Hitting a brick wall. Can't return to university in order to complete my degree. Help?
April 14, 2012 9:26 AM Subscribe
Kicked out of university. Twice. What would you do in my situation?
Just a heads up: I've taken about this with various academic advisors, but never seem to be given much concrete advice.
And here's my situation in a sort-of-nutshell (if you read all of this, kudos to you! :D):
Call me a short-sighted fool. Almost three years ago, I got kicked out of university. As an Arts student. My second time in two years. The first time I failed was at the end of my first year - lack of focus and lack of initiative were to blame (although I didn't identify this at the time). When I returned after an 8 month hiatus, I resolved to change things, but still kept making the same subtle mistakes - my lack of focus meant I kept taking a bunch of random courses, trying to see if I 'liked' any, and then giving up half-way through the term if they didn't tickle my interest. This is what my term grades would -always- look like: two great marks, one mediocre mark, two utterly what-the-eff marks. But here's the catch - I never told anyone about these dips in motivation; kept it to myself, half believing it would resolve by itself, and half scared out of my mind (for example, I would never look at my unofficial transcript at the end of a term, and thus never "knew" that I was at risk of being withdrawn). To add to this, the term I was back from my hiatus, I caught measles. Three weeks out of school, missed a bunch of exams and assignments, and my ambition went down the drain. But nevertheless, I only failed one course that term (my grades: 32, 76, 65). But since the failed course was the only Arts course I had taken, I was put on probation. Again. (but I didn't realize this, of course, until it was too late). To top it off, after getting 'well', my immune system took such a hit that it was normal for me to catch a fever every two weeks. These fevers weren't borne out of a virus of any sort, just a slight change in stress levels or eating habits. They would last a day, and then I would be better. Whenever I went to the doctor regarding my weird health, they couldn't really pinpoint anything - thus I never reached a 'real' diagnosis. I registered for my Fall term as usual, not telling anyone of my circumstances. And then it is an obvious tale. The last term I was registered, I took three courses: one was a 43, the rest were designated as "failed to complete". I must have NOT gone to any classes at all. And not even told anyone. Nevertheless, my last transcript status read: Failed - Not Allowed to Continue in Faculty.
Things have changed since then. I'm not passive anymore, and I have a direct goal I want to achieve (to become an Occupational Therapist). But since that goal involves a degree, I have to go back. And despite my documentation of being sick, the university is unwilling to waver its decision. Typically, they do not allow you to return to your faculty till at least a minimum of 5 years have past. My last petition fell on deaf ears, and understandably so, seeing my record. What would you do in my situation? What term should I petition against (the one I had measles in, or the one after)? The last term I was registered, when I had a piss-poor record and ill immunodeficient health, I have no real *proof* of. Which sucks. My only choice right now is to try to petition against my 'measles' term which I have the most documentation of, and hopefully be allowed to complete a non-degree term in order to transfer to another faculty. I'm at a loss right now.
* I could also transfer to another university, but the program I want to do is at the university I attended. I would also have to take additional courses in order to be admitted to a new university, and as always, there is no guarantee.
Just a heads up: I've taken about this with various academic advisors, but never seem to be given much concrete advice.
And here's my situation in a sort-of-nutshell (if you read all of this, kudos to you! :D):
Call me a short-sighted fool. Almost three years ago, I got kicked out of university. As an Arts student. My second time in two years. The first time I failed was at the end of my first year - lack of focus and lack of initiative were to blame (although I didn't identify this at the time). When I returned after an 8 month hiatus, I resolved to change things, but still kept making the same subtle mistakes - my lack of focus meant I kept taking a bunch of random courses, trying to see if I 'liked' any, and then giving up half-way through the term if they didn't tickle my interest. This is what my term grades would -always- look like: two great marks, one mediocre mark, two utterly what-the-eff marks. But here's the catch - I never told anyone about these dips in motivation; kept it to myself, half believing it would resolve by itself, and half scared out of my mind (for example, I would never look at my unofficial transcript at the end of a term, and thus never "knew" that I was at risk of being withdrawn). To add to this, the term I was back from my hiatus, I caught measles. Three weeks out of school, missed a bunch of exams and assignments, and my ambition went down the drain. But nevertheless, I only failed one course that term (my grades: 32, 76, 65). But since the failed course was the only Arts course I had taken, I was put on probation. Again. (but I didn't realize this, of course, until it was too late). To top it off, after getting 'well', my immune system took such a hit that it was normal for me to catch a fever every two weeks. These fevers weren't borne out of a virus of any sort, just a slight change in stress levels or eating habits. They would last a day, and then I would be better. Whenever I went to the doctor regarding my weird health, they couldn't really pinpoint anything - thus I never reached a 'real' diagnosis. I registered for my Fall term as usual, not telling anyone of my circumstances. And then it is an obvious tale. The last term I was registered, I took three courses: one was a 43, the rest were designated as "failed to complete". I must have NOT gone to any classes at all. And not even told anyone. Nevertheless, my last transcript status read: Failed - Not Allowed to Continue in Faculty.
