<p>So there have been many, many, MANY threads made about this topic, but I haven't found any that really capture my situation.
I'm an URM and a Bio major at an Ivy (will not say which one, but it's pretty hard). Thing is, I didn't realize exactly how hard it would be. I experienced some difficult circumstances before fall semester (living out of my car with my mom on the campus), but I don't want that to be an excuse. I just really messed up this semester. Combination of laziness, lack of motivation, depression.
I also took too heavy a load. Pride got in the way. I come from a "top" high school, so I thought my study skills (or lack thereof as I now know) would suffice in this new environment.
I took Chem, Calc, Bio and a writing class this semester. Got three D's and one B in these classes, respectively. My GPA? 1.5. I know. It's disgusting.<br>
Strangely enough, I also feel hopeful because I know what I did wrong and what I must change. </p>
<p>Here's my plan for spring semester:
1. No hanging out with friends.
2. Studying at least 6 hours per day. I didn't believe I need to study even 4hrs/week because I was stupid and thought study habits from hs would work. I realize now that I need to put in 30hrs/week and I'm MORE than willing. No problem concentrating.
3. I'm getting a job. It'll keep me on a schedule.
4. Changing my diet and I plan on working out two hours a day. I think this will reinforce a good schedule + ensure good health for max. mental function.
5. Leaving all social media (already done).
6. Attending all office hours.
7. Doing all hw the day it's assigned (even if I'm given a week to do it).</p>
<p>You might wonder what jolted me out of this stupidity. This winter break I returned home to my mom, except I'm not really <em>home</em>. We're homeless. This isn't new to me, we've been this way my entire life. What it did do was remind me of why I worked so hard to get into my uni in the first place and why I must continue to work hard REGARDLESS of distractions. I love medicine, I love science, I love helping people. I just...I didn't take my first semester seriously. I don't doubt my actual intelligence, but I do believe I've behaved stupidly and I take full responsibility.</p>
<p>My question: do I still have a chance at medical school? Even a top one (probably a really idiot question, I'm sorry)? </p>
<p>well, to answer your question… YES you still have a shot at med school. the only thing you can do now is look ahead and see how you can improve (you already have a solid plan). it is no use looking back now. In 4 years you’ll come back to this thread and be like why did i get so scared??? just keep your head up and remember that once you reach the top, you’ll never question why you left.</p>
<p>Thank you! Just to add info., I’m retaking three classes (ones with the D’s) and going for A’s in all three to prove that I can handle the material. I KNOW I can! This will raise my first semester GPA.</p>
<p>Also, I’d like to get my GPA to a 3.7 by application time. I’m prepared to do whatever it takes, even if it means holding off on applying to med schools until after I graduate college to give me extra time to bring up my GPA. </p>
<p>Any more advice is greatly appreciated! Open to criticism!</p>
<p>If you’re goal next semester is to raise your GPA I highly recommend you do not repeat the classes you performed poorly in. Try taking electives or a class you’re interested in trying and stay away from the math and hard sciences until after you raise your GPA. You may even find a passion or talent in another field. </p>
<p>If you decide to stick with the premed track you can make those up over the summer or as you state even take a gap year or fifth year to fulfill requirements. </p>
<p>On a side note I hope you are doing OK over the break & will keep you in my prayers. Wishing you luck and health.</p>
<p>You’ve gotten great advice already and have a solid plan.</p>
<p>Is there someone at your college who is aware of your difficult living circumstances? A counselor? A special advisor for low SES students? The Dean of Students? If not, you might try identifying someone who may be able to provide/suggest assistance to help you find a more stable place to live. Or help you find a job/stable living situation for the up-coming summer. If there isn’t a special counselor for low SES students, I’d recommend reaching out to the Dean of Students. This is why he/she is there. </p>
