I am not a professional but I believe your symptoms are highly suggestive of clinical depression. If so, this is not something you can "power" your way out of. Nor is it reflective of any deficit on your part. It's also bigger than any one semister. There are also some other physical problems that can cause this too so depression is not the only possibility.
Contact your primary care physician ASAP. They will help you find the right path to take. If it is depression, I've lived (successfully) for years with this condition. Don't take no for an answer. You can't do this on your own.
Check out this Mayo Clinic link and see if it rings any bells.
I dunno, there's lots more, of course
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It depends on the subject, because if it's something I really enjoy then I can turn out even a twenty page paper really quick, but if it's something that I'm not sure about, I can take longer to write it.
As for structuring, the easiest method for me is to separate it into chapters. If I have to write twenty pages, I intend to write three chapters of five pages each, and then make the introduction about two and a half pages, and the conclusion about two and a half pages. I treat each chapter like a separate essay of its own.
It's far less intimidating to think of having to write three five page essays on related topics than to write one twenty page paper. So I take the three major points that I want to use in the paper - or make sure I have at least three major points - and write separate essays on each of them, before combining them into one paper. Once all three chapters are written, I can write the introduction and conclusion.
If you want an example, here is a seventeen page paper that I wrote for one of my MA classes last year. It's not quite twenty, but it's something that I have available and can demonstrate separating my work into chapters.
I have waited for this question to come up!!!
Get a can opener!! I use one every single day.
Get a fan
an ethernet cable,
febreze,
get a dish scrubber that has the soap in the handle like https://www.amazon.com/OXO-Good-Grips-Dispensing-Brush/dp/B000CC91GK/ref=br_lf_m_keyenvfjf5rb99a_img?_encoding=UTF8&s=home-garden
Also get tums, pepto, and advil. Sorry for screwed up formatting.
If you plan to walk around barefoot in your dorm and it has hard floors, PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD swiffer the floors before you move your stuff in. Even if maintenance staff clean it, chances are your floor is still going to be disgusting.
Also, Project Gutenberg and archive.org are goldmines for acquiring non-textbooks. I got all six supplementary books I needed for my classical law class through these two sites. Saved me about $75.
Yeah studies have shown exercise improves learning ability and retention. On my phone right now but just google it, it’s a big thing now.
edit: https://www.amazon.com/Spark-Revolutionary-Science-Exercise-Brain/dp/0316113514
Maybe think about it differently. You didn't waste 80k because you learned how to study, how college works, what a workplace is like, and I would imagine a whole lot of useful technical skills.
There's nothing to stop you using free sites like https://www.freecodecamp.org/ and YouTube and Coursera to learn how to program. If you really like it you can go back and study it, but with those skills plus your audio skills there are also sorts of audio related developer jobs you could get. Even now, you could cast the audio net wider into podcasting and freelancing/contracting. Even just making some skillshare/udemy/other online courses teaching a type of person (eg. wannabe podcasters or academics who now have to make videos and teach online) how to set up a mic, set levels, record and edit audio.
Index cards, plenty of spiral or composition notebooks, ramen noodles, a video game console or something else used to pass the time when you aren't out and about or studying, a printer (might be obvious but some schools will charge you per page in the library and that adds up), and a bulletin board or dry erase board to keep up with deadlines.
Oh and a stockpile of scantron sheets if your college uses them. I use these because the book store and other places around campus charge an arm and a leg for a 5 pack. https://www.amazon.com/TEST-100E-Compatible-Testing-Forms-Sheet/dp/B01G2E7D1G you will also be the savior of many idiots around you during test days that forgot to bring their scantrons.
Here you go. Honestly its great bike
I agree with you 100%.
It's also worth noting that this is the time when SAD starts to kick in.
I had it really bad last year, and didn't realize it until it was too late. I take a Vit. D supplement every morning now - after the 4th or 5th day of doing so, I felt incredible. My mood was regulated, I had energy, anxiety was mitigated, etc.
By no means am I trying to conflate depression with SAD, but it never hurts to rule it out.
I bought a cheap projector, tripod, bluetooth speaker, and a big white sheet. Left the door open for the first few nights and soon enough, our dorm was the place to be to watch movies/big games. I think one night we had about 20 people. We had a big common area to set it all up, but I definitely made a lot of memories with that thing.
> Tbh I think they're actually really handy for new students who are just getting into the swing of college and are the most prone to forgetting their ID and dorm keys.
Hamilton Beach (51101BA) Personal Blender with Travel Lid, Single Serve, For Shakes & Smoothies, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KVZ27UA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_hrz.Bb6ZV068S
I've had it for 4 years now and it still works. You gotta blend by "pulse", meaning that you can't keep the blend button pressed because you run the chance of burning it, and, it does take some shaking sometimes to get everything blended, but I still like it. Its cheap, quiet and it works great.
Brother HL-L2350DW black & white laser. @ $85
32 pages per minute.
Auto-Duplexing (front & back printing).
Built-in WiFi.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0763WDSYZ
Those are dead-nuts simple to operate.
