I’m on my second quarter of college and I did absolutely horrible. I’ve been under so much pressure, literally all I do is study and I still did pretty poorly. I got a 4.0 in English but I got a 2.3 in Macroeconomics and a 2.0 in a Ling class. Last quarter, my dad was upset about a 3.3 in art and mad I didn’t tell him how badly I was doing. I made the same mistake and didn’t tell him how badly I was doing because I didn’t want him to get mad and thought I could fix it but I was unable to 
Now I’m absolutely terrified. I could use some guidance. I’m so ashamed and sick of disappointing my parents over and over again, especially when they are paying for my education and in general, sacrifice a lot for me. I feel absolutely sick I just don’t know how to tell them or make the situation better.
I’m sorry you’re going through this. First of all, a 3.3 in art is not horrible so I’m not sure why he got angry over that, but that would make me nervous to tell him about the other 2 classes as well. All you can do is apologize and tell him the truth. Maybe you can ask for suggestions on how to improve your grades in the future. Are you using any tutoring or academic resources at school? You might look into that. Then at least you could tell your dad you have a plan for next semester.
What is your intended major? If it’s business or something with Ling, then you have a bigger issue than if it’s English or some social science. Luckily, you got a 4.0 in English will help raise your overall GPA, but if those classes were important for your major, then you may be in trouble later on.
I can understand your feelings and how difficult this must be. The best thing I can recommend is to reach out to your guidance department for any help they can offer you. Possibly more then just tutoring. They may have counselors who can help you develop study skills and work on your time management. Once you have taken these steps, you can then approach your parents with a plan. Tell them about the bad grade, but also about all the positive steps you are taking.
As a parent, I can tell you that the most frustrating thing my kids do is to keep me out of the loop until a small problem becomes a large one. Your parents may be upset that you are not talking to them about your issues because it prevents them from helping you. I know that is how I would feel. If you feel that may true in your case, I would also promise them that you won’t keep them in the dark in the future.
One of my kids told me she was having problems and I helped her withdraw from a class. Some parents hire coaches. There are many things parents can do to help their kids, including conversation about changing majors or taking classes you are strong in.
However, if you are afraid of your parents, that is a shame, and kind of works against their helping in that way.
If you have worked as hard as you say you have, then there is some kind of problem that needs addressing. Please talk to a counselor, advisor or dean at the school and write your parents at least. Technically, your parents have no legal right to see your grades of course.
Do you have ADHD or some other learning challenge that you need help with? Are you strong in verbal skills but not mathematical skills? Try to stick with classes you are interested in and are good at going forward. And if you have problems focusing, talk to someone, preferably a psychiatrist, because there is help.
I am sorry you are afraid of your parents, and wish you luck if you decide to tell them.
Typically the idea is that a person will do better in classes they enjoy and fit their strengths. Freshman year and early sophomore year is the time to figure out where those strengths and weaknesses reside before you get committed to a major that does not fit you and your particular learning style. Simply wanting a particular major may not be enough.
Listen. Stop beating yourself up.
You have two separate and distinct issues. 1) Your performance isn’t where you want it to be for your own sake,
and 2) you feel guilt and fear about disappointing your parents.
I’m going to tell you that should seek two kinds of counseling.
For (1) you need academic counseling. Obviously your methods of studying are not sufficient to learn the material that you want to learn. Effective study skills and time management skills are learned. You need to learn them. Most universities offer support in the form of tutoring or study skill classes to help you. This is not an emotional problem, this is a performance problem. You need to believe in yourself that you are capable of overcoming this deficiency.
For (2) you need psychological counseling. It isn’t healthy to carry around the guilt. If my kids told me about their academic problems, I would be sympathetic and help get (1) figured out. I would not be angry. It is what it is. The fact that your parents get angry at a young adult over academic performance is a problem. It’s unhealthy. It makes you anxious and prevents you from taking the risks needed to become a functioning adult. Your anxiety may be an impediment to the day-to-day studying that you need to do to keep up with your classes. The classes don’t wait for you. You may not be able to change your parents behavior, but you can change how it makes you feel. With the help of a counselor or therapist, you can develop a strategy to combat the guilt so that you can tell them, as a matter of fact, and ask them for their unconditional love and support anyway.
I actually think that your parents have no business interfering in your academic life, but they should be there if you need them.