Doing Bad in Chem and Physics

Pre-Med & Medical School Pre-Med Topics
1

<p>Sorry so long.
Okay, I am pre-med student planning to major in math with only Calc III (multivariable calculus) and differential equations done so far. Well let me back up a bit. I graduated high school in 2008, and, because of dual enrollment, I transferred after one year at my community college to FAU Honors College for this fall 2009. I am technically a transfer student but being a pre-med math major with all the classes I have to do, I will still be going to the school for hopefully only 3, if not 4 years, so they're calling a "freshman" which is weird because I already have 85 credits, most of which are just lame classes to me.</p>

<p>Anyway, even though I have so many credits, I only have my one year of Biology done. Right now, this fall, I am currently taking General Chemistry I and General Physics I (calculus based) simultaneously. Alright, let me say that I generally know chemistry and physics very well. I took AP Physics in high school – didn’t pass the exam (long story), but still got a high A in the class, and one of the classes I took at my community college was an Intro to Chemistry class, which I did really well in so I know my stuff.</p>

<p>Surprisingly, my first grades for these two classes (the lectures, not the labs) have been really low. I am ashamed to admit that on my first chemistry test I took I received a 52 percent but got a measly 5 extra credit points for doing test corrections added on to the test grade making it a 57 percent – still failing! =(.. And, even worse was my first physics test, I got a 59 percent WITH ABOUT A 20 POINT-SOMETHING CURVE!! =’(.. Fail.</p>

<p>I can justify this.. I did not study. I didn’t even open up my notebook to even look at the stuff we’ve been doing for the past couple of weeks. Dumbass!.. I know that if I studied, or at the very least looked at the stuff, I would have done way better. Here’s the thing, I know what I need to do to get into med school and I would still very much love to go, but with these grades I am NOT SURE if I can get an A in either class anymore even if I get 100s on everything from here on out, which is unlikely. There are only four tests in each class and without the A in these “early” classes I feel like a dummy. (And dropping either class is out of the question.) And, I don't want to mess up my GPA with this.</p>

<p>So my question is, should I just keep trying to do what I can do in both classes? Because I know it’s mostly laziness keeping me from studying and doing well. Bad habit for a pre-med student, I know. I just want to know if I should find a different way of studying, or find a tutor, or what? (I really don’t know why I did so badly in physics being that I like math and physics is pretty much applied mathematics in word problems; I dunno.) Is there anything that anyone recommends I do? Anything, absolutely anything would help. I’m actually kind of desperate, and I’m pretty anxious about these next couple of tests coming up.</p>

<p>Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Again, sorry this was so long but thanks for taking the time to read.</p>

2

<p>You’ve answered your own question. Study from now on and learn from your mistakes. If you have 3 more exams, you can at least get a B. Make them the last two B’s you ever get.</p>

<p>Also, “freshman” is a term that is more than just a credit number (“academic freshman”). Being a freshman is also a social status of being the new kid on the block, complete with common freshman attributes such as denying being a freshman based on credit count.</p>

3

<p>Umm… as mmmcdowe said, take this as a lesson and get your butt in gear. You’re behind now, so catch up. Not a whole lot else you can do. This is one of those moments you need to decide whether you’re all in or giving up. If you’re all in, then you’d better get to work 'cause you’ve got a long ways to go. If you’re giving up, then you may as well withdraw from those classes and hang up your towel.
As far as the freshmen thing, well, as was implied, you’ve shown you’re a freshman. Your behavior here is a common freshmen mistake. You should be embracing the fact that you’re a freshman b/c if you really were junior (or 2nd semester soph) making that mistake, it’d look pretty bad. Now get a move on if you’re planning on finishing this race!</p>

4

<p>I’d just like to add that my freshman comment was a friendly one, I did the exact same thing back when I was a frosh :D</p>

5

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<p>Many do. lol. I’m just saying the OP needs to get a move on. Being a freshmen doesn’t last long and if you make those mistakes going forward, it’s going to hurt! Freshmen year is “forgiveness year.” Good luck, OP!</p>

6

<p>Why you did not study? Advice - STUDY! Gen. Chem is one of the easiest classes on pre-med reguirement list. You will need to study much much harder for others like Orgo, Bio.</p>

7

<p>“Why you did not study? Advice - STUDY! Gen. Chem is one of the easiest classes on pre-med reguirement list. You will need to study much much harder for others like Orgo, Bio.”</p>

<p>Schools vary. Many premeds find bio to be the easiest with g-chem and physics being much more difficult.</p>

8

<p>The difference could also be explained by major. I imagine, Chem. major would have hard Chem. classes and Zoology major would have very hard Bio classes.</p>

9

<p>Well gen chem is actually very easy to me; I guess I’m just being lazy. I know I need to study and that’s what I’ve been doing, so I’m not worried about that. But what I wanted to say is the add/drop date just past by on Friday, and I talked to my physics prof and he said that a passing grade is certainly within reach, so I stayed with the class. What I’m worried about is that my final grade there will be a C. He said in order to get a B that I’d have to get close to a 100 on the last two exams, which I doubt I can do. Having said that, did I make a smart or dumb move staying with the class even though I’m sure I’ll get a C and that it’ll kill my GPA? It is currently 3.67.</p>

10

<p>A C in physics is going to bring some concern, yes. Remember that it is your whole record that counts. A 3.67 is almost exactly average for getting into med school (mean=3.65, SD=0.44), so you don’t have a whole lot of wiggle room, but you can always take more advanced physics courses and/or kill the PS section on the MCAT to show you’re competent in physics and could handle med school courses, some of which will require a good physics foundation (albeit, more conceptually than in terms of problems/solutions, from what can I can tell).
What’s done is done, though. If you can no longer drop the class, you’re going to have to stick it out. Try for at least a B as anything lower in a prereq is likely to bring at least some concern and may set you up for failure in Physics II. You can do it, though! Good luck!</p>