Things have changed since then. I'm not passive anymore, and I have a direct goal I want to achieve (to become an Occupational Therapist). But since that goal involves a degree, I have to go back. And despite my documentation of being sick, the university is unwilling to waver its decision. Typically, they do not allow you to return to your faculty till at least a minimum of 5 years have past. My last petition fell on deaf ears, and understandably so, seeing my record. What would you do in my situation? What term should I petition against (the one I had measles in, or the one after)? The last term I was registered, when I had a piss-poor record and ill immunodeficient health, I have no real *proof* of. Which sucks. My only choice right now is to try to petition against my 'measles' term which I have the most documentation of, and hopefully be allowed to complete a non-degree term in order to transfer to another faculty. I'm at a loss right now.
* I could also transfer to another university, but the program I want to do is at the university I attended. I would also have to take additional courses in order to be admitted to a new university, and as always, there is no guarantee.
I I think that rather than try school again--maybe getting some real world work experience might help you focus and develop self-discipline. And in view of some of your previous Asks, I think you should think about being evaluated for ADD.
posted by Ideefixe at 9:38 AM on April 14, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Ideefixe at 9:38 AM on April 14, 2012 [1 favorite]
I'd look into re-establishing your dedication by taking community college courses that ideally could also serve as prerequisites for an Occupational Therapy program or fulfill general ed requirements. Sometimes there will be explicit guidelines from universities as to what they will accept as transfer credit and from what community colleges.
Also, the stuff you wrote about lack of focus might be ADHD, so I'd consider getting an opinion on that from someone qualified if you haven't already, and can.
posted by alphanerd at 9:39 AM on April 14, 2012 [1 favorite]
Also, the stuff you wrote about lack of focus might be ADHD, so I'd consider getting an opinion on that from someone qualified if you haven't already, and can.
posted by alphanerd at 9:39 AM on April 14, 2012 [1 favorite]
I was kicked out of university twice. The second time, I went to a community college for a semester and took a full courseload of classes that would transfer to my program. I worked my butt off and got all As. Transcript in hand, I wrote the academic appeals committee stating that I had turned myself around academically and they let me back in.
posted by zsazsa at 9:40 AM on April 14, 2012 [15 favorites]
posted by zsazsa at 9:40 AM on April 14, 2012 [15 favorites]
I think you need to take the time to get physically and mentally healthy before you go back to university. Having a clear goal in the form of the OT certification is good, but it's not going to be enough to sustain you. You say "things have changed since then" but it's not clear that they have.
posted by mskyle at 9:41 AM on April 14, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by mskyle at 9:41 AM on April 14, 2012 [3 favorites]
Looking at your previous questions, I'd assume that you are located in Ontario, Canada.
It might be worth checking out Humber college's Occupational Therapist Assistant program after taking some time off from school.
posted by livinglearning at 9:42 AM on April 14, 2012
It might be worth checking out Humber college's Occupational Therapist Assistant program after taking some time off from school.
posted by livinglearning at 9:42 AM on April 14, 2012
Yes, community college. Discuss with an advisor at the CC and in the OT program at University. You may be able to take CC courses that you can transfer as progress toward your degree. Get all As in community college. Work as hard as you can to make sure that everything you do is perfect. You say your in a different place now. Great. Now get some grades to show it. They'll let you back in once you demonstrate progress.
posted by TurkishGolds at 9:44 AM on April 14, 2012
posted by TurkishGolds at 9:44 AM on April 14, 2012
In my early 20s I withdrew from completing my degree with 2 courses to go (I was ahead) due to PTSD. I went back to school a year later...and failed out. (I'm 41 now and settled in a career.)
So my advice is: slow down. Do not go back until you are sure you have addressed the root issues and although the illnesses sucked, they were clearly not the root issue, because an on top of it student would have gotten the documentation and worked with the system. (I say that kindly. You will be okay.)
I suggest you work, volunteer in health care, and in September you could take certificate/continuing education/related field/biology classes - one at a time. Only when you can complete one of those, when it does not interest you that much, with flying colours should you try two at a time. Then you use those great grades and the intervening time to get back into your school.
Where I am (Ontario) OT is also hugely competitive. So biology, anatomy, biochem, stats - start there. Good luck! Remember: you are not your grades. But you do need to work this out before you head back in full-time.
posted by Zen_warrior at 9:45 AM on April 14, 2012 [1 favorite]
So my advice is: slow down. Do not go back until you are sure you have addressed the root issues and although the illnesses sucked, they were clearly not the root issue, because an on top of it student would have gotten the documentation and worked with the system. (I say that kindly. You will be okay.)
