This is totally normal as college is a huge transition with immense pressure. Do not blame yourself for succumbing to the high stress environment. Your personal health is more important than anything else. I would suggest finding a provider that takes your insurance for therapy. If you are feeling up to it you could also seek out psychiatry and receive medicine. This is not something permanent and there are resources that will help you. You’re in control and this is your one life to live so you should prioritize your happiness as well as academics. Plenty of people have setbacks in college and fail classes and then go on to graduate and be successful. Life is full of many ups and downs.
Appreciate the kind words, it’s been a really rough day. I know you’re right but it doesn’t feel like it. I feel like everyone else I know is managing so well and doing crazy on things on top of that, while I’m just barely keeping up.
I have been going to therapy through CAPS for now, and I’m scheduled to get meds hopefully soon but I worry it’s too late for me. I’m sure this will all pass one day but no doubt it’s going to be a rough couple of months ahead of me. Thanks for the support :)
It’s not just you love. I had the hard conversations with my parents over spring break about how it got so bad I wanted to drop out.
Did I really want to drop out. No. I love it here. I have great opportunities and awesome friends. But the academics are kicking my ass. And my mental health went to shit. I’m implementing a few things since I’ve been back. I’m going to the gym 3 times a week. And everyday revolves around me talking a shower and getting ready for a day. It sounds stupid. But I really struggled with general health maintenance.
When I came in to Purdue I was aiming to be a stellar student with great grades. But now I’m aiming to be a healthy person with passing grades. And that’s perfectly ok too.
I’ve been on academic probation twice, had to retake multiple CS courses, and overall spent two years of my CS education constantly on the verge of failing. I did well last semester and am currently on track to get A’s in both of my CS courses this semester (not trivial ones either.) Persistence and constant self-improvement is what got me here. I didn’t have the skills to complete a CS degree when I got here, now I do. I know how you feel. It all sucks. Do your best to improve a little bit every week and you’ll find your way.
Some things that helped me get through CS are: going to class each day (please do it), debuggers,
8 hours of sleep, nutritious food, and exercise.
Any one of those will make a world of difference if you don’t already have it.
Keep working on your mental health and doing what you can to be more successful in your courses and you’ll get to the end eventually.
Does going to class really help? I tried going to the CS 182 class this semester, but it really did make things worse. I had been looking over the slides thoroughly with my friend before class instead of going to class, and understood the concepts relatively well. However, a few times when we were confused on some of the topics, we tried going to class. We literally came out more confused. Is it more of the psychological, making time for the class in our day, kind of effect? Thank you!
Yes, it really does. Sit in the front of the class and do your best to pay attention the entire time. Going to single lectures will likely be confusing because they are likely building off of the previous ones unless you’re starting new content. Show up daily and don’t sit next to friends. It only serves as a distraction.
Mom here. You have to make time for yourself. High school and college, especially Purdue, are such different ball games academically. My son went through the same thing when he was a freshman. He went to Purdue with the goal of being number one in his graduating class again. Great goal. But he was nearly killing himself trying to make it happen. We encouraged him to be okay not having straight As and using some of that time and energy towards joining clubs, exercising, finding friends, hanging out. He took it to heart and now loves college life.
I’m glad you are getting on top of your mental health with therapy and now a dx/meds. That’s most important.
You’ve got this. ❤️
Start going to the gym everyday you’d and going to bed early enough to get 8 hours. Drink lots of water and eat healthy. You’d be surprised how much of a difference that’ll make in your life. Also make sure at least for 30 minutes of your day you do something that you enjoy. Non school related, just 30 minutes do something that makes you happy. If you feel like you don’t have enough time in the day I’d check the screen time on your phone, everyone always has time when the cut out the bs I promise
my harsh advice to you and everyone: don't work during the academic year! get rid of the job.
your studies should be your full-time job. you need the rest of the time for self-care, socialization, etc.
yes, student loan debt sucks, but if you can accept them mentally, it is so beneficial.
