College freshman needs help

Student Lounge College Life
1

<p>Hello. I am a communications major 1st year at Florida Gulf Coast University. I need some advice. I set a goal to have a 4.0 my first semester and at this point (5 weeks in) I don't think that i'll be able to end the way I had planned, but I want to strive for the best grades possible. I joined a fraternity and at first, it hurt my grades but at the same time it is motivating me to study hard. My current classes are;</p>

<p>~Intermediate algebra (60%)
~US History of Literature (85%)
~Psychology (75%)
~Comp 1 (85-90%) [He hasn't put the rest of the grades in yet]</p>

<p>At the moment I am struggling with algebra as well as psychology, however I feel that algebra is the toughest class I have at the moment. I am absolutely horrible in math, but I love the challenge of class and I want to finish with at least a B. How do you suggest I do this? I try to study at least 3 days a week for a couple of hours. Would you suggest tutoring? I don't really know much, i've only been here for 5 weeks. Math is not my strongest subject, it is actually my weakest. I am a good writer and excellent at english, however math is cruel to me. </p>

<p>Any suggestions? What do you think I could finish this semester off with? Maybe a 3.0-3.3?</p>

<p>Thank you, this means a lot.</p>

2

<p>The grades you end up with at the end of the semester will be entirely dependent on the amount of effort you put into your classes. It’s pretty obvious you want to aim high, which is a good mentality to have.</p>

<p>Math is always threatening to students, so I suggest you either go to any tutoring your campus may offer (which is usually free) and try to get help from there if you need it. There are also other options you could try if you’re not understanding the material, like searching for help online (YouTube, KhanAcademy, etc). </p>

<p>With any mathematics class, it all comes down to how much you practice every single concept. I know you say you study for long periods of times every week, but if you’re having trouble with say, one specific concept, concentrate on those specific problems, and if you’re having trouble, then hit the lab for tutoring. </p>

<p>As for psychology, it’s mainly all memorization. If there is a lot of information you need to learn at once, study it in intervals. Don’t try to memorize or grasp all of the information at once and expect to keep it in your memory for the upcoming quiz or test. Study it in sections and take breaks in between. I don’t know what your study habits specifically are, but studying at night, especially before you go to bed, helps with memorization and retaining information.</p>

<p>Try your best, but don’t stress yourself out in the process. If you’re stressed and worried about your GPA, you’re going to end up with bad grades in the long term. We can only do as much as we’re capable of doing. Focus on the subjects you’re weaker in and less on the ones you feel stronger in.</p>

<p>You also mentioned that you’re in a fraternity that could potentially be distracting. If this is the case and you’re not fooling yourself by saying it’s helping you keep on track, then I suggest you remove yourself from it and join it next term or something so you can focus on your classes.</p>

<p>No one here can tell you what your grades will be at the end of this term; you are the only person who decides that. Keep trying and don’t give up! Always have a positive mentality and never say you aren’t able of making a better grade.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the quick reply. Honestly my week looks like this;</p>

<p>Monday; Get all of my homework done, class at 5 so I go to the library anywhere from 9-11 then stay till class.</p>

<p>Tuesday; Class at 9:30, go home and relax and eat, library, gym, then class at 5</p>

<p>Weds; Class at 11, then I usually relax, library if I feel I need it, then class at 6</p>

<p>Thurs; Same as Tuesday</p>

<p>Friday-Sun (Off)</p>

<p>The problem i’m probably having is that my class is 2:45 on monday then lab, so I don’t get a lot of review in and it’s difficult to teach myself. Maybe studying with a friend would be a good idea then? I do it for psychology and it seems to help. Idk, this semester is just really stressful.</p>

4

<p>It seems like your schedule is kind of sporadic in terms of class times. </p>

<p>It also seems like you’re up early, and I really suggest for next semester to take early classes so you have time during the rest of the day to relax, study, etc.</p>

<p>It’s really helpful to study with a friend who’s willing to not become a distraction and is concentrated on the material. I always see people say, “Yeah, I’m gonna go study with a friend,” and they end up having done nothing for the hours they spent with that person. </p>

<p>Teaching yourself any subject is difficult, especially if it’s not that easy for you to understand in the first place. I assume that when you say your class is at 2:45, you’re talking about your math class? You don’t necessarily have to go to the lab right after your class or on the same day. I think it’s helpful if you go on the days you study the material on your own, and that way, if you have any questions about it, you can go to the lab and get help. I don’t know if I understood you correctly, though. :p</p>

5

<p>No this is my schedule;</p>

<p>M: 5-7:45
T: 9:30/5
W: 11/6:30
TH: 9:30/5
F: 11</p>

<p>I have a morning class then a late class.</p>

6

<p>Still, I find having a morning class mixed with an afternoon class/late class a bit overwhelming, especially if you’re not living on campus. Having to go back and forth becomes tiring, at least for me. It also doesn’t help with the transportation costs and high gas prices.</p>

7

<p>I live on campus.</p>

8

<p>Ah, well, do whatever floats your boat then. :stuck_out_tongue: </p>

<p>I would definitely go to some form of tutoring if you’re having any sort of trouble, though. Take advantage of all that FGCU has to offer.</p>