Advice on finishing the semester off strong

The semester started off about a month ago and I am doing horrible in my classes. I’m taking calc 3 right now and Im doing bad on the homework assignments which are 30% of my grade also only have 1 test for this class which is 40%, I got a 73 on my bio test, and I got 2/10 on my first two physics quizzes and a 6/10 on the third one. I’m also thinking about applying to grad school for mechanical engineering (Im a sophomore) so I need to bring my gpa (3.2) up. Note → Im a engineering physics major. I will admit that I procrastinate and also do not study smart when it comes to tests. Please if there is any advice it will be extremely helpful, I have been stressed out lately and having trouble falling asleep at night. The semester ends first week of May. Thank you!

What have you done to help yourself?

Have you been to your prof’s office hours for extra help?
Gone to the extra help office? There’s one on campus somewhere.
Asked about a peer tutor?
Formed study groups with your classmates?
Found the right online video to explain each topic? The first one isn’t always the right one (and I’m SO not a fan of Khan Academy-- if I were struggling I would keep looking.)

It sounds to me as though you “procrastinate and also do not study smart when it comes to tests.” So of course that’s where you’ll need to start.

Being stressed out isn’t the solution. Action is the solution.It’s time to act.

@bjkmom gives excellent advice, especially about going to the professor’s office hours. I have two additional pieces of advice.

  1. Since you are struggling in multiple classes, I would talk to an academic advisor and find out if you can drop one class and still remain a full time student. At many colleges, the standard load is four classes a semester, but you can drop down to three and still be considered a full time student. If you can do this and are taking four classes (you mention Calc 3, Bio, and Physics, but I’m assuming there is a 4th course), then I would. That way, you can focus more energy on each class. You can make up the credits in the summer if necessary.

  2. Study in the library and make a firm commitment to yourself about the hours you will be there, e.g., I am going to the library from 7-10 pm. Treat it like you would a job, where you can’t just “no show” because you would rather do something else. Excelling academically IS your job. The general rule of thumb is you should be spending 2-3 hours on homework for every hour you spend in the classroom, so make sure that is happening.

You can do this! Finish strong!

Here are my tips:

You have to change what you are doing. it isn’t working.
You need to get help. Your college offers many resources.

Read this:

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/1920853-college-is-a-step-up-from-hs-16-tips-on-doing-well-in-college.html

I need to start going to office hours, I have to be honest with myself that I do not understand the material. Thank you!

I would just like to say thank you to all of you who have provided me advice. I am writing this after taking my Calc quiz and physics test which I know I totally blew each one. Im going to start managing my time better and going to office hours to talk to my prof’s. Procrastinating has really hurt my mental and physical state of being. Hopefully I still have time to finish the semester off strong.

In addition to going to office hours, I second the advice about getting a peer tutor. Many universities have tutors available who are students who have already taken the class. That can be extremely helpful since they know exactly what to expect.

My friend has a son who has never been super strong in math. But he is doing a cyber security major where he needs to take Calc. But he knows he needs help so he just parks him self in the Math Help Center for hours until he gets it done.