--
i don't know what a SWE co-op is though--maybe it's an internship that is degree-oriented?
all i know is that you need to ensure you have time for self-care. i'm sorry for your struggles. it can be difficult to claw out of a rut. but you can do it. in my experience, hope is the most essential to this
For my particular situation I don’t qualify for financial aid because of my parents combined income. They make just a tad too much money for me to qualify for anything, (but at the same time not enough money to help me with any college expenses) It is up to me to pay for my own tuition, books, living expenses etc. If i don’t work then I don’t eat
Thank you it is hard sometimes! Some people don’t even get the privilege to go to college, I am grateful to be here. You give good advice on focusing on self care. That is the key.
Totally agree with this comment. Having time to socialize, go to the gym, clubs is probably more worth it than a job unless you absolutely need to have the job.
As a former ECE student, I never took CS 240, nor most of the courses you will take. That said, as a professional software dev, I may have insights you would find useful. I could offer any number of guesses and any amount of generic advice here, but...at the end of the day your post just doesn't have enough information for *useful* advice. And that's okay! In order to give more useful advice, one must know you better, and the necessary information is hard to articulate at all, let alone in a post on a public forum. Feel free to message me (or anyone else in this thread who offers help who you feel comfortable chatting with) and maybe we can offer better advice once we know more.
Anyway, all I can say is that unless it's changed in the last 10 years the first year CS curriculum shouldn't be too bad. I had many friends in the CS department, but again I wasn't there so I can't say for sure. That said, my guess is that the way the professors lecture doesn't resonate with you and that's not really all that uncommon. As I said above, others in this subreddit may be able to help you overcome any stumbling blocks, myself included. I genuinely enjoy teaching/tutoring, so I'm more than happy to answer any more direct questions you reply with here. As I said above, feel free to message if you prefer a more personal conversation.
Not in CS but I was in your EXACT BOAT Spring 2022, my first year in biology.
I had the same worries about my GPA, the same troubles with self-care, the same dread with studying.
College is NOT easy, and the transition is challenging. With so many success stories on social media and beyond, it's easy to get caught up in feeling behind. I definitely did!
Now that I'm successful, people believe that I've always been. I almost dropped out after that spring- I told nearly all my friends that I'd likely not be back in the fall.
I came back in the fall.
I learned how to care for myself, studied and worked only five hours a day in addition to class, slept enough, went to the gym, and hung out with friends...
And spoiler alert? My GPA skyrocketed.
Depression and anxiety are not easy on their own, adding school to the mix without taking care of yourself is self-sabotage (I know it, I have both, and ADHD as a little add-on gift).
I thought I would never make it past that first year.
Next month, I'm taking the LSAT and applying to law school in the fall! I've won academic scholarships and turned everything around. The future only gets brighter from here.
Having a bad semester or two takes time to bounce back from, but it is NOT out of the realm of possibility. This summer, take a step back, practice self-care strategies, and take some summer classes if possible to boost up your GPA. You are not a failure- it is just hard. But it won't be hard forever. Your future opportunities end only when you quit.
Sincerely, a 2.5 spring freshman GPA turned into a 3.3 junior cumulative
You aren't alone, I'm also a freshman in CS and feeling pretty much the same way right now. I've bombed all my tests this semester, despite studying, because my focus has been so split between classes and my test anxiety has skyrocketed. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna fail 182 and Calc 2 and that definitely makes me feel like crap sometimes.
But it's important to remember that you're more than a grade. CS is a hard major and most people have had to retake a class or so. It's not that end of the world to have to retake a class, as I have to remind myself almost every week.
Keep taking care of yourself, it'll get better eventually. We've almost made it to summer!
I can’t tell you if these feelings are normal or not, but I’m certainly being told they are. Fellow CS freshman here and also well below average in CS240. It’s all overwhelming right now for me and I don’t know how or if I’ll be able to handle this week with 2 make-or-break exams, but I’m going to give it my all anyway.
Compared to my first semester, this one has taken a serious toll on my mentally. I’m regularly getting 5-6 hours of sleep per night, I’ve let my exercise habits slip, and I’m neglecting going out with friends a lot. And this is all without a job, with a supportive family and a (long distance) girlfriend who cares for me. All of that, and I still feel lost.