I suggest you work, volunteer in health care, and in September you could take certificate/continuing education/related field/biology classes - one at a time. Only when you can complete one of those, when it does not interest you that much, with flying colours should you try two at a time. Then you use those great grades and the intervening time to get back into your school.
Where I am (Ontario) OT is also hugely competitive. So biology, anatomy, biochem, stats - start there. Good luck! Remember: you are not your grades. But you do need to work this out before you head back in full-time.
posted by Zen_warrior at 9:45 AM on April 14, 2012 [1 favorite]
AS a UK academic what I would advise someone to do is to apply for some sort of academic programme elsewhere to be able to demonstrate that I had matured and could stick with a programme (and to be honest, this might be a good way to find out whether you really have changed for yourself). I am not sure how well this would work in another country as it depends on what other levels of academia are available, though community college as people above suggets might be the best option). Something that is relevant to your career goal might be best, so perhaps something like human biology or similar. it might be useful to speak to the admissions people for the dept you want to rejoin to see whether this would do any good.
Frankly though, I would also consider looking to another institution for your degree. Again, identify a programme and if they won't let you in straight away ask what you might do to qualify.
posted by biffa at 9:50 AM on April 14, 2012
Frankly though, I would also consider looking to another institution for your degree. Again, identify a programme and if they won't let you in straight away ask what you might do to qualify.
posted by biffa at 9:50 AM on April 14, 2012
Sometimes, setting your sights on the final goal (degree in XYZ) is too vague. Set your sights on things that are much more defined and closer, e.g. "take CC class in [thing] and get an A" and then set the next close-in, specific goal - "learn X skill." You also need practice (we all do, so you're not special in this!) in completing and doing well even at things that you don't find all that interesting, because even your dream job will have some aspects that bore you to tears but still have to be done and done well.
Whether you have ADD/ADHD or not - and getting evaluated can't hurt - setting step-by-step goals rather than trying to achieve a larger, fuzzier goal gets you a better chance of success.
posted by rtha at 9:58 AM on April 14, 2012
Whether you have ADD/ADHD or not - and getting evaluated can't hurt - setting step-by-step goals rather than trying to achieve a larger, fuzzier goal gets you a better chance of success.
posted by rtha at 9:58 AM on April 14, 2012
You don't say where you are located but in your position, I would do all my pre-requisites at community college and ace the fuck out of them.
posted by DarlingBri at 10:05 AM on April 14, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by DarlingBri at 10:05 AM on April 14, 2012 [1 favorite]
Nthing being evaluated for ADD/ADHD, which was my first thought reading this. IANAD, but it sounds very similar to stories of the ADD/ADHD people I have known. I agree that taking a break from school is probably in your best interest and will allow you to establish a professional background that may bolster any future application to school. I also think if you approach this in small steps and do not take on too much at once, you can truly break your pattern and fully realize your potential. Good luck!
posted by katemcd at 10:05 AM on April 14, 2012
posted by katemcd at 10:05 AM on April 14, 2012
I would also have to take additional courses in order to be admitted to a new university,
This would probably be the best possible thing for you. You haven't really addressed the root of your problem, which is that you don't know how to pick and complete college classes.
That's great you want to be an Occupational Therapist, but getting a degree in Occupational Therapy requires you to register for, attend, and complete several classes, some of which will require you to choose between different class options, and some classes you might not even like all that much but have to finish, including completing all the assignments.
You have to learn to do that first and prove you're capable of it, and then reapply to school.
posted by deanc at 10:16 AM on April 14, 2012 [1 favorite]
This would probably be the best possible thing for you. You haven't really addressed the root of your problem, which is that you don't know how to pick and complete college classes.
That's great you want to be an Occupational Therapist, but getting a degree in Occupational Therapy requires you to register for, attend, and complete several classes, some of which will require you to choose between different class options, and some classes you might not even like all that much but have to finish, including completing all the assignments.
You have to learn to do that first and prove you're capable of it, and then reapply to school.
posted by deanc at 10:16 AM on April 14, 2012 [1 favorite]
I read your whole post over twice and still don't feel like I completely understand what your motivation was for not doing the work and then flunking. I'm guessing you don't really understand yourself, either, or you would have expressed it more definitively. So I think you should take more time away from school and think about this, get to know yourself, maybe do some therapy.
You also sound like you don't understand the basic point that people almost always have to complete classes they don't necessarily "like" in order to earn their degree. This is a basic fact of life. If you want to be an occupational therapist enough, you're going to have to buckle down and do some work. Not all of that necessary work is going to "tickle your interest".