<p>Your university’s academic support center will provide free individual or group tutoring for all your classes–be sure to add it to your list of as resources.</p>
<p>@Amazhon: Thank you! I hope to retake the classes much, much later (maybe one over this summer?). But for spring I’m going to take a history class (favorite subject) in addition to just one science class and something else I like. Thanks again for the advice! </p>
<p>@WayOutWestMom: No one really knows my circumstances, but I’ll take your advice! I’m also going to take full advantage of the tutoring resources available for spring semester. Boy, this semester’s thrown me for a loop. D: lol</p>
<p>crazypremedkid–I think as others have said that a big part of your problem was you overloaded your first semester. Taking calc, chem, and bio all at the same time is an incredible amount of labs, problem sets, etc. You should continue with your plan of taking only one or two of the really homework/lab heavy classes in a semester. </p>
<p>Also, take advantage of the free academic support. There are lots of benefits to going to a school like yours, you need to take advantage of them. Go ahead and sign up for tutoring in your core classes at the beginning of the semester. It will get you on the right track and it is better than getting behind and then trying to catch up.</p>
<p>My DS also found that there were lots of online videos of teachers from his school teaching the material. His calc teacher wasn’t the greatest, so he found videos of another professor who was really good and spent time watching those videos to help him understand the material. </p>
<p>There are also study groups that you can join. Doing problem sets together is a good way to get it finished (motivation), and help each other out if you get stuck. </p>
<p>Finally, don’t give up all your time with friends, etc. Everyone needs a break from the pressure and studying. Just find a good balance. </p>
<p>OP, I admire you for creating a list of changes you plan to make in future semesters. Those are all good, especially giving up on social media, a real time-suck. But, as VAMom mentioned, don’t give up on friends. You need a balance.</p>
<p>You also need to be realistic. Many freshman struggle their first semester. Trying to change everything, all at once, may be difficult. You may also find it very hard to consistently study AND have a job is just too much. </p>
<p>Don’t forget how time consuming it is to worry about your mom and her circumstances. It’s not an excuse to say your mom (and you) have a precarious living situation, but it would help to make college easier if it’s one less worry. You might want to deal with that one, as best you can, and then try to focus on schoolwork separately. It’s a heavy burden to try to do both simultaneously.</p>
<p>One last piece of advice: you might want to reconsider your major. You do not need to major in Bio to get into med school. If History is your favorite subject, maybe that’s the one to major in. Or take Public Health courses which could possibly combine history with current issues. Or take courses in some kind of Social Work or psychology. Generally, you don’t have to decide until second semester sophomore year, so take other courses that can broaden your horizons. You may always be someone who wants to help others, but you can do that in many fields.</p>
<p>@VAMom: Tutoring’s a great idea, especially for Chem, lol. And about the videos, I discovered many online that were far superior to my profs, but I found them too late. I’ve started reviewing, though, for next semester using utube!
I hope to find that balance, thank you! </p>
<p>@lima: Thank you! Ahhh, finding that balance will be especially hard, haha.
I would like to change my major, but I find that the reqs for a Bio major align really well with premed reqs. Changing to History would be switching college within my uni and I don’t think my GPA is high enough for that.
