<p>My first semester didn't go as I wanted it to... I had to use two withdrawals. I should have probably only used one for chemistry and that's it. The reason I managed to use two is because my parents said to withdraw out of pre-calc to focus on chemistry... but I didn't do as well as I wanted to on the test in chem because of nerves and I guess fear of failure once again. I made such stupid mistakes and the computerized tests really are nerve racking.... However, I'm really upset with myseld and NEVER want to have to withdraw from a class again! It is such a bad feeling... I probably shouldn't have taken 15 hours but I really wanted to apply to honors. I never want this to happen again...any suggestions on how to act from here on out? I will have to take the classes again next semester.</p>
<p>could someone please reply? I need some guidance.</p>
<p>Waiting 4.5 hours for a response is not unusual on this board. If the posters here don't respond fast enough for you, you should consider going somewhere else for guidance.</p>
<p>First, 2 W's in your first semester are not going to kill your chances. They sure don't help, but you'll be given some leeway because of the timing. It's not the end for you, yet.</p>
<p>It will be the end for you, however, if you don't solve your test-taking problem. I remember your posts from about a month ago. Back then, you said:</p>
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I have also discovered that I have severe test anxiety, but I also have to learn how to study more efficiently.
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it is easy... I just didn't get used to the computerized test till later.
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<p>Clearly, you have not adequately addressed your anxiety issue, nor have you gotten used to the computerized testing format. Why? What happened in the last month that you didn't do that?</p>
<p>Back then, I suggested the following:</p>
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Have you spoken to your professors or TAs about how to do well in each course? The most effective techniques for studying may vary from course to course. Have you tried your school's academic center or tutoring service? Sometimes, working with a student who's previously taken the course and did well can be very helpful.
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<p>Did you try any of that? If you did, what was the end result?</p>
<p>I'm asking you these questions because I can't give you advice without knowing what you've done since then.</p>
<p>I did... and I go to my lecture and have bought a schaum's outline for the class. I also bought a book to help me in pre-calc. The teachers aren't very helpful in pre-calc, nor are they helpful in chem, considering that they really just read off the powerpoint slides. However, I never want to have to withdraw from a class ever again because the feeling is extremely saddening and it makes me feel like a quitter. I will work more problems at the end of the chapters, study my outline, and make sure not to think the practice test will assure me in getting an A on the real test.</p>
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I did... and I go to my lecture and have bought a schaum's outline for the class.
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<p>You did what? You spoke to your professors? You tried your school's tutoring service? I'm not clear here.</p>
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However, I never want to have to withdraw from a class ever again because the feeling is extremely saddening and it makes me feel like a quitter.
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<p>Sad feelings, not good. Feeling like a quitter can be good or bad - it's good to quit smoking, and it's good to quit when you realize that more effort isn't going to help a situation.</p>
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I will work more problems at the end of the chapters, study my outline, and make sure not to think the practice test will assure me in getting an A on the real test.