That toner cartridge that comes with it might last all 4 years of school.
You're thinking "But I kinda want color..." The reality is that there are no color printers that will deliver the low cost of operation that a B&W laser can deliver.
There are TONS of $35 inkjet printers out there.
They need $65 worth of ink every year.
You could buy a new color printer every year, but the ink cartridges that ship with the devices are usually half the size of the new refill cartridges, so they don't last long at all.
I have an older version of that printer on my desk right now. The HL-2270DW.
I bought it in 2012.
It's now on it's third toner cartridge.
I have 3 daughters who have pounded the poor thing with school work and girl scout projects.
That's basically one toner cartridge per kid for 5-6 years of use.
Awesome! From an engineer to an engineer, here's some additional advice that I've come up with:
If you're going to spend a long time in front of your computer, consider investing in a proper office chair. I'm currently sitting on an ancient wooden chair that I've wrapped a blanket around for comfort, and it's already taken its toll on my back. Do take frequent breaks and lay down on your bed.
If you're going to use your computer at night, make sure you get suitable background lighting. I've got two desk lamps pointing at the wall for this purpose. Some people use software like f.lux to help reduce eye strain - me, I prefer not to get it altogether. Either way, take frequent breaks and look at something far away to keep your eyes healthy.
Finally, if your dorm is located in the middle of the city like mine is, you might be dealing with a lot of dust. It's advisable to keep a vacuum cleaner and compressed air handy to keep your hardware in good shape. Open your computer case more often than you'd do at home.
Give it a Google, and no you probably shouldn't believe the people who are selling you(or your institution) their incredibly expensive software.
I found this guy: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/cheat-turnitins-algorithm-avoid-plagiarism-giuseppe-macario
Who has a recent post and criticism of turnitin.
Many dorm policies forbid the use of electrical extension cords, yet have inadequate electrical outlets for all of today's electronics.
So, surge protectors with 9, 15 or even 25' cords become surprisingly attractive.
For maximum nerd-level, anal-retentiveness you might look to see if your surge-protector has one of these markings or standards stamped on the body somewhere:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surge_protector#Standards
Or at least that UL Labs logo.
If the device doesn't have any of those standards mentioned on the box, you technically have no proof that it is actually a surge arrestor/protector at all. Without proof that it contains those safety components, it's just an expensive extension cord.
I'd be a little surprised if they went to that level of detail in a safety inspection, but all you need is for your Housing Advisor to be an EE student or something and you find yourself unable to use your laptop at your desk for 3 days while Amazon ships you something better.
Remember: All of these policies are based on risk evaluations that occurred after some event or another. So somewhere, at some time some student did something sufficiently stupid for this to be required to protect not only your assets from the dorm's power, but to protect the dorm from your potential stupidity.
Crazy Creek Chairs are amazing. You can plop them anywhere at anytime and they fold!
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These color LED lights are super cool and cheap on Amazon. You can change colors and patterns with a little remote control! https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BP4DUMU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I'm early thirties, and left a controlling ex a couple years ago myself (still married because they keep "accidentally" dropping the ball on their end, but that's another story). I had a discouraging experience going back to school while we were still living together, and it made me nervous about trying again. But this time has been totally different. I'm graduating from CC this spring with a 4.0!
We adult students have a lot of things going for us. There's the benefit of life experience and a fully developed brain. We tend to be more organized and driven, too. You may even find that material you struggled with as a teen comes more easily now.
However, I still get panicked every semester that I'm going to lose focus and flunk. Recently I've started having nightmares that I'm going to fail a class and not get to walk for graduation. I'm also worried because I'm starting STEM "weed out" classes next semester, so the difficulty is about the ratchet up significantly.
I'm managing by keeping my focus mostly on my current semester. I also bought a book called <em>A Mind For Numbers</em>, which is recommended for folks who aren't so confident in their math skills. It focuses on strategies for studying more efficiently and reducing the time you feel like you're grinding away but not getting anywhere.
I know it's scary, but school won't be as bad as your fear is telling you. Community colleges are very supportive places, with lots of resources to help you succeed. Take advantage of advising, free tutoring, and disability services (if panic attacks continue to be a problem). Don't let fear stop you from getting that degree! You can do it!!
I recommend readying this essay about the benefits of a "useless" degree. I think it's exactly what you're looking for.
https://www.academia.edu/2454947/Liberal_Arts_and_the_Advantages_of_Being_Useless
This method works on many websites that have this type of pop-up adblock disabling request and I just used it again a few moments ago at latimes.com. That said, you may see some reduced functionality because you are in effect disabling JavaScript itself, however that's the drawback of not just disabling adblock altogether.
I did notice some reduced functionality on RMP, but for me it just forwarded me to the mobile site located at:
http://www.ratemyprofessors.com/mobile/professor_search
The search functionality seems to work just fine, although the left-side buttons and the top search bar aren't working. Your mileage may vary, but for simple professor searches, it works for me.
Just thought I'd share since it's a method I've been using on other sites and it's the first time I've seen a popup like this on RMP.
