I’m scared I won’t get into college

I’m a junior in high school, and I’m really really scared I won’t get into college. Freshman year I had average grades but I got 2 F’s: I dropped a class and she decided to fail me for it and another F because I somehow didn’t pass my geophysical science class. I need the science credit to graduate though, so I’m making that up hopefully soon. Sophomore year my grades were terrible: D average most likely. I failed my geometry class which I’m gonna also make up. I failed a couple elective classes which don’t mean much. This year I’m really trying hard because I know I can’t mess around anymore. I have a C or B average and am taking AP classes in the subjects Ive been good at or that I know I’m good at, but obviously they’ve been kind of hard. I’m scared I’m not doing enough and I’m scared I’ll do poorly on the math section of my SAT next semester, English Ive always been good at so I’m not so worried about that part. I just think the college I want to attend won’t think it’s enough and will reject me. I’m really scared. I have a plan to get all the credits I’ll still need to graduate and will have more than needed for some categories, but I still feel like it’s not enough. It’s really stressing me out, I don’t know what to do.

I don’t know what particular college you have in mind. However, there are 4-year schools that accept everyone, AND you can always start in community college. If you do reasonably well you can transfer to a four year college, and they won’t even ask to see your high school grades once you have two years of college under your belt.

At this point, affordability could be a major factor, since your grades are not very merit aid-worthy. You WILL have options, though, don’t worry. Continue to work as hard as you can so you can maintain as many options as possible.

If you graduate and continue to find your strengths you will be fine over time. There are many schools which are auto admit. There are junior colleges where you can also demonstrate improvement and transfer to a four year school.

I would focus on study skills and tutoring when you need it. You can find a path that suits your strengths in college.

First, it’s great that you are aware you have to work hard now and make up classes you failed. Book a meeting with your guidance counselor at school and ask what colleges are realistic for you based on your GPA. It’s possible the school you really want is beyond reach, and only having one school you like on your list isn’t a good idea anyway. And if you did indeed drop a class formally and the teacher failed you for it, why didn’t you appeal? Discuss this with your guidance counselor. Maybe it can be rectified.

Second, being scared isn’t going to help you, so instead, find schools that you like, where your grades and test scores might be at least in the middle 50th percentile of accepted students. Consider starting off at community college, where you will get a slightly gentler introduction to college level work. Get great grades at CC and transfer to a school you love. I myself went to CC and it was the best path for me.

Third, study hard for your SAT or ACT test. A good score might help compensate a little for lower grades. Use Khan Academy for free, and get free SAT tests from College Board’s website. Know what to expect on those tests. SAT reading is very difficult, so practice and don’t assume you will find it easy. It’s not just a regular reading comprehension test.

Be glad that you’ve learned a hard lesson now, while you are young enough to to make a good future for yourself. Colleges do look positively at upward trends, so work hard to get good grades for the remainder of junior and senior years.

You can’t change what’s happened, but you can learn from it. It’s your fault if you failed a class or got D’s. You will need to be proactive in life if you want to get ahead, and you will always have to deal with teachers, professors, bosses, or people you don’t like. You can choose how you want to handle those people, but it’s up to you to meet expectations. I know that sounds harsh, but it’s reality.