My Crisis

HooD · Post by **HooD** » 16 Feb 2006 09:25

Hello all, I need some help and I figured, who else could be better than a handful of footbaggers.

I'm just going to let loose and just allow you to see my situation and what choices I have for the future. I've been working for a Physical Therapy clinic for 3 + years now and started school for a Physical Therapy Assistant program a little under 2 years ago. I know everyone at work very well as I've been to all the clinics and spent much time with all individuals.

Today I took my very last final and since I got a 70% it brought me down to a 75% which isn't passing (78% is passing). So with that in mind, I've failed the entire program, I'm down $ 10,000 or so that I owe to the school. I feel quite horrible and after crying for half of the drive back home, I started to think what I need to concentrate on and what to do.

I feel as if I've let myself down and everybody at work, because they all thought of me as a potentially very good PTA or PT, but I can't do that now because of that one class. Just a week ago the owner of the company called me to ask if I wanted to start working directly after school, or take a short break. I don't know if I should quit working their to put my shame somewhere else and start working full time at a normal store such as Lowes. Or if I should suck up my defeat and tell them that I will need atleast one more year there, which at this point, I really do not want to do.

If I go back to complete the program I was doing, I would have to start back half a year from where I failed in the Summer Quarter. I've also thought about other things to go into, but I'm not quite sure. I really enjoy anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, medical treatment aspects, and such, so I don't know if I should just suck it in and go for the long hawl for a docturine in physical therapy or what. What really drags me down is that if I couldn't pass this last class why should I pass for a DPT ? I don't know, I just feel like everyone that had high hopes for me (family, friends, co-workers, myself) I have let down. I just don't know what to do, so any type of commentary or opinion to help with realization, moral, financial, anything, please help.

Caleb · Post by **Caleb** » 16 Feb 2006 10:07

Hood, you've been my best footbag friend for a long while and I know you're no quitter. My advice to you would definitely be to get up and take another swing at it. It's obviously the option that has the most payout for the lowest amount of cost/time. I know that this is what you really wanted to do and were interested in. You'd be great at it. Everyone that you work with isn't expecting so much from you for no reason. There's no reason why you should give it up because of a test. And if you try again it will be SOOOOOOOO much easier.

Now that I am interning, and hearing the stories from people that are in my future career and went through what I am now; one thing I hear from everyone is that they have no idea why school was so hard before joining the work force. It really is a tremendously cruel filter system and nothing more. I'll bet you even already know everything you need to, to be a great PT assistant. And you probably learned 90% of it outside of a classroom and textbook. School, books, grades, and all of that doesn't matter as much as you're lead to believe. Don't give up, don't even fret. You haven't taken a step back or anything! You're just in the same place for a little bit longer.

As for a doctrine, another bit of advise I hear pretty often at work is to not attempt grad school until you've had 2 years in the real world. There's too many options that the cut-and-dry, black-and-white academic world doesn't show you. Even after having a degree you'll have no idea what you REALLY want. So don't you worry. You've got plenty of time to decide whether or not you want to live in academia anyway. Stick it out buddy. You're basically living your goal right now anyway. You just need a piece of paper to tell everyone else.

professor · Post by **professor** » 16 Feb 2006 10:08

Man, we all make mistakes. Anyone who you think would look down on you because you didn't pass one class isn't worth worring about. I'm sure everyone at the PT clinic has failed at something in their life. I'd say if you really want to be a PT or PTA you should just try again.

If you think you would rather do something else, then do that, but don't give up because you are ashamed of failing. Everyone has had problems obtaining their goals, but it's what you do when you fail that determines whether or not you will acheive that goal.

"Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up."
— Thomas Edison

"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time."
— Thomas Edison

Iain · Post by **Iain** » 16 Feb 2006 11:10

It doesn't take much to fail at something and give up. If you tell all your friends at the clinic that you've failed, but are gonna give it another shot, they will be happy to hear that, not sad. The only way you will let people (especially yourself) down is if you quit after you've worked so hard for this. So aim for what you think will make you happiest in life and don't give up.

SandWraith · Post by **SandWraith** » 16 Feb 2006 11:17

I think it's important to ask yourself why you were so upset that you did poorly on that test. Was it just the feeling that you failed, or that you wasted time and money, or was it because you felt it would prevent you from being a PTA?

If you want to do physical therapy-- and it sounds like you do-- don't let something like a test or even a year stop you. Whatever job you decide on, you'll be doing it for like 30 years or more, so don't let a proportionately small time stop you from what you love. Yes, it's gonna cost money and yes, it will take time, but like Caleb said, it'll be a lot easier the second time.

Nobody succeeds at everything the first time. It's not about being an instant winner. Success takes time, practice, and experience. You know that from footbag. Don't give up on your dreams cause we won't give up on you. I have faith that you would be a GREAT physical therapist.

Tsiangkun · Post by **Tsiangkun** » 16 Feb 2006 11:23

Dude, everyone fails.

Just retake the one class and keep your job.

