Bad Freshman Year at a Community College, Need some answers

Transfer Students
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<p>Hello. I did very poorly this year. First semester grades: A (Calculus), B, F (Chemistry). Second semester grades (at least I'm projecting these): A, B, D (Stats), F (Calculus II). </p>

<p>Now I know why these happened, I really blew it this year and I know in the future I will need to drastically change my habits. But I'm very very worried that I've messed up my future pretty hardcore. </p>

<p>I plan on majoring in Psychology or Linguistics. I'm not too ambitious in terms of job-getting or university programs, all I want is to be able to support myself while following my interests, which means I want to keep graduate school as an option, so I ask: did this year ruin my dreams of attaining a Ph.D. from a decent school?</p>

<p>Also, part of the deal this year was me clashing extremely hard with the small community college I attend (or barely attend as the situation was) and the town I'm in. I'm not blaming the college in anyway (or the town), but I really hate it here and I want to be able to go to a bigger school as soon as possible. So another question: what, if anything, can I do to get myself accepted to a university the year after next? </p>

<p>I'm planning on taking a year off and "clearing my head", so I should have to time to prepare. I think I'm competent when I get myself going, so I'm wondering if things like ACT scores would help my chances (I haven't taken the ACT because it's not required for this community college, but I'm pretty sure I would get 33+ with the right preparation). And if it helps, the university I plan to go to is the University of Iowa. </p>

<p>Also, another piece information, although I'm not sure if it's relevant anymore. I finished high school with a 3.7, but it's a rural Iowan public school.</p>

<p>And if this isn't the right forum, I apologize. </p>

<p>Thanks for your time.</p>

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<p>I’m not sure I understand, are you proposing taking a gap year for the 2012-2013 school year and then transferring to a 4 yr college for fall of the 2013-2014 school year?</p>

<p>If so, that’s highly unlikely given your first year grades. First semester it looks like you took a light load, 3 classes, and passed only 2 of them. Second semester you passed 2 of 4 courses.</p>

<p>I don’t think you should take any standardized tests. What you need to do is go back to a CC, retake the courses you didn’t pass and make good grades in those and in your new classes. Your CC advisors should be able to tell you the number of units and gpa you need to transfer to UIowa since you’re at an IS CC.</p>

<p>Grad school is still an option IF you get your act together now. That means, doing the hard work and not trying to skip ahead prematurely.</p>

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<p>I couldn’t have said it better myself entomom. Unless you get serious about your education, you are wasting your time and money going. It will be time to rethink your career options. School can be hard but it isn’t impossible. You will always have situations to manage in life. It is time to start doing that.</p>