Hi!
So I have just completed first semester of college for the sophomore year. I am currently a chem major, and so far, I feel like have dedicated so much time and effort compared to my freshman year and did worse. I end up getting a c+ in both my inorganic and physics classes and b- in my orgo class. As of now I think I should change my major because my 3.1 gpa went down to 2.9 and because of this I feel like I am incapable of being a chem major. Any advice?
I have always been about sciences and do not see myself doing any other major.
Before you change your major, why don’t you explore resources for learning to do better. Your school may have an academic support program to help you analyze where the actual break down is for you, and how to take corrective action. Also try using office hours, TA hours, tutorials, online resources, etc. If you feel STEM is a good fit for you, then don’t up and quit it, dig in, find some grit, and figure out how to solve your problems. Also, a 2.9 to 3.1 isn’t that bad. You can still graduate with that. You also still have time to bring it up.
Read @boppers thread above for a long list of strategies.
I think you are doing fine. Those are hard classes. Your GPA will go up as you continue your college career and as you take a variety of classes. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Remember, “Cs get degrees.” (too) There are so many other factors to success in the work world - ability to work with others, work ethic, taking initiative, luck, dependability etc. A GPA doesn’t necessarily translate into success in the real world.
If you want to be a Chem major just keep working hard. You are on track and doing fine. Enjoy the break now so you can get back at it in January.
Hang in there cheml0ver, you are in a tough major, and the second and third years are definitely tougher than 1st year. I think that’s true with a lot of majors. My D is a MechE and is struggling a lot more this year than last year.
As a chemistry major myself (who had her fair share of Cs as well),
I have a few tips:
- Go to office hours and get help from the TAs right in the beginning. Don’t wait until the end of the semester. As you go into your second semester of orgo, work with the TAs or academic support staff on better study tips.
- Use your electives wisely - these are the classes you will need to boost your GPA, so choose carefully. You can’t risk a bad grade in those classes. Look for classes that don’t require a paper if writing is not your strong suit.
- P-chem is brutal, so try to get a study group together and get some tutoring as well. You will need to put in a lot of time in order to master this material. I didn’t put in the time and did poorly.
- This is pretty basic but important: never miss class, and hand in every problem set on time.
Good luck!
Did you take Chem, Physics and Organic Chemistry all in the same first freshman semester?
That is a lot! Isn’t Ochem usually second year?
@bopper OP is a soph, but it does read like all those were earned at once.
B’s get degrees.