Hello,
I need advice.
I am overall a good student, hard working more than smart. (I have a 3.96, only a B+ in calculus 2)
But, I have a lingering issue. I am a BioChem/Molecular Science Major at a community college and am currently applying to schools right now (UCLA,UCB,UCD,UCSB,UCI, USC, UCSC, CalPoly SLO).
Right now, I have a stressful quarter to be it lightly.
I am taking OChem, Physics, and Calc and I have just been struggling keeping up. Ochem is fine, I like chem but the physics is my issue. It feels like no matter how much I study, it doesn’t show up well on the exams and quizzes. Its very fast passed and often the material we learn the day before is on the quiz or exam and its hard to keep up.
I did some calculations and I project the best grade I could come with at this rate is a B, and B+ if im lucky ( i literally just failed an exam i took today, Im talking like , I blanked out and probably got a 40%)
I go to office hours every week and the professor knows me well. She told me I am a hard worker and isnt sure why it isnt reflecting. I freak out on these examinations.
The other issue that has been bothering me during the quarter (its only week 4) is that my dad turned very sick the last 2 weeks. He has a life threating issue with his heart and I spend at least 2 hours a day with him at the hospital. I worry about him a lot. I know it sounds like an excuse but I can’t shake it from my head. He’s likely going to need heart surgery.
My question is: what should I do?
Should I drop physics with a W OR should I keep trying?
The problems with dropping are I will not finish the entire physics sequence in time to transfer and I would have a W.
I have another 3 weeks before I can drop with a W.
I am sorry to hear about your dad. If you are freaking out about a B in any college class, the issue lies with you, not the class. College isn’t high school. It’s not supposed to be easy to get all A’s. You need to stop stressing about things that aren’t that important. If you only get one B in your ollege career, you are miles ahead of the game.
Go to the campus tutoring center and get some extra help. Join a study group. Hire a tutor. Do not drop a class you’re getting a B in.
I know I sound like I am making a big deal out of it, but you have to keep in mind I am a t a community college and I want to go to medical school. I feel like If I get a B at a community college, they wouldn’t even consider me competitive
Keep working at it, keep working with your professor, search for other resources such as academic support or online resources. A B in Physics may not ge a B. Sometimes there’s a curve.
Sorry to hear about your Dad. That added stress has to be so difficult. Know that he probably wants you to do the best you can.
That may be the case, @LittleCatSwagg . Maybe you should consider changing your major. You do realize that you don’t have to major in Bio to go to medical school? Read this excerpt taken from a blog:
"Biology majors must do better on the MCAT right? Wrong. History majors routinely beat biology majors. Why? History majors are substantially better at the verbal section that tests how well you read (and starting in 2015, the MCAT will have a verbal section AND a psychology/sociology section, so this discrepancy in overall score is likely to increase).
Fine. At least biology majors do better on the biological sciences section, right? Wrong again. History majors beat biology majors at their own game, earning an average of 10.0 points on the section to only 9.9 for bio majors. Even the science portions of the MCAT are passage-based (approximately 85% of the questions are accompanied by a passage with information crucial to answering the questions), so good readers (e.g. history majors) are more likely to succeed."
Is the above 100% true? I don’t know. I do know that you don’t need to fear that one class is going to dash all your dreams. I doubt that a couple of B’s in your college career are going to prohibit you from being accepted to med school. The point is that you can major in other stuff and still become a doctor.
Meanwhile, it could be that you study inefficiently, or that you could be doing more than just talking to the professor during office hours. And there is no point freaking out about a B.
One B at a cc or elsewhere won’t keep you out of a UC or out of med school. You are putting undue stress on yourself at a time that is already stressful. If you’re doing well in your other classes, and can get a B in this one, keep the class.
I am a bio major because i love bio! Physics is just a requirement, a stepping stone to get where I want to be. I loved biology and chemistry before I considered medical school.
I study everynight for at least 2.5 hours since that is what we are recommended. (2 hours for every hour in class). I get the material, I really just thing I am going through a rough patch. Coming home every 4 hours to inject your dad with his daily dose of antibiotics and IV really affects your pysche. Its different when its your own parent suffering in pain. I really think if I had another shot I could actually do well. My other classes are fine mostly because exams didn’'t collide directly with my dad.
@LittleCatSwagg It is great that you are helping your dad…but does it really have to be you doing that if it interferes with college? have him talk to his doctor about options…like a visiting nurse service or the like.
Talk to your Dean of Students about what is happening…maybe you can get support/accomodations/help.