<p>So, I was the smart slacker in high school who got the 4.0 without doing any homework and looking over notes 10 minutes before tests. I didn't work hard in high school because, coming from the horrible urban school I went to, I didn't have to. I'm currently at the University of Chicago, which is extremely rigorous, and I'm having a tough time adjusting to this sudden need to "work" consistently, all the time. Today I just had a short panic attack over my grades, and I'd just like some words of advice/reassurance from upperclassman. </p>
<p>I got a B- on my first paper, which is 25% of my final grade; I knew when I turned it in that it was a bad paper -- I had written it 2 hours before it was due, and it was complete BS. I guess I'm wondering how difficult it'll be to recover from that B-, because I'm definitely going to buckle down from now on. Will one bad grade really have lasting consequences? And what's considered a "good" GPA in college? And is GPA even that important in college?</p>
<p>Ah, thanks. I forgot how posting on CC can be therapeutic.</p>
<p>hmm.... well, in both my own experience and that of others who were smart enough to not "hit a wall" until college, college work is difficult at first because it suddenly forces you to cope with your (lack of) work ethic, so I totally understand where you're coming from.
As far as how to fix that... I'd suggest being strategic. Use your intelligence to help you plan out when things ought to be completed by (i.e., set new deadlines for yourself and make yourself accountable for holding to them!)</p>
<p>Recovering from a B- on a paper worth 25% of your grade won't be easy. Assuming your professor doesn't let you do extra credit, that B-, say it was an 80%, means you lost 5% of your total grade right there, so even if you got 100s on everything else, you'll barely make an A (i.e., not an A-), so if you're shooting for an A, expect to work your butt off. If you are happy with a B or B+, you have nothing to worry about. Do the math.</p>
<p>Also, giving excuses like you did about not doing your work in HS because you went to a "bad urban school" is NOT going to get you anywhere in life. Frankly, NOBODY CARES! The fact of the matter is that your work ethic is far more important than your GPA and if all you are is a good test taker and BS'er, you're probably going to end up as one of the thousands of people with a degree (bachelors, masters -- even doctorates!) living in a cardboard box on the side of Hollywood Boulevard or any other major thoroughfare in a large metropolitan area....</p>
<p>-Mike (Senior, Class of '08, Psychology & Music)</p>
<p>I think good GPA in college is around 3.5+. However long as u are above 3.0 i think you'll be fine. B- aint that bad, i think you can recover.</p>
<p>Man though university of chicago's known to be rigorous. I think you shouldve done more research before applying perhaps? what can you do except strap down and study like everybody else?</p>
<p>I'm a current student at the University of Chicago. Maybe I can be of some help here. First, some facts:</p>
<p>1) The average GPA here is about a 3.26. That's slightly below a B+. While students do pretty well here, there are about as many B- grades as there are A grades.</p>
<p>2) A B- is not a low grade, and I don't see why you need to "recover" from one. I've gotten higher grades and lower grades, and a B- at the U of C is nothing to sneeze at. I feel this way because I went to a hs where I was doing lots of work and not getting the best grades. If you're used to not having to lift a finger for A's, adjusting to a new grading system is going to be tougher. Imagine if Paris Hilton had to come live in Pierce.. her adjustment would be, uh, interesting. :-)</p>
<p>3) Don't totally slack, but don't study for grades. That's stupid, and very counterproductive here, as you will not always be rewarded for the time you put in, and you just have to recognize that there is no magic "A" machine. Study because you like studying, because you enjoy the material, and because nothing better is on TV. Find exactly how much studying is appropriate for you, and realize that everybody here does it differently. You'll find kids who stay in the Reg every night and kids who get hammered every night. It's really up to you to determine what fits best into what sort of life you want to lead.</p>
<p>First of all, B- on ONE paper is not that bad. B's, in general, are not bad, whatever you hear on here. Personally, I think a good GPA in college is >3.0, a really good one is >3.4 and a great one is >3.75, especially if you are at as rigorous a school as UChicago. I was like you, I went to a crappy high school and didn't have to work to make A's. And although I don't go to a school as tough as the one you go to, you should know this. Obviously you were smart enough in other areas (test scores, essays, etc) to get into your school. So just buckle down and, you know, actually do your work ahead of time, and you'll be okay. And remember, B's are NOT BAD.</p>
