help needed

[how_to_shine]

Okay people, I really need help/advice/ideas. It's got to the point where I just can't cope with my course any more - I know it's not meant to be easy, but I don't understand *anything* and the thought of going to lectures makes me cry every morning. It's been like this since the start of term but i thought things might improve over xmas, and they

Comments

[barefoottomboy]

Aw, sweetheart, I'm sorry to hear things are going badly, so to start off with:

*big hugs*

As for advice: obviously the course isn't working out for you, and there's no point as far as I can see in wasting much more time and money, not to mention so much (emotional) energy (!) on it. As you say, you're obviously going to have to talk to your parents at some point, but I would wait to do that until you can present them with a clear(er) plan of what you're going to be doing once you leave the course.

Is there some kind of academic advisor you can talk to? They must have seen students in the same situation as you before, and should be able to help.

As for the courses in Bristol, I'd find out who runs them, and send them an email or give them a call, just to have a chat about the possibility of applying, and what to do about any possible 'gaps in your educational background'. I wouldn't have thought you need to worry about the three As: you may think you 'only just' got three As, but you did get them! And besides, the offers are upwards of AAB for the LLB course, and upwards of ABB for English & Philosophy, so they obviously let people in with less than three As.

As for needing an English A level, I'd talk to them: I know Oxford has taken people to do Biology before who haven't had an A level in Biology, so - especially if you have an AS in English - they may just be willing to waive the requirement. Or they might ask you to go to evening classes or somesuch to get the A level before applying next year. If there's somewhere in Bath you could do that, then you could stay in Bath, keep your job working part-time, and get the A-level you need there.

Don't forget to check about being allowed to live in Bath and study in Bristol: they might have requirements for first-years to live in halls, I don't know.

Good luck with it all, and keep us posted!

*more hugs*

[how_to_shine]

*hugs* thank you :) I've just been for coffee with a friend who said almost exactly the same as you. I'm going to call my parents tonight and tell them how unhappy I am here, then go and see someone tomorrow about dropping out. Then get on the phone to Bristol and see what the deal is there - hopefully I'll get to talk to someone face to face as the admissions staff should have had the worst of the applications rush.
Will let you know how it all goes :)