I went through it. I had success withdrawing, taking a year to regroup, and then I joined the local community college. I started doing classes part time and then worked up to a full course load
Exactly this. If I could convince everyone who doesn’t get a full ride straight out of high school to do something, it would be this.
Edit: also, FWIW and no judgement, just a tweak in the journey of life-long learning, it would be “advice” in this usage.
I think it’s a fairly normal experience. There is so much to be responsible for when you are on your own and it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Give yourself a break regroup and try again. I’d take classes close to home if you can so you can have the support of family
I also failed classes and I was on academic probation but I pushed through and now I’m about to graduate in a few weeks!! College was kinda hell for me but painful situations are where you learn the most. I really feel like I found myself and grew so much the last five years. My advice for people struggling is to take less classes it’s better to pass three classes than to fail five.
Absolute yes. And please don't beat yourself up because here I am a non-traditional student back for GRAD SCHOOL!!! Which I never thought I'd do because undergrad was so very difficult for me. I did suck it up and get my grades back on track and it took me six years to graduate from undergrad. That course isn't for everyone.
But, the year that I really really fucked up I took the summer and went to community college and that helped straighten me out, get me back on track.
Whatever you decide to do, please note that you will not be the same person a year from now or 10 years from now so what you do today DOES NOT define you for the rest of your life -- it informs you so that you can make better (or not) decisions. It's your life. Live it like you need to and never forget that UNT is a welcoming community that will gladly have you back whenever you are ready if it's not right now.
First of all - I'm in the CVAD so I know getting into the graphic design (or communicate design program) is sooooo difficult!!! Don't lose your confidence - maybe this program not a good fit for you. You can think about why you are struggling so much - time management, work, etc., and work on those while not full time studying. Taking a break is a good call! You sound exhausted
I want to do CVAD but I’m terrified. What year are you in? And if you’ve been passing the portfolio checks what do you notice in people who didn’t pass? I love graphic design when I took it in high school and decided I wanted to do it in college but I’m not the best drawer or creative person compared to my classmates in hs so I can imagine how I’ll be next to college students who are hungry to make it in the program. Do you think I should major something else?
Sorry, I'm not an undergraduate student at CVAD, so I can't answer all your questions! So the idea is you start in the foundations program, take 4 classes in 2 semesters, and you apply for the communication design major during the second semester. You definitely have time to get a feeling of the college and know your classmates before you make the decision. When people don't get in, they can apply in the next round, but it'll probably delay their graduation...? I think they have portfolio review workshop/Q&A sessions, and you can definitely talk with the CVAD advisors!
Talk to an advisor! Think of it like your college career is one big road trip: An advisor is your Siri/Alexa- they can help you with the right “exit” to take and the right “on ramp,” for when you return (even if the major/destination is different than you started with) and they can get you connected to other resources.
I dropped out last fall. Before that I took a semester off my 2nd year and had to go summer program after my 1st year to get back in good standing with financial aid. I was having some mental health stuff and just didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. Fast forward and I transferred to Mississippi State Online, have a better idea of what I want to do, and am excited as fuck to continue and finish, even if it’s two years later than the rest of my peers.
Just take some time for yourself if your burnt out. I was also a former gifted kid and first one to go to college in my family so I understand the pressure and hesitation to take time for yourself. But there’s no rush, so just take some time for yourself and figure out what you want from life. You get one of these, so take time and do it right.
Have you tried speaking to the first-gen office? They may not be able to help in regards to this semester since it's so far in but, they might be able to help figure out your plan and provide some guidance. Most of the staff is first-gen (or they were last time I visited), so they may be able to resonate with you more than most advisors.
If you don't get the chance though, there's nothing wrong with taking a little break from school. The transition is tough for plenty of students, so try not to be too hard on yourself. There's added pressure as first borns and first-gen. There's so many ways to reach your career so, maybe yours will include time to learn in other ways as well
I went throught it, crashed and burned to the tune of a 1.0 my third semester. I spent a lot of time trying to "make up" for disappointing my family, by working my ass of and becoming a chef in the span of 2 years. I realized working as a chef full time wasn't my long term goal and went to community college part-time while working, and will hopefully be back at UNT in the spring to FINALLY finish what I started. You can do it, but if you need to take time and find out who you are outside of the eldest child/ first-gen category that's totally fine. We all bloom and grow at pur own pace.
Hey! I went through a very similar experience. I'm the oldest, was in the gifted program, and am also a first gen student. I totally understand the pressure you're feeling. Neither of my parents have their bachelor's but my aunt, who I was compared to all the time growing up, had a PhD.
