My horrid Chem grade! Please help );

<p>Hey guys I have a 4.0 unweighted gpa, but its seriously at stake now. I have a C in H Chem. I can't get a break in that class! I know plenty of people will probably find Chem as an easy class but my chem teacher is regarded as one of the hardest if not the hardest. I'm really stressed, and grades for 1st semester are due Feb 3. Subtracting winter vacation I have really limited time. I'm so stressed out about it. </p>

<p>I really want to go to UPenn; I am positive I can pull it up to a B but not sure if I can to an A. If I got a B do youthink that would destroy my chances?
If anything would save me it would be that I am a first generation attending/going to attend college, and a URM. </p>

<p>Thanks guys any advice/tips/help/resources/rec's is very appreciated.</p>

<p>I want to go to UPenn too it’s my dream school! Anyway our Honors Chemistry program is not easy. You have to be solid as a rock in Algebra I or II. I’m taking Chemistry next semester. I talked with my future Chemistry, and she said something like this: “Study ever night for about an hour if you really don’t understand the material. Some concepts come easy over others. Don’t hesitate to ask for help.”. She also mentioned that you need to practice on analyzing, synthesizing, summarizing and make sure you can explain it to someone who doesn’t know the subject matter. It doesn’t come easy. I think you can pull a B. UPenn is a rigorous school, to get in it, it takes hard work. A B is a B. A B won’t destroy you, it’s telling you that you can always do better. :slight_smile: Good Luck.</p>

<p>Thanks for the advice FantasyVesperia! Your right about the hour of studying I will start doing that. I really appreciate your insight and help and for the luck =). Thanks again so much!</p>

<p>Do you have to take chem next semester? or could you change it?</p>

<p>@enfieldacademy I choose to take Honors Chemistry next semester so I can take a science AP class my Junior year, (AP Biology or AP Chemistry) but you don’t have to. I don’t know what grade you’re in but. If you like math AND be able to apply it to science, then Chemistry is for you.</p>

<p>oh I thought honors chem was maybe like an equivalent of AP chem. In that case, the op should probably try to persevere (I think he has to, to graduate).</p>

<p>My chem class must be extraordinarily easy. It requires close to zero studying, and I get consistent 99s and 100s on tests.</p>

<p>So far, we’ve covered dimensional analysis (with sig figs), density, chemical foundations (atoms, molecules, soliutions, etc.), nomenclature, molarity/amu/calculations involved, balancing equations, and reactions in aqueous solutions. It’s so easy! Are other people covering much more advanced concepts?</p>

<p>I jumped straight into AP Chem without prior background as a sophomore. I wanted to shoot myself.</p>

<p>Most honors chem classes across the country seem to teach the exact same things. The problem is the teachers aren’t equal at all. For example, there are three at my school: one doesn’t teach (AT ALL); one is super strict and consistantly gives zeros on labs, quizzes, tests, etc.; and one is a decent teacher, but not great. The kids in the first teacher’s classes typically get B’s or C’s with some A’s. The kids in the second teacher’s class typically get B’s, C’s, and D’s. And the last teacher typically gives A’s and B’s. So material that will be easy for some will be hard for others.</p>

<p>You may just be like me and struggle at chemistry in general though. The best help for me has been talking to other teachers as well as my own because they can give you a different way to learn something that might just click better.</p>

<p>@ StudiousMaximus: Thanks for your reply! Well maybe your just good at it! :^) Well we’ve gone over significant figures(horrid for me), stoichometry, nomenclature, gas laws, kinetic molecular theory etc.</p>

<p>@ Saugus: Oh wow, I hope you passed ! Or if you are still taking it pass it! I can only imagine how hard it would be I have H Chem and I already wana die!</p>

<p>@TickGrey: You’re absolutley right, I’ll try talking to other Chem teachers at my school for help, thanks for the advice!</p>

<p>And Thanks to everyone and everyone else!</p>