<p>I'm at Penn right now for pre-med/science in general. I am still waiting for my chemistry grades to come out, but right now I have a 2.9 GPA which is stressing me out a lot. I got an A in Spanish and a C in Microeconomics. I had an A going into my Calculus II final but messed up and ended with a B-. I'm really hoping that with my chemistry lab and chemistry lecture considered, I will have at least a 3.0 GPA. This is really traumatizing me because I always got straight A's in high school. >.<;;</p>
<p>What really sucks is is that I am not procrastinating or anything. I study a lot but I still end up with a low score... I guess it is largely based on nerves getting to me in the exam setting, which I really need to get rid of :/.</p>
<p>I do realize that college is a lot different than high school, but overall, having a low first semester freshman GPA is typical right? If I can show great improvement through the later semesters, then hopefully the first semester freshman year GPA won't have as significant a influence for applying to medical/graduate schools?</p>
<p>totally agree with jagerdeer. Go with something classy, like a couple of shots of krat 20 minutes before an exam. Calm you right down.</p>
<p>On a side note: are you studying right up until the last minute? If so, don't. Do something relaxing like take a walk, grab a bite, listen to some music, etc.</p>
<p>haha, i hope when u say drink a bit before was sarcastic.</p>
<p>However, I do think you can't be too serious. At least have some fun sometimes. </p>
<p>Definitely agree with SBR's advice to not study until the last minute. Also, I think it's better not to study for long periods of time into the night, especially the night before an exam. I recommend 7-8 hrs of sleep before an exam (7-8 is generally the optimal amount of sleep for a person), regardless of your sleep patterns the days before. If you slept only 3 hrs 2 nights before the exam, don't try "making up for sleep" by sleeping in late. Just go for 7 or 8. Also you should try and be awake around 4-6 hrs before your exam. You need time for your brain to wake up completely each day, especially when you have a big task ahead.</p>
<p>Oh, and don't substitute caffeine for proper sugars and carbohydrates. Fruits are always the best option for energy before a test.</p>
<p>It often takes time to adjust.
I didn't have so hot of a freshman year myself.</p>
<p>First semester, I let myself get taken in by the partying scene at my college, neglected studying, and bombed Organic Chemistry. My 'dreams' of being a doctor were over.</p>
<p>Second semester, my plan was to be a Math/Econ double major, at first I resolved to work harder, was doing alright at first, then got way involved in pledging- failed two tests- and had to work my ass off to bring my grades to a decent level but my GPA for second semester was still worse than my 'horrible' GPA for first semester. Took out the Econ and kept the Math, :D</p>
<p>I shaped things up by sophomore year though.
I started putting time into studying and used time management to balance work and play at a healthy level.</p>
<p>Hey... every other student at your college had a 4.0 in high school.</p>
<p>They cannot all get a 4.0 in college. Do you think Penn should just give everyone a 4.0 for getting in?</p>
<p>If you wanted to keep your 4.0, you should've gone somewhere where you are substantially smarter than the vast majority of the student body (read: Tier 2 or 3)</p>
<p>
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Also you should try and be awake around 4-6 hrs before your exam.
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</p>
<p>what if your exam is at 8:30am... do you advocate getting up at 2:30am to get ready?</p>
<p>anyway, having a lower-than-expected 1st term gpa might be typical, but in terms of a grade-inflated ivy (it's ok, i go to one too), a 2.9 is kinda low even then. </p>
<p>study smart, not a lot. and, if it's test-taking that's a problem, talk to somebody about calming your nerves. and also, realize that in the long run, your college gpa is not going to matter except in getting your first job ... so no huge worries.</p>
<p>and, even for that first job ... no worries, you've got 3+ years to bring up that gpa.</p>
<p>Not all Ivies across the board have "grade inflation," and grade inflation varies by class. A 2.9 isn't great, but as was mentioned, college is way different from high school...you've got to do things different from when you were there and it sometimes takes a long time to learn. Truth be told, a 2.9 is only a slightly-less-than-decent GPA for your first semester. And you've got plenty of time to bring it up.</p>
<p>I got a 2.99 my second semester in college. (I did well first semester, messed up second.) I graduated with a 3.4 and I'm at Columbia for a Ph.D now. It won't ruin your life, trust me.</p>
<p>a 3.0 is not bad at all for a first semester at college. ask any professor at your school what the average grade is for freshman their first semester. at my school it was something like 2.5. granted i'm not at an ivy, but i imagine it's something similar at all schools that most freshman struggle their first semester and do better later on. i got a 3.0 my first semester btw. i've been doing good since that first semester. if you adjust well then you'll be just fine.</p>