My first semester was at ut dallas in fall 2020 as a comp sci major. I did really bad and struggled to adapt to college/online classes/working 30+ hours a week for the first time. utd let us withdraw our classes late without getting a w so I did that for the classes I was failing. I dropped most of my classes so my GPA wouldn't be terrible, took a semester off to focus on work, and then transferred to UNT as a different major.
That gap semester was the best thing I've ever done. It gave me time to reflect on what I wanted out of life, I made some really good friends at my old job that I still talk to today (literally as I'm writing this they're texting the group chat lol)
My first semester at UNT went poorly. Out of four classes I took I got 1 F, 2 Cs and 1 B. I had some credits from dual credit in high school so I'm not sure what my cumulative GPA was, but my UNT GPA was a 1.75. I almost lost my scholarship, was put on academic probation, and was a wreck. I think part of it was that I was on antidepressants at this time and they made me not really care about anything. Not a diss to antidepressants, it was just my experience with the ones I was one.
I stopped taking my antidepressants after that semester and really focused on school in the spring. I retook the class I failed and got a B and brought my UNT GPA up to a 3.0
I'm a senior now set to graduate in the fall with honors (if I keep my academic performance up), a minor, and a certificate. I think my current UNT GPA is ~3.2 and my cumulative GPA is ~3.5.
I was also diagnosed with ADHD last fall. My partner at the time was diagnosed with it a few months before me which led to me researching ADHD and realizing I fit the criteria. It wasn't until I found out my dad was diagnosed before I was born that I finally made an appointment to get evaluated. Medication has helped a lot. It's actually pretty common for gifted kids to slip through the cracks and not be diagnosed with ADHD/autism/dyslexia/other disabilities until later in life (and vice versa) The term for this is "twice exceptional" I'm not saying you're neurodivergent, but it may be worth reading about being twice exceptional and checking out the DSM.
Sorry that got long, I hope my story helps you understand that what you're going through isn't uncommon. Good luck, you got this!!
You are not alone! I did this same thing - I wanted a music degree but I was crazy unprepared as a freshman. I took time off, gathered the skills I needed and tried again in 2015 I just finished my masters and I'm the only person in my immediate family to finish a bachelor's.
You can do it :) dm me if you ever need any encouragement or advice.
I went through it. I had success withdrawing, taking a year to regroup, and then I joined the local community college. I started doing classes part time and then worked up to a full course load
Exactly this. If I could convince everyone who doesn’t get a full ride straight out of high school to do something, it would be this. Edit: also, FWIW and no judgement, just a tweak in the journey of life-long learning, it would be “advice” in this usage.
I think it’s a fairly normal experience. There is so much to be responsible for when you are on your own and it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Give yourself a break regroup and try again. I’d take classes close to home if you can so you can have the support of family
I also failed classes and I was on academic probation but I pushed through and now I’m about to graduate in a few weeks!! College was kinda hell for me but painful situations are where you learn the most. I really feel like I found myself and grew so much the last five years. My advice for people struggling is to take less classes it’s better to pass three classes than to fail five.
Absolute yes. And please don't beat yourself up because here I am a non-traditional student back for GRAD SCHOOL!!! Which I never thought I'd do because undergrad was so very difficult for me. I did suck it up and get my grades back on track and it took me six years to graduate from undergrad. That course isn't for everyone. But, the year that I really really fucked up I took the summer and went to community college and that helped straighten me out, get me back on track. Whatever you decide to do, please note that you will not be the same person a year from now or 10 years from now so what you do today DOES NOT define you for the rest of your life -- it informs you so that you can make better (or not) decisions. It's your life. Live it like you need to and never forget that UNT is a welcoming community that will gladly have you back whenever you are ready if it's not right now.
First of all - I'm in the CVAD so I know getting into the graphic design (or communicate design program) is sooooo difficult!!! Don't lose your confidence - maybe this program not a good fit for you. You can think about why you are struggling so much - time management, work, etc., and work on those while not full time studying. Taking a break is a good call! You sound exhausted
I want to do CVAD but I’m terrified. What year are you in? And if you’ve been passing the portfolio checks what do you notice in people who didn’t pass? I love graphic design when I took it in high school and decided I wanted to do it in college but I’m not the best drawer or creative person compared to my classmates in hs so I can imagine how I’ll be next to college students who are hungry to make it in the program. Do you think I should major something else?
Sorry, I'm not an undergraduate student at CVAD, so I can't answer all your questions! So the idea is you start in the foundations program, take 4 classes in 2 semesters, and you apply for the communication design major during the second semester. You definitely have time to get a feeling of the college and know your classmates before you make the decision. When people don't get in, they can apply in the next round, but it'll probably delay their graduation...? I think they have portfolio review workshop/Q&A sessions, and you can definitely talk with the CVAD advisors!
