<p>So I have gotten the grades back this afternoon, and I didn't do as good as I expected. My cumulative GPA has dropped from 3.4 to 2.9. This past semester has been very rough for me. Not only my living condition was terrible (my apartment / roommates were super loud all the time), but also my parents were planning to get a divorce. My best friend was struggling with suicidal thoughts throughout the semester, and I spent majority of the time with him just to make sure he was safe....I just couldn't deal with all these things while handling my school work. As you can see, I've always been a motivated student (my average is like an AB), but this semester hit me real hard. </p>
<p>What should I do now / next semester? I'm interested in going to a T14 law school, would a bad semester affect my chances in the future? </p>
<p>Guys, I could really use some motivation right now. When it rains, it pours....I hate my life.</p>
<p>It doesn’t have to be the end of the world. A lot of people have a bad semester. It sounds like you had a lot of outside issues taking time away from studying. That’s life unfortunately, it happens.</p>
<p>How many semesters do you have left? There’s really not anything you can do aside from trying to do as well as you can in the following semesters. Reevaluate some study habits and try to make it more of a priority. It sucks that you have these outside issues, but part of life unfortunately involves taking care of priorities despite other problems in life.</p>
<p>Firstly, if they haven’t been resolved already you need to try and grapple with the issues from this semester so they don’t continue to hurt your studies.</p>
<p>I hope your friend is doing better. If they haven’t already, they need to see a doctor. Perhaps arrange for counselling. They need to be directed and encouraged to use the on campus support services. You can’t be expected to single handedly be their psychiatric nurse. I’m sure they’re eternally grateful for your support and friendship even if they can’t express it. You’ve stayed by them which is more than most ‘friends’ do. Thank you. </p>
<p>The divorce you can’t do anything about. I hope its been amicable and you’ve been able to keep good relations with both of them. But don’t let them make you take sides. That’s really unfair and helps no one. </p>
<p>If you have the same roommates and they won’t negotiate mutually agreeable quiet times, then you’ll need to find other places to study- the library, a canteen after meal times, an empty classroom, maybe at a friend’s apartment. </p>
<p>Make yourself the priority. Other people have take a lot from you unintentionally. Lend them your ear and offer to help. If they actually want it, direct them to those better placed than you.</p>