upset and dont know what to do

I was in a similar situation last semester. My history class was RIDICULOUSLY hard. Over half the people dropped the class. I take a lot of notes and made sure I read the text and I ended up getting 1 of the 2 A's in the class. If you apply yourself and really try to do your best I'm sure you can achieve an A or a B

i'm so upet right now. im taking us history 1 and yes i know this class shouldnt be hard but omg..my teacher is out of his mind! he is making this class so hard. for one, history doesnt interest me at all..and another, in class he doesnt even really explain anything. he just talks and talks and talks leaving his students to hurry up and write down what he says. im just so mad b/c i really want to drop this class (i have til tomorrow by 4 to decide). if i drop before that, this class wont even show up on my transcript (b/c the official day of records is monday). i talked to my mom and she got so angry with me. im taking cultural anthropology and psychology of women also. she was like "if you're going to be taking only 6 hours, then youre going to have to get a job since youre going to have so much time on your hands." the thing is im not going to have time on my hands. for my anthro class, we have to read 2 books and we have this big community service project in psych of women. plus i really wanted to get some volunteer work in this semester but i cant with my history class in addition. its just so much work..i always get the bad ones . i want to drop b/c im afraid of ruining my gpa. if i dont get in for the fall, then i will apply for the spring and those apps are due june 1 so if i decide to take the history class in the summer, it wont affect my gpa cuz i feel really good about my other 2 classes. well anyways, i know this is a long post and i apologize for that but i would really appreciate any comments. thanks and have a great day!

Taperecorders are a lifesaver with teachers like that! You won't get so stressed out trying to keep up.

Dear Futurenurse,

I'm sorry you are feeling so stressed out over your class. I've had more than one professor that taught in either a boring or difficult fashion. Even worse, my microbiology class went through three instructors within the semester! Talk about STRESS! Personally, I am the dig-in-my-heels-and-pass-this-class-no-matter-what type of person, so I would tend to agree with stpauliegirl's post - get a taperecorder. Most professors don't mind if you record their lectures. If that doesn't work, join a study group or get a tutor. Additionally, most of the BSN programs I've applied to DO consider the withdraws, drops, etc. a student has on record.

Of course, my opinion is based on me being a 40 year old student with a family. I never felt that I had the time to take classes over again; therefore, I always grit my teeth and got through them. I'm sure that no matter what you decide, it will be what is best for you. Good luck!

Tape recorder is a good idea. Going to student services to get help with study skills also not a bad idea.

6 credit hours is really part time. I'd agree with your Mom (especially if Mom is footing the Bill for school). A job would be in order, and depending on which one you got, could forward your interest in nursing.

Take this time to learn to organize yourself. Nursing school is not overly difficult concept wise, but it is very time consuming- so if you are having trouble now, take time to learn to organize, because it will not get easier.

Tape recorders are a Godsend for classes such as History.

However, it would help to read the chapters ahead of time. That way you kind of know a little before you try to listen to the professors long, drawn out lectures.

You have to make up your mind to give up the time needed to do well.

Believe me, I wish I could turn back the clock and do it right the first time.

Good luck in making your decision.

i know what youre saying, i do not really like history either. i was lucky to have an interesting professor. if you are still in the first week of classes cant you switch to a different professor? that is why i would try to do, but if you cant, then stick it out, if you work hard enough you can make it through, trust me i have made it through many classes i never thought i could...specifically chemistry, and i got an A+ in it! so you just have to really want it and really work for it.

First of all take a deep breath! Get use to hard classes. When you start nursing school your life is going to change big time! I had an anatomy professor who was very hard on us. I thought he was a jerk, but when i got into school his class seemed like kindergarten! Your professor is doing you a favor by being hard. He is getting you ready for nursing school! You just have to hang on and do all you can to pass. You will do it!!!

Take Care,

Street Doc

First of all take a deep breath! Get use to hard classes. When you start nursing school your life is going to change big time! I had an anatomy professor who was very hard on us. I thought he was a jerk, but when i got into school his class seemed like kindergarten! Your professor is doing you a favor by being hard. He is getting you ready for nursing school! You just have to hang on and do all you can to pass. You will do it!!!

Take Care,

Street Doc

Sounds like we had the same anatomy teacher, mine was a jerk, too. And my current micro teacher will earn the same title

This might sound crazy - but start cruising the History Channel for specials on the topics you're studying if you have cable or satellite. Or even check out Blockbuster for History Channel and Discovery Channel videos about the Civil War, the Revolution - whatever it is you're studying. I am a history buff, but even I find that watching GOOD, reputable (and I do stress reputable!) shows bring these people to life and make them more real for me. Then when you go back and read about them, you've already heard about them, and they seem more familiar to you.

(I noticed when I was looking at different DANTES tests for a topic to fulfill my requirement for this that the series on the Civil War was a RECOMMENDED source for the test on the Civil War - that documentary that won all those awards a few years ago; I think the guy's first name was Ken. So I'm thinking it's not such a bad idea....I ended up picking the history of the Soviet Union, and in addition to the reading I did I watched some specials about Tolstoy and Lenin and Brezhnev and Trotsky, as well as few about the Czar and the Revolution. It was very helpful and helped me keep facts and dates in order.)

Just my $0.02. Good luck!

Tape record his lectures is the key to keeping up. I have a class I hate this semester, and I find if I force myself to do the classwork first I have it done and out of the way and I can move onto other classes I like better. It motivates me to get the readings and assignments done early in the week so I can spend my time on the classes I truly enjoy!

I share the same feeling of my now ex- micro instructor. Unfortunately, not even a recorder helped. I transferred out to a godsent one.

Hang in there and good luck

Maybe you want to drop this class and pick up another one? There has got to be more than one history class being offered, with a different prof, and perhaps a history topic you find more interesting? Don't know if this is "intro" level. Or maybe this isn't the semester for history? Pick something else up that would fit well with anthro and psych, maybe?

If the prof ain't clicking with you, don't force it. there's no reason to make yourself miserable.And not every class and every prof is for everybody.

Good luck!