I just finished my first year at Virginia Tech. I am currently a University Studies student, hoping to major in computer science. Due to a series of unfortunate events, my cumulative GPA for my first year ended up to be a 2.29. I’m feeling all sorts of stressed, thinking there’s no way I can do this anymore. I am taking some summer classes and have changed my lifestyle, but have I screwed up my life? Has anyone been in the same situation? Anything would be great. Thank you guys.
What, precisely, is your concern?
You haven’t screwed up your life. I had dinner tonight with a guy who got a D in math freshman year at college. He is now a physician who heads a large department at a highly regarded hospital.
Get organized. Set priorities and stick to them. Don’t hesitate to ask for help when needed. Things will be better next year.
You really should call the counseling center and tell them how you feel in order to see what they say.
Hi! You should always think positive as to where your life directs you. You shouldn’t be stressed and pressured. Life goes on. Just work hard and aim for the best. Don’t think something that would negate your thinking and lifestyle. Always remember that “It doesn’t matter how slow you go as long as you don’t stop!” 
I just don’t know what to do. Did I mess up my life?
Isn’t a 2.29 GPA adequate to continue as a student in good standing? Did you lose a crucial merit scholarship by failing to maintain the necessary GPA? Will you be ineligible to proceed with a particular major? If you are merely disappointed with your grades, just move on. Plenty of students received the proverbial “Gentleman’s C” and became highly successful. Why do you believe that a C+ average “messed up your life?”
First of all, you have not screwed up your life. There are a lot of really good ways to screw up your life (drugs, drinking, gambling, cheating, unintentionally making babies, crime, terrorism, etc).
Trying and not succeeding is NOT a way to screw up your life. You always learn something, and you learn that you need not fear failure (not that a 2.29 is failure). You need to analyze where you went wrong, acknowledge that you need to improve your game, get the help you need and get back on the horse.
I didn’t do well freshman year, took summer classes, and turned it around and eventually got a PhD.
If the extent of your “failure” is you had a tough first year of college, then no, you haven’t “screwed up” your life.
The answer to your concern is in your post:
“I am taking some summer classes and have changed my lifestyle,”
You recognize what you were doing wasn’t successful, and have taken steps to correct it. You have plenty of time to correct things, and do better. Keep at it, and don’t lose heart!
The key here is “a series of unfortunate events.” No one, but you, knows what they are. Except for your parents and teachers/counselors no one needs to. If these were factors beyond your control, let’s hope they are gone for good so that you can begin on a fresh page next academic session. However, if these were factors that resulted from lack of experience, new environment, distance from home, unwise choices, or simply poor time management, you can always think things over, learn from your mistakes, and move on with a sincere resolve to better your life. It all depends on your positive determination and how you wish to see yourself 5/7/10 years from now. The best thing would be to discuss matters openly with people who truly care about you, whom you can trust, and who have the maturity to guide you. You have your whole life ahead of you. Don’t despair if things have gone wrong in your first year. You can and should work towards building a better tomorrow.
C gets the degree.