It’s incredibly obvious when you decide to give up on school. As a teaching assistant, it’s more than clear based on just your attendance. It’s an even bigger sign when I see your homework. But not everyone gives up for the same reason, which I respect in various degrees.
For the students who give up because things are feeling too hard, I get it. I was there at one point. For a college student (especially one with a scholarship), it’s hard to manage 18-21 credits and still get all As and Bs. However, I know how some NEED that scholarship more than others.
That’s genuinely why we teaching assistants are here, we want to help you succeed. We can’t necessarily take all the load off, but most of us have done college for a minimum of four years, so we can give you advice on time management and classwork. The students who come to my office hours are struggling significantly less in my class than those who never reach out for help.
Talking to your academic advisor can also help to a varying degree. I know some of you outside of architecture may complain that your advisors do absolutely nothing. That could be on them, but that could also be on you. Not reaching out when you have questions is the easiest way to never get help. If they don’t respond to those attempts, then it’s obvious who’s at fault. But don’t give up. Reach out to the professors you respect, preferably those who have taught here for a while or, better yet, attended your classes. These professors may be able to give you advice on classes to take specifically for your major, especially if they have a rapport with the other professors.
For the students who give up because “you don’t really need to know this anyway”, I’m sorry to say that it’s so obvious that you’re cheating. The classes we deem necessary for your major ARE important. You need to understand the basics and the more focused topics to fully grasp what you’re studying.
Artificial intelligence is NOT going to get you as far as you think it will. Cheating is never the answer, and yet you’ve jumped to this conclusion with zero outside pressure. All it’s going to do is change the restrictions we put on exams, perhaps cutting off all technology use and handing you a thick textbook to “figure it out” on your own without the help of your own notes. It’s on YOU when you get caught, and it affects EVERYONE ELSE.
Cheating is always bad, though I probably shouldn’t give it away; going from failing grades on homework and exams to suddenly getting all As is very much a sign that you’re cheating. Slow progression gets you far, as we reward those who improve on their own much more than those who cheat to get to the top.
For the students who give up because “you just don’t care anymore”, I wish there was something more encouraging to tell you besides actually giving up. School is not for everyone; this school, especially, is not for everyone, and not all majors are going to be the best fit right away.
Some people take advantage of exploring different majors through community college so they’re not spending thousands of dollars every semester on something they’re not confident they’re passionate about. Some people utilize their advisors and figure out what is a better fit for them right inside the school. Others may transfer out to a different school to pursue something they like more.
And, of course, some people walk away from college altogether. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Some people don’t thrive in a school environment, and some prefer hands-on learning. I had a friend who recently transferred to a trade school since he knew exactly what he wanted to do after graduating. This got him three steps closer without needing a degree from Illinois Tech.
Genuinely, at the end of everything, if you HATE what you do, and you HATE where you are, then it’s okay to give up. You can walk away from things. But please be informed when you do so. Most students are young, so we want to ensure that nobody makes mistakes that they will regret in the future. On the other hand, you are YOUNG, you have all the time in the world to learn about yourself and then come back if you feel like it.
I understand that not everyone is in the situation to make these mistakes or grand decisions. Money can be a driving force. But understand that it’s possible for you to support yourself financially through school in the future, IF you start working now while you’re still making decisions about your future.