I’m currently in my second semester of my junior year. I’m taking three AP classes (Lang/comp, Physics and calculus) . i haven’t yet taken the sat because i’m waiting to take the new sat instead. i just received my 1st semester grades and i got two B’s in my English and calculus class but the C in my physics class traumatizes me the most. how much will this hurt my chances of getting into UC colleges. And can i save my grades by improving more in 2nd semester?
The best way to chance yourself at any school is to google the common data set for the school and scroll down or click on the link for section C. There you will find the stats for incoming students. Compare your stats to theirs. Here’s a link to UC San Diego as an example:
http://studentresearch.ucsd.edu/_files/stats-data/common-data-set/c.pdf
As for saving your grades, of course an improvement helps your chances anywhere. You need to see your physics teacher regularly outside of class when there is something you don’t understand. Get a private tutor if necessary. Work with a friend for whom physics comes more easily and get their help. Find another textbook to get a second explanation if the first textbook’s explanation isn’t sufficiently clear. You can do it - but it will take work to catch up on the concepts you’ve missed so you don’t fail the second semester.
For physics, I struggled a lot too last year. I kept trying, but failed to understand it. As a result, I started to use the internet after trying to solve the problem and quitting. My mom found out, and she was livid, so I was prohibited from using the computer during physics.
I was forced to do my homework for hours because I was so lost. First, I hardly got the right answer/ equations. Then, I started to do parts of the problems. After a while, I would finish the problems, but only after working on them for a long time. This year I started taking AP classes and am facing the horrible dilemma of grades vs. learning. Teachers expect both, but it is very hard to keep both up at the same rate.
I would start focusing on just practicing problems. Watch some cool videos on space or visualizations on the topic to get you interested. It takes a while to get the hang of it, but it is worth it. This year, I have trouble with balance, so make sure to not burn out.
Good luck!