Hi all,
So, I tested out the waters my first semester of college and I took 17 units. I ended up getting 4 A’s (all 3-unit classes), but I also got a C+ in my Gen. Chem class (5-units). This semester, I am taking 16 units. I am taking a bio class and the 2nd semester gen. chem class. In addition, I am taking a public speaking class and a critical thinking class. It appears to be four classes, but technically it is seven, because each of the science classes comes with a lab section and bio has a discussion section as well.
I am a bio major, so I know there will be several semesters in which I will have to take at least two science classes. I know each professor has their own style of teaching, but what are some ways you guys juggle two science classes?
Also, do you have any advice on whether or not a bio major is a good fit for me. I tried looking into other majors, but nothing seems to be as interesting as science. My only problem is that…I’m apparently not very good in those classes (as can be seen from my C+ in gen. chem). I personally think it is dumb to switch majors just because I didn’t earn the grade I want. Am I actually the one who is dumb for not switching majors early on while I am still a freshmen? Is the C+ in gen. chem really an early sign for me to change now?
I want to thank everybody in advance for any advice that you guys can provide. ^.^
Is your primary motivation for the Bio major medical school (judging by your username?) – if that’s the case, you can major in something perhaps less STEM intensive and take pre-med prerequisites & other interesting Biology courses as electives.
However, if you’re truly committed to succeeded in your Biology major, you shouldn’t let a single bad grade get you down (and make you switch majors.)
@preamble1776 I actually signed up on College Confidential before I made a transition to college. I have since changed my mind. I do intend to leave my options for med school open, but I am focusing more on forensic biology now.
Edit - succeeding in your Biology major**
Oh okay. I cannot necessarily speak to STEM majors specifically as I myself am not a STEM major - but I can say that in more general terms, if you’re passionate enough about something and show enough dedication, you will likely do quite well. A bump or two in the road shouldn’t keep you from accomplishing whatever it is that you hope to achieve.
Others will likely be able to offer you better advice regarding the handling of multiple science classes.
First of all, why did you only get a C+ in your chem? Did you go to class, take good notes, take advantage of all the resources available to you- supplemental instruction, office hours, tutoring, study groups? If you are going to continue in a STEM path you really need to develop good study habits/skills and time management that allows you to devote the time necessary to be successful in your classes.
Give it this next semester and really devote yourself to your classes and see how you do second semester. First semester is such an adjustment that maybe it was just a fluke and hopefully you have figured out what you need to do differently this semester
If you really struggle in science classes, a STEM major might not be in your best interest. Its very important to do well in your classes- employers and grad programs use GPA to weed out candidates. You will be competing for those positions with students with 4.0 GPA’s. You should really talk to your academic adviser and find out all the resources your school offers and also take a look at the curriculum you will be facing in your desired major. Will your degree be in Forensic Biology or just Biology? Make sure the curriculum prepares you for the type of work you want to do or a graduate program in that area. There are schools that offer majors in Forensic Biology so those students are being prepared specifically for jobs in FB when they graduate. Your academic adviser should be your new best friend to help you navigate all of this, s/he knows your schools curriculum, where grads are getting jobs or going to professional school etc. Good luck to you!
Having a section in addition to lecture does not make for “an extra class”. In fact, it can be a huge help, as it is a smaller group and you get a chance to ask questions that could help your performance in the class. And labs are less credit because they take less time. Stop whining about your heavy workload, it doesn’t actually sound that bad compared to some schools.
@dolphnlvr6 I only got a C+, because partly, during the exams I kept filling out my Scantron incorrectly (yes, dumb mistakes). I filled out one line wrong and the rest were wrong, but you could tell I got them right, because my answers aligned with all the right answers (but one line off). Obviously, once a Scantron is graded, it can’t be corrected (professor’s policy) and I ran out of time before I could go back and see if I filled everything out properly.
But setting Scantrons aside, I know I honestly could have done better if I had tried harder and studied more effectively. I spent way too much time on extra credit opportunities. I ended up wasting a bunch of time I could have used to study for an exam. (The extra credit only applies to homework all of which I got 100% on, it is only worth 50pts out of 1000. You can’t get more than 50pts. on the homework section anyways). I went to every single lecture, lab, and discussion section. I also went to office hours and tutoring was only available if I signed up for another 1-unit class, which would have meant taking 18 units. It does not sound like much, but time management is not exactly my forte. I know that is something I really have to work on, because it is essential to succeeding in college.
Indeed, hopefully first semester really was a fluke. As for an academic adviser, I actually don’t get one until I am actually in the major. Since bio is an impacted major at my school, I have to complete all the pre-major requirements before I can get in. However, I have been going to the pre-major advising center and that has been helping a lot. My degree would be in Biology.
@intparent If my post came off as whining, I apologize, because that was not my intention at all. Workload wise, my high school Chem class was much more rigorous. However, exams are worth a lot more in college, so I really bombed in that area. I do have to agree that the separate sections were a lot more helpful due to the smaller class sizes. In fact, I made more friends that way. As for labs, they are actually the longest of all my sections. 2 and 1/2 hours, my lecture is only 1 hour and 15 minutes long. I actually wanted to add another history class, but 19 units seemed a bit rough…given that I didn’t do so well with 17 units. I honestly just want to know some study tips for succeeding in my science classes.
Thanks! 
Sounds like you know what you have to do, I don’t think you need to panic yet! Get yourself a planner, use your time wisely, but do include some relaxing/downtime each week, you need to have some fun too! Strange about not getting a tutor unless you have 18 credits, I’ve never heard of that before! If you find yourself struggling see if you can get a private tutor.
@dolphnlvr6 Hahah! I took 17 units last semester, so an extra unit would have totaled to 18 units. That would be an awfully odd requirement. 
Anyways, thanks for your suggestions!
Why would you have to sign up for an additional class to get a tutor? Just find a tutor. Most schools have some kind of tutoring center on campus that will easily be able to help you with Gen Chem, and any other freshman/sophomore level science class.
It doesn’t sound like your schedule is all that bad. It’s a typical college schedule. If you want to do a STEM major, you definitely need to get comfortable with having multiple science classes in one semester. There will likely be later semesters where you’ll have nothing but science classes.