There should be a computer lab (or multiple labs) on campus with computers you can use.
There is usually a student resource center where you can rent or lease a computer.
This computer will get you through pretty much any undergraduate degree program:
Refurbished Lenovo ThinkPad T450 @ $316
Ask your Financial Aid office if there are any Grants you might qualify for to help you buy a laptop.
Cal Newport, my self-help Jesus, wrote a book called "So Good They Can't Ignore You." He expounds on this philosophy, criticizes the narcissistic view that satisfying work is something we're immediately entitled to before we've proven our worth, and points out that passion is usually something that comes from investing yourself in a certain field, rather than something that leads you into that field.
One of my favorite parts is where he gives the back story of Steve Jobs, who famously gave a follow-your-heart speech to students, to show that his success was a combination of hard work and luck, and not any particular interest in computers.
I think this philosophy appeals to me because I've been passionate about everything from fundamentalist religion, to the occult, to teaching English, to clinical psychology, to engineering and math, over the course of about ten years. How on earth did so many people think "follow your passion" would lead to a stable career and life?
Amazon: Brother HL-L2340DW $109
There is a cheaper version $79 that is USB only.
But this model will print from phone via WiFi and stuff that is all pretty handy making it worth the extra spend.
I've had the previous version of this device on my desk for 3-4 years now and I'm still on my second toner cartridge.
The official toner refill is $50
The generic is $16
Be warned: I know you want color. All of the color options will all cost more to operate, significantly more in most cases, and most have much more complicated printing mechanisms. This Brother laser design is dead-nuts simple. If you give it half-way decent quality paper, and manage to not drop it on the floor, it will work real fine and last a long time.
If you feel you just have to go color, I would probably go Canon or Epson.
HP color printers are pretty evil when it comes to ink cartridges.
To go along with your snazzy new backpack, if you aren't completly confident in its water repellant capabilities:
Kiwi Camp Dry Heavy Duty Water Repellant - $13 via Amazon
Just hose your backpack down with that, and let it dry overnight.
Apply a second coat to make sure.
Lasts about 2 years.
Settle down there Squidly, this old fart of a Marine will help you.
First of all, please subscribe to /r/ApplyingToCollege great crowd in there.
Second, how were your High School grades?
Were you average, below or above average as a high school student?
What do you want to study?
Do you have a family to support?
Do you want to stay in San Diego? (You don't have to - your GI Bill is valid anywhere in the US - in-state / out-of-state doesn't apply to you).
Visit your local library or Book Store and flip through this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Fiske-Guide-Colleges-2019-Edward/dp/1492662097
It's not expensive, but it's also not a book you'll really use more than 3 or 4 times.
Read what they have to say about the colleges you think you want to attend.
Snap a picture of those dozen or so write-ups.
You're going to be fine :) Everyday is a new day to do better and to leave your past behind. Humans always jump to the bad thoughts when we're unsure of something. If we don't think we got something right, it will always haunt us and make us scared of the impacts that it's going to have. With this said you can't change your past, but you can control your future.
​
To help study better I reccommed these:
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Remember that grades are just a number and school is just a place.
​
When you learn something and take the time and effort, it will ultimately help you in the long run.
​
Always try your best and don't let the past impact your future :)
I suggest you get a dummy's book on Microsoft word and read it thoroughly. Also it wouldn't hurt to take a basic computing class that teaches you about the Microsoft office suite as you will likely use it throughout your college career.
I'm sure you'll do just fine!!
Link to Microsoft word for dummies on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1119514061/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_Q3BTA66AZAENNJGB3WNG
Both briefcase and messenger bag sound classic for business school...Lol, as a college student, I found it more convenient to carry backpacks as that I can put pretty much everything that I need inside. And I don't expect backpacks or bags to last forever, I can always get a new replacement..haha Anyway, I've got this one from Amazon for months, and it's still pretty durable and sturdy, I like it a lot. It's lightweight and heavy-duty, huge main compartment that fits several hardcover textbooks and notebooks, A4 binders and also my 13" MacAir. I feel it pretty worthy buying personally. :)
http://www.ratemyprofessors.com/search.jsp?query=cynthia+franklin
I can conclude that OP goes to Northwest Vista College, Mesa Community College, Chandler Gilbert Community College, or the University of Hawaii (Aloha!)
I was having a similar problem. When I got some free time I read a great book by Charles Duhigg on habit formation and it gave me some useful insights. One point he makes is that every habit has certain cues. When your brain perceives the cues (ie. emotional state, location, time), it launches you into a learned habit. I started to give myself certain cues to study, like going to the same library at the same time every day. I would hide my phone, and use SelfControl to block distracting sites. Now when I do these things, it feels like I work automatically.
Maybe your ideal cues would look a little different, but it's worth experimenting.
Look at grammar and spelling very closely, often these attacks are coming from Africa or Eastern Europe and you can tell the writer's primary language isn't English.
Threats of "account suspension for (insert reason)" if you don't click a link and "verify" your account information right away. If in doubt, forward the e-mail to campus tech support and they can tell you if it's legitimate.
