Help!! I am sinking in excuses not to study

[Lindagerr]

I finished my AA in June 08 and I have not done much since. I took one exam in Jan 09 and then my life went crazy. Now I finally have the time and my tuition runs out in Oct, but I can't get started. I can't make a decision on what to study, if I should change my major or anything else. I feel lost and incapable when it comes to anything to do with school.

I have tried all my old methods, but I just can't find any motivation. Should I just give up? Maybe I was never meant to have a Sachelors degree. Am I wasting my families now very limited supply of cash?

Part of my motivation was to try to show my sons that they could and should get a degree too. Now both of them (only 19 & 21) have dropped out of college and I feel it is all a waste.

Any suggestions??:confused:

[alleycat]

A great example is never a waste. You are setting a great example for those children. It is just hard to keep the pace going. I feel it myself and have been sinking also. But I just signed up for another class that start last night. I really did not want to but my 4th grader said " mom just get it over with will you". Okay I get it. Now Linda have you thought about taking a class instead of just testing all the time? Sometimes if you change things up you get motivated. I am not really sure how much more school you have to do before Oct but that is 3 months away and you can get alot done in that time. Also what would you change your major to?

My advice would be go for a test that is easy for you and does not require alot of study. If there is such a test. I think once you get your feet wet again you'll be swimming. Linda do not throw the towel in, you can do it!

[ShotoJuku]

.....but I just can't find any motivation. Should I just give up? ....

This quote from On The Waterfront usually kept me motivated. :eek:

"...You don't understand. I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am...."

- Terry Malloy
On The Waterfront

You certainly have attained a lot - a college degree, and maybe right now you need a break, and of course you're not a bum, but ask yourself this simply question - can I be a contender...or am I content with what I have achieved?

[studyhard]

I am Vastly Talented at miring myself in indecision and getting nothing done. So I feel your pain.

My advice is this. Pick a major. Any major. Something is better than nothing, right? It's better to have a degree in something than not have a degree at all. And anyway, majoring in the "wrong" thing is not a life mistake that you will never ever be able to correct. Right? So pick something and get on with it.

Then quickly schedule a test or sign up for an online class before you have time to agonize over it or change your mind.

Analysis Paralysis is Totally Unproductive after awhile. Shut it off. Stop second-guessing yourself. Pray for wisdom, then choose a path and get going on it. You can alter it along the way here and there if you need to, but for now, get some deadlines facing you so that you HAVE to go on and then, y'know, go on!

Hang in there!

[skyfall123]

Part of my motivation was to try to show my sons that they could and should get a degree too. Now both of them (only 19 & 21) have dropped out of college and I feel it is all a waste.

I took a couple of IT courses back in Jan 2007 at the local CC that both of my sons were attending. I wanted to see what they were being taught. At the time I had an AA from 20+ years back. They had 52 & 36 credits respectively.

After having a "counselor" tell me that I had to take a remedial math course before enrolling in an algebra class:mad: ..... I found this forum, caught the bug, and completed my BS Business in Dec 2007.

Both of my son's were thoroughly unimpressed with my efforts. Fast forward two years and I am helping my one son complete his BSBA CIS at TESC and am about to help the other son finish his BS from COSC.

I can't make a decision on what to study, if I should change my major or anything else. I feel lost and incapable when it comes to anything to do with school.

You are trying to squeeze too much out of your Bachelors. This notion of diving into Physics and Calculus is impractical. If, after earning your Bachelors, you want to go forward and earn a Masters in the sciences, then go for it. In the meantime, bang out a couple dozen FEMA credits, a few DSST's and CLEP's and you'll have a BS Liberal Arts. There is nothing wrong with that degree. It is practical. Between the free FEMA's and a few DSST and CLEP's, you are home for a few hundred bucks and graduating in December.

As someone who has earned a BS Business and is pursuing two Masters....In retrospect, I could have easily gotten a BSLA from TESC and not missed a beat.

[peace123]

I notice in your signature you have 5 FEMA credits you want to obtain. Why not start with a FEMA and then pick a course in something you are passionate about or something that interests you. I think that might help to get you motivated.

Peac123

[soupbone]

I know exactly how you feel. Once I completed my AS I just sat around for a while. It's tough to get motivated but you just have to keep moving forward to your goal. Even if it's a little at a time just keep moving forward!





Around here, However, we don't look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because were curious... and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths...
- Walt Disney

[Gary]

Linda, your scores are butt-kicking, much better than mine. The tests you have lined up to take are pretty tough, at least in my world. Are you certain you want to take Physics I/II and Calculus so soon? Have you thought about the BA in Liberal Studies from TESC? 200 level count as upper level, that can make your path a little easier. You probably can use FEMA courses for your 27elective credits. You obviously do well w/CLEP's & DSST's, do more and save $$$. Have you thought about ALEK's (for math)? If your set on the BA in Natural Science classes from Cloviss CC are affordable and right now, buy one get one free (never thought I'd hear that). They have classes you would need. Centralia College has correspondence courses where you can complete them on your time. U of Wyoming, Portland State and Sam Houston State U also have affordable correspondence courses, these are good when you want to do them on your time. As for your finances, that concern is understandable. Definitely, as long as you are doing well w/CLEP's & DSST's, I'd stick w/them. Good luck Linda!

[malcs]

Linda,
I agree with the above statements.

Go for BS in Liberal Arts or Liberal Science. You can then pursue a second BS degree by taking 30 more credits of hard science or math, or move on to a masters. It is all about breaking the effort into stages, with tangible milestones along the way. If the milestones are too far apart you will be inclined to give up. The science and math classes are often difficult to compress in time.

Why don't you try for a major or concentration in Psyc? It looks like you have taken a few psych courses, and you could probably complete a few more without too much difficulty. I tested out of 21 psych credits in a row, and one course led straight into another.

Education is never a waste of a family's money.

Keep moving along!!

[frankiebleyes]

Linda,

I know exactly how you feel, but quitting for you is not an option or you wouldn't be writing about it. Changing your major to something less intensive is a good idea if your goal is obtaining that decree this year.

What I really think is going on is overwhelming family circumstances that, unfortunately, many of us know about right now. The economy stinks. Go ahead and take a few tests and you will pass them. Take those FEMA credits, I did ten in two days and your only wanting five. Finish up at TESC and maybe later get that MS in math and science. Are you planning on teaching?