Confused Student

Dear K,

I've been a very stellar student my whole life, that was until college began. My parents pushed me into majoring in something that I never wanted to major in, and that backfired as I didn't have motivation to get the degree at all. Basically, I will be ending up with about a 2.4 GPA by the end of this semester, which will mark my second year, earning 57 credits. No doubt I've done bad, but I still have hope and I'm trying to stay as optimistic as I can. I know how hard it is to find a job these days without a degree, so if I have to take loans, work while I attend college, I WILL get through this and get my degree, no matter what.

I've looked at several careers and my final selection is to be a Radiology Technologist. I've looked around and it's said that this is a two year program, however, I seem to have ended my two year with mostly gen ed courses, and on a pretty bad note as well. I want a Bachelors degree in this program as well. I live in Orlando, Florida and attend UCF, and they no longer offer Bachelors degree in this program from what I've been told.

I feel so hopeless at this point, but I need some serious reality check. On top of this, my parents haven't talked to me for weeks and it's killing me.

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Confused student,
Thank you for coming to me with your problem, I am here to help!!! Don't feel as if you are alone. Many students get 3-4 years of college under thier belt before they settle on a degree program. I understand your frustration doing classes that you have no interest in because your parents pushed for it... it is pretty much inevitable that you will not do good in those classes as you know that you are working towards something that you would rather not. Don't feel like you are letting yourself down!!! From what I can tell you are a very strong and motivated person and those are the qualities that will help you through this tough time! I, for one, did all but 8 credits towards a legal administration degree before I decided that I would rather do nursing :/. So I have been there and know that it is not easy. There is good money and tons of job opportunities being a Rad Tech. (we are always hiring new ones in MN). As far as working while in college, its a good idea, but if you are already stressed out, I think you should take it slow. Changing Degree Programs is a lot of stress and you need to take care of yourself first and foremost! If UCF does not offer your program, tranferring these days is pretty easy!! Stick with it! YOU CAN DO IT :). As far as your parents go... If you think they are not talking to you because of school, that is their problem. They are your parents and they should be supportive of you no matter what! What I may suggest is to just write them a letter about how you feel and what your plans are as far as school. Let them know that your heart is in a different field and that you are doing poorly because you have no interest in it and the pressure that they have put on you has stressed you out. Let them know that you need their support now more than ever and that it hurts you when they dont talk to you. Make sure you write it in a way that does not accuse them of anything. You want to show them that you are an adult and even though you are working hard it is upsetting you that they are treating you like a child. Then, leave it up to them. They will know how you feel and hopefully will understand what you are going through. I would start looking at schools and looking into financial aid and if you decide to get a job as well, find one for about 15 hours a week to start. Remember, you are going to need time to study hard for your Bachelors Rad Tech Degree (that I know you can get!!!)and dont forget to treat yourself as well... Take time for you. Sometimes it is hard to do when you know you have other stuff that you could be doing... While I was in college, working, and raising a baby, I thought I could do it without time to myself and I broke down. From then on I schedule an hour a week for myself. In the winter I like to take that time to go tanning. Though 1 time a week wont actually give me a tan, the warmth and the Vitamin D really relieves the stress!!!! Take care Confused student and feel free to reply with more questions, anything. I am here to help!!!! Think of me as your free internet counselor :)
Be positive and you WILL succeed!!
*K*

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K,
I sincerely thank you for the response. I've used several sources on the internet to ask for advice and whatnot, and some told me to just drop out of school because it seems like I'm not meant to be in college. It really makes me mad that there are people out there who likes to discourage hopeful students. And while I know that my parents pressure on me is making me stress, I also realize that the lack of a better GPA is entirely my fault after all. I will admit, I have messed up since day 1 of college. I lacked the motivation that a college student should have and didn't bother seeking help till now. I really want a Rad Tech Bachelors degree, but it seems like there are no schools in my state that offers this degree- only an Associates. I'm 19 years old and I feel as if I'm wasting my time and money and I'm not getting any younger.

About my parents not speaking to me, I will just let them be. Through the grapevine, or from my sister, I heard that my Dad has lost all his hopes on me. I come from a very strict Asian family, so you know how that goes. He's still financially supporting me and I feel awful spending his money while feeling like I'm getting nowhere in life. I really want to talk to my parents, and would LOVE to write a letter, but the truth is, there's a slight language barrier between me and them. I can't eloquently express my feelings to them in our native language, which is the only language they fully understand.

I'm trying to stay positive, but the more I look at my low GPA and the courses that I failed in, the more discouraging I'm becoming.

Thank you for your help, I'm so glad there's someone I can vent my feelings to!

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Confused Student,
I am here to help :) Thats what I enjoy doing. I know there are some really cruddy people on the internet who like to put people down... I found a link for you, hopefully it can help you on your way. http://radiologytechnicianschools.net/
I know you look down on yourself for your GPA slipping, and yes, technically it is, but without the motivation and knowing thats what you want to do, its hard to care about it. But you will so better in your rad tech program. Even if you just start with an AA thats fine too, I think there are some online colleges that you can do the AA to BS completly online while you work. (and if you are working as a rad tech generally the bigger companies will pay for you to advance your education) I hope everything works out for you with your family. I am sure your dad has not given up hope, but maybe he feels disappointed that you dont want the same career path that he wants for you. Everyone goes through ups and downs and right now you are on the down side.... but you will be able to get back up. I have faith in you. You will do great. Just when you look at your current GPA use that to help encourage yourself to miove forward and persue your degree and push yourself to do better. You can and you will. Good Luck!!

*K*

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K,
I've taken a lot of the gen ed courses already. Does this mean that I've wasted two years of my life just taking these useless courses? Out of curiosity, do you know how much the rad techs at your workplace make with a two year degree out of college?

Transferring is not so easy for me. I cannot transfer to another University in the state of Florida anymore because of my GPA and I've seen some programs offered at certain hospitals, but they also seem to be a bit selective. I don't know.. I just don't. I'm hoping that all the courses I've taken thus far isn't all wasted.

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Confused Student,
You time is never wasted. Though your GPA may not be so great, your courses still count. Also, Gen Ed courses are needed for almost every degree program so you would need them anyways! see... not wasted. As far as the Rad Techs salary. It would be different in every state... But I asked one of our techs here and without giving me exact numbers she said she takes home just under 50k a year but thats with wonderful insurance benefits and 401K and all that kind of stuff. She also has only been doing it for about 1 year so that is pretty good for just starting out :) I say go for it! oh and yes she only has a 2 year. Plus.... cost of living where I live is nothing compared to Florida so I am sure you would make more down there :)