I’m definitely considering that, though. Taking a history class in the spring will help me decide I suppose. :D</p>
<p>Thanks again to all for the advice. haha At this point, my own adviser’s counted me out. I know this sounds crazy, but I’d like a 4.0 next semester (and the semesters after). I think I can do it. It’s the only way to bring up my GPA to where I can apply to my dream med schools. :/</p>
<p>I am going to repeat, if your goal is truly to raise your GPA, I highly recommend you do not take math or science next semester. Especially if you want to come anywhere near the 4.0 you mentioned. </p>
<p>You do not have the study skills required (right now) to get As in premed course work. Concentrate on building your study skills and GPA with a light load. </p>
<p>My reasoning is 1) if you don’t do well a second time your transcript is going to show a pattern of you not being able to handle premed work. 2) You’d have to take a class a 3rd time which would not look favorable to most med schools. 3) most likely you are going to be asked to leave the University at the end of the semester if you don’t raise your GPA above 2.0.</p>
<p>Take the easy route to protect your status and stay in school, THEN worry about med school. </p>
<p>I speak from experience. Like you I was accepted into an ivy. My sister went to college the following year, followed by my brother who went to Cornell. All 3 of us were in college at the same time. We had serious family issues and could not go home. I was premed, worked 3 jobs, and quickly burned out. So did my brother and sister. None of us graduated. Now many years later my daughter is a freshman on a premed track. </p>
<p>First thing I did was make sure she picked a school she could afford. I was laid off from a banking job and knew she shouldn’t rely on me. Didn’t overload first semester like I did . And I advised her not to work so she could concentrate on adjusting and her classes. Of course not having a work study job meant she had to get additional scholarships to pay for everything thing. </p>
<p>She got a 3.4. Not perfect, but a great start. You’re correct my academic advisor was no help to me, but there were people who were willing to help had I asked. You have to find those people and ask the right questions and not be embarrassed that home sucks right now. </p>
<p>I loved my parents but they weren’t in a position to help me and my siblings and due to my upbringing we kept our family situation private so I felt I couldn’t ask for help. </p>
<p>My life and my daughter’s life would have been very different if I had gotten that ivy degree with ANY major. That’s my soapbox. Sorry so long. You’re situation is so similar to mine and I want to see you successful. Feel free to PM me. I’m sure we’re all going to wonder how you faired when classes begin.</p>
<p>@amazhon: Thank you for the advice! I’m now on academic probation, but I’m confident I can improve my GPA to at least a 2.0. I’m definitely lightening my load for spring semester and I’m going to take a few humanities classes in order to boost my GPA.
I believe our situations are quite similar and I’m glad to find someone who understands me! It’s so very difficult to make it here. And what makes it so hard is I am NOT used to asking for help. I was pretty much raised to decline help from any and everyone. My mom and I have been burned countless times by many people in return for us seeking help. Even thinking about revealing to others that I’m now homeless fills me with complete dread, lol. My mother and I have been treated horribly due to us being poor and I just…I just can’t bring myself to trust people, affluent people especially. D: I suppose I need to rid myself of this apprehension.
And congratulations to your daughter! I hope I can have a great GPA in this coming semester myself.
Thank you for all of your help! I’ll keep you updated with my progress!</p>
<p>My mom was staying out of her car during my first semester in the same city at my school, but then it broke down so she was living with various people.</p>
<p>About two days ago we were able to secure an apartment (so happy!), so that’s great.</p>
<p>That’s great news premedkid. One less thing to stress over next semester. You can do this! Continue with your plan to take a lighter load (have you registered yet?) and make an appointment with your school’s first generation office, or the name of the program that assists students who have not had exposure to the college process. You may also want to consider reaching out to an African American dean or professor on your campus. I am thinking a male mentor might be a benefit to you as you work through this semester. If only to have someone to “check-in” with occasionally to see if you are on track with your plan. </p>
<p>By the way, rough first semesters happen to all types of students for all types of reasons. You are not alone, although it may feel like it sometimes. Get the support you need. The ivy clearly had confidence in you and now you have to build that confidence from within.</p>
<p>Thank you! I hope I can be successful!
I already received my letter stating that I’m on academic probation so I’ll have to meet with my advisor and other counselors a lot.
I’m definitely sticking with the lighter course load, and I have to get it approved by my advisor first. It might be best I find a female mentor, though because I’m a girl. Haha </p>
<p>I’m glad someone believes in me. My mother is just…I don’t think she’s there mentally. Just yesterday she went and put all kinds of services (internet, phone, etc.) in my name using my ssn when neither one of us has a job. She then calls me selfish when I don’t put more things in my name. Needless to say, I’m more than ready to go back to school. Being at home has made me more appreciative of my uni.</p>
<p>I think you can turn all of what is happening to you into an advantage. From what I hear, med schools love a good personal statement that stands out. Otherwise, keep improving.</p>
I’ve started reviewing, though, for next semester using utube! 
I hope I can have a great GPA in this coming semester myself.