I personally consider a B failing and an A passing, so when I refer to failing a class, I mean not getting an A. School hasn’t ever been hard for me, and freshman year I managed all As with two full credit honors designations.
This year I’m taking two AP classes, one of which is AP Bio, but from the looks of it, I’ll have to give it my all to even get a B. So… Is this terrible? Should I try to hire a private tutor or just try my hardest and accept the grade? How big of a deal is this?
Coming from a student with a 4.0 UW: no a B is not the end of the world especially in a hard class like AP bio as a sophomore. Try not to get too many Bs but one or two won’t hurt you.
It’s certainly not failing – that’s ridiculous. It’s fine to have high standards but all you can do is your best.
I hope you don’t share your “philosophy” with your classmates or teachers. They would find you insufferable. If I were in a group project with you, I’d regret it.
This is not a feature you want to display as you ask for teacher recs. “Yeah, moiety. Works hard. Gets great grades. Uptight. Unrealistic expectations. Thinks learning is all about grades. I’m sure he or she will do well in some school environments. Has indicated wants to go to BS/MD degrees. I don’t think I’d want him/her to be my kids’ doctor.”
Is this what you want you LORs to say?
Agreed that a B is not the end of the world. In fact your attitude that a B is “failing” is not a healthy thing. That said, is fine to seek out extra help in a class you are having difficulty with – that extra help can come from your teacher, a tutor (if your family can go that route), a friend who is particularly good in that subject etc.
@T26E4
Heyyy, okay let me clarify some stuff:
Then plz let me apologize for my tone. I see you’ve done lots of reflection on this: " Realistic expectations, yes. Good work ethic, no. I’m not uptight, more constantly stressed. Please don’t call it a philosophy. I get that it’s a little crazy, I just wanted to know if it would be okay to relax a little and settle with a B in this class if it comes to it."
You’ve got a long future ahead of you. Please arrive at a place where you don’t need others to remind you that it’s OK to relax. You’re the best for you and the ppl around you when you aren’t stressed and harboring unhealthy expectations. Is this how you wish to present yourself to your spouse and kids one day? See the big picture. HS is simply one stage of life. So is college. EVERY thing is not a stepping stone to some later nirvana where you get to relax. You’ve got to learn the value of relaxing and enjoying life now. Allow yourself to enjoy the things around you and to reasonably omit the things you don’t.
Speaking w/a school counselor or perhaps a favorite teacher or adult relative can help. Best of luck to you.
Why are you in AP Bio as a sophomore if you are not a big science person? The ordinary series for honors kids is Bio H, Chem H, Physics H, then an AP science or 2.
I don’t understand the problem with a B. If you are “constantly stressed” then your health is being affected, which is a lot more important than a GPA. I got some Bs is HS and turned out fine. Same with my wife. Same with most people I know. Good luck with everything!