Issues when talking to Advisor

[Luna1317]

Recently I've had to talk to my advisor to pick classes for the new semester. I mentioned that I wanted to change to an education major so I was referred to someone else. As soon as I sit down I get told that my GPA isn't high enough to switch (which is fine). I understand that but she starts to get upset with me because I came late in the semester to advise. I want to preface that I'm only in my second semester of my freshman year which was very bad for me anxiety wise and I still don't know how everything works becausei don'thave friends on campus. She begins to say that I am not cut out for the major that I wanted to switch to because of my low grades and not being on top of things. Which I understand but she wouldn't stop to give me advice on what I should do (there was also a mix up with my classes so I'm behind now). She proceeds to get angry at me for this, asking if I had any friends at all who could tell me these things at which point I was terrified and about to cry so all I could do was say no. The rest of the time I had with her just made me feel like I was a loser and won't amount to anything. After the meeting I threw up in the bathroom and wouldn't stop shaking, it's been three days now and I still can't relax and I just feel scared and sad. Now she might be my new advisor and I'm afraid of her, I don't want to even mention my social anxiety because she just assumed that everything I told her was a lie anyway. I'm so confused and scared.

 

[triceps]

Hi Luna. My advice would be to not deal with that advisor any longer. I didn't even meet my college major advisor until the day before my last semester when he had to sign a slip showing that I had completed my major. You can see all of the required classes for whichever major you choose. Won't have to deal with that pompous adviser again. Each major has a pamphlet with a full description of the major, promotional stuff and the required courses. Just follow the reccomendations you'll find there. The admissions office would have those pamphlets. So don't sweat it, put that awful experience behind you.

 

[guitarman65]

Tri is right Luna. Sounds like that advisor needs to find another career...for herself! Some people dont realize they're working for YOU!

An incompetent advisor can really screw your education up...believe me, i know. Mine was so horrible, he made a mistake that prevented me from getting my degree! If i had the time to explain, you wouldn't believe it!
Someone there will help you the RIGHT way, they're in the business of keeping students, not chasing them away...stay positive, things have a way of working out

 

[RobbyH]

Go to the Dean of the Department and request a new advisor and if asked why - be very candid about what happened. Professors often time lose touch with the world because they live and breathe academia and so their "bed side manner" is horrible. I had an issue with a professor when i was in graduate school. I was working full time and going to school at night and he kept criticizing me (and other students) for not taking school seriously because we worked in addition to school (I graduated with a 3.9 so obviously I was taking it seriously). I went to the Dean and filled a complain - and got other students to do it as well - and they terminated him.

You don't have to take what she dished out

 

[Luna1317]

I just feel like Professors and advisors just automatically assume you have everything together when in college. I can understand it to some point but it's like we're not allowed to make any mistakes at all. My family agrees with them so I just feel crazy when I have panic attacks about "stupid" things in classes.

 

[Steeplechaser915]

Luna - Don't feel crazy at all. College is a time for you to learn about what you like and don't like. It sounds like you've found something you'd enjoy pursuing which is great! You have every right to change majors and aren't expected to know exactly what you want to major in when you start out. Do not let that bratty advisor prevent you from changing majors. I'd do what Robby said and talk to the Dean of the Education department about what you can do to change majors. Tell him or her why you want to do the program and how you'd excel in it.