Can I just vent and run? (LONG)

[phoenixrising]

That sucks so bad...I am sorry that happened to you! I am constantly amazed when the people who should be expected to have their shit together completely do not.

[jm1211]

@smorriso Hugs! This sucks BIG time! I'm so sorry and you're 100% justified to be angry, this is their job and they didn't do it! I've found this is all too common with advisers, I had a similar issue which made me hate every second of my last two semesters in school. Hang in there!

[melaniesc]

That sucks. And I totally agree with you - college advisors, workers, etc. suck. When I was applying for masters programs I only applied to 3 schools. I heard back from 2 but not the last, which was NYU. I called and at first they had no clue then after a few calls admitted they lost my ENTIRE admissions packet. I had less than a week to pull stuff together for them to look at. I got accepted which to this day I think may potentially have only been because of their huge F Up. But I constantly thought what would have happened if I never called?? Hang in there and don't feel bad when you give people grief - it's your life and future they are messing with.

[thejackpot]

That seems like a huge error on her part. I am so sorry that you are going through this crap.Sending big hugs your way!!

[callmehales]

I will drive up and vagina punch that bitch.

[aqualuv]

Wow! I'm so sorry your advisers suck ass. As if they don't remember what's its like to be in a program preparing for graduation.

((Hugs)) I feel your pain. I worked full time and finished my degree. I took 5 classes my last semester so I could get it over with and it sucked.

[ilovebed]

Wow, I wish I could give you a big hug. You are working your tail off! Advisors are so frustrating. I think they are universally known as being useless. I'm sorry that they let you down.

[xokell2]

Wow, that's frustrating. I don't know how you handle a schedule like that without some major burnout, I'm feeling tired for you

[aak0517]

Oct 23, 2014 22:05:48 GMT -5 xokell2 said:

Wow, that's frustrating. I don't know how you handle a schedule like that without some major burnout, I'm feeling tired for you

This. So sorry @smorriso hang in there. You're kicking ass.

[scout8]

You have that crazy of a schedule AND you manage to look completely put together every day!!! Now that is impressive. I know that wasn't the point of your post but that is my take away.

Sorry that you have been getting all kinds of wrong info and have a longer way to go than you realized. That really sucks.

[FormerCityGirl]

@smorriso, you are seriously kicking ass and taking names right now with that schedule. I really mean it. I went half time, worked full-time, and was long distance with DH while working on my MBA. That had me very close to burning out. I can't stand a lot of advisors. I started a second Master's and gave it up due to the school playing musical advisors who never had the right answers. I've heard this story from multiple people over and over. Also, are DSST exams an option?  A lot of schools don't like to make them an option since they are around $100 an exam for 3 credit hours, but they are worth looking into if it lightens your load.  I took 3 and got 9 credit hours.  I took ones in areas close to what I had already studied or enjoyed reading in the news.  Study time was minimal and they were multiple choice.  The credits appear like normal class credits on transcripts.

Do what you can to blow off some steam, even if you have to get creative! If you have to present in prententious artist girl's class again, dress in artist clothes a la Smo style. Get out some cute black skinny pants, a black and white striped shirt, throw and bright red scarf around your neck a la Audrey Hepburn, and toss a jaunty little beret on right when you present (aren't they back again?). Don't forget a bright red lip. Also, make sure to point out that you wore YOUR artist clothes per her critique.  I bet she drives the prof crazy too.

[bethaboo]

How frustrating! I'm sorry you're looking at more semesters. I am seriously impressed that you are able to keep up with such a grueling schedule, though.

[memenee]

This just blows. But I have no doubt you will survive and thrive. You are a hard worker, a talented artist (in the little bit I have seen) and a kind and generous soul with your make-up and fashion advice. You're always willing to share, help, and offer support.

Drink heavily, get the frustration out and then plow ahead smo-style!

You got this.

[lostarz]

I didn't notice it so much when I was getting my Master's, but getting my B.S., omg. It was like I was the first person to ever go to college! Get your shit together people! So sorry you're dealing with this. Vent away!

[glw]

Ugh, I'm so sorry @smorriso, that is so frustrating. I'm so impressed that you're taking so many classes and working full-time! You are going to rock this.



But people, can we not say that ALL advisors "suck" and "universally useless"? Did they fail in this situation? Yes. But come on. See also: all lawyers are sheisters and all politicians are liars.

[xojo1]

Ugh. I'm so sorry they got your hopes up. Those requirements are pretty standard BUT that is definitely something advisors need to ADVISE to their students. Advising is a huge issue in higher education right now. I know at a lot of campuses, mine included, the requirements are just so convoluted that it is very difficult for students to get through without some sort of setback. Especially when they aren't being advised well. I really am sorry that you have been a victim of this. It really sucks.

I know you are looking for advice or a solution, but I would encourage you to take your experience to either the Dean of your college, or the Dean/Vice Chancellor/whatever equivalent of Student Affairs at your campus. It really is something they should be aware of so that they can hopefully work to improve the advising.

[glw]

Oct 24, 2014 11:11:05 GMT -5 xojo1 said:

I would encourage you to take your experience to either the Dean of your college, or the Dean/Vice Chancellor/whatever equivalent of Student Affairs at your campus. It really is something they should be aware of so that they can hopefully work to improve the advising.

Agreed. In addition to this, if the degree requirements are not clearly outlined in the college's printed Academic Bulletin and online, that needs to change immediately or this will continue to happen to other students. 