Muffinman · Post by **Muffinman** » 16 Feb 2006 13:16

Totally retake it. You know your stuff, John. I'm already so proud to be able to tell people about you. I've been thinking about going into the same field -- it sounds SO bloody fun, but I know YOU LOVE IT. Keep your chin up. You may have just barely failed ONE course, but hopefully you know why, and a second time around, with your chin up, you can beat the crap out of it

The things that we REALLY want are usually the things that we have to work the hardest for. Just think how sweet it will be when you're spending your life doing this or a living!!!

cd · Post by cd » 16 Feb 2006 13:31

Well, if you "start working full time at a normal store such as Lowes", it's going to be kind of an unfulfilling and dead-end job, compared to that of a PT. And after a year and a half, you will probably won't be in a better position (I don't consider working your way up to assistant manager at some department store or fast food chain as a real advancement in your career).

If you take these courses again and continue on the path you have been on, you're just going to look back and think "oh well, I just had to do an extra semester. no big deal". Think about 2 years from now, or 5 or 10. A few extra classes are a tiny price to pay for getting into a career you will be happy doing. You'll get over the shame in your workplace, especially since you have already taken these classes and will probably ace them the next time through.

You'll be totally set in no time. It sounds like you have good connections in the company you're involved with, and the owner of the company is asking you to work for him right away. Maybe you could tell him that you wanted to, but you were short by 3 measley percentage points on your exam, and now have to start all over. If he sees that youre choosing to stick it out, then maybe he would be able to work something out to your benefit. Sometimes talking to the right people is worth more than all that education.

In any case, $10k isn't really a huge amount to pay off. It'll just be a couple years of monthly payments, regardless of which path you choose.

HooD · Post by **HooD** » 16 Feb 2006 13:47

Thanks all, it means a ton to hear this all, incredibly. Don't know what I'd do without knowing you all cause yes, you have all impacted me in some shape or form, some more than others. I will stick it out. I shall keep my chin up. And Ben, thanks so much for those quotes because I already changed my mind on the first 2 posts I read... Great people you all are.

There are 2 professors that lead the program I'm taking. The one who failed me, I can honestly say ever since she joined us (8 months) ago or so, I've had a hell of a time and really despise her. The other, I idolize to a certain degree. It's going to be hard going back tomorrow because all the students have already filled out their paperwork to start their 2nd clinical rotation monday. I'll be back there just to talk to her and tell her I'm not quitting. Once I get everything straightened out with school I'll directly contact work and the owner to tell them. After that I'll call my parents and tell them that I failed the program also. Hopefully by then, I'll be on a roll and it won't be a big deal

.

Again, a huge thanks to all of you, because everyone that commented through this or whatever, has helped me before I even talked to a single sole in person.

I'll report back when I've figured out what I'm doing and how my situation turns out with school/work/everything ...

Senor Grommet · Post by **Senor Grommet** » 16 Feb 2006 16:00

Well, it seems as though you've made your decision, but was there ever really a decision to make? You need to graduate from your program. Other things in your life can wait. It might help to think about long-term happiness . . . working at Loew's . . . working as a PT? To me the choice is clear, and any reasonable sacrifice that you make to achieve your goals is necessary. If you were only able to dedicate yourself to your studies to a point where you received a mark of 75%, then you need to dedicate that much more of yourself this next time around to ensure success. If you know you can, then you must. Otherwise you will live a life of regret.

(I just want you to know that I totally support the idea of completing your studies. It is the most important preparatory procedure that we as young adults go through upon our journey to adulthood. Looking your teacher in the eye and telling her that you will receive your degree will build cahones and character. It is a given that your parents will support you in your endeavor if they are decent human beings.)

The Rhino · Post by **The Rhino** » 16 Feb 2006 16:15

Seriously man, Go through with the class once again, with the knowledge you already have, and all the review you will get by going through it again... you are going to be the best there is. People need you. You're no failure. GO FOR IT! I for one am cheering for you!

Splint · Post by **Splint** » 16 Feb 2006 16:30

Quitting what you love will let everyone down even more...especially you. You've invested a lot of time in all of this and so have the people who have been supporting you through the process. If you give up then you only make of yourself what you have convinced yourself that everyone must be thinking. The crying was good, now it's over. We all know you have extreme potential and so do you. You can pass your class and your test with a little more determination. When things look down, just remember...Albert Einstein got F's in grade school.

Now...get off your pity potty and go be you.

Sporatical_Distractions · Post by **Sporatical_Distractions** » 16 Feb 2006 17:01

I only read the first post so: toss all that hard work away and move to Lowes? if pt is what u wanna do then pt is what u wanna do. if it takes one more miserable year, then so be it. no point in starting at square one all over again.

NotHisRealName · Post by **NotHisRealName** » 16 Feb 2006 21:26

You had a direction in life... don't loose that because of a setback.
It's just a challange in life.
They come along every now and again.
Take it from me, don't settle for anything less that what you really want.

Guest_2 · Post by **Guest_2** » 17 Feb 2006 06:46

It really fucking blows that you'll have to wait a full semester to succeed. I feel you man. But....

If you take the class again it'll be easier this time. And...you can help all the hotties who need to do a little extra studying. Win win!

DoctorJay · Post by **DoctorJay** » 18 Feb 2006 03:18

Glad to hear that this setback won't stop you.

You should accept setbacks as a part of the process of improvement.
The key is that you do not get frustrated from small setbaks and fall back completely to your starting point.

Just want to say thank you for your site. I guess it is a nice thing to keep a website for others and it contains a lot of tips relating to health, so I think PT could be your job.

Chase after your dreams dude!

Good luck !