[mekrob]

Alright, so I'm a sophomore in college. I'm planning on doing geophysics BS so I can go into the oil world and have a secured job. Problem is, I think there's an awfully good chance that I may have failed my physics class (adv. mechanics).

Despite failing a class that I need and I won't be able to take for another year (only offered in spring), I'm not that upset. I'm not really sure if I should be. I mean, by most estimates, PO will happen between 2010 and 2015 and there are many signs that I'm seeing that it could be even before 2010. Since I won't graduate until 2009, I don't have very good options. It's highly unlikely that in the future, people will give a shit if I made a single F or not in college as long as I made it up later.

Should I be as relaxed as I am, given my situation? I'm not glad I failed (or got a D), but it just doesn't seem like it would had this been a few years ago or if PO were pushed back a few more years.

[AirlinePilot]

mekrob,

I think it's a bad precedent to set for yourself.

I pesonally believe that I may not make it to retirement but I do plan just in case. I never do anything I set my mind to to anything less than 100%. I think if you dont at least take it seriously and attempt to rectify it at some point, you leave yourself open to more of the same. It may creep into other phases of your life too. It's something to guard against.

I would tell myself that it DOES matter and think about ways to guard against that whole thought process in the future.

I'm 46 years old, an accomplished pilot, Naval aviator, artist and father of 3 decent kids. Ive done some dumb things in the past, but I never took failure like this lightly. Buckle up and do better next time.

Dont use PO as an excuse, you may get overcome by it, but using it to allow yourself to languish somehwere below your potential is an ugly place to be. Just my two centsworth since you asked.

[Plains]

It really isn't a big deal. Since you're studying now, you might as well try to focus on learning as much as possible regardless of how 'well' you do. The knowledge is much more important than a grade.

[auscanman]

A single failure shouldn't matter that much unless you want to go on to grad school. That said, I would heed AirlinePilot's advice and make the needed adjustments to assure this doesn't happen again.

I came bloody close to failing one of my final undergrad exams in advanced physical chemistry. It was a specialized paper on which you had to answer 3 of 12 questions, with each question on a different topic. In past years there had always been 4 or 5 questions that were much easier than the rest, so my tactic was to learn 9 topics not to a great deal of depth. Unfortunately the year I sat that exam 2/3 of every question was very detailed and I was unable to answer any of the questions well, and was almost shitting myself as I realized I was not adequately prepared. Those who had stuck to learning 3 or 4 topics in depth did very well. Taught me the lesson to always hedge myself in any aspect of life.

[Eli]

I bet you made a D, if you are close at all I would also go talk to the professor directly to see if they can show you some mercy. I have done that and just talking to them one on one can lift your grade.

I would take a D rather than take a class again that I did not like.

One D or F is not a problem.

But like what AP was getting at make sure you are not fucking off too much. In college the temptation to drink and fart around can really mess with a persons gpa.

Get your degree and don't worry about the F.

I remember this one time I was taking this class and attendance was required. I was making a B without bothering going to class. The professor pulled me aside and said that if I didn't come to class he would have to lower my grade by a letter point.

Well I thought about it and was decided that I would be perfectly happy with a C. So I didn't bother going to class. I swear that professor made up the hardest final he could to try and bust me. Everyone in the whole class made at least a letter or two lower on the final.

[Aaron]

No

[mekrob]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '
')A single failure shouldn't matter that much unless you want to go on to grad school

[strider3700]

No one has ever asked to see my transcript. Come to think of it noone has ever asked for proof that I had a degree. I put it on my resume and sometimes get asked what the school was like since it's only 12 years old. These days I've figured out that the degree got me my first job and since then it's been all about who you know.

[mekrob]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'I')t does sound like it could delay your graduation, though, if it's a prerequisite for other required courses.

[mekrob]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'N')o one has ever asked to see my transcript.

[killJOY]

I wanted to be a geologist once. Then I started failing math.

Failure in a class/ area is a clue: you aren't cut out for it.