Mousing over any links shows that you're being sent to some other website than an office on campus. Often, there will be a ".ru" or other foreign extension instead of ".edu."
E-mail claims to come from "Campus Technology Services" or some other generic name, but there is no such office on campus.
Here is a good quiz that you can take to see if you can spot legitimate websites vs. fake ones:
Don't use OpenOffice. The developers and the company that bought it abandoned it. LibreOffice is the best free Microsoft Office clone out there.
I'm not sure if this will help much since it requires some pretty high level math, but it can't hurt to look at when it starts and see if it's some help. There's an option for a certificate with a fee, but you can still participate in the course without it.
Pay attention to your body and respond accordingly. Most cases of mono resolve themselves in about a few weeks. However, when I got mono, I was bedridden for two months. Take that as you will.
Hey! I'm actually legally blind, so I use a screenreader a lot, especially when I encounter something that I can't enlarge well. This is a free screenreader that is fairly popular within the blind community: http://www.nvaccess.org. I also use tons of audiobooks, so if that's possible for you I highly recommend it.
I also recommend f.lux: https://justgetflux.com, which changes the tone of your screen to match day/night patterns.
Definitely take short breaks every now and then. I usually can't go more than 45-60 minutes of visual work without getting a headache, so I try to take a 10 minute break every 40-50 minutes. Drinking water also helps a little. Best of luck!
Edit: I also wear reading glasses, but those may not be compatible with your financial situation.
This is a good sit, a little basic though, but a good introduction.
May I ask what reason(s) made you decide to major in cs? The reason why I ask is that from my experience, a lot of people go into cs with incorrect perception(s) of what the field entails.
Sounds like you keep coming back around to science. Why not do science?
As a professor myself, I dislike RateMyProfessor because the reviews are always so biased ("he's the best teacher ever!" and "this guy sucks too much homework lol"). But it might not be a bad idea to look up your science teachers and at least partially base your decision on classes on the reviews you read. You say you have bad bad experiences with other science teachers, so see if there is a way to avoid them in your future.
Original research means original research. You are going to have to make up something to study. So if your topic is asthma, then you can maybe study the link between asthma and some random thing (like depression). Maybe your question could be something along the lines of is depression more common in people that have asthma or something like that. You can get a random sample of people, some with asthma, some without, and see if there is a link between asthma and depression. Or whatever else type of subject you want to study. You get the point.
The easiest way of going about it may be online. Create a surveymonkey survey and have random internet people fill it out.
As for the report on it. I think the general format is:
Create an abstract section -Basically explain what you are studying and what happened. It will essentially be a summary of the study. You won't be able to finish it until the research is done.
Create an introduction section -This will be an introduction
Create a methods section -how the research is carried out (sample characteristics, what questionnaires you used in the study, etc.)
Create a results section -What happened in the study
Create a discussion section -Talk about what the results mean and future research or whatever.
At least, that's how we do it in psychology.
Yes sorry about that! On the website, it says the Android version is coming soon, and you can sign up for an email when it comes out here .
Also, I found the Android version of the app, it's called Forest. It seems to have the same features. You can study and grow virtual trees in the process! here is the link to the app.
On Amazon you'll find a lot of projectors in the $50 - $100 range from no name companies. All of them are pure garbage. The cube is very portable, great build quality, and it was on cheap at the time. Right now, Id look into SK UO Smart Beam Portable. Depending on the distance wall to wall, it has similar specs to the Rif6. Cube form factor is nice because you can orient it so it projects onto the ceiling, which gets overlooked at times.
I'm assuming you want the most popular 882E scantron? I wouldn't do it personally since they have to go through a scantron scanner and get marked up. I wouldn't risk having an error or lower grade on the scantron because of printing or whatever issues that come up.
My advice is to just not buy anything from your school bookstore, which are usually always marked up in prices. Why not just order a larger number pack like a 50/100/etc pack on Amazon?
You could search up other scantrons you need and possibly buy a larger pack to save money. But realistically, how many tests are you going to take? I think 50 or even 25 will be enough honestly, but I don't know your situation.
Is the reading out of a textbook or is it a historical reading?
If it's out of a textbook, try looking at the back of the chapter for the summary and response questions first. Then, skim the rest by focusing on the first and last sentences of each paragraph. The goal is to figure out what the most important pieces of information are.
If it's something like The Wealth of Nations...yeah glossing over it would be difficult. I would google additional notes on the piece just to identify the main concepts and arguments.
For math, definitely. The Khan Academy is a great place to brush up on your math.
For English, in practice, it's very hard to study for that test. You'll be asked to look for errors in sentences and read short stories and answer questions about them. Preparing for that consists of knowing English and spotting all kinds of grammar mistakes accurately. If you want to study, just read anything that's grammatically correct. Being used to the flow proper English sentences will make it easier to spot errors, as well as improve your comprehension. However, in any case, it will be harder to prepare for the English placement test.
(bonus: see if you can spot the mistake above.)
