I am currently enrolled at a university at North Carolina, with a newly declared psychology major (recently switched from Chemistry), following the Pre-Dental track, and a Photography minor. We just got our grades back today. Me being me, I waited until the last minute of the night to check how my grades were because I was just to anxious to see the outcome. I was nervous because I had not been doing too well in a 3 credit class as well as the 1 credit lab that went in conjunction with the course. I was also worried because I was and am afraid that I am going to lose my scholarship at this university. Is this possible? Could my scholarship be revoked?
I went to check my grades immediately after dinner, and came to see scores/grades that I did not want. My heart immediately sunk. I currently have a 2.6 GPA for this first semester of my freshman year. Is this something I need to worry about? In addition to this, I got a C+ for my Chem Lab and a D for my Chem Lecture. I had really thought I had done well in my Chem Lecture final, but seeing as how the outcome turned out, I guess my prediction was wrong. As a Pre-Dentistry student, these classes are required courses that I take to fulfill the Pre-Dental track. Also, at my university specifically, in order to pass we must have a minimum of a C- at the end of the semester. Should be worried if I have this low of a score in these two classes? What do I do? How do I compensate for these low grades?
I’m so sorry for rambling, but I’m just really anxious because this is the first set of “bad” grades I’ve gotten. In high school my cumulative GPA was a 3.6 (unweighted) and chemistry was my favorite subject. Recently, near the end of the semester and close to finals week, I had switched my major from Chemistry to Psychology. I switched because I was already not doing well in these two classes and I did not want that to reflect badly upon me being that it was my major at the time. Also, I realized that I had fallen out of love with Chemistry, and that my passion for this subject had been over justified. I think the stress from figuring all of this out as well as the stress from the other classes may have added to the already “heavy” set of stress and anxiety I put on myself when studying for my Chem final. Now that I have looked at my grades, I am starting to get even more worried and anxious, especially since I have not yet told my parents.
Is my life over? (Because it feels like it is) Any tips/tricks on how to deal with all of this? Anything at all? I must sound really over dramatic, my apologies. I just really need some advice and I’m not sure who to talk to about this.
I would really appreciate if I could get some advice ASAP because I really need to make myself a plan.
Life is not over. Don’t panic. Don’t catastrophize.
You probably need to retake Chem Lecture. Switching majors to Psych is probably smart. Don’t overload. Don’t panic. Get at tutor for Chem from Day 1 of second semester. You now know with certainty that you need one.
Look at your study habits and see how you can improve your game. Yes it is a game and yes you can improve yours. Recognize that you need to adjust your lifestyle to put studying first. Figure out how you can do that. Don’t think about GPA, think about your Chemistry problems.
One of my favorite stories is when the 2004 Boston Red Sox were down 3 games to none against the Yankees and it seemed hopeless, Terry Francona, the Red Sox manager told his team “Just win today”. They didn’t lose again running off 8 straight wins to beat the Yanks and then the Cardinals for their first world series in 86 years.
My advice to you is “Win today!”. One day at a time.
Please limit your posts to one thread, @toothfairy2020 . Posting the identical thread in 4 forums is unhelpful. And @ClassicRockerDad , the Cubs are another good example this year
Don’t panic! Usually the college will give you a warning and you have time to pick your grades back up before losing your scholarship.
My D had a similar problem her undergrad freshman year. She went into undergrad as an athletic training / Pre PT major and got even worse grades then you and ended up on academic probation. We had a heart to heart after drying her many tears and talked about her strengths (which never was science) and where to go from there. She switched her major to Public Relations and started digging herself out of the hole she had dug. She then had to take a class in electronic media for her PR major and realized her true passion was in TV/Film. She ended up double majoring in PR and Film and is now finishing up her master’s degree in film and applying for PhD programs so she can teach at a collegiate level. The morale of this little story is really just to find your true passion because those classes will always be easier for you because you will love studying them and you will have natural ability/talent in those classes.
There is always light at the end of the tunnel, it just might not be the road you thought you might be taking. It’s good that you switched your major to psychology. There are quizzes online to help see where your strengths lie, if you don’t know already. Take a variety of courses that interest you next semester, you might get sparked by one of those, but definitely look into some easier type courses to try to raise your GPA if there is a certain GPA you need to maintain for your scholarship.
How would I go about telling my parents? This is probably what I am most worried about, especially since they are paying for the majority of my education
No blame, no panic. Tell them as a matter of fact about the plan I gave you and ask for support paying for the tutor. If you get negativity, politely say “with all due respect, I understand your disappointment, but I’ve already beat myself up sufficiently and now I want to and need to think positively about my future. I don’t want you to overreact. I have a plan and I would sure appreciate your support”.
If you get it great. If not, you must persevere. You can only control your own behavior.
Hi toothfairy, have you talked to your faculty adviser or support services? I am sure they deal with this kind of situation very often and would have some good advice for you. They could help you identify what you need to do, and develop a plan to improve. If you take this step before breaking the news to your parents it might go a liltle better with them. All the best to you and let us know how it works out.
It is very common for the first semester grades to be lower than your accustomed to. If you look at the academic probation rules, you will see that freshman year has a lower threshold. This is because colleges fully understand.
You are right to rethink your major if you find the 101 sections of your major difficult. In my opinion, those courses should be like a duck to water if you are a natural match for the major. Chem will only get harder.
