I made an account just to post this.
I’m pretty sure this has happened to all of you, and maybe a bunch of people have already posted something like this but transitioning from eighth grade to high school is really hard. I did extremely well in middle school so I made the rookie mistake of thinking I could handle it and taking three honors classes, one of which was Bio honors which is the hardest honors class in the school and I took Eng h and Geo h. I’ve been struggling in all my honors classes, we just finished finals yesterday and I don’t think I did well in math or science. So probably a B in English and Geo, a C in bio and A’s in the rest. So my GPA this semester will be a 3.3.
This is just what I’m thinking, I haven’t actually gotten my test results back, but the odds are all leading up to it.
I feel really stressed and my dad keeps telling me I won’t be able to go to any UC colleges or major in computer science or engineering like this, especially when my math and science skills suck. A lot of people have been telling me, oh its ok freshman grades don’t really matter but they’re also the same people that tell me that freshmen grades DO matter. I’ve been working so hard on studying that I’ve only joined Interact, which is basically a volunteering club. I don’t think I’ll be able to get into CSF or into NHS.
I know everyone says colleges like upward trends in grades but i don’t think I would get accepted into any UC colleges trying to major in engineering or whatever. Maybe I’m being paranoid and I’m being really depressing thinking there’s no hope but I really do feel like there is no hope. I feel so stressed all the time and I sometimes fall asleep while I’m studying and I want to break down and cry.
So i guess my question is, “Is there any hope”
If you are interested in attending a California UC, Freshman grades are not used in their GPA calculation, only 10-11th grades. Freshman grades do matter since you need to pass the UC a-g course requirements with a C or higher, but they will not affect your UC GPA. You are doing OK, so do not let anyone tell you otherwise. Transition from Middle school to HS can be difficult, so just learn from your mistakes and move on. If you feel that the honors classes are difficult, then maybe try dropping down a level, re-evaluate your study habits, look for extra credit or consider working with a tutor to get you back on track. You have 2 1/2 years to go before you need to start thinking about colleges and your goals may change. Right now just do your best and everything will work out in the end.
As long as you are passing, it will be alright as @Gumbymom said UCs don’t check freshman grades. Freshman grades do matter for other schools that are not UCs though.
First, stop getting college advice from your friends. As you have seen, they don’t know the real answers but are happy to make things up. You believe them at your own peril. If you have questions look at the UC websites or go talk to your GC.
Next, the hump you are hitting is not so unusual. The problem? Likely you don’t know how to study. It isn’t just spending a lot of time, its doing the things that effective learners do. There is a recent book that you ought to read to understand how to learn effectively, titled “Make it Stick”. Written by 2 of the leading researchers, it covers not just the theory but practical applications for HS and college students. It will explain concepts like distributed practice and self-testing. Another great book is “What Smart Students Know”
You just need to get the feel of hard classes. Doing well in middle school is hardly a standard you should take seriously for high school. Believe me, you will get used to the rigor, you’ll learn how to study, and you’ll be back on your feet in no time (especially if you were a good student before).
Freshman grades don’t really matter. While, yes, it’ll be bad if you get Cs and Ds everywhere, but you’re fine. You have three years to bump that GPA up easily. Relax. You’ll be thinking how it was stupid to panic over freshman year when you’re a junior because you’ll realize how insignificant that year is.