[xojo1]

Oct 24, 2014 11:28:06 GMT -5 @smorriso said:

Oct 24, 2014 11:11:05 GMT -5 xojo1 said:

Ugh. I'm so sorry they got your hopes up. Those requirements are pretty standard BUT that is definitely something advisors need to ADVISE to their students. Advising is a huge issue in higher education right now. I know at a lot of campuses, mine included, the requirements are just so convoluted that it is very difficult for students to get through without some sort of setback. Especially when they aren't being advised well. I really am sorry that you have been a victim of this. It really sucks.

I know you are looking for advice or a solution, but I would encourage you to take your experience to either the Dean of your college, or the Dean/Vice Chancellor/whatever equivalent of Student Affairs at your campus. It really is something they should be aware of so that they can hopefully work to improve the advising.

I am a transfer student, my adviser knows that. I know you're not excusing him. This maybe standard, but this wasn't common knowledge to me.

If a student normally takes a full course load of 13-15 credits, I would need to take ALL of these classes within the last three semesters instead of cramming them into the last two. It should have been stressed greatly that these are a requirement and to plan accordingly. If my assigned adviser would have noted this, I would have registered accordingly.

I absolutely agree with you. It's definitely something that advisors need to make sure their students know. Especially in your situation, where you have been seeing an advisor regularly, it's really unacceptable that you would be blindsided by this so late in the game. I wasn't trying to say that you should have known. It was more an illustration of how hard it is to transfer in to a school and be able to get on a quick path out without proper advising (and also about how crazy college curriculum can be). We have a couple great advisors in my college, but in the other colleges on campus, some are not nearly as good. Then, in the advising center for undergraduates, it can be really bad because they don't specialize in certain majors so they all just know a little bit of everything and not a lot of anything. It's really terrible for the students and for the institution because advising is so key to retention. It's something we are really trying to address on my campus.

[majick143]

Oh Smo, I'm such a hard core planner that this new would probably cause me to spontaneously combust. I'm sorry!! At least the general consensus is that they are all completely inadequate at their jobs, which is actually really alarming. Just think ahead of how good it will feel when you are finished and this will be but a distant memory as you'r kicking ass at whatever you chose to do with that WELL EARNED degree!!!

[veruca5839]

Oct 24, 2014 12:49:28 GMT -5 majick143 said:

Oh Smo, I'm such a hard core planner that this new would probably cause me to spontaneously combust. I'm sorry!! At least the general consensus is that they are all completely inadequate at their jobs, which is actually really alarming. Just think ahead of how good it will feel when you are finished and this will be but a distant memory as you'r kicking ass at whatever you chose to do with that WELL EARNED degree!!!

Ditto this!  What a blow to get that information now.  I'm so sorry!

[busybodyk]

((hugs)) @smorriso! I can feel your frustration and disappointment. I feel it with you. Just know that you are working so hard and it will pay off. It sounds like you may not even need a MFA (even thought it would be awesome if you would move to ATL ). Good luck with getting an internship. You are so talented. People will see this. This is where you are supposed to be and you will be where you are supposed to be. I'm not sure if you are religious/spiritual but praying and meditating on Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future - helped me get through school and a bunch of other things. Like you I planned to go to school, change career then have a baby. Things didn't work out in that order but they are still good. Really good. And they will be for you

[sashimi]

I work as an advisor in higher education. I have been in the field for 9 years.
When it comes to your class schedule and future class load, were you not aware of how many classes you had left? I'm asking because you should know. Unless your advisor failed on that?
Make an appointment with the Dean of your program and get a final copy of your course load. It is your responsibility to know how many classes you have left to take until you graduate.

Sent from my SM-G900V using proboards

[nsl]

Ugh, I'm sorry this is happening, Smo. FWIW, I don't remember ever sitting down with an adviser when I was an undergrad. I must have done it once or twice, but my only memories of learning what I needed to take involve casual conversations with professors and other students in my major. The university where I got my Master's actually did away with university-wide advisers several years ago, and all the advising is now handled by individual departments. I'm sure it's a huge PITA for them, but at least they know the students in their disciplines are getting good information from people who really know the degree requirements for their majors.

[frannyr]

I would complain to the Dean about this advisor. That's just not right. But in the end, another year is not that long, you'll push through day by day.

Props to you for taking so much on! I can't even imagine!

[bimbi284]

I had a similar experience, and when you've been in school as long as I have "just one more year" is not necessarily too much consolation when we're talking student loan debt and wanting to finally start your adult life, lol.

In my case, all of the course requirements are made available and there's actually a lot of transparency, but depending on your individual emphasis, it gets a little tricky to plan everything out, particularly when you need to have certain courses to do certain types of practica, and not all courses are offered every semester.

Anyway, coming in with a masters I had already taken a lot of the first year courses, and they all transferred, which was great, because it meant I could fast track through this degree....in theory.

What they didn't tell me up front was that the courses were transferred, but I didn't get credit for the amount of credits those courses covered in my new school. So, in my masters program, some of the equivalent courses were two credits for some reason, whereas in my doctoral program the courses were three credits. So even though it was the same damn course, the transfer then only amounted to 2 credits, instead of the 3 credits that the course was worth in my new program. That meant I needed an entire year's worth of courses to make up for those random lost credits.

In that meeting with my advisor, all she said was, "oh you know you'll be here an extra year, right?" Cue my shock and horror because no, nowhere in any material or in any previous conversation with my advisor in the three years I had been there had that ever been brought up.

All this to say, Smo, I feel ya girl!!