that degree that upon exiting the testing center I breathed deeply, smiled, and sang loudly in the car all the way home. I took a month off then started working on the BSBA but still it was a nice method of lessening the stress of earning those very last credits. Most leave the most difficult courses (300/400 level) until the very end. That may be the traditional method but, in my opinion, is not the best choice; especially if you are on a fast track.
   
2. Even though I didn't need the credit, after taking my BSBA capstone I registered for SLs Business Communications & Medical Terminology. I needed something to push me over the hump. They were both very easy subjects for me and I needed to slowly downshift my brain activity back to normal. I don't know why, but it seems to work for me. When I am deep in my learning zone my brain tends to fire on all cylnders. It was very hard to shut it off, even to sleep for my normal resting period.
   

Anyway, hope my experiences give you some ideas on how you might proceed.You only need to find the best method to conquer your own fears/doubts. If nothing else let me first salute you on how far you've already come and state, you WILL and CAN do this! And if you need to allot yourself additional time to complete your degree plan, do so; just don't give up.

[bricabrac]

I am working on the last month of my last course to complete a BSBA and I have decided to change degrees again. I feel your pain.

You are killing me, Grrrrrrrr! What the heck are you changing?:willynilly: Why not complete the degree you are working on and sit for month (or two) then register for the alternate degree. Or, begin taking courses just for fun or even a grad course? Anything to keep your education moving forward. Please don't throw away the opportunity to have your diploma in hand. If something should happen you have earned a degree and can use it for growth either in your current career or quite possibly a new path.

[SweetSecret]

ZsaZsa, could you consider taking the Abnormal Psych TECEP instead? With the TECEP you wouldn't get a grade, so it might be less stressful,h& it would cost less ($111).

[cookderosa]

I don't know if anyone else has ever had this problem...I'm almost done (1 Aleks, 1 PLA, 1 bio lab, and 2 ECE away from BA degree) and I seem to be paralyzed. The PLA is done except for finishing the narrative...which I've been writing in my head for months. I was blindsided by turning in a different PLA which was returned "no credit". This was the first thing I've ever failed at during this long and complicated journey. Now I just can't seem to get started again. Am I just shooting myself in the foot, or is it normal to freak out at the last minute? This group has become my classmates, and I've found so many answers here. My husband is my cheerleader, and is always supportive, but he has less than zero interest in the process. Now I'm afraid I have some underlying psychological issue that will prevent me from ever finishing (still need to take Abnormal Psych ECE, lol!) I'm also a mathphobe and have left that for the very last. AND [B][B]just for fun, I am now terrified of screwing up my GPA by doing poorly on the last two ECE's.[/B][/B]As usual for everybody, holidays are here and things are a little crazy, both inlaws are in different hospitals, and granddaughter is having surgery the 19th.
OK...I feel better for having vented.
Anyone else out there losing it?:willynilly:

Sure! In fact when it gets hard, most people quit. Most never get the degree they started, and most adults hold college credit (and debt) without the piece of paper. So, you're in good company! That said, as one of your classmates, I hope you'll hear the support everyone here offers you so you can push through the last hill. If you do, you won't be in the majority, you'll get to be in the minority, which is pretty cool. I hope you dig in, because I'm sure you can, you just have to decide to do it.

[sanantone]

I am working on the last month of my last course to complete a BSBA and I have decided to change degrees again. I feel your pain.

Oh, dear God!

[SuZQ2]

I don't know if anyone else has ever had this problem...I'm almost done (1 Aleks, 1 PLA, 1 bio lab, and 2 ECE away from BA degree) and I seem to be paralyzed. The PLA is done except for finishing the narrative...which I've been writing in my head for months. I was blindsided by turning in a different PLA which was returned "no credit". This was the first thing I've ever failed at during this long and complicated journey. Now I just can't seem to get started again. Am I just shooting myself in the foot, or is it normal to freak out at the last minute? This group has become my classmates, and I've found so many answers here. My husband is my cheerleader, and is always supportive, but he has less than zero interest in the process. Now I'm afraid I have some underlying psychological issue that will prevent me from ever finishing (still need to take Abnormal Psych ECE, lol!) I'm also a mathphobe and have left that for the very last. AND [B][B]just for fun, I am now terrified of screwing up my GPA by doing poorly on the last two ECE's.[/B][/B]As usual for everybody, holidays are here and things are a little crazy, both inlaws are in different hospitals, and granddaughter is having surgery the 19th.
OK...I feel better for having vented.
Anyone else out there losing it?:willynilly:

Yup and Yup...Ever since I officially registered with Excelsior, my "self-doubt-o-meter" has been running at full speed...I have wanted this for so long, and I constantly think I will NEVER finish...Added to that, I'm a perfectionist (I NEVER think I know enough to pass) - so it takes me 4,000 years to complete courses and prepare for exams. Added to that, last Sept. I began studying for Research Methods in Psych, was convinced I "couldn't get it" and it would destroy my GPA.

At that point, I stopped, took a month off, did every menial household chore I'd put off for the past four years (including re-grouting the entire kitchen floor:p), then began a comeback with an entirely different course (BYU's online course, Sport Psych)...:ack:. So my best advice is to pick your least stressful exam/course and just keep moving forward...

And don't even get me started on my fear-of-all-fears...EC's Capstone...:ack:

You are definitely NOT alone...

[EI2HCB]

I don't know if anyone else has ever had this problem...I'm almost done (1 Aleks, 1 PLA, 1 bio lab, and 2 ECE away from BA degree) and I seem to be paralyzed. The PLA is done except for finishing the narrative...which I've been writing in my head for months. I was blindsided by turning in a different PLA which was returned "no credit". This was the first thing I've ever failed at during this long and complicated journey. Now I just can't seem to get started again. Am I just shooting myself in the foot, or is it normal to freak out at the last minute? This group has become my classmates, and I've found so many answers here. My husband is my cheerleader, and is always supportive, but he has less than zero interest in the process. Now I'm afraid I have some underlying psychological issue that will prevent me from ever finishing (still need to take Abnormal Psych ECE, lol!) I'm also a mathphobe and have left that for the very last. AND [B][B]just for fun, I am now terrified of screwing up my GPA by doing poorly on the last two ECE's.[/B][/B]As usual for everybody, holidays are here and things are a little crazy, both inlaws are in different hospitals, and granddaughter is having surgery the 19th.
OK...I feel better for having vented.
Anyone else out there losing it?:willynilly:

Deep Breaths Now! I just missed my Starbucks funding for not paying attention to the submission date. (baby on the way so sometimes priorities need to be addressed) Don't fret the ECE tests Uexcel tests you can take resits if you don't get the grade you want. I think you can take three resits on each exam. Usually those who exhibit self-doubt are the ones who produce the goods in the end. Remember the question "How do you eat an Elephant?" One small bite at a time! You are down to the spare ribs of getting this degree done. You'll get there by taking one step at a time.