Expert: Valerie Broughton - 3/31/2010

Question
My name is Nick, and I'm a high-school senior at a private school in southeastern Washington. I've put some thought towards college, but I'm not sure what to do. I've always been interested in computers, and I've been programming since my sophomore year, so I plan on taking Computer Science in college. After some looking around, I decided on University of Washington, because they have one the the best CS programs around.

Everyone knows me to be a smart person, and my SAT/ACT scores are in the 95+ percentile, but I tend to get bad grades because I just don't do my homework. My parents and I have tried many things, but at the end of the quarter, much of my homework just isn't done. Because of this, my GPA is around 2.5. I do well in test based classes, but very poorly in homework heavy classes. I've heard that college classes are mostly test based, but my parents aren't so sure.

Because of my bad grades and not doing my homework, both my parents and I are unsure whether I should even apply at a big four-year school, and instead go to the local community college for a year or two for generals and such. However, I don't want to end up as someone who tries to do that, but instead ends up in CC for years, never earns a degree, and gets stuck in a minimum wage job.

I'm confused and don't know who to ask. Should I try to get into U. of W., or should I just go to CC for a year or two? Perhaps something else altogether?

Answer
Nick,

I'm confused.  Are you a high school senior or junior?  If you're a senior, and are thinking you want to go to UW, you should have applied before now.  You might not have a choice and may need to start at a community college.

If you're a junior, you have time to think this through.

Sounds like you need some study skills help.  Most colleges have tutoring centers or learning centers that help students adjust to college work and can advise you about good study  habits in college.  Wherever you go, take advantage of those centers and workshops they offer.

It's true, college courses and grades are based mostly on tests or project grades.  But, college courses are difficult and the material is new, so you need to  keep up with the work in order to do well on the tests.

There's another possibility.  Perhaps you have a learning disability called "executive functioning".  If so, you definitely need to adopt some specific study habits to overcome the habit you have of procrastinating and not completing your work.

Finally, there are more options than a big 4 year school like UW, and community colleges.  There are smaller 4 year colleges that you might like to investigate.  That might be a better fit for you.

Best,
Valerie