After much internal debate, crying, praying, and talking with my parents and favorite communications professor/adviser, I decided to drop meteorology from my schedule.
Bye bye textbook that I wasted $92.00 on.
I wasn’t earning a low grade in the class (I had a 91% when I dropped it), but I was on my way to a low grade and more importantly, a possible nervous breakdown. I took 15 credits this semester, which is normal for me. Because I’m a junior, all of my classes are getting tougher and tougher.
Bye bye stupid clouds.
Meteorology was giving me a hard time. I was spending hours upon hours studying the textbook, taking notes, and reviewing. I guess I just wan’t getting it because my test grades kept dropping, despite me devoting more time to the class each week. I started out with test grades in the 90% range, then 80s, then 70s, and my last test grade was a 66.7%.
At that point, I had a decision to make: keep spending more time on concepts that I don’t understand and a class that is seriusly stressing me out or drop the class and probably graduate one semester late. I had never dropped a class before, so it felt like a big deal, especially considering the consequence. I really try to commit to my studies and give my full effort, so it felt like I was giving up.
Bye bye radar images that I don’t understand.
I decided to drop the class because I was too stressed out. I wasn’t taking care of myself at all. I was seriously on autopilot in my life. All I did each day was run, study, go to school, eat, and sleep. I was having to ignore the important relationships in my life, and I wasn’t putting my relationship with Christ first. I was miserable and anxious.
Yes, I will probably have to graduate one semester late. Oh well. It’s all in God’s plan. What’s more important to me is knowing my limits, enjoying my life, and putting my relationship with God first.
To be completely honest, after I dropped the class, I still went through an internal struggle. I felt guilty for not taking care of myself and I also felt guilty for dropping the class. I quickly got over it once I realized how it felt to have a little bit of free time in my life!
Bye bye wind charts that make no sense.
It’s not that I didn’t like meteorology, I really did (aside from the math aspect of the class). The material was extremely interesting to be because I’m obsessed with the weather. Liking the class made it that much harder to drop it, but I knew it was the right choice for me. I also respect meteorologists so much more now!
Of course I feel like a weenie for only taking 12 credits this semester, but I’m continually learning my limits in life. Everyone is different, and I’m happy with my decision. So is Jimmy and my family because now I have stopped complaining, crying, and begging them to help me understand my homework. I now have freedom from the anxiety that was choking me, and for that I am thankful!
I am also so thankful to my awesome communications professor, Dr. Wood. She took the time out of her day (on the weekend, too!!) to email back and forth with me and advise me with full honesty. She’s the best.
Have you ever had to drop a class or make a tough decision with long-term consequences?
Living My Full Life 
I am so proud of you, it is always tough for high achievers like yourself to really step back and see that your sanity is not worth one class. congrats! you deserve your mind to be on your other hard classes and living life.
I’m so happy to have my ‘normally’ happy go lucky daughter back!!! It is God’s plan, and praying to Him each day guided you to the right decision, and the happiness and less-stressful life you deserve. Love you baby~
Madre
This is a really difficult decision. I had to do something similar and while it is mentally tough to admit that it’s just too much, it’s worth it. You’ll be so much happier and you’ll be able to focus on classes you DO enjoy. Stay positive ❤
I have had to drop classes and I really did feel guilty about it…but don’t you feel like a giant weight has been lifted off your shoulders? Mental and physical health comes first, school second! I’m glad you were strong enough and brave enough to make this decision 🙂
This is a tough decision, but try not to beat yourself up. It sounds like you made a well-thought-out ,intelligent decision. I think that shows a great deal of maturity, and I think you will be surprised at how many people will respect your choice if it comes up later on.
When I started back up at school, I enrolled in a Calculus class for engineering students in my first semester (I needed to take Calc at some point, and this particular one was the only option available that term). I walked out of the first class in tears, confused and overwhelmed, and decided to drop it after a week. I took it in the summer two years later and passed with flying colors. Sometimes the timing just isn’t right, and it has nothing to do with your ability.
I’ve dropped a few classes before. One wasn’t anything serious, it was yoga, but it was early in the AM and I was working PT and doing school. It was just too much and I needed the extra sleep! I dropped Math once too because I was falling quickly (another too early class) and was over it! LOL
Way to go! There is A. no rush to finish school/start real life (trust me) and B. no reason to let school and stress take over your life! I graduated 1.5 semesters late (took half a year off for those school-related stress reasons), and I don’t regret it in the least. I think it made me more ready/able to handle life after, and made life during that much more enjoyable. Rock on, and enjoy school while you’re there 🙂
If that is the first and only class you drop, I think you will be okay. I remember dropping one my first semester and telling my mom and her freaking out, then someone at church telling us that it was nothing, people drop classes all the time, and if that was the worst thing that I got into at school I would be okay. I actually dropped a few in college and still graduated on time, Clay also had to drop a couple especially when he went back for his CS degree.
Really it’s not that big of a deal unless it’s part of your major and you need it, but is only offered once a year or something (you go to a big college so this is probably not the issue for you, but some of ours were only offered in just the Fall or just the Spring). You gotta do what’s best for you and your sanity, if all you can handle right now is 12 hours that’s still good- that’s all I took my last 2 semesters and it was just as tough because the classes were that much harder senior year.
Just give yourself grace with it… in the grand scheme it is only one class of 40 or so, you will take in college. It is stressful, but at least it is over now.
I wish I could share a post with you about what my 34 year old self would tell my 21 year old self —
You know what I mean?
It’s all good girl. You did the right thing and when you’re 34? You’ll see…
You are making a wise choice Allie. Would you rather graduate on time and be miserable or spend an extra semester and actually enjoy yourself? I think you made a great call. In 5 years the amount of time it took to graduate will be meaningless. You’ll remember what you enjoyed.
I think you made a clever decision. It`s all about knowing your own limitations!
It sounds like you made the right decision, lady! I hear ya on being so busy too. I’m taking 18 hours and trying to do a million other things, and it definitely takes some balancing. I feel like I’m in a good place right now….but it’s been a battle at times to get to a place where I can balance everything, so I completely understand. I also worked myself up from 6 hours to 12 hours to 15 hours to 17 hours to 18 hours haha, so lots of baby steps to prepare me. We all have our path and definitely sounds like you’re taking the one right for you! Proud of you for making a tough but healthy decision! 😀
Sounds like this was really the right decision for you! It’s so important to know your limits. And I’m glad that you will have more time to take care of yourself now!
I think that you’re definitely making the right decision for you. In the end, you stress level, sanity, and optimism are most important! You can always take a class! I am proud of you for doing what you needed to be happiest 🙂
Good for you for making the choice that is in your best favor! You know what is the best decision for yourself and it sounds like this is correct!
Oh Allie, I am proud of you for making this decision. I know it was hard, but you definitely made a smart choice. Being stressed/on the verge of a nervous breakdown is never a good thing. Even if you do have to graduate a semester late, it’s no big deal (I am going to be graduating a semester late too – I am learning more and more that not everyone completes college in exactly 4 years!) Plus, now you have more time to excel in your other classes, and more importantly, take care of your mental, spiritual and physical health. That is always number one!