<p>I am a freshman, and as we are now 3 weeks from the end of the semester, I am very worried about my grades.</p>
<p>I did well in high school, and now in college I have tried very very hard. I have gotten extra help, I have put the necessary time in, I have gone to office hours.</p>
<p>It's just sometimes I can't focus and I am very worried about my grades. I want to have approximately a 3.5 average, which would be a B+/A-. I am interested in investment banking or finance in general, and that is the minimum GPA to apply to many internships.</p>
<p>Intro to Comp Sci - A (so that's good, no worries)</p>
<p>South Asian History - A- (the three most major assignments are coming up, but I should still be fine, should be able to pull it up to an A)</p>
<p>Writing - Unclear. Right now I think I have a B. The grade is based on 3 major essays and participation, and I got a B on the one essay I handed in. I worked hard and spoke to the professor about the second essay, but who knows. I do participate in class</p>
<p>Calculus II - This is where it all goes wrong. I think my average is in the mid-high 70s. The professor said with the curve usually B = high 70s. I got a 65 on the midterm and another major test. The highest grade in the class is probably in the mid 80s. I am doing every possibly thing in order to do better in this class, but I don't know what to do now. I accept that I am going to get a low grade in this class.</p>
<p>I don't know why I did this. Any help/ideas/past experiences?</p>
<p>Depending on your school and your major calc 2 is often a weeder class. It’s a harsh reality for students who are used to being at the top of the class to come in with a 65 and have someone killing the curve with an 80. If what you’re doing isn’t working you either need to evaluate your effort, or try another approach. I’ve known even excellent math students to get tutors when needed.</p>
<p>1) I have a math tutor and go to the tutoring services regularly.
2) Yeah, I know its not memorize and regurgitate. I never studied/learned like that.</p>
<p>With expected results of two As & two Bs, you’re doing well. If concerned about getting Bs, then welcome to college, speak to your professors and/or TAs about how to improve & pay attention to comments on your work.</p>
<p>OP: Standards for grading writing are typically highly subjective. In law school, for example, the top ranked students often receive median or below median grades in writing courses while law students outside of the top third often get the highest grades in the legal writing courses. My point is that you need to talk to your professor or TA & find out what they want to see in your writing. Then, whether you agree or not, give them what they want if grades are your primary concern.</p>
<p>I’d like to add that if this is your first semester in college, don’t panic if your grades aren’t as stellar as you’d expect. If you are anything like me, it was a rough transition into college life and my initial grades were really bad, thus bringing down my overall grades.</p>