<p>I pretty much got a B in every class and my GPA is standing at a 2.98. It was the finals and third tests that really brought my grades down. I had an A- in most of my classes and then it just went down hill. I don't know. 3.15 is the GPA average for the whole school but I'm just feeling pretty ****ty right now. I FEEL SO STUPID.</p>
<p>I mean Freshmen courses are significantly easier right and usually the GPA is much higher. If I did this poorly this semester and its freshmen year, I just have to wonder bout the future. DAMMIT. Just ranting I guess.</p>
<p>Somebody tell me some stories to make me feel better.</p>
<p>Not sure if this really helps, but my semesters 2-6 all resulted in higher GPAs than did my semester 1. It took more work, but if you’re up to the challenge and absolutely hate downhill trends, you can definitely work your GPA up in the coming years.</p>
<p>You just need to keep going and put more effort into studying. Some classes will “click” easier than other ones. I had a 3.5 freshmen year, now I’m sitting ~3.75 cumulative after this semester.</p>
<p>It’s just that. I never thought that I would get a B- in my IEA. I lost way too many points on my final. I also got a C+ on my Calc. It’s going to SEVERELY HURT me.</p>
<p>My GPA is looking at a 2.76. OH ****. Thats the worst possible senario and the most likely as well. I have no one to talk to because everybody is doing really well.</p>
<p>The three reasons why I am freaking out. My class ranking must be low. I’m worried for my future GPA. PLUS. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY. The Dean’s list. I’m going to lose my school financial award.</p>
<p>I know of people who did worst than me but I have no idea how to tell my parents that they have to pay more money for my **** up.</p>
<p>Nah, there are always people that are doing worse than you. The only difference is that here at RPI, not many people like saying “I don’t get this!” but rather keep a show for their own ego. </p>
<p>For right now there is nothing you can really do but enjoy your winter break. When you come back in the Spring you just have to hit the ground running. The reason for the low grades you’re getting can only be determined by your own self reflection on how you have been doing.</p>
<p>Either it is a lack of effort, lack of studying, lack of doing homework, lack of proper study habits, etc. You got into RPI for a reason, so there is no doubt that you are smart enough and capable to do the work well. </p>
<p>You are still in freshmen courses so one really great thing you can utilize are the SI (supplemental instruction) sessions and private tutoring offered through ALAC (alac.rpi.edu). These are often so much more useful than actual lectures.</p>
<p>One other great strategy is making friends in each of your classes (best ones are students in your major because generally you are taking the same courses). You can work together and have resources if you are not doing well.</p>
<p>Another tactic is using APO for back work (exams, quizzes, homework). Often doing the practice problems that professors have used in the past for exams is very helpful.</p>
<p>What classes are you taking in the Spring? I can try to hook you up with some of my own backwork.</p>
<p>I got a 2.90 this semester. How bad does this really look? The only C I got was in Calc. So I am thinking about retaking calc later to boost my GPA and with a different teacher.</p>
<p>I guess I’m just upset at the fact that everything was fine and boom third test and finals hit and they hit too darn hard.</p>
<p>How do employers look at such a blemish? I know other people have done worse. There was a guy who got a 1.7 GPA their first semester and he has been working hard to get it up to a 3.5. So. GENERALLY speaking, does the trend usually go up or down as we progress through the semesters?</p>
<p>I don’t have much to say about employers, you should make an appointment to meet with your advisor and talk with him/her about it.</p>
<p>Generally if your GPA goes down it is your own fault. Sure finals/tests may be hard, but if it is a reflection on the professor than the entire class will have a low average rather than only you (or a few other people). When this is the case, the class is curved up more to make up for the fact that everyone did crappy. If this didn’t happen, you likely dropped the ball and didn’t study enough/didn’t study the correct way.</p>
<p>The stupid thing about GPA is that a B is a 3.0 and a B- is a 2.66. Normally when you hear that you got a B you’d be happy, but that isn’t reflective in the numerical GPA. The one “C” isn’t what kills you, it’s however many B’s and B-'s you get. </p>
<p>My advice is to buckle down and study more. Each semester gets harder but you adapt and work harder. Don’t compare yourself to the kid who got a 1.7GPA and eventually got a 3.5 when he graduated. It isn’t realistic to think that you will be getting a 4.0 each (or any) semester.</p>
<p>I’d have to strongly disagree with either your sentiment or your phrasing. There are plenty of reasons outside of a student’s control that can cause them to get bad grades, some of which are very common.</p>
<p>Nonetheless, the onus is on the student to do their best in these instances. If you feel like you did all you can, there’s no reason to be disappointed in your performance.</p>
<p>I probably phrased it wrong because reading it now I sound like a total ******. </p>
<p>What I meant was that if you are getting low grades while the rest of the class is not, there is something that is wrong with how you are preparing. That would end up being your fault and no one elses, barring any external circumstances such as a death or whatever.</p>
<p>First semester can be difficult due to the adjustment process, etc.</p>
<p>Most schools will not take away your financial aid (merit) awards for one semester of poor work. You may get put on probation and if your GPA doesn’t improve, then you could be in danger. Check the rules on your award. </p>
<p>Also, 3.15 is the average GPA for the entire school. I would venture a guess that the average GPA for freshmen is lower than that.</p>
<p>Be careful of advice whether given honestly or not-my son studied past exams for one of his first tests and BOMBED it-For the rest of the semester he studied the way he always did and received a B-All you kids know what you need to do to get good grades thats how you got into RPI in the first place-don’t start cutting corners now-This is not the school, nor time you can take chances-Good Luck</p>