Is anyone else just so ready to be done?!! When is a friggin break coming?? I'm almost in Module IV, however, finishing Module III is like trying to pull my own teeth out with rusty pliers.... I feel like I have been at this FOREVER! Probably because I spent a year and a half getting a two-year degree before I even started Andrews. Six consecutive semesters of 16 hours or more per semester previous to the now year I have spent at Andrews has me on serious burnout. I feel like I have been running along the shore in the shallow water and am. not. getting. anywhere!! So ready to be prepared to have a job for extra cash flow. And can we talk about all the other stuff that goes on in life?? Laundry, dishes, kids, husband... Mom always encourages me by telling me the best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time. Seems that has become my mantra lately. Up against a deadline now and have used all of my extensions. Is it time for the genie to pop out and wiggle her nose so it's all done? Please?? Somebody tell me there is a light at the end of the tunnel... and it that it doesn't mean another train is heading at me!! :(
After reading my own post I wanted to clarify. I am not upset with any of the instructors or lesson plans. They have been great! Have never had the pleasure of learning from people who have put so much effort and time into making you a success since I got out of high school. I look forward to what I hear from them because I feel it always makes me better!
I, for one, feel what you're saying, Sara. At least in terms of feeling up against it in module III, you're not alone. I'm in module III also, and I'm at the lowest point, emotionally, that I've been since starting the course... I agree with you that the problem isn't the school or the structure or the instructors for me, either, quite the contrary; so it must be inherent in the material itself.
Before, all through school and college and work in several different fields, I've never had trouble learning new things; academics came easily to me. This course is almost shockingly different, especially module III; my test scores are frighteningly low ... I got a C on my last exam, which put me in a tailspin...in real life, you have to be able to code to A+ accuracy, not C! I feel like I'm getting worse at this, not better, based on my scores. I can usually understand, case by case, why I've made a specific mistake; but on the "macro" scale, of overall progress, I don't know why I'm not more confident and knowledgeable by now...instead of still making mistakes and missing exclusions and forgetting modifiers and V codes and what-not... Of course I'm my own harshest judge on such things, so I get into a feedback loop that's not pretty.
...From reading these forums for a while it seems like many students bottom out in module III. So yeah, hello from the bottom. The only way out is through. Hang in there...logic dictates that it has to get better, eh?
I just finished Module 3 and I know EXACTLY what you mean, Sara! I find the CPT codes to be a giant, hydra-headed, ravenous monster that ate my brain! I also got excellent grades in Mods 1 and 2 and saw them plummet in Module 3. And I also felt that everything I had learned had disappeared from my brain.
I am not sure I have any advice beyond a shopworn "hang in there." Or "let it go." I finally just decided to do latter: I would do the best I could on each exam, not overthink it, and let it go. Since I was also preparing for the CPC exam (you will too, I guess?) I put my full focus there and just did what I could with my school assignments.
And yes, YES, it does get better. I just started Module 4 and am, so far, very pleased and happy to finally feel like I have a functioning brain again. I think this is a way of weeding out the weak from the strong--that's what I kept telling myself anyway.
Best of luck! You can do this!
I'm doing transcription instead of coding so at least no CPC exam to study for! But I've heard many say Module III is the hardest, so yeah I'm with you guys feeling like I've hit rock bottom! Kind of nice to not be alone :) Buoys my spirit a little! Besides all that, we are so close! One more module and hopefully it'll all click for us.
I too have not been doing as well as I had hoped. I keep making the same dumb mistakes! And mistakes are not allowed for me in my crazy perfectionist brain. I'm supposed to be great at all school work that I do. Usually top of my class! Not here... In sum for me though I guess, it's just time to get my big girl panties on and saddle up. Onward fellow soldiers! We can do it!
Dear Sara Ca:
I am finishing Coding but I have been in it almost 2 1/2 years and it was supposed to be only a 1 year course. If I had known to put this much work in it I probably would have tried my Masters' in Education instead - lol. We have had multiple illnesses, 2 deaths, everything and anything go awry in my home....but I just keep at it when I can make myself. Good luck to you!
Well, we all appear to be in this little row boat together going over the Level III rapids....I am also in Module III of Coding. It has been difficult, and I too think it is a way of weeding out those who will make it and those who won't... I have seriously thought of hanging it up. Really questioning if 'coding' is what I want to do? and I keep coming back to I'm not giving up and telling myself nothing worthwhile ever comes easy. I keep reminding myself that I am halfway, maybe a little over halfway through the course which means I'm coming down the mountain instead of climbing the mountain. I also keep telling myself I am getting trained by the best. I have already learned so much about 'small details' which really matter and while I might not be at 98% or better I am striving to improve myself and if I don't quit, I will get there. It's a journey.
I haven't posted but I am in the same place in Module III and have questioned myself just like you Debbie! I have had multiple family crises ongoing and did take a leave for a few months to get myself pulled together, and I read everyone's posts and it seems like that is common to all of us!! I am just now signing up to take the CPC and I don't think I will be ready, but I am going into it with the mindset of this being a practice run. I am rereading and making notes from our previous 2 books and that is helping it all come together, but it is overwhelming! I have a friend visiting tomorrow from another state who is staying here for 4 days, and I keep getting mandatory OT and am going crazy trying to keep my job at the same time! It is a journey as you said, and I thank you for sharing! I know that I am not alone!
As the song says, when you're going through [the bad place], keep on going.