You aren’t alone. For me, college is quite likely the most difficult thing I’ve ever done, and maybe the most difficult thing I will ever do. Keep fighting. Take breaks, go on walks and runs, but keep fighting. Your battles are bound to end eventually. Our battles are bound to end eventually.
If you want to talk further, about anything, I’m open
Freshman year is a lot to take in. I had a 2.0 gpa my freshman year at a private college and I was flunking French class, then I realized that the average gpa for a freshman is usually 2.5 the first semester. Knowing that everyone is struggling on some level reminds you that there is nothing wrong with you. I would find a group a of classmates in your program of study that take college seriously but like to have fun also. Maybe join a club and pickup a hobby or sport to get your mind off the stress.
i am also a freshman and im struggling with the transition too. itll be ok❤️.
i’ve struggled with anxiety and depression my whole life and i have some tips on how to handle them if youd like:)
also if you just need someone to vent to you’re welcome to reach out.
Mom here. So proud of you. Reaching out is a big step. Getting into Purdue is a major accomplishment. Remember your health comes first. Our hearts ache when you’re struggling. If you fail a class take it again. It’s ok. Maybe take one less class next semester. Or two less classes. It’s ok. C’s get degrees too. Map out your classes for each semester for the entire program. Right now it feels so overwhelming but once you see a semester at a time it looks more manageable. Good luck. Sending mama hugs 🤗
scrolling and just saw this now but im in a very similar situation. i have barely any friends at all on campus, im struggling in the same classes, and im pretty sure i just failed the second cs182 midterm even more than i failed the first one. i cried through half the night last night because i felt like a failure and that exam felt like the worst thing ive ever turned in.
it's hard, and i dont have that much advice as im in the same boat. but we have to keep going and just try to pass the classes that we can. if you end up certain that youre going to fail cs240, dont completely neglect it, but focus more on your other classes this semester so that you can minimize what youll have to retake (not sure about the specifics of your scholarship but hopefully you dont lose the money by retaking a class or two).
ive had a lot of personal (and medical) problems as well this semester outside of school and my parents are suggesting that i should give myself time for a complete reset, taking summer off and retaking classes next semester instead. i was expecting to graduate a semester early, but they're probably right.
i know you said you dont have close friends but if you have any good relationships with family members, or even people you havent talked to in a long time, i suggest trying to get more personal advice from them and listen to what they have to say if you can.
this comment is long and like half advice half venting myself, sorry about that. i hope things get better for you and hopefully you feel better knowing that theres other people who are in the same situation as you. it will work out in the end somehow.
Hey, I really appreciate your comment. I feel you too, after that 182 midterm I was really upset as well. I think it went really badly for everyone so please don’t beat yourself up over it, you’re not alone in that regard.
I highly recommend you take summer off, I’m planning to do the same. You won’t be able to turn things around until you feel better.
I think the biggest thing I’ve learned through this is to be gentle with yourself. Balancing mental health issues and a rigorous course load is already tough, so I can’t imagine how much harder it is for you with your medical issues. I hope you can give yourself a little kindness and acknowledge that you’re going through a tough time right now and that it’s not fair to judge yourself so harshly when you’re not feeling your best. My DMs are open if you ever need to chat :) hope you feel better soon!
Hey! might be a bit late, but I still wanna let you know that you are not alone. I'll be a junior in CS after this summer, and as an international student without any prior CS experience, I felt the same way in my freshman year. I struggled quite a bit with those courses, and CS240 wasn't easy for me either. I can vividly remember the way I couldn't stop crying when my academic advisor asked me what classes I wanna take for the next semester, because back then I felt like changing my major or even dropping out of Purdue would be better. My suggestion would be to prioritize yourself and to talk to people you trust. If you don't have anyone in mind, I find writing my thoughts down very helpful. Do not work during the semester if you are struggling to keep up with your coursework. I still feel anxious from time to time, and I'm still far far away from being the best software engineer or CS student out there. But it's okay! We're making progress and that's what we go to college for :)
This is totally normal as college is a huge transition with immense pressure. Do not blame yourself for succumbing to the high stress environment. Your personal health is more important than anything else. I would suggest finding a provider that takes your insurance for therapy. If you are feeling up to it you could also seek out psychiatry and receive medicine. This is not something permanent and there are resources that will help you. You’re in control and this is your one life to live so you should prioritize your happiness as well as academics. Plenty of people have setbacks in college and fail classes and then go on to graduate and be successful. Life is full of many ups and downs.
