Bad First Year, what do I do?

So as the title says, I had a bad first year of community college. I am a California resident going to a community college in California. Just to give some background of how my first two semesters went:

Fall Semester:
Intro to Biology: D
Intro to Chem: C
Sociology: A
History 8 (Online Class): F

Spring Semester:
Intro to Biology: D
Philosophy 4: C
English 1A: C
History 8(On Campus): D
Anthropology: C

Yeah those are some pretty bad grades, there was really no excuse for me as to why I got those grades and not even to get a C in bio and history. I was naive and thought I could wing my way through community college but it’s not the same as high school. I definitely learned the hard way now. It is also ironic because I wanted to major in biology buy I can’t even pass the intro class. I was put on academic probation last semester and I’m going to be on it again sadly.

My goal is to transfer to a UC. At first i wanted to go somewhere like UCLA or UCB but those are out of the question now. I will probably look into the TAG program and going to UCD, UCSB, or UCI. Before the spring semester, I spoke with my counselor about how long it would take me to transfer and she said until 2019. Well now it is going to take longer.

So some steps I am taking to better myself are working less hours as well as trying to get better time management skills so I don’t procrastinate as much. I am also taking summer classes to try and transfer out sooner. I also considered changing my major as well.

I need some feedback and advice on what I should do about these grades and first two semesters. What should I do in my second year? I still have hopes of going to UCLA or UCSD still but it seems like my chances are ruined. You can be blunt and harsh with your responses, it is something I need to hear after all.

You need to make a commitment to go to every class. I wouldn’t take the two summer courses right now unless you are committed to (and able to) attend 95% -100% of the class meetings.

Yes, you are right. One of my biggest issues was commitment. I found myself not going to every class/lecture. I would go to the first three and then go every other week, it was bad because I missed assignments I could have turned in. I’ll for sure make it a priority to attend all my classes from now on. Also, I am going to try and see if I can retake those two classes on the start of fall semester.

Freshman year is a difficult adjustment for many students. My advice would be to try to forget about your freshman year grades. I agree with the other commenter that I wouldn’t take summer courses right now. Don’t rush yourself. Don’t give up on biology just because of your freshman year grades. I know too many people who gave up on science entirely because of their freshman year grades. It’s too bad more schools don’t let students take their freshman courses pass/fail.

http://www.swarthmore.edu/news-events/pass-fail-policy-places-emphasis-learning-not-grades-first-years

Will they let you start over and retake everything (except sociology)? It sort of looks like you wasted the entire year.

There is a concept in economics called “opportunity cost”. Basically, an opportunity might come along only once, or twice if you are lucky. If you blow your chance, then you have “cost” yourself the chance to take advantage of the opportunity. Even if the opportunity was free doesn’t mean that it will ever occur again.

The concept of being in college but not going to classes sort of leaves me dumbstruck.

I don’t think that you should sign up for any college course at all going forward unless you are fully committed to going to every class, paying attention in every class, and doing ALL of your homework and ALL of your reading, and doing so as close as possible to when the homework and reading were first assigned (ie, don’t wait until the night before it is due). If you do continue with college, I suggest that you sit in the front row in every class. This makes it easier to pay attention, and harder to play video games or read college confidential in the middle of the class.

If you cannot commit to this, then you might want to find full time employment that does not require college. If you can commit to this, and if you follow through, then you will have an entirely different and much better college experience.

Another school that recognizes that freshman year is a big adjustment and offers first term freshman year courses on a pass/no record basis:

http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/first_term_freshman_year

You should really re-take (at bare minimum) any class where you received below a 70%. A D may be considered “passing”, but rarely will you get credit, or respect for any grade below a 70%.

Thank you for the responses everyone, I have a better idea of what I want to do heading into my second year now. I will be retaking the classes and laying off the the games/phone once school starts. Essentially I have wasted a year of college and I am going to pay the price for it.

Check the course repetition guidelines at your CC. You should be able to take over the classes you received a D or F in. And you have to decide what you really want to do. If you aren’t going to make a commitment to attend your classes, perhaps you should take a gap year and attend CC at a later time when you will be more serious about it.

If you genuinely feel you can repeat the classes you got Ds in and pass them this time, then retake them. But if you know you won’t, then move on. Don’t retake them. Instead, take classes that you can do well in.

I’d recommend you go to the tutoring center to get help with your overall study skills, time management skills, and things related to that. In addition, I’d like you to think about seeing a counselor in student health services, or a therapist, to get help with your overall issues, including time management, even if just for long enough to get yourself on the right track. It can help to have someone impartial to talk to, so you can better see what’s up with you and how best to address it, so that’s something to consider.

I’d also ask you to go to the career center and find out what resources they have that might help you figure out what careers may interest you. That can help guide you toward a major you can be successful in. Ask, specifically, if they offer a test called the “Strong Interest Inventory” or something similar. It’s really useful for this. Matches your skills and interests up with potential careers, and from there, you can research majors and see what might be a fit.

And pay some attention to what classes you’ve done fairly well in. Those could be giving you some direction. I mean, you aced that soc class, when basically you were bombing everything else. What was different about that class? Something about the format? A real interest in the subject matter? Pay attention to what went on there, and let that guide you toward future classes/majors.