I feel like I don't know what im doing in college..

<p>I'm a first semester freshman, and I've been feeling really down lately.
For the first time ever, i'm starting to rethink my level of intelligence :|
I mean I've always thought i was reasonably smart, i just have never applied myself or tried.
But now im really starting to think i'm really stupid. I always have my work done, i havent waited till the night before to do any essays, im ahead on my math stuff (the class is online), one of my classes is just like lecture and exams, so i am alittle lost on that.. I do the reading but i feel like im not prepared for the tests, and i dont know what im doing. BUT this class is open book, open note, true or false. I got a c+ on it. I currently have around an A- / B+ in my math class, (working on that), got my first essay back for my writing which was a 2.5, i think thats a C or a C+.. I was extremely disappointed because writing is usually one of my strong suits, but i just finished my 2nd essay and i got some help from the writing center so im confident with that..</p>

<p>The problem is, i always feel like i dont have anything to study for, or like i have everything done. When i obviously dont judging from my grades... After seeing these grades i dont have any hope for grad school or becoming anything successful, even they're my first ever college grades and the semester isn't even over yet.
I don't know why i feel like this, i just feel really stupid.
Im confused as to how to study for these things :(</p>

<p>You’re a first semester freshman. Take a deep breath and realize that you have many many more semesters ahead of you and that you shouldn’t fold because of a stupid essay. Hell, I got a 75 on my first accounting exam last semester and finished the course with an A-, so don’t think that your destiny has been set in stone.</p>

<p>Also, no one really knows how to write a really good college level paper before their first attempt. That’s actually one of the things my school stressed to incoming freshmen, which is why tutoring is so readily available.</p>

<p>Completely agree with zchryevns. The writing center is a good resource, but you can also talk to the professor about writing tips, or (if it’s allowed) talk to other students in the class and see if they’ll proofread it for you.</p>

<p>its ok just dont let this happen in your 2nd and third semester like me and have a 3.5 from various intro classes because I couldn’t decide what I wanted to do with my life try making a set of detailed goals for your life it didnt help me but it might help you, im actually in a really bad situation in every which way including my family and health so dont take my word for it</p>

<p>Check in with your classmates. Be sure to make a friend in each class. That way you will have someone to contact if you miss a class or have a question. You can also plan to study for a test to review concepts or go to office hours together. It helps to have a support system. That friend may help you realize when you need to study more. You can also ask questions of each other and by talking it through come to a better understanding of the material.</p>

<p>Many people just aren’t prepared for what’s expected of them at the college level. I’ve encountered multiple moments where I thought “wow, I’m not as smart as I thought I was, I’m just not getting this” and in hindsight I see I was tripped up by something easy either because it was explained to me in an obtuse way or because I was too tired at the time or simply didn’t put as much effort into the fundamentals as I needed. It’s too soon for you to just give up.</p>

<p>I’m a first semester freshman too and I’ve been getting back lots of C papers, too. College professors expect a LOT more out of you than high school teachers did, especially if there are upperclassmen in the class.</p>