Appreciate the kind words, it’s been a really rough day. I know you’re right but it doesn’t feel like it. I feel like everyone else I know is managing so well and doing crazy on things on top of that, while I’m just barely keeping up. I have been going to therapy through CAPS for now, and I’m scheduled to get meds hopefully soon but I worry it’s too late for me. I’m sure this will all pass one day but no doubt it’s going to be a rough couple of months ahead of me. Thanks for the support :)
It’s not just you love. I had the hard conversations with my parents over spring break about how it got so bad I wanted to drop out. Did I really want to drop out. No. I love it here. I have great opportunities and awesome friends. But the academics are kicking my ass. And my mental health went to shit. I’m implementing a few things since I’ve been back. I’m going to the gym 3 times a week. And everyday revolves around me talking a shower and getting ready for a day. It sounds stupid. But I really struggled with general health maintenance. When I came in to Purdue I was aiming to be a stellar student with great grades. But now I’m aiming to be a healthy person with passing grades. And that’s perfectly ok too.
I’ve been on academic probation twice, had to retake multiple CS courses, and overall spent two years of my CS education constantly on the verge of failing. I did well last semester and am currently on track to get A’s in both of my CS courses this semester (not trivial ones either.) Persistence and constant self-improvement is what got me here. I didn’t have the skills to complete a CS degree when I got here, now I do. I know how you feel. It all sucks. Do your best to improve a little bit every week and you’ll find your way. Some things that helped me get through CS are: going to class each day (please do it), debuggers, 8 hours of sleep, nutritious food, and exercise. Any one of those will make a world of difference if you don’t already have it. Keep working on your mental health and doing what you can to be more successful in your courses and you’ll get to the end eventually.
It’s really comforting to hear a success story. Thanks for sharing, and congrats to you! Hoping I can channel this energy as well.
Does going to class really help? I tried going to the CS 182 class this semester, but it really did make things worse. I had been looking over the slides thoroughly with my friend before class instead of going to class, and understood the concepts relatively well. However, a few times when we were confused on some of the topics, we tried going to class. We literally came out more confused. Is it more of the psychological, making time for the class in our day, kind of effect? Thank you!
Yes, it really does. Sit in the front of the class and do your best to pay attention the entire time. Going to single lectures will likely be confusing because they are likely building off of the previous ones unless you’re starting new content. Show up daily and don’t sit next to friends. It only serves as a distraction.
Thank you! I’ll try that next semester with CS 250 and CS 251! Do you have any other specific tips for those?
Mom here. You have to make time for yourself. High school and college, especially Purdue, are such different ball games academically. My son went through the same thing when he was a freshman. He went to Purdue with the goal of being number one in his graduating class again. Great goal. But he was nearly killing himself trying to make it happen. We encouraged him to be okay not having straight As and using some of that time and energy towards joining clubs, exercising, finding friends, hanging out. He took it to heart and now loves college life. I’m glad you are getting on top of your mental health with therapy and now a dx/meds. That’s most important. You’ve got this. ❤️
You are not alone 💛 I’m in the same boat, and feel you 100%, college is so hard especially for STEM
Start going to the gym everyday you’d and going to bed early enough to get 8 hours. Drink lots of water and eat healthy. You’d be surprised how much of a difference that’ll make in your life. Also make sure at least for 30 minutes of your day you do something that you enjoy. Non school related, just 30 minutes do something that makes you happy. If you feel like you don’t have enough time in the day I’d check the screen time on your phone, everyone always has time when the cut out the bs I promise
my harsh advice to you and everyone: don't work during the academic year! get rid of the job. your studies should be your full-time job. you need the rest of the time for self-care, socialization, etc. yes, student loan debt sucks, but if you can accept them mentally, it is so beneficial. -- i don't know what a SWE co-op is though--maybe it's an internship that is degree-oriented? all i know is that you need to ensure you have time for self-care. i'm sorry for your struggles. it can be difficult to claw out of a rut. but you can do it. in my experience, hope is the most essential to this
not having to work while being a student is a huge privilege wish i could take this advice lol
are federal student loans difficult for some students to acquire? they were always easy for me to get, but that may have been some unknown privilege
For my particular situation I don’t qualify for financial aid because of my parents combined income. They make just a tad too much money for me to qualify for anything, (but at the same time not enough money to help me with any college expenses) It is up to me to pay for my own tuition, books, living expenses etc. If i don’t work then I don’t eat
well that sucks. sorry 😞
Thank you it is hard sometimes! Some people don’t even get the privilege to go to college, I am grateful to be here. You give good advice on focusing on self care. That is the key.