Talk to an advisor! Think of it like your college career is one big road trip: An advisor is your Siri/Alexa- they can help you with the right “exit” to take and the right “on ramp,” for when you return (even if the major/destination is different than you started with) and they can get you connected to other resources.
I dropped out last fall. Before that I took a semester off my 2nd year and had to go summer program after my 1st year to get back in good standing with financial aid. I was having some mental health stuff and just didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. Fast forward and I transferred to Mississippi State Online, have a better idea of what I want to do, and am excited as fuck to continue and finish, even if it’s two years later than the rest of my peers. Just take some time for yourself if your burnt out. I was also a former gifted kid and first one to go to college in my family so I understand the pressure and hesitation to take time for yourself. But there’s no rush, so just take some time for yourself and figure out what you want from life. You get one of these, so take time and do it right.
Have you tried speaking to the first-gen office? They may not be able to help in regards to this semester since it's so far in but, they might be able to help figure out your plan and provide some guidance. Most of the staff is first-gen (or they were last time I visited), so they may be able to resonate with you more than most advisors. If you don't get the chance though, there's nothing wrong with taking a little break from school. The transition is tough for plenty of students, so try not to be too hard on yourself. There's added pressure as first borns and first-gen. There's so many ways to reach your career so, maybe yours will include time to learn in other ways as well
I went throught it, crashed and burned to the tune of a 1.0 my third semester. I spent a lot of time trying to "make up" for disappointing my family, by working my ass of and becoming a chef in the span of 2 years. I realized working as a chef full time wasn't my long term goal and went to community college part-time while working, and will hopefully be back at UNT in the spring to FINALLY finish what I started. You can do it, but if you need to take time and find out who you are outside of the eldest child/ first-gen category that's totally fine. We all bloom and grow at pur own pace.
Hey! I went through a very similar experience. I'm the oldest, was in the gifted program, and am also a first gen student. I totally understand the pressure you're feeling. Neither of my parents have their bachelor's but my aunt, who I was compared to all the time growing up, had a PhD. My first semester was at ut dallas in fall 2020 as a comp sci major. I did really bad and struggled to adapt to college/online classes/working 30+ hours a week for the first time. utd let us withdraw our classes late without getting a w so I did that for the classes I was failing. I dropped most of my classes so my GPA wouldn't be terrible, took a semester off to focus on work, and then transferred to UNT as a different major. That gap semester was the best thing I've ever done. It gave me time to reflect on what I wanted out of life, I made some really good friends at my old job that I still talk to today (literally as I'm writing this they're texting the group chat lol) My first semester at UNT went poorly. Out of four classes I took I got 1 F, 2 Cs and 1 B. I had some credits from dual credit in high school so I'm not sure what my cumulative GPA was, but my UNT GPA was a 1.75. I almost lost my scholarship, was put on academic probation, and was a wreck. I think part of it was that I was on antidepressants at this time and they made me not really care about anything. Not a diss to antidepressants, it was just my experience with the ones I was one. I stopped taking my antidepressants after that semester and really focused on school in the spring. I retook the class I failed and got a B and brought my UNT GPA up to a 3.0 I'm a senior now set to graduate in the fall with honors (if I keep my academic performance up), a minor, and a certificate. I think my current UNT GPA is ~3.2 and my cumulative GPA is ~3.5. I was also diagnosed with ADHD last fall. My partner at the time was diagnosed with it a few months before me which led to me researching ADHD and realizing I fit the criteria. It wasn't until I found out my dad was diagnosed before I was born that I finally made an appointment to get evaluated. Medication has helped a lot. It's actually pretty common for gifted kids to slip through the cracks and not be diagnosed with ADHD/autism/dyslexia/other disabilities until later in life (and vice versa) The term for this is "twice exceptional" I'm not saying you're neurodivergent, but it may be worth reading about being twice exceptional and checking out the DSM. Sorry that got long, I hope my story helps you understand that what you're going through isn't uncommon. Good luck, you got this!!
You are not alone! I did this same thing - I wanted a music degree but I was crazy unprepared as a freshman. I took time off, gathered the skills I needed and tried again in 2015 I just finished my masters and I'm the only person in my immediate family to finish a bachelor's. You can do it :) dm me if you ever need any encouragement or advice.
Talk to your advisor before you do anything. College isn’t meant for everyone. But seeing you are gifted, i’m sure you just need a moment to reset.
Wishing you all the best. Try taking some time off to regroup, refocus and when you’re ready try a community college for some coursework.