Not doing super well in college and need advice

Student Lounge College Life
1

Well, I never thought it would come to this. I had really high hopes for myself during my first semester in college, and it’s just not panning out.

I was sick for 8 weeks (first with walking pneumonia, then constant colds and sinus issues), along with problems with my roommate. We also never had to take exams in my high school, so I never really learned how to take good notes or study.

My major coming in was neuroscience. Since then, I have discovered that I am not good at, nor do I like, chemistry, or anything really science-y (except psych). So I have switched to business (human resources, to be exact). I decided to take calc 1 because I figured that, since I took it last year in HS, i’d be fine. Apparently not. I can blame myself mostly for my grade right now (a 2.0) because I didn’t do some of the online homeworks, as I find it hard for myself to keep up with online work for whatever reason because it’s not like on paper where you know you have a due date. So, yes, this is completely my fault and I own up to it. I could get a 2.5 in the class, which is fine, but I need a 3.0 in it to be considered for the business college ( since it’s 1 of 4 prereqs), so I believe that I am going to intentionally fail it so that I can retake it (you have to get a 1.5 to retake it). I’d have to get a 92+ on the final to 3.0.

Now with chem, I study for exams at least a week in advance, but then do badly on my exams. My average for my first two exams is a 67-ish, and I just took my third today and don’t think I did well at all. I estimate 65-ish, even with a ton of studying. I used many resources, including ones outside of what my teacher gave us. I basically need to pull a miracle for the final in order to pass the class (my friend who knows all the content is going to teach me so hopefully it works.). I’m not worried as much about doing super well in this class as I am about passing, since it has become an elective because I changed my major.

My one other class I think I can pull out a 4.0, and my fourth, maybe a 3.0-3.5 ish?

I just feel like a failure right now. I really thought I was smart in high school but my university has really humbled me. I just really feel bad about myself that I might have to retake TWO classes???

I am taking much easier classes next semester so that I can boost my GPA. But what should I do about all of this? Is it possible to fix it over time?

2

It sounds like you got whacked by health problems and don’t know how to study for exams. No help for the first, but you can master the second. I’m sure if you Googled you could find study tips. Some I can think of:

  • Try to anticipate what will be asked on the exam as you study. You can consider what the prof emphasized in lectures and homework. Form or join a study group, too. Ask you TA if there is one for any hints on what to focus on when studying.
  • Obviously going to all classes (health permitting) and doing all homework.
  • Once you’ve had an exam, consider what you learned about the prof’s style of writing exam questions for hints for future exams.
  • Get a tutor (or if there is free department tutoring, take advantage of it).
  • Next semester try to work ahead so you’ve read a bit ahead and maybe tried homework problems before the lecture on a subject.
  • For papers, use the campus writing center for support if there is one.
  • Really focus on the syllabus and any grading rubrics you get for a class. They are trying to tell you what is required in the class – it is important.

Chemistry is often a weed out class full of pre-meds. Some students take intro Chem even after getting a 5 on AP Chem for a fairly easy A.

Lots of students struggle first semester, but you can definitely recover.

I assume it is too late to take a W in either class (or maybe you can’t retake if you do that).

3

Being sick for 8 weeks and having roommate problems can really complicate the transition to college. It’s also really good that you have figured out what kinds of subjects you are interested in, and where you want to focus–to the point that you were able to refine your major choice in the first semester of college. You seem to be very self-aware and level-headed, and you were able to react to events, make decisions, and take action. These are all things that many people take years to learn (if they ever do). So get through this semester, regroup over holiday break, get healthy, and don’t beat yourself up. You don’t sound like a failure to me. Your grades should pick up once you’re taking the right classes for you.

On a practical note, is it possible to drop the math class rather than intentionally fail it? Make sure you have clear guidance (from an adviser in the business major, ideally) before deliberately failing a class.

4

@intparent thank you for your advice, I really appreciate it. And, no, I can’t retake the class if I don’t get a 1.5 or below, unfortunately. But I will definitely use all of your recommendations to help me for next semester. I just really need to pass chem so that I don’t have to take it again :confused:

@rocket88 thank you, also, for your advice. I don’t think that we can drop classes anymore but I will be talking to an advisor to assure my decision sometime this week (which is a little late because exams are next week, but whatever). I am just hoping that a bad semester won’t affect things like employment.

5

If you recover going forward it will be okay. Oh, and go get your flu shot, and be super diligent about washing your hands a lot.

6

Office hours?

Go to tutoring every night BEFORE you get behind. As you have discovered, it is not high school.
They tell you what to expect and how to expect it.
College courses are different.

7

Is it too late to withdraw from one of the classes due to medical reasons? Talk to a Dean and ask about that.
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/1920853-college-is-a-step-up-from-hs-16-tips-on-doing-well-in-college.html