I became an English major instead, to my everlasting chagrin. I'm glad I'm really a farmer.

[Mechler]

No one will care that you failed if you retake the class and get a good grade. I failed calc II or III my frosh year and still wound up with a math minor. Just don't screw it up a second time.

Also, if you want to go to grad school, I think it's much easier if you have 3.0 or better cumulative GPA. If it's too late for that, showing much improvement your last two years will count for something.

Don't burn too many bridges now because you'll probably regret it later.

[mekrob]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '
')I wanted to be a geologist once. Then I started failing math.

Failure in a class/ area is a clue: you aren't cut out for it.

[NEOPO]

Aaron! Aaron! Aaron!
No! and it certainly was not worth a thread nor all the bleating by the herd who possess papers. "papers please!"

<puts on sheeps clothing and bleats>
Now that I have like many certifications they dont even care!
They never cared, it was all in my head.
I say I am "certified" and "no really" while they just laugh and laugh.....
They laughed so much I removed it from my resume and and now simply add "*copies of certifications available upon request" ya mofo's!

College? Classes? PETROLEUM GEOLOGIST? thats like choosing to be stuffed, mounted and on display at the local GWBXII museum in 2307 AD isnt it?

AP knows he wont be flying for long, Aaron knows that he will not be a "smart computer person WTF for too long after TSHTF unless maybe he is needed by el resistance de americano's er something
I know that all I have ever done professionally will probably be abandoned to rot away.
There may be 5 years left in the industry for anything but the essentials.
We needed petroleum geologists when there was oil to find!

If an industry is shrinking the cream usually starts rising to the top while all the excess baggage get's pooped out a few steps from where it was first consumed usually none the richer or wiser.
Planning on being the cream are we now?

Sorry hon, no can do as I gotta be off to nigeria tonight and in ethiopia by friday morning, see ya when I get home and kiss the kids for me... and the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon, little boy blue and the man on the moon...

[steam_cannon]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('mekrob', 'S')hould I be as relaxed as I am, given my situation? I'm not glad I failed (or got a D), but it just doesn't seem like it would had this been a few years ago or if PO were pushed back a few more years.

[AirlinePilot]

The bottom line is a prudent man plans for all outcomes. Sometimes your surprised and sometimes your not. Most of us are going to be in a shit locker come the real ramifications of PO, I dont deny that.

Maybe, just maybe there is some slim hope we harness gravity, learn to use fusion etc etc. Frankly I doubt it, but If you put all your eggs in one basket you better be damn sure.

mekrob,

Bottom line is I would not sweat the class. The move your making off campus sounds good, but the bottom line rests with you. Making time to study when all this crap is going on around you has to be hard. We didnt have as many distractions when I was in school.

Hell, If we had online gaming when I was a kid I doubt I would have ever finished ANYTHING! All I had at the time was a missile command console and that old Atari Tank game in the student cafeteria. Oh yeah and WMUR TV channel 9, Manchester New Hampshire!

[Carlhole]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('mekrob', 'A')lright, so I'm a sophomore in college. I'm planning on doing geophysics BS so I can go into the oil world and have a secured job. Problem is, I think there's an awfully good chance that I may have failed my physics class (adv. mechanics).

[Newsseeker]

Getting through school matters.

[mekrob]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'P').S. I don't think sending your parents to this site would help in them understanding your grades...

[NEOPO]

Oh my, taking advice from someone I always believed was a paid shill or otherwise in some sort of deep denial...

I recall the time I had the pleasure of laying his nonsense wide open as he tried to use .gov GW propaganda in a climate change debate, the poor soul. He is strong in the saudi thread but otherwise not, so of course he does not stray far from it.

No great matter as we are all simply placing our bets...

RD thinks the industry is not in or will not soon be in terminal decline yet that runs contradictory to everything we have learned here no?

I am not trying to degrade here, only provoke thought. It just looks like a personal attack

AP - I would so love to own your assage in some Medal of Honor or even Age of Empires conquerors right about now, I mean especially before you are eaten by biker zombies