Question: I'm an international sophomore in a U.S. public university. I chose to major in Mathematics not because I like it or too good at it, but because I could work in the U.S. for 29 months with any STEM degree.
I'm taking 7 courses (5 math courses, 1 physics, 1 computer science, and 1 humanity) this semester, totaling 28 credits, because I hope to graduate in another 3 semesters. I'm having a highly packed schedule, and homeworks pile up my desk every night.
Last week, I sat for 3 math exams. I didn't have sufficient time to prepare because I had too much homework to finish, so I bombed badly in all of them. I wrote down everything I knew from high school, because I really haven't learned much in those 400-level math classes. I got very very poor grades, and I don't know how I could survive this semester in such a bad shape.
I hate this public university since day one I entered it. Due to financial reasons, I can't transfer to a better school. Those math instructors are
seldom specific, and they're far less helpful than TA's.
I've been fine with math, but not genuinely interested in or talented with it. Those students in 400-level math classes are really smart, and I often look like an idiot. I rarely understand what the instructors say in class; although I go to my TA every day, I still have difficulty with my homework.
My heavy course load has affected my personal life, too. I've had serious problems falling asleep at night, and I'm catching up with my nutritions. I'm always in a rush, and my mind goes blank when I'm in a test.
I don't know what I should do. Those counselors and academic advisors at such a big public university are seldom helpful. I don't know if should continue with math or how I could possibly survive this semester. I had a GPA of 4.0 last year, and I hope to keep the record. I'm just feeling too unhappy at such a public university and in the math department. I don't know what else I could major in. I was studying Business last year, though.
Answer: Im not exactly sure what your question is, but you sounded like you needed an answer, so I'm going to try.
First-28 hours?! I cannot believe that any school advisor or registrar would let you take that many courses in one semester. A full load is 12 hours, in my office (I am an academic advisor) we recommend that students take anywhere between 15-17 max. This is WAY too many courses for one semester. You will NOT be successful if you continue taking these courses. I suggest you drop at least 1, if not 2 courses, so that you are able to focus on a few of the courses. While this will probably delay your graduation by a semester, it is worth it-if you can't pass the classes this way, you aren't going to graduate anyways, so better that you take a little longer with a better GPA. You should still have time to drop a course or two, so meet with your academic advisor about that.
Second---why are you in a major that you don't enjoy or feel strong in? There are plenty of jobs out there for all different types of majors. There is no point in getting a degree JUST to get a degree-you need to find an area in which you excel and enjoy-remember you are probably going to spend the rest of your life in this field.
Finally-every semester you need to remember that for every hour you are taking (in your case, 28) you are usually expected to study 3 hours outside of class-so in your case you are expected to study 84 hours a week-thats almost twice as many hours as a normal work week! Make sure you consider this every semester so that you do not overwhelm yourself again. Good luck!
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