Chem e undergrad: did I just sign up for another death sentence?

[mrund3rd09]

I'm a third year planning to graduate 1 semester early. Last fall, I took 18.5 credit hours and worked 2 jobs (paper delivery and research assistant). I was pretty wasted by the end of the semester. Subsequently, I got depressed the following spring semester and had to drop down to a part time student. I don't know if it had anything to do with the work I put myself through the semester before.

This fall, I'm taking 15.0 credit hours and working 3 jobs (paper delivery and 2 research positions). It's too late for me to drop any classes, but I can take one of my classes p/f if I choose to. I might do just that because the professor I have for that class has the tendency to suck the happiness out of people.

anyways, I want to be able to focus on research, meanwhile contemplating the possibility of going to grad school. I would like to prioritize research over my classes, but I don't think that's possible. At the same time, I pretty much have 1 year to demonstrate my abilities as a researcher before it's time for grad school applications. Can I get some suggestions?

 

[TonyG]

Dear student,

Firstly, I want to commend you for your hard work and dedication to pursuing your academic and career goals. It is not easy to balance multiple responsibilities and it is understandable that you may have experienced some burnout in the past.

Based on your post, it seems like you are currently in a challenging situation where you are juggling multiple jobs and classes, while also trying to prioritize research and prepare for grad school applications. My suggestion would be to prioritize and focus on what is most important to you at this time. If your ultimate goal is to pursue a career in research and attend grad school, then I would recommend prioritizing your research over your classes. However, it is important to still maintain good academic standing and not let your grades suffer too much.

One way to balance your workload could be to discuss your situation with your professors and see if there are any opportunities to reduce your workload or deadlines for certain assignments. Additionally, you could also consider taking a lighter course load in the future to give yourself more time for research and other extracurricular activities.

As for the class with the professor who may be causing you stress, I would suggest talking to them about your concerns and see if there is any way to improve your experience in the class. If not, then taking the class pass/fail may be a good option for you.

In terms of demonstrating your abilities as a researcher, I would recommend seeking out opportunities to present your research at conferences, publish papers, or participate in other research-related activities. This will not only showcase your skills and dedication, but also give you a chance to network and gain valuable experience.

Overall, my advice would be to prioritize your mental and physical well-being while also working towards your goals. It may be helpful to seek support from a counselor or advisor if you are feeling overwhelmed. Remember to take breaks and make time for self-care. Best of luck with your future endeavors!