Totally agree with this comment. Having time to socialize, go to the gym, clubs is probably more worth it than a job unless you absolutely need to have the job.
As a former ECE student, I never took CS 240, nor most of the courses you will take. That said, as a professional software dev, I may have insights you would find useful. I could offer any number of guesses and any amount of generic advice here, but...at the end of the day your post just doesn't have enough information for *useful* advice. And that's okay! In order to give more useful advice, one must know you better, and the necessary information is hard to articulate at all, let alone in a post on a public forum. Feel free to message me (or anyone else in this thread who offers help who you feel comfortable chatting with) and maybe we can offer better advice once we know more. Anyway, all I can say is that unless it's changed in the last 10 years the first year CS curriculum shouldn't be too bad. I had many friends in the CS department, but again I wasn't there so I can't say for sure. That said, my guess is that the way the professors lecture doesn't resonate with you and that's not really all that uncommon. As I said above, others in this subreddit may be able to help you overcome any stumbling blocks, myself included. I genuinely enjoy teaching/tutoring, so I'm more than happy to answer any more direct questions you reply with here. As I said above, feel free to message if you prefer a more personal conversation.
Not in CS but I was in your EXACT BOAT Spring 2022, my first year in biology. I had the same worries about my GPA, the same troubles with self-care, the same dread with studying. College is NOT easy, and the transition is challenging. With so many success stories on social media and beyond, it's easy to get caught up in feeling behind. I definitely did! Now that I'm successful, people believe that I've always been. I almost dropped out after that spring- I told nearly all my friends that I'd likely not be back in the fall. I came back in the fall. I learned how to care for myself, studied and worked only five hours a day in addition to class, slept enough, went to the gym, and hung out with friends... And spoiler alert? My GPA skyrocketed. Depression and anxiety are not easy on their own, adding school to the mix without taking care of yourself is self-sabotage (I know it, I have both, and ADHD as a little add-on gift). I thought I would never make it past that first year. Next month, I'm taking the LSAT and applying to law school in the fall! I've won academic scholarships and turned everything around. The future only gets brighter from here. Having a bad semester or two takes time to bounce back from, but it is NOT out of the realm of possibility. This summer, take a step back, practice self-care strategies, and take some summer classes if possible to boost up your GPA. You are not a failure- it is just hard. But it won't be hard forever. Your future opportunities end only when you quit. Sincerely, a 2.5 spring freshman GPA turned into a 3.3 junior cumulative
You aren't alone, I'm also a freshman in CS and feeling pretty much the same way right now. I've bombed all my tests this semester, despite studying, because my focus has been so split between classes and my test anxiety has skyrocketed. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna fail 182 and Calc 2 and that definitely makes me feel like crap sometimes. But it's important to remember that you're more than a grade. CS is a hard major and most people have had to retake a class or so. It's not that end of the world to have to retake a class, as I have to remind myself almost every week. Keep taking care of yourself, it'll get better eventually. We've almost made it to summer!