I am guessing you didn't have to pay for much or any of your schooling or you wouldn't have such a laissez-faire attitude towards it. Working for a while, saving your money and using it to fund the next try at college may make you take it more seriously. Most people would be less likely to flunk out on their own dime, and if they did, they'd likely feel the pain more acutely, but there is no mention of money in your post.
posted by parrot_person at 3:36 PM on April 14, 2012 [1 favorite]
You also sound like you don't understand the basic point that people almost always have to complete classes they don't necessarily "like" in order to earn their degree. This is a basic fact of life. If you want to be an occupational therapist enough, you're going to have to buckle down and do some work. Not all of that necessary work is going to "tickle your interest".
I am guessing you didn't have to pay for much or any of your schooling or you wouldn't have such a laissez-faire attitude towards it. Working for a while, saving your money and using it to fund the next try at college may make you take it more seriously. Most people would be less likely to flunk out on their own dime, and if they did, they'd likely feel the pain more acutely, but there is no mention of money in your post.
posted by parrot_person at 3:36 PM on April 14, 2012 [1 favorite]
Apologies for being blunt but reading your post made me wonder what motivated you to go to university in the first place? I'm not saying you are not capable, just that I can think of several friends of mine who went to uni after school because it was "what you're supposed to do" or "what my helicopter parents wanted" and then struggled to find the motivation once on campus. Does that sound like you?
Also, some people are not really cut out for "book learning" but do better learning things on the job, with people, working with their hands etc. It does not mean they are less bright or have worse career prospects (on the contrary in some cases) but it does make university study harder. Could you be one of them?
If you don't find you have ADHD I would find out about different learning styles to see if you can modify your study habits (or find a different course) for better results.
hope it works out for you!
posted by EatMyHat at 4:32 PM on April 14, 2012
Also, some people are not really cut out for "book learning" but do better learning things on the job, with people, working with their hands etc. It does not mean they are less bright or have worse career prospects (on the contrary in some cases) but it does make university study harder. Could you be one of them?
If you don't find you have ADHD I would find out about different learning styles to see if you can modify your study habits (or find a different course) for better results.
hope it works out for you!
posted by EatMyHat at 4:32 PM on April 14, 2012
Apologies for being blunt but reading your post made me wonder what motivated you to go to university in the first place
seconding. if you failed art classes, it's probably not the right time for you to be in university.
posted by rr at 5:37 PM on April 14, 2012 [1 favorite]
seconding. if you failed art classes, it's probably not the right time for you to be in university.
posted by rr at 5:37 PM on April 14, 2012 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Hi everyone, OP here. Motivation for going to university? Well, that it was expected of me. Nothing more and nothing less. I ended up choosing my major on a whim - I had never worked or volunteered anywhere prior to high school graduation, and thought I was interested in Political Science (which I ended up learning wasn't the case) so that's what I decided to go to school for. For the next two years, I remained thoroughly confused and unmotivated. Perhaps anxious and depressed. I don't know what was going through my head at all. When I look back at it, I don't comprehend how I could have been so passive.
posted by raintree at 7:30 PM on April 14, 2012
posted by raintree at 7:30 PM on April 14, 2012
That you no longer feel so passive is great. I'm with those who think you should work on your mental health a little more, too, though. Maybe it's ADHD, but the not looking at transcripts thing sounds very familiar from the times when I suffered more anxiety. It would be worthwhile to be evaluated and address the underlying mental stuff that goes with the pattern you've established so that you can show the university that you are better equipped to do well now.
posted by ldthomps at 7:49 PM on April 14, 2012
posted by ldthomps at 7:49 PM on April 14, 2012
it was expected of me. Nothing more and nothing less. I ended up choosing my major on a whim
You need to not be in University. For a few years at least. Being an occupational therapist will wait a year or two, and furthermore beware the unfortunately common habit of people who are themselves a mess seeking to become therapists of any stripe.
Advice, worth inflation adjusted $0.02 or less: go work and get your life together, save up some case, and then pursue this if you are still wanting to pursue it in *no less than 18 months*.
posted by rr at 6:24 PM on April 15, 2012
You need to not be in University. For a few years at least. Being an occupational therapist will wait a year or two, and furthermore beware the unfortunately common habit of people who are themselves a mess seeking to become therapists of any stripe.
Advice, worth inflation adjusted $0.02 or less: go work and get your life together, save up some case, and then pursue this if you are still wanting to pursue it in *no less than 18 months*.
posted by rr at 6:24 PM on April 15, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
Also, consider pursuing a diploma before a degree. I'm not sure where you are located, but there should be college programs related to occupational therapy. They would train you to become an Occupational Therapist Assistant, but having this as back up would be much better than aiming for something without a guarantee as you mentioned.
posted by livinglearning at 9:38 AM on April 14, 2012 [1 favorite]