DISCLAIMER:

Please note—We are not professionals. We are students looking to help fellow students in their time of need.

Submit questions to [email protected]. Submissions must be less than 200 words. All questions will be posted as anonymous unless specified otherwise.
Dear Jack and Jade,

Q: I’m planning on taking this semester off and haven’t told my parents about this decision, suggestion on what I should do?

A: I understand why you would want to keep this to yourself. Especially if your parents are the type that try to force you into complying with them. I cannot tell you what to do because I do not know enough about your situation or the relationship you have with your parents. However, if it was me, I would probably tell my parents sooner or later. You can withhold this from your parents if that is what you’re most comfortable doing, just keep in mind how they would react if they found out without you telling them.

If you are afraid that you will upset them or that they will be disappointed with you, what you can do is let them know that you have thought about it, I assume, and that you are sure this is something you want to do. Also, since you’re taking the semester off, do you have a plan? I am sure they would be more understanding if you actually have a plan and are at least taking this time to do something productive.
Jade

Dear Jack and Jade,

Q: I wanted to drop this class but I was not sure which class I could replace it with so I stayed in the class. The problem is, this class is difficult and I somehow convinced myself not to drop it and now I think it’s too late and I don’t know what to do. I think my GPA is going to take a big hit because of this class.

A: I know how you are feeling. I have had that same exact feeling. Wanting to drop a class but wanting to keep it. If you think this class will be difficult, you can try to get tutoring. UMass Boston offers tutoring for courses that are 100 or 200 level courses. If your course is higher than a 200 level, maybe you can ask for help from your classmates or talk with your professor. I would assume that once your professor sees that a student really wants to do well in their course, they will assist the student as much as they can. You can also try online tutoring. There are a lot of resources available online. You should try utilizing online tools. Even Youtube can be very helpful. Wish you all the best.

Jade
Dear Jack and Jade, 

Q: I don’t like my professors this semester; I think they’re are all douches. I could not drop my classes because they are all required classes and I couldn’t find any other open classes. I guess I will be spending a whole semester hating my life more. Great, huh?
A: I am sorry that you are dissatisfied with your professors. I am also sorry that you could not switch these classes. However, regardless of whether you like your professors or not, you have to remember that they are the ones who are grading you. You certainly do not want them to feel any negative vibe from you. As difficult as this might seem, you should try talking with them. Stop by their office hours to talk. You never know, maybe just by visiting them during office hours you will get to know them more and possibly change your opinion about them.

Jade