I'm already burnt out

[pluggingalong]

I've only been enrolled 4 months and I'm already burnt out. I've done 18 CU's and am currently working on another 3 CU's.  If I finish in 2 weeks, I could probably do another 3-4 CU course. It's hard to imagine keeping this up for another 2 years. I'm in Software Engineering (Java) but I don't plan to ever be a Java programmer, so that is demotivating me. Maybe I will switch to Cloud (AWS), or something I wouldn't mind doing. I'm not really sure what I want to do. I seem to go about 2x speed compared to a regular B&M college person, though that is slow for people here. I am just really slow to memorize things. Cloud and AI interest me. Cloud would be useful if I end up freelancing in the future, instead of getting another day job. I have a medical problem that seems to be getting worse that might force me to work from home the last decade of my career. Or just be self-employed.  It's hard to imagine working in an office again if I periodically need to go to a hospital. I lasted less than year when I first went to a B&M college 40 years ago, though I had a cool roommate who went on to be successful doctor.  I was going to go visit him because I heard he had retired, but then heard he was diagnosed and died of cancer within 6 months. That was a shock. It made me wonder if there was anything else I should be doing right now.

[bjcheung77]

@pluggingalong, keep on doing thing at Your Pace, don't rush yourself, you'll get to that finish soon enough. My condolences, losing a family or friend is really hard. You know your strengths, weaknesses, what you need to do, take your time and put your efforts into completing one course at a time... We're here cheering you on, you have my support all the way, good luck, keep moving forward...

[davewill]

Changing majors is an easy way to end up wasting time and credits. Someone with a software engineering degree should have no problem working in cloud computing, and a CS or SWE bachelor's is pretty much a prerequisite for working in AI. I'd say stay the course, and don't beat yourself up if you're going a little slower or need to take a leave to manage your health. Later you can add certs for those other subjects or consider a master's degree.

[LevelUP]

I've only been enrolled 4 months and I'm already burnt out. I've done 18 CU's and am currently working on another 3 CU's.  If I finish in 2 weeks, I could probably do another 3-4 CU course. It's hard to imagine keeping this up for another 2 years. I'm in Software Engineering (Java) but I don't plan to ever be a Java programmer, so that is demotivating me. Maybe I will switch to Cloud (AWS), or something I wouldn't mind doing. I'm not really sure what I want to do. I seem to go about 2x speed compared to a regular B&M college person, though that is slow for people here. I am just really slow to memorize things. Cloud and AI interest me. Cloud would be useful if I end up freelancing in the future, instead of getting another day job. I have a medical problem that seems to be getting worse that might force me to work from home the last decade of my career. Or just be self-employed.  It's hard to imagine working in an office again if I periodically need to go to a hospital. I lasted less than year when I first went to a B&M college 40 years ago, though I had a cool roommate who went on to be successful doctor.  I was going to go visit him because I heard he had retired, but then heard he was diagnosed and died of cancer within 6 months. That was a shock. It made me wonder if there was anything else I should be doing right now.

The number #1 reason why people drop out of WGU is because they don't transfer enough credits in and get overwhelmed by the amount of work they have to do.

If you followed the degree plan, you would have had 9 courses left to do plus the capstone.
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/WG...egree_Plan

It's free to do certs at WGU but I would suggest doing them before enrolling to get experience and get them out of the way.

How many courses do you have left to do and how long is it taking you to complete technology related courses?

[pluggingalong]

I've only been enrolled 4 months and I'm already burnt out. I've done 18 CU's and am currently working on another 3 CU's.  If I finish in 2 weeks, I could probably do another 3-4 CU course. It's hard to imagine keeping this up for another 2 years. I'm in Software Engineering (Java) but I don't plan to ever be a Java programmer, so that is demotivating me. Maybe I will switch to Cloud (AWS), or something I wouldn't mind doing. I'm not really sure what I want to do. I seem to go about 2x speed compared to a regular B&M college person, though that is slow for people here. I am just really slow to memorize things. Cloud and AI interest me. Cloud would be useful if I end up freelancing in the future, instead of getting another day job. I have a medical problem that seems to be getting worse that might force me to work from home the last decade of my career. Or just be self-employed.  It's hard to imagine working in an office again if I periodically need to go to a hospital. I lasted less than year when I first went to a B&M college 40 years ago, though I had a cool roommate who went on to be successful doctor.  I was going to go visit him because I heard he had retired, but then heard he was diagnosed and died of cancer within 6 months. That was a shock. It made me wonder if there was anything else I should be doing right now.

