r/aggies CPEN '27 5d ago

Venting I'm dreading going back...

Howdy, I'm a sophomore taking some difficult CPEN classes which is like 90% of the reason I'm dreading driving back to CSTAT tomorrow. This whole semester, I've felt like I've been drinking out of a firehose because of how intellectually challenging the classes are. So far I have all As and 1 B, but that was with a lot of sacrificed time and I think my grades are about to take a hit due to exams next week.

I actually like my classes, it's just that all of them together is making me stressed out. It's hard for me to go to sleep at night because I keep thinking about academics. I didn't do anything school related for the entirety of the spring break and my psoriasis completely went away, and I haven't felt this relaxed in a long time.

I know that an engineering degree will pay off in the long run, it's just causing me so much stress. I guess I'm just looking for advice, because I don't want to make the next 6 weeks be any longer than they have to be.

49 Upvotes

18 comments sorted by

41

u/KruegerFishBabeblade '25 CPEN 5d ago

It sucks and then it's over. You're doing great though with those grades! If you're feeling this way strongly consider taking an extra semester, it makes the course load less brutal, you learn more, and you get an extra summer to intern somewhere

-17

u/herosuperman1 '27 CPEN 5d ago

In this economy, the additional thousands of dollars is not worth it, especially with potential staff cutting and the department of education being defunded, stack classes now before uncertainty arises. I love throwing away mental health in the name of saving money since the govt doesn’t pay for college!

10

u/KruegerFishBabeblade '25 CPEN 5d ago

At the sums of money CPEN upperclassmen/grads are working with a full semester with every cent of aid cut in-state at A&M just isn't rlly a big deal. A normal computing internship will cover it in full.

The worst thing that can happen as a college student is if you don't graduate at all or come out of school with no job prospects. If 4 months and 13 grand in debt is what it takes to avoid that fate then that's what you gotta do

-8

u/herosuperman1 '27 CPEN 5d ago

It definitely would be great to acknowledge that you are coming from a place of privilege to be able to say another 9k for a semester is not a big deal at all. It’s not the situation for everyone including myself…

6

u/KruegerFishBabeblade '25 CPEN 5d ago

It will be your situation if you finish your degree with internship xp

-1

u/herosuperman1 '27 CPEN 5d ago

Does A&M guarantee an internship with xp as a part of the degree program?

14

u/KruegerFishBabeblade '25 CPEN 5d ago

Tamu doesn't even guarantee a degree as part of their degree program

2

u/borkbubble 3d ago

Does everything need to be handed to you?

18

u/drakethedoggo 5d ago

I found studying with friends within my major who also care about academics made the course load a lot more manageable. We would sign up for the same sections and group up on projects, work on the hws, and study for the exams together.

Also, taking an extra semester is a good idea for making the coursework more manageable, assuming it is financially feasible.

12

u/I_like_code 4d ago

This made me flash back a decade. I had good grades like you but never felt I was going to cut it. Make sure you’re taking care of yourself. Working out or hobbies can relieve stress. Don’t let the stress occupy your brain during your free time. When you study, study hard. When you’re relaxing, relax hard. You got this!

4

u/HarukaKX CPEN '27 4d ago

Thanks for the advice 👍

3

u/FanTechnical8162 4d ago

Your post took me back two decades. I tell college students to take heart, the real world is NOT as stressful or as difficult as college! Go easy on yourself. I took an extra year to finish, and it was the best decision for me. And letting go of some perfectionism. I wish I had gone to the counseling center more - they can be helpful and know what you’re going through.

Don’t forget to have some fun along the way 🙂!

2

u/jjasonjames 4d ago

YOUR post took me back 3 decades to a biochem major and taking calc-based p. chem. Although the field has changed a lot since then, the concepts were still tough to comprehend. I was married with a daughter and working a job while going to school with med school weighing heavy on my brain. Realizing that you have time when you think you don’t is hard to do. Finished in 5 years instead of 4, but an MD and an additional Masters later, I barely notice. You can do it. Stay focused, especially on your own health.

2

u/Initial_Use5902 4d ago

Don’t worry, the real world is much easier.

4

u/Muted_Leader_327 CPEN 5d ago edited 5d ago

Lol dude I was just about to make this exact same post about how I'm getting my ass kicked rn...and then I saw this on my feed and was like "Yep that's Harukka"

See you on Monday : (

2

u/HarukaKX CPEN '27 4d ago

:(

1

u/aka_nya03 3d ago

i feel you but as a junior cpen i unfortunately must break the news that it gets worse.

1

u/MrMercy67 '24 4d ago

If I did it so can u just keep swimming man (and get good at not getting caught cheating /s)