Trouble in math and science

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>I'm a high school sophomore. I don't really know why, but I have the damndest time getting a decent grade in chemistry. I'm a little better at math, but chemistry...I just can't do it. </p>

<p>My grades so far:
Honors Chemistry: 100% ---> 78% now because I got a 71% on a test.
Honors Spanish II: 98%
Honors World History: 102%
Honors English II: 98%
Religion (required): 102%
Geometry: 93% ---> 88% because I got B-'s on a couple of quizzes.</p>

<p>I am so much better at retaining information that I read, writing, and linguistics than computing numbers and equations. I'm also musically inclined, as I could play the works of Bach, Chopin, and the likes very well within a matter of weeks, and I taught myself to play the guitar (fingerstyle) at a level comparable to that of Antoine Dufour and Craig D'Andrea within a matter of months. So I do have talents and all that, it's just that I fall short in math and science. </p>

<p>I mean I would have straight A's if it weren't for math and science. It's feasible to get an A in math, but I just don't think it's possible to get an A in Chem. I can study my ass off and get like a B+ on a test or quiz or something in that class, and an A- in math, but I never have to study at all for any other class and get extremely high A's on everything. </p>

<p>One of the problems is the fact that everyone finishes before me, and I feel very rushed and can't think straight, or I'd probably get a higher score. My fellow Chemistry classmates just seem to catch on quickly, whereas I really don't. I catch on extremely fast in other classes, but Chemistry in particular...I struggle a lot. When I read the textbook, I have a trouble understanding it when it talks about what's going on with particles and all that, primarily because I'm trying to I don't know, "visualize" it in my head, but my mind just doesn't want to do that. I also find the topic very boring, so my concentration doesn't last as long as it would on say a poem by Wordsworth that I'm asked to analyze. The information just doesn't stick. </p>

<p>Why is this, and what do you think I should do about it? I'm concerned because I know that the schools that I'm aiming for seem to frown upon students that struggle in math/science, and that I know that I'll be competing against USAMO's, Physics Olympiads, and people like that.
I mean, will my math and science grades really affect me that much if my intended major is English Literature? </p>

<p>I'm thinking about applying to the following:
The City University of New York (City College/Hunter)
The University of Pennsylvania
Stony Brook University
Cornell ED</p>

2

<p>Thanks guys. You’re all so helpful.</p>

3

<p>I don’t know why, but geometry seems to be a big gpa killer for many students. I think it is because that you have never encounter math like geometry before, where there are very little calculation and more words. Some people just can’t adjust as quickly. Do more problems in your book to familiarize yourself with geometry. For science, well, I can’t help you since I am a freshman and I haven’t taken chem yet. (I took geometry last year).
When you see people turn in their test before you, don’t panic. I am always the last person to turn in my test and I have the highest grade. I seem to make a lot of mistakes the first time, so I really need to check at least two times. Some people even beg me to turn in my test because they want to talk. Just don’t worry about people who turn in before you.</p>