Might be getting a C in chem honors =/

Pre-College Issues High School Life
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<p>I'm in a ridiculously hard chem class at my school, to put things in perspective it's a 10th grade math class that which the teacher says those who get A's in it tend to get 800s on the chem SAT IIs without needing to take Chem AP. basically, it's really hard =/.</p>

<p>the hardness comes from the teacher not being a very good teacher. He is very strange in teaching - basically, he lectuers on a little bit of a topic, gives us hw that encompasses way more depth than what he taught us, then teaches us the stuff that was on the homework due AFTer we turn it in. things like that make it tough. he's completely unflexible and is like a robot, never considering circumstances or anything. </p>

<p>anyway the problem is, I'm a straight A student in all other classes but I have a B in this one. Test grades make up 45% of the grade and I have a 85 or something. </p>

<p>I missed test 2 so I had to make it up, so I don't know what I got, but I think I did pretty well (not sure, probably a 90 or 85). however, I took test 3 today and did horrible, probably got a C or D. it was really hard.</p>

<p>I'm afraid my grade is going to drop to a C. the class is weighted but it's not recognized as an honors class by UCs. </p>

<p>if I want to get into a good UC and they see this C, I won't get in I think :(. I'm scared.</p>

<p>if I took summer school chemistry and got an A (I'm confident I could), both chemistrys would show up on my transcript - would this be a good acceptible thing?</p>

<p>of course if I do get a B by the end of the year I won't do this because I'm not that picky about my grades, but a C is unacceptable for me, not to mention I really did well in biology and I like sciences, this teacher is just really unsuitable</p>

<p>PS yes its too late to drop</p>

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<p>I’m in the same situation with IB Chem II. My teacher isn’t predictable in her test and quiz material, which makes preparing for exams really difficult and kind of a wild card. I have a C now, but–as I’m sure is the case with you–hard work can bring it to at least a B. I wouldn’t consider a summer course, since all it would really do is demonstrate that the summer course is significantly easier. What will validate your grade is the AP or SAT II test.</p>

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<p>sounds exactly like my chem honors :frowning: if you get an A you can probably get 800 on SAT and pass the AP exam</p>

<p>IDK, I would just recommend that you just try your best… At this point there’s not much you can do. You can consider about other options after you see your semester grade.</p>

<p>Do you know what the average grade in the past was? That might give you hope</p>

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<p>OKAY?</p>

<p>First, there is the ranting thread. Quit making unnecessary threads.</p>

<p>Second, if you can not drop, study smarter. Chem is not hard. PSHT.</p>

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<p>Zapz, shut up, the class is difficult and you live in Virginia which is probably full of easy schools anyway.</p>

<p>my school is hard in general and this teacher is just insane…</p>

<p>I don’t knwo what to do and you’re saying such crap to me? thanks</p>

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<p>Although Zapz’s tone was unnecessary, he has a point. If it’s too late to drop it, then you must find a way to perform better. Whether that means approaching studying a different way or perhaps finding a previous student who aced the class to tutor you. This sounds exactly like my chem class. My teacher didn’t know a thing about chem and never taught anything. He was dumb enough to be able to be manipulated by students to give them A’s in the class. Although I did get A’s first semester with him, I totally did poorly 2nd semester because I didn’t know anything at that point. I studied my ass off to pull off low B’s in the class with the new teacher but then ended up getting a D on the exam and getting a C in the class. It incensed me then but now I see it as no biggie. Either find a way to perform better or deal with the C. Unless you’re planning on going ivy league, a C will not destroy any college plans you have.</p>

<p>Edit: Forgot to say my chem teacher got fired after that semester. Good riddance. But I wish I could have kicked him in the nuts before he left.</p>

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<p>I’m sorry, this morning I was a little cranky.
First, as I’m sure you realized, chemistry builds on itself.</p>

<p>What is “hard” about this course to you? Do you need to go look at the fundamentals you should have learned at the beginning on the year? I don’t know… Is the material you do homework on not in the book? I do assume homework is graded for accuracy if you’re complaining about him not teaching the material until the day it is due.</p>

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<p>Q_Q more loser</p>

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<p>Hmm I have a couple of teachers like this, and I admit it rather annoying. But I guess this is where personal initiative comes in play. Because quite frankly, this is very similar to the situation in college. Profs give lectures that don’t teach much and give out problem sets and tests that are far more difficult and force you to “apply” the basic concepts learned in class.
In my opinion the only way to amend this situation is first reading your textbook before he gives lectures. And also utilizing online resources. I am sure there are plenty of sites that can aid you if you simply google.</p>

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<p>Two words: study group.</p>

<p>Seriously, we have these every now and again in my AP Chem class, and they work wonders.</p>

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<p>^don’t forget to choose wisely when it comes to the people you study with or else you’ll end up wasting time</p>

<p>oh and that comment about virginia was really unnecessary</p>

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<p>In fact, Fairfax county in Northern VA has the highest amount of top high schools in America. Booyah</p>