> I have switched to using the "Night light" on my laptop and have the brightness all the way down.
I use this, which gets rid of the blue light, rather than just dimming it.
Some tips for the ones struggling in math right now.
Watch this guys videos the day before you do that specific subject in class. Been watching him since I had failed.
Make friends in every math class! They can help you with: homework problems, give you the professor's past exams, notification of canceled classes, give you tips on which professor is better next semester, etc. And do the same for them! Plus it's nice to have friends.
Look at RateMyProfessors for the best professor for any class. Depends on your school.
You can work with professors for research opportunities if you're solely seeking research. As far as stats go, tools like R (open source), Gretl/Stata (if you're more of a point and click person) and Python (pandas) are really powerful for statistical analysis.
Edit: If you do end up using R, there's a package you can install called swirl that's very beginner friendly and it's interactive with the console from RStudio (don't forget to download R itself first).
I have the Northface Recon backpack, it's comfy, water resistant and has great organizational features. I carry 20-30 lbs sometimes without being uncomfortable. I've had it for 3 years now, haven't noticed any wear and tear besides being dirty (which can be avoided with care lol). The laptop pouch is awesome. Also, the sunglasses/phone pouch is plush, microfiber so it doesn't scratch anything.
Amazon gives a great description: https://www.amazon.com/North-Face-Recon-Backpack-Heather/dp/B01J6DNWZ6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1524696500&sr=8-3&keywords=northface+recon
Also, my previous bag (Northface) was used from 5th grade through Highschool, and it was a cheaper model.
Bottom line they make good bags, id recommend any one. Whichever fits your storage needs best. They are also cool looking bags in my opinion.
Yeah, the Sonic bomb alarm is a really good one, if you want a similar alarm that looks more discreet like a normal alarm clock, this is the version that I purchased for myself. I'm a super heavy sleeper though, and I've found that I can even sleep through that, so as a last resort, I would definitely recommend a Pavlok but again only as a last resort, it's kind of expensive and literally shocks you awake, but I find that it's really effective and quiet. I'm going to sound like a total shill here for a second, but their customer service is top notch as well, when mine started having issues, I reached out to their customer service to see if there was anything that I could do to fix it, and after walking me through a few unsuccessful attempts, they sent me a brand new one. I was really impressed.
I suggest looking at Coursera for now. It is a great way to take classes online for free from great schools like Princeton, Penn, Harvard, etc. I have used to get insights to classes before I take similar or equivalent things (accounting, philosophy, or economics). I have not used it for mathematics before, but I am sure they offer some great classes. Some courses (if not all) offer forums and videos which allow you to listen directly to lectures and interact with other students or teachers. You can also receive certificates that are verified by said universities (again not for credit). You can also supervise her because she will always be taking the class at home.
Also, I think she should do the Math Olympiad. This is a really great way for her to challenge herself while also learning new topics. This could translate to math team, math Olympiad or Quiz Bowl teams in high school/college.
Do the problem sets. Do your homework. Read the textbook. If you have problems with some harder material, put more time toward those problems than the material you've mastered, but don't neglect the easier stuff. Creating memories takes time to commit to long-term. Also, if you're stuck on a concept, office hours. Come prepared for the office hours with hopefully a good path of what you do get and where you are stuck. This will help both you and the professor best maximize that time. There are some good resources online, such as this... https://www.coursera.org/learn/learning-how-to-learn/home/welcome
How much do you know about what it would be like to work as an engineer in the auto industry? Someone asked a similar question on Quora and got a detailed response from someone who does work in that industry. Here's what I think are the most important parts of the response:
> Many of the jobs are in the Detroit area, there are suppliers spread throughout the Midwest, and some factories now in southern states. Many factories are in rural areas because that's often where it makes sense to build a facility that requires a lot of land. If you have your heart set on living in a place like Boston or California, that might be tough.
> You often don't get to choose what you want to do - There are many engineers who are needed to do things like design the assembly plants, keep the assembly plants running smoothly, inspect failed parts, and source components, among other things. Many of those things aren't something that might interest you in particular. You don't always get to do what you want. Not everyone gets to design cool things.
I work with a bunch of engineers, and a lot of them are doing work that they didn't expect to be doing when they were working towards their degrees in college. A lot of engineering jobs have nothing to do with designing new products. Some engineers are supervisors at plants, or they're working on projects to redesign existing products to make them cheaper to produce. Many of them who work in design are working on pretty boring stuff, like components, and it's true that a lot of engineering jobs are in plants located in rural areas.
Edgar Arriaga. RMP score of 1.4(!)
Honestly a nice guy who simply could not teach. I was so lucky. I could have skipped his class because of AP credits but took it for what I thought would be an easy A. Our lecture hall went from like 350 to less than 200 people in a genchem 1 class.
