Man, people were right when they warned me that university is a huge transition from high school.

I'm feeling so overwhelmed by the course load right now. I've been getting nothing but bad marks so far. It's not like I fool around or anything, but there's just so much work that there's no time to study ahead of time...so lack of preparation causes my bad results. I'm not someone that can pull a good mark off last minute -- I truly envy those who have the brains to do that.

I'm even struggling with all the electives! This is so bad. At this rate, I might not even make it through my first year as a business student! Nothing in terms of academic result is going right so far. Business students at my school need to meet a certain average in order to be promoted into second year.

Please don't go by the rules of the "asian fail", because what I'm talking about here is not the asian fail. I'm talking about the pass/fail rate, with a pass being 50%. So when I mean I'm struggling, i'm actually struggling.

Okay, I'm kinda finished with my rant. Now, does anyone share any similar feelings?

me! I should be used to this I'm 20 and Ive already taken 2 years worth of classes.
Its just my entire 2nd year i started slacking...

right now Im trying to get back on track at a completely different school, but everything is scheduled to be due around the same time. I have 2 assignments to hand in on Tuesday and a test on monday. Sure I would of done one of the assignments before hand, but they were just assigned...and the prof just finished discussing the last chapter the test is going to be on.

I know exactly how you feel. Thing is, with a lot of people, studying on your own can only bring them so far. It's nothing to be ashamed about. Do your instructors have office hours outside of class? Make use if it, make an appointment, or drop by during the hours, and ask questions. They will help you. If your school has a place where students tutor other students, make use of that too.

And don't be afraid to ask that top student in your class to help you study! Not only will they (most of the time) help you out when you ask questions, but because you ask those questions, they will figure out something on their own too! Studying with peers helps everyone involved.

dude i feel your pain! my calendar is full of due dates
i've got papers and formal lab reports due left and right for the next two weeks
and 2nd batch of midterms are fast approaching.

Seriously i feel like a month lasts 2 weeks with all the things on my to do list haha
my grades are seriously weak now. But i procrastinate like there literally is no tmrw
and let everything pile up.

anyone have tips to keep focus besides caffeine

Mindless memorization of formulas, insufferable classmates, and uninteresting material? I don't blame you.

7 mandatory courses, a program that I hate with every inch of my broken soul, my first fail in multiple tests, my lack of motivation, the unnecessary stress that is keeping me from having a clear mind... yea, i have to change something.

Just take things one step at a time.
Separate your to do list on different pages so you won't have to see them all at once.
Less panic that way I find.

Not really feeling overwhelmed, just kind of cruising along.
Actually, at this moment I have to finish designing a book roughly 60 pages.
I probably shouldn't be procrastinating but I'm taking a break with a cup of starbucks via.

It takes a bit of adjusting but you'll eventually get the hang of working efficiently in limited amounts of time.
I remember for another class my instructor made a point of this by assigning a project at the start of class and expected us to be 100% finished 2/3 through the class with 1/3 left for presentations.

Though if you're struggling, it's best to contact your instructor, whether by e-mail or in person, to set up an office appointment to discuss your concerns. Wouldn't want to wait until it's too late. Your GPA is very important information to the head of the school. If they notice it is below standards you will receive an academic warning, or in some cases no warning but an instant boot from the school.

im in the same position.. whats the point of college if we have to take REQUIRED classes?! so frustrating :[ i wihs we had the option to take whatever classes for our major.. im struggling too but i have no choice but to get out of the hole i created ><

It's slightly more comforting to know that I'm not alone in this...ahh...now I've got a major economics midterm tomorrow...

I know this isn't very helpful at the moment, but maybe for next semester: If you can find out what books you need for your classes before the semester starts, and if any of your professors post the syllabus online BEFORE the semester starts, you can probably get a head start in reading the chapters and taking notes. :/ It's what I'm trying to put into practice.

its hard i understand you..
my advise is for you to just really get motivated and take studying as a hobby
have fun with it and always have it in mind that you're doing this for yourself and for your future

dude. i know how you feel. im also a business major (accounting) and even though i did really well in the first two years...intermediate courses are supposedly the test to see if you're made for accounting or not. and i struggled the first three exams because i thought i could just do what i've always done...but no...i don't really have a problem with the problem sets but UGGHHH!! those damn concepts/rules. so much memorization!

do you assignments/readings when it's assigned. don't procrastinate or else the workload will just keep building
and know the exam dates of all of your classes. study a little everyday leading up to exam day and leave 1-2 days before to review everything.

it sounds like a lot of work (and to me..it is) but when you get your next exam back and there's a 98 instead of a 78...it'll be so worth it

I know exactly how you feel. I'm a junior at UCLA and I still feel like my results don't meet half-way with my effort