<p>Hey everyone. I'm a sophomore at a top 20 university, and I'm in a predicament with one of my classes. I started the semester as an Economics/History major, with 3 Econ classes and 2 History. Eventually I realized Economics wasn't for me and dropped that major, but I still have to finish out the classes. It's not a major problem...except for one.</p>
<p>My Intermediate Microeconomics class is the most difficult class I have ever taken. I don't know what it is about the class, but I've been completely lost the entire semester. I've done everything they say to do - rewritten my notes, gone to every class and paid attention, read every chapter in the book, done every practice problem, gone in to see my professor, and nothing is helping. I've failed 2/3 of the quizzes and got a C on the midterm, and right now I have a C- in the class - the lowest grade I've ever gotten. </p>
<p>The final is in two weeks and I've been studying every day for the past week, but I'm terrified I'm not going to pass the class. I've been neglecting other classes to focus on this one, losing sleep over the worry, and more often than not I leave class in tears of frustration at another poor quiz score.</p>
<p>Is there anything else I can do to improve my chances? I've never had so much trouble before, and I'm really at a loss. How will this grade affect graduate school or job applications?</p>
<p>Agree with the study group suggestion. Also, is it possible that other folks are getting similar grades and the curve will help you when it comes to final course grade?</p>
<p>As a parent, I cannot resist emphasizing that you want to take steps to stay healthy. Exam period is not a sprint, so eat well, exercise, get your sleep. Plus, from an instrumental perspective, crashing in your other classes because of exhaustion etc. is not going to help. If, in fact, this one course is your worst grade ever, then you have a story to tell employers, grad school applications etc., about perseverance etc after you realized that Econ was not for you. Hang in there.</p>
<p>I think the study group idea is a great one. My daughter simply does not like being in a study group. BUT, this year, she has a course that not only needs her to be in one, the professor all but requires it. It has 100% saved her. Students have different prospectives on material. If you are open and honest in your group and say, “you know what guys, y’all may get it, but I simply am not grasping this concept”, you may be surprised that one of your peers may be able to phrase it in a way that you understand. Sometimes all you need is a breakthrough of understanding for all the cards to fly back up in formation. That breakthrough does not have to come from a tutor or a professor. It more than likely will come from the kid one row down and six seats over.</p>
<p>In the long run, what will having this one C on your transcript do to you? Econ isn’t for everyone. Either you get it or you don’t–there is very little gray. I agree to attend study sessions because sometimes hearing it from someone else will let the information click. Since it’s not your major any longer, the grade isn’t worth all of the upset it is causing you. Sleep, eat, study for your other classes so THEY don’t end up in the C range and just do your best on your final.</p>
<p>Find someone that took the course before that would be willing to talk to you about it and then go through what you consider your difficulties to be with problems, understanding the material, drawing conclusions, etc. It may be that someone may be able to figure out why you’re having difficulty and give you a patch to get you through the rest of the course.</p>
<p>I used to do this as a math tutor. Ideally you’d want the student to understand the material well but often students came in with an upcoming test and they just wanted something efficient to do well on the test. So that’s what you give them.</p>
<p>I have to agree with SteveMA. Stop beating yourself up. You are no longer an Econ major. In the grand scheme of things, one low C in what is now an elective isn’t the end of the world. Try to find a study group, but do not short change your other classes trying to save this one. Allow a reasonable amount of time for study and then let it go.</p>
<p>I agree with the group study. My BF in college was having a terrible time in a course. We studied together for the final and he got a high A to raise his grade to a B. Talking through the theories and solidifying them in his mind made the difference.</p>
<p>Many of us have had a class experience similar to yours and went on to graduate school and beyond. For me it was advanced computer programming, a class for CS majors that I ambitiously took as a biology major. I had nightmares before every test, weird infinite loops and bits of code floating in total chaos. I ended up dropping the class and taking a lower level course over the summer. </p>
<p>A C in your class won’t have an effect on your grad school options if you do well in your major courses, and have around a 3.5 or higher by the time you graduate. If you get a D you’ll probably have to repeat it, but maybe you can do that over the summer at a community college if the credit will transfer.</p>