Ok so my first semester GPA for college is a 2.85 and I’m aware that’s rough, especially if I want to go into medicine. I gott A’s in my non pre-med courses but I struggled in my science classes. I ended up with a B- in Bio and a C- in physics (omg physics was actually hell). I really want to have a shot at medicine so anyone have any advice? Should I retake courses? What should I do going forward? Any advice would be appreciated. Oh also I’m taking chem this upcoming semester and everyone tells me its worse than anything else so if you did good in chem let me know what I should doooo
Yes many students struggle their first year. It’s a huge adjustment in all ways. Those who do struggle often end up doing very well as they move to upper level classes.
You have to learn how to study at the university level.
That means you have to go to office hours and go to tutoring almost daily.
Are you reading the supplementals? Are you in lab study groups?
Have you visited the writing center on your campus?
If your school has weed out classes, you may have hit them.
If you hope to do medicine, but can’t get decent grades in the sciences, you will have a problem going forward. Go ask for help.
No grade replacement for med school admission. If you repeat the class both grades will count. Talk to your premed advisor. Right now you are on the path of getting weeded out of premed.
You will have to retake physics as anything lower than C will not be counted as fulfilling your course requirements. As @raclut said, there is no grade replacement on your med school application even if your UG school allows it. You will need to figure out how to get an A on the retake or that could be the kiss of death for getting into med school.
med schools do not allow grade replacement even if your college does. You are required to report all grades–original and retake-- and both will be used to compute your GPAs
med schools do not consider any grade below C as passing for fulfilling admission requirements. This means you must retake physics. if you cannot earn an A on the retake, you should consider another career track.
realize right now that you will not be able to apply to med school until sometime after graduation because you will need extra time to fix your GPA/sGPA. This means you will need one or more gap years.
Some ideas on how to improve your study habits--
--never ever ever skip class or recitation for any reason short of death or dismemberment
--keep current with the class. If you feel like you're getting behind, get tutoring immediately
--read all assignments before class lecture
--after lecture re-read the assignment and make a list of any topics you don't understand.
--after the lecture, re-read the assigned chapter(s) and take additional notes using the textbook to supplement & expand your in-class notes
--if you have questions about the material presented during lecture, be sure to go to office hours with your professor or TA and ask your questions
--read/use additional resources besides your textbook and class lectures to get a better understanding of topics covered during lecture--other textbooks available in the library or online, YouTube lectures (Try Khan Academy), supplemental study guides, etc
--do all assigned homework.
--do additional problems sets from the textbook or other resources. The only real way to master math and science is through practice, practice, practice. Grind away until you can do the problems in your sleep.
--your college has a academic support center with free tutoring available. Use it!
--join a peer study group.
-change up your study routine. Study in different locations, at different times of the day and use different methods. (Make flashcards for formulae and definitions instead of just using notes) Research suggests that variety helps with gaining a deeper understanding and greater retention of knowledge