I was happy with my B
I would say yes, drop the class. If your majoring in Programming or computers, it is important to learn the material instead of just try hard to get a C and move on. Take it with another professor and don't be so hard on yourself for having to drop the class. How else are you going to pass the advanced C++ class if the teacher is going to be terrible at teaching the first one? Try this site: http://www.ratemyprofessors.com/
Take it in class. If you struggled to pass in the class, you will struggle even more when you take it online, and at the end you would be teaching yourself. You probably didn't have a good professor, so in that case, use the website RateMyProfessor.com to lookup the professors at the institution you plan to take the course at, and based on their reviews, choose whether to take their course or not.
Don't forget once the semester ends, you need to order a transcript, give it to your current institution so they know you took the course and you can be eligible to take calc 2 afterwards.
Hey, OP, sorry you are going through this! It is really difficult to stand up for your own safety, but especially so when it is against family. I also go to school really close to home so I faced some similar difficulties to the ones you described.
I found it helpful to identify both things that I was willing to compromise on and things I was not willing to compromise on. For example, something I was willing to work with her on: I was okay with going on a walk with my mom if it was outside, we both were masked, and we both were continually testing negative. I was not okay with any non-masked interaction even for a short time - a meal, etc - and I gave my family the ultimatum of you follow these stipulations or I will not join in the activity. I often provided ideas for virtual alternatives - instead of going to a restaurant with them, We would both order takeout from the same place and eat over a video call or when watching a movie on a Netflix party. We also played some online games such as skribbl.io and scattergories together over a video call.
I acknowledge that maybe testing is not as accessible where you are (everyone in my family gets tested once a week) so maybe feeling comfortable interacting with them in person is a no for you but you definitely should not be guilt-tripped into risking their safety or your safety. Do what's best for you! Good luck :)
I've read several articles on this topic.
Its hard to be sure if the articles are being sponsored and thus influenced or not.
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/08/how-to-handle-a-college-student-s-money-needs/index.htm
Consumer Reports is pretty well known for being un-sponsored, and thus pretty averse to external influence.
The two sources they point to for info on good credit card deals for students both list the Capital One Journey card as a good deal.
The Citi "Thank You" card is also well ranked.
Check out Amazon Mechanical Turk. Basically, you complete tiny tasks that usually take < 10 min apiece for a (very) small compensation. Some, not all, tasks can be accomplished with 10 lines of code or so, which for a CS student is a great way to earn some cash.
Try the Pomodoro Technique. I've found that it helps tremendously when I'm working on coding projects and difficult math problems. Without it, I've spent upwards of 6 hours straight on problems. If I would've just taken a small 15-minute break, I would've come back to the problem and would've been able to solve it more quickly and efficiently. In the end, your tired mind takes longer to process and retain the information while also making you feel mentally exhausted. You give your mind a break and you don't feel like shit after completing the work.
TL;DR: Take breaks. You're probably spending way too much time brute forcing the material instead of letting your mind and body rest.
Here and here is what I found about salaries of both majors. Both seem to be similar pay scales with Chemical being higher, I am sure you could find a place where it says Computer Engineers make more, this is just what I found after a quick google search. I never said that computer engineering was not in demand and attempted to convey the same concept of taking EE and applying it using CS in my post.
Additionally, I only know what I have been told by people who have actually taken the classes. When I asked my friend told me that it gets very complicated and unless you are sure that is what you want to do, don't take it. OP clearly has a hate for Chemical Engineering so I thought a different look would be good for him, if he does not like Cog Sci as much as he thought he did he can always go to Computer Engineering later, or take some classes for both at the same time.
I agree with what is being said here. Get the English out of the way so you can at least turn in something.
Working in so you are totally focused for X amount of time then take a short break for Y is also a good way to work. If you have stuff like numbered problems (like in a math class) I personally like to try to knock 5 out before I break, maybe more if they are simple problems.
For the English homework I would recommend Write Or Die for bashing out the rough draft. It's a nice little program that sort of forces you to do some solid writing for the time of your choice. It probably won't be quality stuff but it is something and a lot of times just getting something can be all you need to start.
Okay, so I use this website to compare all prices. Amazon is normally my go to, though. But I am pretty sure you will just get Amazon store credit for the books there, which isn't a problem if you tend to buy things off Amazon!
Also, defiently check your school's facebook sell/buy page (if there is one). Good way to get cash upfront for your book.
My advice to you is to go to a community college first. This way you can save money and build up your GPA. Community college doesn't appeal to a lot of people because they think they won't have as great of experiences or quality learning. However, after I have gone to a community college, and now a four-year university, I have seen that it mainly depends on the professor you get as far as getting a quality education. This is where the site Rate My Professors becomes really helpful. As for the college experience, that really is up to you whether you're going to a topnotch university or a local community college. If you want a good experience, get involved in an organization that you have some interests in...making friends is a lot easier this way. If you need any help deciding what to do you are welcome to PM me. Good luck!
I don't know if this'll work for you, but I personally use this site with earphones. It blocks everything else out and simulates a sort of peaceful place. I personally go for crickets and fire. Sometimes rain, thunder, or waves for relaxation.
You never know when the knowledge will come in useful. I was on a conference call a couple months ago, and a tech was trying to move/rename some files to get the system working again but clearly wasn't familiar with how to use the command line. I spoke up, took control of his screen, moved the files, TAR'd them, renamed the archive and looked like a superstar to my boss (all this was way outside of my job role).
