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Am I smart enough for Uni???

Well I got B,E,E for A levels but did not turn up for 2 exams in two subjects(which I got E, E) as college messed up my timetable.
However I have never thought I was smart enough for Uni and really struggling. Going into third year and and I struggled huge on an essay and failed module, now if I fail that module I get kicked out! I dont attend many lectures and definally not seminars. Partly it is because I get scared because I do not think I am smart enough.
However I do OK in essays I am just so confused about what i am supposed to do at Uni.
Like do you do alot of reading in between lectures, or just enough for seminars and then more in depth for essays (we get one every month). I am prepared to work hard this year and I am going to attend lectures etc... they are two hours long and seem alot more better.
Ok, I will prob get alot of people saying I am a waste of time etc... but please can anyone help! Anyone else struggle with Uni?

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Reply 1

hobnob

Sorry if this sounds like a bit of a silly question, but why exactly are you so convinced you're "not smart enough"? :confused:

Reply 2

idiot

I dont attend many lectures

You really, *really* need to change that right now. I remember when I started, in one of my classes I aced every single test, either 100% or thereabouts. I carried on going to the lectures though, because it wasn't quite 100% every single time. That's the way you've got to be with university, because otherwise you'll get blindsided by something you didn't know they were going to teach and you missed it because "you don't attend many lectures".

Seriously, what the hell? Uni costs like £3000 per year. What I always say about this is that it's like going to your local swimming pool, paying to get in, getting changed, and then declaring that you "don't really like swimming", and that you "thought there'd be some kind of zoo", and then sitting bored at the side of the pool, but insisting on sitting there until you've had every second of the time you paid for.

I am just so confused about what i am supposed to do at Uni

If you are kind of confused about that, it's the perfect type of thing to go talk to somebody about. Most universities have some people, if not an entire building, devoted to guidance and/or counselling, and helping people like you with issues like these is what they're paid to do. Go and get some of that £3000's worth!

Reply 3

lost_puppy

I have a similar problem. In general I always find it hard to speak up in a lecture or seminar, especially since my course calls for subjective answers (english and creative writing). I can count the number of times I've willingly contributed to the whole class without prompting on one hand during almost three years, and when I did it was all over the place really. Usually because I think my opinions on literature and concepts aren't obviously going to be as good as people who get it straight away and supplemented it with tons of reading beforehand, I just don't really feel it's worth me saying anything.

I felt really stupid yesterday, as we were doing group work and I haven't finished reading the text so wasn't very productive, in a word. I guess when I do do the reading I can contribute fine within a group, it's just relaying that information coherently that's the trouble.

Sorry if I'm hi jacking, but my advice entails something I'm trying to do too. Just prepare yourself more for lectures and seminars, and don't be afraid to ask anyone questions if you get stuck. It is third year after all. It'll prob give you more confidence in the long run!

Reply 4

Lizj

If you got a B in one of your A levels, then you surely are smart enough to be at university. It sound to me as though your problem is a lack of confidence, not intelligence.
One of the big problems with going to uni is that you meet so many people who appear to be scarily clever, and they can be intimidating. Try not to compare yourself to others. You don't need to be giving loads of amazing answers and comments in seminars and lectures, it's OK to just listen. But you really should turn up, otherwise how are you going to have a hope of passing the year?

Reply 5

Poica

Go to your lectures and seminars. If you don't, why be at University? They aren't as pressured as you seem to imagine.
As others have said - it's down to confidence. You seem to have convinced yourself that you're not smart enough, when you obviously are. Think positively.

Reply 6

love_mojitos

Funny enough I attend Sheffield Hallam and they are advertising below this thread!!!
I got B for Sociology and thats what I am studying at Uni.
Thats what my lecturer said... would not be here if I was not smart enough and its confidence. Funny enough I got 65% this year for a first year module I failed as I handed in no work as I felt I 'could not do' in first year and I was getting 51/52% in the first semster! Ok that makes no sense but basically I tried, went to lecturers and got 65%.
I sound like a right twit lol!

Reply 7

ChemistBoy

The only way to know if you are good enough is to step up to the plate. "I can'ts" tell you nothing and only reinforce your low self-esteem. Turn up to your lectures and hand in your work, that's the only way to answer your question.

Reply 8

qubog

You're failing because you aren't going to class. Get your arse into some lectures and you will pass!

Reply 9

the_alba

Not going to seminars is fine if you're a brilliant student and don't need them; but it sounds like you really need them and you're not doing as well as you could partly because you don't attend. You say you are 'confused about what to do at uni' - well, one of those things is attending lectures and seminars, and if attended more then you wouldn't be so confused. You would receive guidance and support from people who know what they're talking about and how to help you. They would tell you what you should be reading and how to do better in your essays.

There's no answer to how much reading you should be doing, but as a bare minimum you should be reading what is required for seminars and familiarising yourself with reading lists. For essays, you can never read enough in my opinion (though of course there are limits!)

Who said you're a waste of time? From a tutors point of view, if you don't attend their classes you are telling them that they're a waste of time. If you're shy about speaking up in class then don't do it - but you must attend if you want to do better.

Reply 10

love_mojitos

Ok thanks people!
My lecturer was really good, saying she will help me pass the failed module, thought she might be abit like... you screwed up twice, fail and see you later!

Reply 11

Purple

Start attending and you might actually get somewhere

Reply 12

love_mojitos

Who neg repped me.... this site does have some ***** on it

Reply 13

love_mojitos

Two weeks later....I have attended all lectures apart from one where I got a phoen call at 5am saying my friend had not returned from a night out and did I know where he was...

Reply 14

Gemz87

And do you feel more confident now?

Yeah!!!

Do you like universitity? Ask yourself what are you going to do when you finish? If you get a 3rd or something in sociology it's not worth much im afraid.

Reply 17

love_mojitos

I like it how people can make such generalisations.
Degree (in some subjects) does not mean a guranteed job. You dont know who I am! Lol.
Well see how this semster goes.... the lecturers are going to see me a few times as I will be needing some back up :smile:

Reply 18

Purple

You didnt go to uni because someone rang you at 5am?^o)

Reply 19

love_mojitos

Yes when one of your friends go missing after a night out it kinds of wakens you up, especially as my house would be the last place he would attend, it is not like him to go walkies and he sent a text to his mate saying he was going home at 11.15... So I could not attend my 9am seminar as I did not wake up for my alarm at 8.30am!