<p>I just graduated first year, barely passing, but I failed a course, Calculus, at the University of Toronto electrical engineering. </p>
<p>I know why I did it, I'm just not able to control myself. But from what I hear, I know that I need to change this.</p>
<p>I called the school today, and I'll have to repeat the course another summer or take it in place of an elective third year, and then take an elective over the summer of third year. And I'm going to study a lot over the summer to learn what I need to better understand the next semester materials. </p>
<p>I know a lot of people say that failing isn't such a big deal, but it sucks to know that I'm one of the lowest grades in my class. I don't plan to go on to grad school. And advice? What else should I do? How did you guys manage yourselves in college, and not use your freedom to just browse the internet all day?</p>
<p>Repeat the course in the summer. Because you won’t be bombarded with 4 other courses like during the school year, by taking only calculus you can focus on JUST that class and perform better. I suggest you look for someone to tutor you if you still find yourself struggling so can pass the course.</p>
<p>Also, I don’t know how it works at your school, but at some schools, if you fail a course, take it again and pass, the failing grade that you received the first time gets “replaced” by the new grade on your transcript, so the “F” isn’t shown.</p>
<p>Just pick yourself up and do better next time. Stop comparing yourself to your classmates. I stopped comparing myself to people and found that once I focused more on “me” rather than “everybody else” that I performed better.</p>
<p>Don’t worry, I failed Calculus II (which dropped my GPA below 3.0 this semester). I’m retaking it over the summer at a community college and practicing with every calculus II problem I can find.</p>
<p>Join a study group. It’ll help a lot. I’m sure there are other students struggling with Calculus II material (It was the case for my class) and working together is so much better. By the way, there’s always going to be the “genius” in your Calculus class. Like MushaboomBlue said, stop comparing yourself to them and worry about yourself. If you worry about yourself, you’re going to do better.</p>
<p>Personally, I focus on schoolwork over parties/surfing the internet because I have a problem with boredom. I get bored easily when I browse the internet. (I guess that’s just me)</p>
<p>You should find the balance between your social life (internet life…?) and school life. Think about what is more important. All in all, if you really get someone to study with you, you’ll be able to focus more easily on schoolwork. You’re almost forced to learn the material, and believe me, it’s good for you. Sometimes, your professor can join your study groups and help you look at the problem in a different way.</p>
<p>What else should I do? How did you guys manage yourselves in college, and not use your freedom to just browse the internet all day? </p>
<p>Having a study group really helps. I also have a huge fear of failing classes, which also helps. It helps that I actually like the classes I take and am willing to spend time on them. </p>
<p>Also, the internet is interesting, but not that interesting. I also try to go out and have a social life, which keeps me away from the internet a lot of the time. Honestly, I think my best advice is that you should go out. Doing more social activities makes you more productive. It’s weird, but it’s true.</p>
<p>First of thanks guys! It feels good that I have people to give me advice.</p>
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A tutor sounds great! Most of them are pretty expensive, but this is my edumacation here (and it’d be more expensive to fail). Thanks, I will.</p>
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Yeah, I didn’t consider that, it says right in the calendar that a course may be repeated and given credit for a grade over 50%. I guess credit means academic credit, which could help my GPA, better than barely passing if I do well the second time.</p>
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I don’t think transfer credits is an option for me, it isn’t listed as one on the calendar. However I am interested and will definitely make a note to ask.</p>
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I found a study group, and I did study better. Man, if I studied the way I did during the exam month with them like I did the rest of the semester, I’d have aced all my exams! (not really, but close). I’ll be sure to (ab)use them more next semester.</p>
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Yeah, I need a better social life. I did go to a few parties, but nothing like what I would like to have done. My best question is: how do I do this? I don’t think not having much of a social life is the main problem though. The problem is rather that when I am faced with the option to go study, or go play, I always pick the wrong choice and end up wasting tons of hours.</p>
<p>Calc II isnt bad, but I can see why people didnt do well in it. For me, I took it at my school over the summer (paid a pretty penny tho) and got an A in it simply because I just did problems every single day. That’s the biggest key to it. Constantly practicing. Its not like physics where there are always different situations present. Just keep at it every single day and you’ll be fine</p>
<p>Do you guys think this will impact my ability to find a job or internship next summer? I will have to retake the course for two of the four months during the summer.</p>
I’m sure you’ll pass Calc B!</p>