Is it unusual to take a really long time to get your college degree???

I had to withdrawl from a class (English composition) today. (I'm failing it) I have 2 B's and a C in my other classes, and my GPA is right around 2.5. But that's a HUGE improvement from six weeks ago, when it was probably somewhere in the low ones, and I was failing two classes. The thing is, I'm still not used to the lifestyle of studying 15-20 hours per week and juggling four full college courses (I'm down to three courses, BTW). I'm probably getting in 2-3 hours of studying in per week, but I need to get used to doing more. I transferred from tech college, where I could literally half-ass all my classes and get a 3.0 GPA. They NEVER prepared me for the type of work I would have to be doing at an actual university.

Especially with having Aspberger's Syndrome, the distractions and perseverations (DU being one of them, BTW) can be really hard to get rid of when I need to study. That type of learning disability can be the worst. But hopefully, I'll be able to get used to handling the four courses I'm taking next semester by teaching myself more on how to handle time management. The thing is though, that as a result of dropping this class and another at the beginning of the year, I've been reduced to having to take two full years of pre-architecture instead of one, and even when the two years are through, I still don't know if they'll want to accept me into the program, because my GPA might still be below the 3.1 minimum. I might be in college for a veeeerrrrry long time. Up to 7 years, to be precise. It's 5-year degree, BTW.

So, is it a really bad thing if it takes up to 7 years to recieve a 5-year degree?? I don't know how many people have had to go through 6 years before recieving a 4-year degree, so I'm just wondering.

God, college really sucks. Especially if you transferred from a second-rate tech school.

I read an article a while ago that was about how it's taking people longer and longer to finish college now.

I read an article a while ago that was about how it's taking people longer and longer to finish college now.

I have to work while going to school, so I can't take as many classes. If I have to retake or withdraw from a class then it takes so much longer.

I think she was having a fling with one of her professors. ;-)

much longer than it used to for many people to complete a degree. Rarely does anyone carry the 18-21 credit hour load that actually used to quite common some 40 years ago. Today's students are likely to be working, often full time.

As an adult who has attended college on and off (no degree) for the last 38 years, since I graduated high school, I want to be the first one to tell you that you're better off taking fewer classes and doing them justice, than trying to race through on some kind of artificial timetable.

Also, if you have Asperger's, MAKE SURE YOUR SCHOOL KNOWS ABOUT IT. You are entitled to appropriate accomodations for your disability, but you have to inform the school.

My oldest son has Asperger's -- he graduated high school in 2001, went away to a small liberal arts college where he did very poorly (momspeak for flunked out) and is now back home, working part time at a movie theater and currently taking three classes which add up to 12 semester hours of work. He's phenomenally smart, but school is a huge struggle for him, mainly because when he starts having problems understanding an assignment, he freezes up and won't ask for help. He's terrified of telling me he's stuck, and so things can quickly go from bad to worse.

I try to remain patient, and I'm not always successful. It's really a matter of dealing with it one day at a time.

Hang in there. It's going to be a rough adjustment for a while if you're now at a school that is much more academically demanding than what you were used to, but only carry the course load you can manage, and hang in there.

Good luck.

I have a disability counselor that I see every week, and I've informed all my teachers beforehand.

I actually graduated the same year as your son, 2001. Except I do NOT want to in ANY WAY flunk out of college. I'm not going to flunk, only to go back home and become manager of the convenience store I used to work at. I don't want somehing like that happening to me. Being an architect is my life-long dream, and I intend to accomplish it. I think the difference between myself and others with Aspberger's is that even though I have the same learning problems, I believe my emotional will to succeed is greater than others with the disorder. It's probably the athlete in me.

But the thing is that it's just that the work load is really large, and it's real hard to manage my time wisely. I don't think I'm lazy, or anything. it's just that when I get into something of my interest, I forget about the schoolwork I have to do, and as a result, procrastination takes place a lot of times.

so don't feel bad. It all worked out in the end.

did a few other things in the middle. Don't worry about it. It's too great an opportunity to pollute by thinking you 'have' to do it.

I just now have enough credits for my AA, and I've been taking community college classes for 5 years...so it's taken me 5 years to do what is "normally" done in 2. But again, what is "normal" anymore, considering most students work full or part time? I tried during several semesters to load up on the credits, taking 4 or 5 classes, but when you are working, even just part time, it's hard to do well. I wound up withdrawing from and even failing a few classes because of that. As a result, my community college GPA sucks, so I sympathize with you...I'm turning over a new leaf, though, now that I've transferred. I've finally figured out that with working part time, 3 classes is my limit if I really want to do well. This means it's going to be about another 2 years before I get my Bachelor's degree, but I'd rather take longer and get A's than overload on the credits and graduate with a really low GPA. The smaller courseload has paid off...this semester I haven't received a grade lower than an A on anything I've done in any of my classes, and I've never done that before.

So don't feel bad...I think there's a lot of people out there in our same situation. :)

Was in and out of college, working full time, was married, lots of life responsibilities, took night courses, etc.

No need to panic. You'll get there. If it takes a couple of years longer, so be it.

:toast:

I had to take in completes in August and all of my classmates are gone except for a couple of them and they are leaving in December.
In a way I am afraid to get out and leave behind my wonderful Chef's that have helped me through some hard times in the last year.

But you gotta get through them. Try studying in GROUPS for exams. For most people it works, providing your group doesn't turn into a party.

Are you doing better in courses that have to do with architecture, or hav you had any yet???

That's only because I've had two other classes where I've had to do a lot of work in (one of them being the one I withdrew from). But ever since I concentrated more time for that architecture class, the grade rose from an F to a C currently. My two other B's are one communications class that involves a shit-load of work (I have to crank out a huge presentation every two weeks), and an Anthropology class that's pretty easy (only textbook reading and 4 tests in the whole semester).

The architecture class is harder than the Anthro, but easier than the Communications class.

Hey, as long as you get the degree good for you...

Imposed time scales are quite innane and I would congratulate anyone who gets a college degree no matter how long it take.

Some studies have found that college really should be a five year process not the common four, interesting, how people should be able learn more by learning less (fewer credits) in a semester

My diploma has a later year than my graduating class because I had to do a "senior project" and just kept putting it off. I am not good at independent study and this was required. However, maybe this will make people think I'm younger than I am. Just kidding. Also, I was sick a lot my freshman year and didn't finish two courses. I took an extra course one semester and took a summer course, at a college near my home, to make up the other. You might want to consider taking a course during the summer. That way you can concentrate on just one thing, which will be easier. I had a job, but managed to work around school. Coincidentally, the course I took was History of Architecture. Buildings are my favorite form of art.:-)

I also have fall football camp in August up here anyway, and that would conflict wih any classes I would take.

And I also like to mention a lot that Architecture is the bastard child of Art and Science.;-)

in historic Saratoga Springs, NY, which has a wealth of beautiful and historic buildings. If you can't take a summer course, do it at your own pace, You're obviously pretty smart, since you are on DU. I had trouble studying, as well. Just don't stress yourself. The only pressure you have is that which you are putting on yourself and it's obvious that lots of people here took more than four years to get their degree.:-)

n/t