<p>Im preparing to go back to my home school after nearly a year off and I want to start off fresh. Most of you know my situation and my struggles and mistakes. I want a clean slate so that I wont be delayed in graduating anymore. as it stands now, I am a sophomore Chem E major with a 2.9 gpa; but going back now, I know what I want to do. I have a purpose for going to class and maybe not a purpose for Chem E, but I know its the right path for me. I want to get into my school's pharmacy program.</p>
<ol>
<li>Do you guys think this is too much?
Multivariable Calculus - 3
E/M Physics OR Thermo - 4
Writing Seminar - 3
Portuguese - 4</li>
</ol>
<p>total 14 hours
I kinda want to keep it low so I wont be overloaded. the reason for Portuguese is simple for a grade booster and I like the teacher and promised here that when I get back, I would retake her class.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Im going to have a foreign teacher for math and I have a horrible time with foreign teachers. How can I over come the creeping "skip class" demon when it comes to them?</p></li>
<li><p>Thermo and/or physics is going to be a large lecture class where the teachers state that they don't really want to be bothered with students. Anyone have any useful tips for this class (or lecture classes in general)?</p></li>
<li><p>Am I a fool for wanting to continue in Chem E given my past history?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Im also considering taking Introduction to Materials Science and Engineering instead of Portuguese since I just found out i dont need Portuguese but only wanted to take it for the grade</p>
Do you have to work? I think it’s reasonable. 14 credits are not too low. Just one class short. So I say very doable! Keep your promise and commitment! </p>
<p>
Hmmm… with accent, you mean. Well, try to pay attention. You have to overcome that demon. How? It’s up to you! If you really want to have a bright future, don’t skip class. If you have to skip a class because you are depressed or sick, fine. But make sure you understand the consequence: I would not make it a habit again!</p>
<p>for some reason I just end up having the worst time with them. idk why either and it prevents me from doing well or even caring about the class. But you were spot on with making it a habit. something i really need to break.</p>
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<p>to be honest, i dont really know. Chem E intrigues me and its one of the few programs that I feel that I belong in and could do well it. Since Ive tried practically everything else that my school offers and Chem E stuck with me, I figured i might as well do it and see where it takes me. My goal is to get the good Engineering GPA which will be a challenge for me now.</p>
<p>thanks jwxie.</p>
<p>BTW, anyone know of any good study techniques? it seems like lectures never really help me understand whats going on and how to apply it to certain problems (ie my thermo class)</p>
<p>Read the assigned chapters before they’re presented in class. Take notes and use them along with your text to help elucidate any confusing concepts that you came across during your first read. If you’re still having trouble understanding some of the material, go talk to your professor during their office hours. </p>
<p>Do all the assigned homework, even if it’s not counted toward your course grade. </p>
<p>For exams, take a sheet of paper and write down all key concepts and equations in a concise manner. I feel that paraphrasing concepts that span paragraphs and dissecting equations down to their useful bits really helps you memorize them for tests. </p>
<p>Also, if you still are having problems going to class or caring about the material, you need to define a goal for yourself that will help motivate you to stop these habits. I know this sounds like some career center BS, but if you really do some research on what you’d like to do with your BSChE degree, it can really help you get motivated. Look into grad school programs you’d like to attend and try to attain a GPA and stats that would make you a shoe-in. Also, look at job postings for companies you might want to work for. I definitely find that filling that what-to-do-after-undergrad void that lingers can really help get your ass in gear. </p>
<p>I received a BS in Biochem a few years ago and had a 2.3 GPA because I was absolutely unfocused, had no goals, and honestly didn’t care what my GPA was just as long as I got that diploma. After a couple years in the job market I realized how many opportunities my lack of effort in college denied me. I couldn’t get considered for a decent grad school, and didn’t even bother applying to jobs that required submission of my transcripts. Also, while in college, no professors wanted me in their research labs due to my GPA. Having no research experience with a Bio degree is a big hindrance when you hit the job market. So take it from me, you do not want to graduate with a crappy GPA. Bust your butt now because it will be worth it in the end.</p>
<p>Thanks. I think I will start preparing before class so that way class doesnt just seem like a waste of time. I actually do have a goal of getting into pharmacy and maybe becoming a pharmacist (I’ll see how technician goes first). Not meaning to place blame on anyone/thing else (since I have accepted my faults and realize what I need to do) but alot of this has spanned from my unsupportive advisor which the school will not let me change at all. For next semester and with the courses Im taking, im going to start out aiming for a 3.5 and see how things go from there. </p>
<p>I actually thought about doing Biochem but quickly put that to rest when I saw I would have to take the same Bio class that basically wasnt cut out for (and that was just the intro).</p>
<p>I looked at college as a real JOB. I would never just fail to show up for work for the heck of it, so I always made sure to go to classes unless I was really sick. You have to take responsibility for your actions! </p>
<p>Not liking the teacher is not an acceptable reason to skip classes. Believe me, you will have co-workers you don’t particularly care to associate with! I had to work with a structural draftsman who disliked women and always referred to his wife as, “SHE,” in the most sneering tone of voice. I never learned his wife’s real name! As a young female engineer, that was hard to take, but I did, even though I probably should have complained about the guy to HR. (He was one of only a couple of guys I’ve ever worked with who were jerks - most men are great to work with.)</p>
<p>Yes…please keep that GPA up. Although, I am able to maintain a 20+ year career, I still wished I would have kept a higher undergrad GPA. For one, I know my GPA kept me from internships. Like ElevateMeLater said, I had to pretty much apply to jobs that didn’t ask for transcripts…just verified graduation only. Also, there was no chance of going to grad school right out of undergrad. I had to get some work experience AND attend a lesser-known graduate school (and get A’s) before U-Wisconsin would admit me to the grad program…and that had to be part-time programs…no full-ride stuff.</p>
<p>I would have LOVED to have completed a B.S. and M.S/MEng by age 23…instead of the B.S. at 22 and the M.S. at age 31. Sometimes, it seems that it would not have made much difference but that is easy to say since it did not happen. Age 23 and a M.S. sounds nice at least in theory.</p>