The number #1 reason why people drop out of WGU is because they don't transfer enough credits in and get overwhelmed by the amount of work they have to do.

If you followed the degree plan, you would have had 9 courses left to do plus the capstone.
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/WG...egree_Plan

It's free to do certs at WGU but I would suggest doing them before enrolling to get experience and get them out of the way.

How many courses do you have left to do and how long is it taking you to complete technology related courses?

Other than cost, what is the difference between doing the course work at WGU versus somewhere else?   WGU lets you take the classes at whatever speed you want, so there shouldn't be a speed difference.  If WGU accepts the credit, that implies the work is just as hard.  So if it isn't any faster, it isn't any easier, and cost is not an issue, what is the advantage of getting the credits elsewhere?

[rachel83az]

Some of the other classes are significantly easier for some people than the WGU courses. For instance, Introduction to Website Development on Sophia takes 2-3 hours, tops. WGU's "IT*371 Web Design and Development" or "Web Development Foundations" may or may not be difficult, per se, but it takes longer than 2-3 hours. Other courses are similar. They're often easier or faster at Sophia or Study.com than they are at WGU.

[pluggingalong]

Some of the other classes are significantly easier for some people than the WGU courses. For instance, Introduction to Website Development on Sophia takes 2-3 hours, tops. WGU's "IT*371 Web Design and Development" or "Web Development Foundations" may or may not be difficult, per se, but it takes longer than 2-3 hours. Other courses are similar. They're often easier or faster at Sophia or Study.com than they are at WGU.

So you would suggest I drop out of WGU, do all but the 9 classes outside WGU, then re-apply?

[rachel83az]

If you're already feeling burnt out, yes. Unless you can get your money back, I would continue with the current term as much as possible before dropping out. Maybe go at a slightly slower pace than you have been. Whatever helps keep you from continuing to feel burnt out.

[xspect]

I'm really sorry to hear that you're feeling burnt out so early into your program. Burnout is a serious issue that can have long-lasting effects on both your physical and mental well-being. It's even more challenging when juggling medical issues and uncertain about your career path.

Firstly, kudos to you for completing 18 CU's in just 4 months—that's no small feat! However, it's important to remember that it's not a sprint; it's a marathon. You've got two years ahead, so pacing yourself could be beneficial. Since you're also dealing with a medical condition, consulting healthcare professionals about managing your stress and workload might be a good idea.

You mentioned that you're not particularly interested in becoming a Java programmer, which could be contributing to your lack of motivation. If Cloud and AI are areas that genuinely interest you, perhaps it's worth considering a switch. Passion can often make the educational journey more enjoyable and less draining.

Your concerns about potentially needing to work from home due to your medical condition are valid. Focusing on skills enabling you to freelance or work remotely, like Cloud, seems like a strategic move. It aligns well with your interests and provides the flexibility you might need.

The passing of your friend is a somber reminder that life is unpredictable. It's natural to question whether you're on the right path. Sometimes, life's curveballs make us re-evaluate our priorities. Have you considered seeking support from friends, family, or professionals to discuss these existential questions?

Lastly, if memorization is a hurdle for you, maybe explore alternative learning methods. There are various techniques, like visual aids or practical projects, that could help you retain information more effectively.

On a side note, I have some time management and pedagogical techniques that I'd be glad to share with you. They've helped me a lot in balancing my workload and making the learning process more efficient. Just let me know if you're interested!

Remember, it's okay not to have all the answers right now. The key is to be open to opportunities and willing to adapt when necessary.

Take care and all the best,


Professional Disclaimer: While I am a healthcare provider, the advice and suggestions offered in this post are intended for informational and supportive purposes within this forum. They should not replace individualized medical or psychological treatment. If you're facing medical or psychological challenges, I strongly recommend consulting with qualified healthcare providers for a comprehensive evaluation and treatment plan tailored to your needs.

[pluggingalong]

If you're already feeling burnt out, yes. Unless you can get your money back, I would continue with the current term as much as possible before dropping out. Maybe go at a slightly slower pace than you have been. Whatever helps keep you from continuing to feel burnt out.

I have about 2 months left in this term, I can focus on classes that must be taken at WGU, then stop and do study.com/sophia.