Case 1: Too Much to Handle
A couple of weeks into the semester, you realize that you just cannot handle the coursework for one of your classes. You are taking a higher-level class than you realize you should be taking, but you’re too embarrassed to tell your professor.
Admit it’s too much—“The important thing is to think about your career as being four years long,” says Professor Tate. Know that you have four years, and don’t take on more than you can handle.
Talk to someone!—There are always people around you to give you advice. Do not suffer alone! Professor Tate suggests “talk with advisors at the resource center, and, of course, the professor. If there are TA’s in the course, you should definitely talk to them as well.”
Too much to handle? Switch classes—It may be that the class really is one that you should not be taking yet. Don’t be afraid to switch classes, and, according to Professor Tate, “the sooner the better…the first two weeks are the best.”
Getting a “B” isn’t failing—College is a lot different than high school. “Many students think a B isn’t okay, and it is,” comments Professor Tate. “I think one problem that students have is that they were all top students in their high school, so when they come here, they gets B’s or C’s, and they tend to freak out. It may be that you’re actually doing pretty well in that class.” Just relax, and realize that a “B” isn’t the end of the world.
