Failing College Courses
 

I'm not in college, but I'd say, the best thing is to do is to get a tutor to help you. If you haven't had one already that is. Or talk to the teacher, and try to get a better method for getting all your work done.

I'm not good at history either, and I've always had issues, but if you try and give it 120%, I'm sure that you can pass next time :3

I don't think you're a bad student at all seeing as you actually CARE. To me, a bad student is a person who just doesn't want to do anything or goes to college so they can drink and party.

You're just struggling with a subject that you obviously have difficulty with. Does your college offer any tutor or study help programs? Perhaps if you do to one they can help pinpoint your problem.

Also - I'm not so hot in math and science but have to take them for my general ed requirements. You know what I plan to do? Enroll during the summer at a community college to get them over with because I know at community college the material is going to be a lot less hard than something at the university level.

That's odd, I wouldn't think you'd need to do history at a technical school if you're a science major.

I suppose you could make an appointment with an adviser or counselor to see if there's anyway you can do an alternative for history.

Also, can you enlighten me on exactly what you're struggling with on history? Like is the memorization, dates, or test formats (free response or multiple choice)? I might be able to come up with some solutions that you could try.

It sounds like you need a different kind of instructor. Traditionally history courses at any level focused on names and dates but what it sounds like you might need is a reason to retain that information. You can remember parts of an equation because it brings you to a conclusion in mathematics, but in history things are a little more complicates because suddenly those x and y's are General MacArthur and Sacajawea.

I would suggest researching the available instructors before signing up for their classes and find the one either with the best score OR one who consistently is said to 'explain why things are important'. Younger professors are more apt to do this, and (nicely) are usually very eager to give you any attention you might want/need in their office hours.

Also: Withdrawing from a university course does not put that grade on your transcript, but it sounds like you're considering just not going? When you take the class over again, the newer grade will be the one recorded as your final score in the class BUT I believe the old one remains. I believe it's worth officially withdrawing (if you still have that option) to save your GPA a few decimal points. Besides, the second time around at least those few things you learned your first semester will still be there to help!

I hope this is helpful! : )

I'm in college as well. I haven't failed a class yet, but since it's always possible to re-take courses that you failed, it's not nearly as horrible of a thing as getting an F in high school is. The only problems come if you're trying to go to graduate school (which you won't be able to get into with things like F's) or if you have a scholarship of some sort that requires you to keep a certain grade point average. I don't think those things are issues for you though, so this F won't hurt your life too badly.

My advice? Find out what history teacher is easiest on their students. I've seen quite a few professors now, I've been in college for awhile, and unlike high school, the teachers and the way they grade and teach vary wildly from one another. Some teachers, you get a good grade just by showing up and others, you work your butt off for and barely pass anyway.

I'm not that good at history either, but I found the most awesome and easiest history college professor ever, so I easily passed the class. I suggest you do the same. Ask people who is the easiest teacher to pass the class of and take the class from him or her.