For a distro, I like Slackware.
Watch every single one of these. Every one.
http://www.engineer4free.com/calculus.html
Calculus is not a monster. People find it hard because they don't truly understand the meaning behind the math. I firmly believe if you put in the time, you will do very well. I believe in you, kid.
Double check whether or not courses at your community college will transfer to the university you want to attend. You might be able to get some gen ed courses taken care of.
Aside from that, look at Coursera. You sign up for a course and complete it with other students just like you would an online class from a university. The classes don't give college credit, but many are graded and provide you with a certificate of completion upon passing so you would have something to show your parents that you are putting in effort.
If you need to have Microsoft Office (MO), you could try using SkyDrive (called OneDrive now) and running MO from the cloud. It's a little watered down and you have to use it though your browser, but it works pretty well and is compatible with all MO applications (it's totally free btw, and looks exactly like MO). You'll have to set up an account with Microsoft though (xbox, outlook, or live/hotmail accounts all work).
As far as dedicated applications on your computer, I would just use pages or LibreOffice, you won't find a legal copy of MO for less than 140.
For content blockers, hands down the best one I have ever used is Cold Turkey. Not only does it block websites, but any program that may distract you (mainly video games). The free version works well enough, but I bought the Pro version for $20 and have gotten more than its worth out of it over the course of two years.
That's a professional-grade laptop backpack, and unfortunately has a professional pricetag to match.
Be sure to watch the video so you see how well it will protect a laptop.
I bought this one on amazon and its one of the most comfortable mattresses I ever slept on (YMMV).
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IU6RQW0
Back is fine and you don't really need a bed frame if you don't want to shell out the money for one lol. Also ships nice so you can have it sent directly to your off campus housing instead of transporting it from home.
Might not be super cheap but definitely way cheaper than a lot of mattresses out there. I got the queen size but if you're willing to sleep on a twin or full you'd save a lot of money.
You mean like these? You literally just need to search Amazon for "LED string lights UL."
Just use a free vpn service like ProtonVPN. Slader blocks you based on seemingly your IP after (5?) entries.
I refuse to pay for a service where answers are provided to them, many times for free by other users, who are themselves paying for the service. Honestly some folks could probably just set up a Github repo + github pages and run such a service at 0 cost to them.
Something I did in college to help with tough STEM classes was buy really inexpensive old editions of instructor copies of textbooks, like this. I mostly bought mine from Half Price Books, but online is good too. Just start working your way through the book. Read the instructional lessons and then do the problems and check your answers. If you get stuck on a concept, Google it and watch some videos or read other explanations until it clicks. And when classes start, don't be too proud to go to tutoring. The students who take the initiative to get help are the ones who succeed long-term. Good luck!
I like using the app, ''Istudiez Pro". It tracks homework, schedule,classes, etc. You can add in classes, instructors(office hours, their numbers, emails). It's really helpful!
Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.istudiezteam.istudiezpro
I have eyesight issues and I cannot see on the blackboard. The only way for me to follow along with the lecture is to take photos, or, better yet, use the Office Lens app in blackboard mode to shoot an already optimized version of the photo. I use a program to quickly share my files between my phone and my PC if I'm taking digital notes of some sort, so I can quickly paste a state of the blackboard to my note.
Sometimes, also, when I don't remember something crucial for the lesson to be useful I - gasp - Google it. Shocking, right? Googling topics related to the lecture so you understand what's going on?
And since you're so opposed to the idea of using technology for learning, I assume you've never heard of this either?
Phones are just computers that are smaller in size and are connected to the Internet all the time, with the extra functionality of being able to take and place calls nowdays. Someone might sit on their phone for 2 hours for the exact reason they sit on their laptop 2 hours. Different people have different needs, use the method that works best for you but don't criticize other people's methods unfairly.
Similarly, I finished a bachelors in criminal justice at an online school... I was pressured to start college very very young and I found the subject very interesting (still do,) but came to realize very quickly after finishing (deep down I think I knew before I even finished) that it wasn't what I wanted to do with my life.
Worked crap jobs for a couple of years, started taking a few math & science classes at a cc, realized I wanted to study engineering. So here I am in my mid-20s going to a state university for my second bachelors degree.
I appreciate the journey that I went on because it shaped me, but in a lot of ways I wish I had just changed as soon as I had an inkling I wasn't on the right path.
Life is complicated. Don't think you have to follow some abstract straight line path. I encourage you to read the book So Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal Newport if you're looking for some career building advice.
I tend to enjoy books about personal finances. Read my first one "The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need" when an elderly engineer pulled it off his shelf and recommended I read it when I had a slow day at my college internship.
A couple other worthwhile personal finance books are "The Millionaire Next Door" and "Your Money or Your Life".