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<p>I want to caution you. There's no guarantee that working problems from the book or using Schaum's outline, whatever that is, will help you. If your professors don't test what those two sources cover, you'll be no better off. Why have you decided to do those two things? Have the professors, TA, or previously successful students told you that they were good resources for those courses?</p>
<p>I'm also concerned because I don't think the problem sets or the outline are going to address your underlying anxiety and computer testing issues. If you don't rectify those, you're going to take the courses again and end up in the same situation that you are in now. It will not look good on your transcript to have to withdraw twice from the same courses - that will definitely be a red flag to admissions committees. At my alma mater, testing anxiety and skills could be addressed by working with the student tutoring service - does your school have something like that? If they do, then I strongly advise you to try them out, especially if you can work with a tutor who has been successful in the courses you struggle with.</p>
<p>Gen Chem is boring everywhere... it's a relatively boring class (even though I liked it) that covers a lot of information </p>
<p>And if pre-calc is causing you significant trouble now, you may be in for a surprise when taking orgo, biochem, etc</p>
<p>As far as your exam meltdowns, I'd try taking practice tests from previous years (if available) under testing conditions. If it doesn't help you get over the anxiety, it should at least help you learn or focus your studying.</p>
<p>Pre-calc isn't hard for me... I just didn't like how the computer gives you no partial credit and that my teacher wasn't explaining the concepts clearly... This will be solved however, since I have a book that will actually help me, and will get help elsewhere next semester. The teacher's class that I signed up for however is supposed to be significant;y better than the one I had this semester.</p>
<p>by the way, I shouldn't have any withdrawals after this semester right? Considering, even if I wanted to, then I would have only 2 more left. My university will only allow you to have four withdrawals for your whole undergrad career.</p>
<p>Also, the outline is really helpful for the class and the test questions because it actually shows step by step examples and problems.</p>
<p>Life is over, you won't get into medical school. No seriously, CALM DOWN, you're blowing this completely out of proportion. First off, not considering 2 withdrawals (which seriously is no big deal), what is your cumulative GPA right now (or what grades do you have right now and list the classes).</p>
<p>Arabic 1001 which will be at least a b or higher, A seminar that is pass/fail which I got the passing grade, and intro to religious thought which I will probably get an A in.</p>
<p>I know it's not the end of the world, I just hate being left by my friends who haven't done that well in chem... that are taking the second half next semester, while I will be in the first half still... I will have to take the second half during the summer... and get ready for ORGANIC! I'm dreading that... but I will make sure I get through it.</p>
<p>It sounds like you are in panic mode. Take a breath, forget about what is done and plan for now. My D. is taking Org. now, and it is her favorite class, do not listen to whiners and complainers. In addition, Org is not that much related to General Chem. You can do what others can. Be positive. Do not get alarmed, focus on task at hand, do not extend yourself too much, next 30 minutes is important, take care of the following 30 min. when they come. However, you need to start taking your sciences, pre-meds are taking at least 2 science classes per semester usually.</p>
<p>Ok, so first off:
1. Your GPA seems to be fine (for safe measure though, aim for an A in Arabic)
2. Don't go based on what your friends are doing. Since you are doing the normal 4+4 route, just take the course next semester and reorder what you would have taken.
3. Try not to withdraw anymore, bc of the rules of your college - that means studying hard and trying the first time, not procrastinating and then resulting in not doing well. Go to tutor sessions.
4. Yes, Gen Chem and Organic really are 2 very different subjects. If you are scared of Organic, buy the textbook ahead of time and familiarize yourself, but MiamiDAP is right: take care of the present now and the future takes care of itself.</p>
<p>Most people take:</p>
<p>Freshman Year: Gen Bio I/II with Labs and Gen Chem I/II with Labs
Sophomore Year: Gen Physics I/II with Labs and Organic Chem I/II with Labs
Junior Year: One upper level Bio Course</p>
<p>So do the catchup work you need to do, but it doesn't even have to be done in this order. Buy the MCAT books and use it along with your coursework. See the thread I put up titled: MCAT resources.</p>
<p>Do not worry about what your friends are doing- my DD took Ochem in a quarterly system and each class had to be passed with a C or better to progress to the next. Each term she had many friends who did not move on. She stayed friends with them and made new friends, too. Worry about yourself, your friends are not worrying about you.</p>
<p>Yea, you guys are right. I shouldn't worry about what they are doing... I'll take care of the task at hand. Also, I don't plan on withdrawing anymore... but it stinks that my University just started the four withdrawal limit system. I'll try my best and get as much help and tutoring that is needed. Do you think that I should attend both the gen chem 1 and 2 lectures because I basically have all the notes for my gen chem 1 class. I will still attend the lecture though because there are pop quizzes for extra credit. Maybe it will be a good idea to study both as much as possible but still focusing on my gen chem 1 the most... I will be taking Gen chem 2 probably during the summer because I want to get through with organic my sophomore year. Do you guys think it is a good idea?</p>
<p>I took chem1 in the spring and chem2 in the summer and it was no big deal</p>
<p>As far as orgo, my warning to you about it wasn't that it relies heavily on gen chem, just that it's considerably harder (at least at my school)</p>
<p>I'm wondering... how long do classes over the summer usually last?</p>
<p>I would assume less than one summerlength.</p>
<p>Yea... but hopefully they don't last to the end of July...</p>