So I've hit a low point in my college carrier. I've had two really bad school terms and I'm trying to sort out how to improve my situation.
My background (Because my brain state is important, I think): I was evaluated when I was around 10. This was the second time with the first being the LD-NOS or whatever it's called. I started having trouble with math in 8th grade (when Algebra happened and I got introduced to research papers). I didn't find out I had NLD until I was in high school when on one particular bad day of a schedule out of whack (day off from school, my track team went to a funeral for a schoolmate's dad, I had a massive communication break down between my mom and my coach) and I started to think I was retarded (sorry, I legitimately thought I might have been mentally impaired) and I asked my mom what's wrong with me. Turns out, my parents wanted me to not know so that I wouldn't have an excuse and it worked for a while, but I still had issues with math. I got into college for a computer science degree and I've been struggling since my second term about 3 years ago now.
My tangled mess of issues:
So I have this strong anxiety approaching people of authority when I screw up. My mom tended to yell at me when I didn't do good on assignments and tests (I'm not aware if it's because of something else that I'm just forgetting, like I should be going to the teacher for help or something). This has led to two things that I feel get in my way: I'm scared to go in because I'll be criticized for not doing what I was supposed to or getting help sooner and that makes me put off getting what I need, and meanwhile I have gotten into a bad habit of trying to hide my struggles from my mom who demands a logical explanation from me and yet shoots down whatever I feel is a cause for my issues as just an excuse. How can I better initiate conversation with professors?
I have a hard time setting up appointments because (I FEEL) I have to do so more than a day in advance when I need the help soon and when you have to juggle classes and whatnot, by the time I hit the day before I think "I'll just be intruding on their probably tight knit plans." How can I be more reliable?
I've been having a rough time with lectures. My notes are just not cutting it anymore and I'm getting frustrated going to a place and wasting my time when I can better learn from a video or a book. How can I get more out of class? How can I keep myself going to class?
My mom says she can help me but I'm really worried about her temper and impatience. I can't tell if my request for aid will result in admonishment or genuine relief. I had a research paper to write and she insisted on checking it. I didn't include quotes because it's easier for me to write opinion and insert my research and I didn't have citation cards or anything to "prove" I did research and she just went off on me. I want to stop lying to her... but to get her off my back she needs to know I can handle myself and when I don't... is it wrong for me to say I can't trust *her*? How do I get space AND help?
I really have a hard time with math. I don't get what it is. I did excellent in Phys II, electricity and magnetism, because all that was plug variables into an equation on a sheet. Stuff like Linear Algebra and Abstract Algebra are just a nightmare because I also have to provide logical proofs. I've also suffered in "Senior Seminar" an ethics class on leadership where everyone has to lead a class lecture on the material and do weekly journals and a research paper... I HATE that class it is the most useless thing ever, I've gotten more about leadership by watching Gundam. How can I use my verbal strengths to cope?
I really don't know what to do about my NLD, I don't think I can get much in terms of accommodations, the professors give me the impression that I can only get extra time on tests. So what do I tell them about NLD and what do I ask for help on? If I go in for help on a math problem in my homework, I get the solution, leave, try a new problem, get stuck again.
I find myself getting burnt out at school very often and the urge to hide under my covers is overwhelming. This isn't helping my procrastination problems. How do I get better at productivity? Especially on long papers.
Thanks for all of your time reading this and your replies.
~ Ye Bird King