<p>I think I made a mistake taking Chem I and Calc II in the same quarter my first freshman quarter. I've been working 10x as hard in college compared to what I did in high school and that's not enough to get good grades in the two classes even though I was a "A" student in high school. I want to try to get into Engineering but I don't know anymore. I believe I was trying to do too much my first quarter. I'm doing well in all parts of the classes (average to above average in homework, worksheets etc.) but I have trouble balancing the time I study for midterms. My first chem midterm I got a 37/100 (average was 62) but in math I did better and got 27/40 (average was 28) so what I did was study very hard for chem but then I ended up getting a 58/100 in chem (average 62) and a 5/40 in math (average was 24). I am feeling very down right now because now I have two classes to worry about and I might not get above a 2.0 that I need to go to the next quarter. I try so hard and work so long and I am not getting the results. I just feel lost and burnt out. Basically, at this point, what should I do..</p>
<p>I know for my school these intro classes are the weed out courses for Engineers. My roommate is taking the same classes (Calc 2 and Chem 1) this semester. He took the AP classes in HS and is still struggling a little bit with the workload and tests and it’s not from the lack of trying (I come back almost every night around 2-3 AM and he’s past out from studying with the light on and everything.)</p>
<p>That’s just how it is. </p>
<p>I’d talk to your adviser as to what to do; drop one or both courses and retake next semester, push through it and retake next semester, or learning center.</p>
<p>I actually wouldn’t worry about having a rough time in those classes (or at least the calc), because from what I’ve seen, I think it’s understood that most struggle to some degree in calc II. In courses that are likely to be graded on a curve, just worry about your performance relative to the class average.</p>
<p>My son, also a freshman, is taking those two courses also. He struggled with those two courses, particularly the Calc. He was quite taken aback when he got his first test back. It was a wake up call and he put all his energies there. I worried about chem, but it came along okay, allowing him to spend his studying time on Calc. In truth, these two courses still concern me, but maybe because I’m not the one in charge.</p>
<p>Should you give up your goal after only this first semester? Ask your advisor what makes sense, but I’d think it’s still too early.</p>
<p>I don’t think you should give up your dream of becoming an engineer over two classes.
Calc II is supposed to be hard, but learning from your mistakes will help you in later classes.
(Ex: I’m studying incorrectly…what can I do better? Work in a group? Go to office hours more? Ask more questions?)</p>
<p>The same is true for Chem I. How are you studying for it? Remember that on the syllabus, they usually post the dates for the midterms and exams. Make it your goal to study for those exams week by week. It makes it a lot easier.</p>
<p>If I were you right now, I’d talk to my advisor ASAP. If possible, you could withdraw from the classes and take them again later.</p>
<p>I can’t help you in pre calc two, as i have yet to take it. However, I can give you some advice for chemistry. So what are you learning this semester? Grams to moles, reactions, bonding, gases…? The key to studying in chemistry is practice. Every day, even if only for an hour. Does the chemistry department at your school have tutoring? Usually schools have free undergraduate tutoring for general chemistry classes.</p>
It makes it a lot easier.</p>