It depends on the subject. I don't approach chemistry in the same way I approach an essay in a liberal arts class. For example, when I had to read Aristotle (who is notoriously dense), I made extensive handwritten notes. No typing on the computer, no googling hard passages, and no reading as if it were a novel. I didn't look into the thoughts of other scholars until I sat with the material and gave it my best shot. Then, I would free write. Eventually, you have 2 or 3 decent ideas as a starting point. In college, the essays are on a different level than high school because they are more argumentative. You start to see how the ways of propping up your arguments are faulty, and you don't have any idea what the hell you're talking about. In a way, this forces you into an understanding of the material, as rote memorization will not work. Outside of majors that deal exclusively with facts (say, a STEM environment), college is going to be based on opinions and argumentation. Your professors don't care if you can summarize The Nicomachean Ethics or tell them when it was published. They want your personal, well argued perspective.
For STEM, it's all about flash cards, quizzing yourself, and using the tutoring facilities if you're misunderstanding important concepts.
Use your time wisely!
Hey, no problem! Don't forget sites like http://www.khanacademy.org/
They were made to help fix the problems some students have by reteaching you in a different way. Take the ACT "AS MANY TIMES AS YOU CAN" lol because they take the highest grade. You may even get lucky one time and score higher than a time you really tried super hard.
Hi, Ben from Khan Academy here.
If you go to our (completely free) website http://www.khanacademy.org/ then there are thousands of practice problems in addition to the videos we have on YouTube -- you'll get a pretest when you first sign up and then automated recommendations after that for what you should practice.
Way too far. Depending on the location, it may be cheaper to live there than spending $ on gas for a 45 min commute each day plus the maintenance fees by driving for 1.5+ hours a day plus the combined depreciation of your car by adding more mileage (if it's not leased). If residence is too expensive, consider off-campus housing, usually it's cheaper. https://www.airbnb.com/sublets
You could try notion.
It is a searchable digital notebook that you can divide up into sections and make all sorts of table and schedules. You can also collect research/articles there as well. I did mine by hand, but if I was going digital, this is what I would have used.
Duolingo ist dein Freund but pair it up through adjusting your lifestyle around it slowly in terms of listening to music, videos, or just plain talking with other German speakers.
As for your chemistry intro level courses, when I was a freshman, I just worked in a group so that if someone or myself was stumped, we'd get immediate feedback and show each other (logic behind this is that if you can explain to a 5 year old what you've learned, that holds much more weight in recalling than pure memorization).
Pretty much, find/create a good group to work with and you'll be fine. More than enough time as well.
This forum has a pretty negative view on jobs for radiologic techs. I would research online/locally before you make the change.
I used Udacity's free course when I was in stats. There's also help online at Penn State, but it's just notes (no videos).
Udacity: https://www.udacity.com/course/intro-to-statistics--st101
Penn State: https://onlinecourses.science.psu.edu/stat200/node/193
Duck Syndrome:
https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-Stanford-duck-syndrome
Impostor Syndrome:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impostor_syndrome
Go talk to your university's mental health staff. You've got some splendid depression going on there buddy.
They might be able to help with some of your grades, in some cases, and on some campuses.
If the article has been up long enough, you might be able to use the Wayback Machine. You could also try this extension for Chrome, but I haven't used it before. It should at least work for the NYT, which I find to be the most useful outlet when writing.
No for the Game Design industry especially it will mostly be a large expensive waste of time. Employers would rather you get experience, work on Indie games, etc rather then learning more than enough CS theory.
Especially if you plan to open your own studio, the most obvious path would be to do so start small with an indie project, get a team together, and go at it.
The only reason you should really go for a grad degree in CS is if you intend to go into research, academia, or you have another somewhat related degree to CS (Math, ____ Engineering, etc) and want to get into CS.
/r/cscareerquestions
/r/gamedev
IndieDB
They could help and guide you more than I can.
I've personally been using Googke calendar to manage all of my events and also hold the links for my Zoom meetings while using Notion to manage my To-do list with my kanboard and also where I complete most of my projects since I find it more feature packed when working on my assignments.. It has been working good for me and on top of that all I haven't needed to purchase a premium account for Notion.. https://www.notion.so/pricing
If you want some solid advice, read <em>The Thinking Student's Guide to College</em>. The better you understand your university as a system, the more easily you will be able to navigate it.
I think you don't have to give her something big, maybe something small but meaningful...? I saw this T-shirt today and it's kinda funny because it literally sums up my college experience. And maybe her too. Check it out if you want to, I will put the link here https://teespring.com/meaftereveryexam#pid=369&cid=6513&sid=front
> Especially since your parents seem to consider cost to be a concern
OP already stated that the in-state schools are slightly cheaper than the out of state. Additionally, Art degrees have multiple jobs that pay well as long as you work hard. Industrial Design: 74K, Graphic Design: 60K, Visual Communications: 68K. These are all jobs that are mainly held by people with art degrees and have decent average salaries according to this site.
https://www.safaribooksonline.com/
I believe you can sign up using the free trial? I just exited out of the page when it asked my for my credit card info. If you're looking for a specific book, I guess you could google "[textbook name] safaribooksonline". That should bring you to the page that has the textbook.