Counseling Services - What's On Your Mind?

"What's On Your Mind?" is an advice column that appears each month in the student newsletter, UPDATE.

All letters are handled confidentially.

From the May 2009 issue of UPDATE

I am in shock! For the first time in my life, I failed a course and I don’t know what to do. I am so embarrassed that I can’t imagine telling anyone what happened. I think that I can remain in school but am wondering if this means that I am in the wrong career. What do you think I should do?
- Confused

Dear Confused,
Challenges will arise throughout one’s professional career/life. Successfully learning how to manage these difficulties will be an asset the next time a challenge arises. In your current situation, meeting with your Dean and faculty to develop a plan for remediation is the first step.
Delaying or avoiding talking to someone would likely increase your negative feelings. Our fears and what we imagine are typically much worse than reality.
Also, think about what may have happened in this particular course. Was the content more challenging than other courses? Did this course require a different type of study strategy?
Another issue you need to address is your emotional response/reaction. Options that exist to help you address your emotional response include seeking counseling, accessing your support system, and utilizing good self-care (i.e., exercise, sleep and good nutrition). While you may feel alone in this experience, know that there are many successful professionals who have experienced challenges during their educational journey.
One academic course should not determine a career path for anyone. Instead, ask yourself how you feel about entering the field you have chosen. Each career has many different arenas and individuals will have different strengths and weaknesses. As you continue along your career path you will find an area in the field in which you excel and that will allow you to capitalize on your personal strengths.
- WOYM

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