[Al Skierkiewicz]

David,
Funny how close your description matches mine although my grades were far worse. I found that one of my biggest problems was the failure to realize a "why" for studying. I needed a light at the end of the tunnel and I didn't get that from the professionals. I graduated from high school exactly in the middle. I didn't even pick a school until after January of my senior year. (That is something that simply can't be done now!) I think there were two things that turned me around.
The first was economic, I payed for all schooling from my senior year in high school on. (with some financial aid) So I had a vested interest in getting what I was paying for. That meant that I became learning machine to get the most out of what I was spending. On occasion that brought me in conflict with teachers that were not performing to my criteria. That taught me something very special. Teachers want you to learn even if that is not the persona they project. They will put more effort into students that want to learn even if they are having a tough time. Get to know your teachers and talk with them about doing better.
The second was the need for that light at the end of the tunnel. When I didn't get that from my teachers, I gave myself reasons. For instance, why do you need to study the French Revolution? Why do I need to learn a slide rule (calculator for you)? Why do I need to study circuit analysis and Thevenin's Equivalents? The only answers that worked for me were the one's I came up with myself. They are different for each of us so you need to come with your own. You can start with your desire to become a programmer. If that is what you want to become, you must do the work to get there. Each thing we learn is a tool to understanding the world. I can tell you that the process never stops. That phrase in my signature is not something catchy it is life. Learn something new everyday, because...