<p>Haha I got a 45/100 on my first college assignment. You get over it. I was in the same case you are: I was a straight A student without really having to work in High school and then got here and was hit with a rude awakening. I think I got a 3.2 my 1st semester and my soph year was like 3.0. Rough! But then as I adjusted and figured out my optimal study skills my grades went up. At least the good news is that in many cases employers (and sometimes grad schools!) only care about grades in relevant courses, most of which you take after the gen reqs, in your Junior and Senior years. </p>
<p>But don't stress if you can't get "perfect" grades. A GPA over 3.3 is good, and a GPA over 3.5 is really good. I have a 3.3 overall and a 3.6 program GPA. I'm hoping to boost it a little this year but realistically here I <em>am</em> a B+ level student, so that's how it goes.</p>
<p>Another thing to consider is that an upward grade trend could help you out here. If you are close to an A and only this one paper is holding you back, the professor has the option of bumping up your grade. Obviously, this depends on the professor, but I have had it happen to me. I got a lower-than-expected grade on the first paper in one class when I misunderstood what the teacher was looking for. I went to the professor to discuss the grade (which I DO recommend doing!). I didn't get the grade on that paper changed (that wasn;tm y goal), but I left with a much clearer idea of what she wanted and got A's on all the remaining assignments and an A for the class. Also, the instructors are more likely to give you a few extra points in borderline cases if they know who you are, feel that you are interested in their class, and believe that you have been working hard. So going to discuss your paper is a good idea any way you look at it--provided you approach it the right way. If you go in asking for help in order to improve your writing you will do better than if you just go to complain about the grade (not that I think you'd do that, based on what you've typed).</p>
<p>Also if you can, get to know who ever does your grades. My father is a part time professor at a nearby college and I've seen him do the grades on a curve... He needed certain percentage of people with As and Bs. So rather than lowering everybody's grade, he just bumped certain peoples grades to Bs from As, and he based it semi on how hard the person tried in each class as well.</p>
<p>Who writes a paper 2 hrs before it's due for U of C and gets a b-.</p>
<p>And how do you get straight As in High school without doing ANY homework?
I have never had a single class where homework was less than 10% of my grade except for AP stats and Honor Pre Calc where it was optional</p>
<p>I just got an A- on a philosophy paper. I worked very hard on my paper and sure, I could've done better, but in a sense, I'm still happy with my grade. Getting any A-level grade is a huge feat in itself anyway, at least in the course I'm in at the school I'm in.</p>
<p>I have to get a 3.75+(minimum) to get into Harvard Law. And I have 6-8 semesters (depending on when I graduate) to do it. Of course, the parents won't be happy about my going to law school.....since they're going to have to write fat checks for another three years.</p>
<p>Not to mention I have to get near-perfect on the LSAT.</p>
<p>I got a B- on my first history paper too, but I went and got an A- on my midterm. I'm not happy about my paper grade, but happy about the midterm grade. Then got a 96 on a stats test, but I'm not happy about it since I find myself whining about how I could have gotten a 100 if I didn't forget to do the second part of one question.</p>
<p>sigh i think many of us can relate to u. i was considered a really good writer in high schools, A on all my AP class papers... first college paper : C-</p>
<p>
[quote]
I have to get a 3.75+(minimum) to get into Harvard Law. And I have 6-8 semesters (depending on when I graduate) to do it. Of course, the parents won't be happy about my going to law school.....since they're going to have to write fat checks for another three years.</p>
<p>Not to mention I have to get near-perfect on the LSAT.
[/quote]
Wow, you seem to have everything planned out for yourself, don't you?</p>
<p>
[quote]
Your parents "have to" pay for your graduate school tuition?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>My dad agreed to support me financially for basically any kind of grad/professional school. I guess they don't HAVE TO but I think they'd prefer that I graduate debt-free. Or close to it. I know I would.</p>
<p>Central Perky: Pretty much. Big Banking (corporate/investment banking)->Harvard Law->Biglaw Associate->Biglaw Partner->Become the most feared corporate lawyer in the world.</p>
<p>Chill, you're only a freshman :) You have many, many, many more grades and courses to "recover" to acheive the GPA you actually want. C'mon...32 at minimum... that's awfully a lot to think about...:)</p>