Dealing with a bad semester as a science student?

Student Lounge College Life
1

<p>So this semester was not exactly the best for me. This was indeed one of the most stressful semesters I've had so far in my entire college career. Not only did I mistakenly believe I could handle a full workload, I also handled that full workload during a time where some of my personal relationships got strained, stressing me out and making me temporarily depressed, and taking some of the hardest classes I've ever faced before, such as Physics and Microbiology. Luckily, I got everything sorted out before the end of the semester, but I feel that it's still too late to substantially change anything. Because of all that, I'm anticipating that my grades dipped from a (slightly) decent 3.66 to around a 3.29, which is not exactly good as Neurobiology major who is thinking to apply to grad school after graduation.</p>

<p>Even though I still have quite a few more semester to go until I graduate, I was worried how much of a drop in my GPA will it affect grad schools if they see this? I know I will have to work hard, but I am worried that with the progressively harder classes, I can only keep my GPA from dropping instead of raising it up....</p>

<p>Do you guys have any suggestions for me? Or does grad school really look at your overall performance/portfolio and whatnot instead of just grades?</p>

2

<p>It sounds like you are overburdening yourself with stress; could you pursue psychological intervention in an effort to quell your lingering anxieties? </p>

<p>Determine what you did wrong last semester. Engage in the necessary steps for improving your academic performance. Seek out resources and/or services provided by your college/university staff. </p>

<p>A gpa in the 3.3 range could potentially hinder your prospects of matriculating to a top-ten grad school … however, rest assured - there are many other considerations, of which will influence your admission outlook. Not to mention, if you increase your gpa to a more respectable 3.4 you stand a strong chance of securing entrance to a top 25 and/or top 50 academic upper-level institution. Do not dwell in anguish - you are on the road to a bright future!</p>