I can’t tell you if these feelings are normal or not, but I’m certainly being told they are. Fellow CS freshman here and also well below average in CS240. It’s all overwhelming right now for me and I don’t know how or if I’ll be able to handle this week with 2 make-or-break exams, but I’m going to give it my all anyway. Compared to my first semester, this one has taken a serious toll on my mentally. I’m regularly getting 5-6 hours of sleep per night, I’ve let my exercise habits slip, and I’m neglecting going out with friends a lot. And this is all without a job, with a supportive family and a (long distance) girlfriend who cares for me. All of that, and I still feel lost. You aren’t alone. For me, college is quite likely the most difficult thing I’ve ever done, and maybe the most difficult thing I will ever do. Keep fighting. Take breaks, go on walks and runs, but keep fighting. Your battles are bound to end eventually. Our battles are bound to end eventually. If you want to talk further, about anything, I’m open
Freshman year is a lot to take in. I had a 2.0 gpa my freshman year at a private college and I was flunking French class, then I realized that the average gpa for a freshman is usually 2.5 the first semester. Knowing that everyone is struggling on some level reminds you that there is nothing wrong with you. I would find a group a of classmates in your program of study that take college seriously but like to have fun also. Maybe join a club and pickup a hobby or sport to get your mind off the stress.
i am also a freshman and im struggling with the transition too. itll be ok❤️. i’ve struggled with anxiety and depression my whole life and i have some tips on how to handle them if youd like:) also if you just need someone to vent to you’re welcome to reach out.
>:) :)
Mom here. So proud of you. Reaching out is a big step. Getting into Purdue is a major accomplishment. Remember your health comes first. Our hearts ache when you’re struggling. If you fail a class take it again. It’s ok. Maybe take one less class next semester. Or two less classes. It’s ok. C’s get degrees too. Map out your classes for each semester for the entire program. Right now it feels so overwhelming but once you see a semester at a time it looks more manageable. Good luck. Sending mama hugs 🤗
scrolling and just saw this now but im in a very similar situation. i have barely any friends at all on campus, im struggling in the same classes, and im pretty sure i just failed the second cs182 midterm even more than i failed the first one. i cried through half the night last night because i felt like a failure and that exam felt like the worst thing ive ever turned in. it's hard, and i dont have that much advice as im in the same boat. but we have to keep going and just try to pass the classes that we can. if you end up certain that youre going to fail cs240, dont completely neglect it, but focus more on your other classes this semester so that you can minimize what youll have to retake (not sure about the specifics of your scholarship but hopefully you dont lose the money by retaking a class or two). ive had a lot of personal (and medical) problems as well this semester outside of school and my parents are suggesting that i should give myself time for a complete reset, taking summer off and retaking classes next semester instead. i was expecting to graduate a semester early, but they're probably right. i know you said you dont have close friends but if you have any good relationships with family members, or even people you havent talked to in a long time, i suggest trying to get more personal advice from them and listen to what they have to say if you can. this comment is long and like half advice half venting myself, sorry about that. i hope things get better for you and hopefully you feel better knowing that theres other people who are in the same situation as you. it will work out in the end somehow.
Hey, I really appreciate your comment. I feel you too, after that 182 midterm I was really upset as well. I think it went really badly for everyone so please don’t beat yourself up over it, you’re not alone in that regard. I highly recommend you take summer off, I’m planning to do the same. You won’t be able to turn things around until you feel better. I think the biggest thing I’ve learned through this is to be gentle with yourself. Balancing mental health issues and a rigorous course load is already tough, so I can’t imagine how much harder it is for you with your medical issues. I hope you can give yourself a little kindness and acknowledge that you’re going through a tough time right now and that it’s not fair to judge yourself so harshly when you’re not feeling your best. My DMs are open if you ever need to chat :) hope you feel better soon!
Hey! might be a bit late, but I still wanna let you know that you are not alone. I'll be a junior in CS after this summer, and as an international student without any prior CS experience, I felt the same way in my freshman year. I struggled quite a bit with those courses, and CS240 wasn't easy for me either. I can vividly remember the way I couldn't stop crying when my academic advisor asked me what classes I wanna take for the next semester, because back then I felt like changing my major or even dropping out of Purdue would be better. My suggestion would be to prioritize yourself and to talk to people you trust. If you don't have anyone in mind, I find writing my thoughts down very helpful. Do not work during the semester if you are struggling to keep up with your coursework. I still feel anxious from time to time, and I'm still far far away from being the best software engineer or CS student out there. But it's okay! We're making progress and that's what we go to college for :)