<p>I took both Organic Chemistry courses during the summer. I got a B in the first part and a D+ in the second part. Due to external issues, (the lack of a car and having to use the Greyhound to commute to class and family issues) I wasn't able to do as well as I did in the first part. I was already registered to take Biochemistry I in the fall but the professor of the course, who happens to be my adviser, emailed me stating that I should drop Biochemistry I. This is my last year of college and the class is offered only in the fall and this pushes me back another year since I am majoring in Biochemistry and I am required to take Biochemistry II as well in order to graduate. I fully understand the material in Organic and could have done better but I can't control when things randomly go wrong. What should I do since I can't afford to be put back a year? I intend to retake Organic II in the spring semester.</p>
<p>Have you talked to your professor/adviser in person? If you did poorly simply for “external” reasons (e.g. you missed an exam because the bus was delayed) but you actually know the material, your professor will probably let you into the class if you explain the situation. If that D+ reflects your understanding of the material, maybe you really are not ready for biochemistry yet. Maybe your professor will give you a chance to prove yourself and let you into the course on a trial basis. </p>
<p>Take a deep breath and realize that the world is not going to end regardless of how this plays out. If it turns out that you cannot take biochemistry this fall, there are a couple of solutions to consider:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Can you take biochemistry next summer at a different university and transfer the credits back to your current institution? Then you’d get your degree at the end of the summer. A few months later but not the end of the world.</p></li>
<li><p>Can you change your major to something related that does not require biochemistry, like biology or chemistry? If you’ve already taken a lot of courses in one of those areas, you might be able to finish the major in one year. </p></li>
<li><p>If that doesn’t work, the best solution might be to take biochemistry a year later. That does not mean that you need to pay full-time tuition for another year. You could work a full-time job while taking this one class. Or you could take a gap year now, re-take organic chemistry next spring and then go back to school full-time to finish your degree.</p></li>
</ul>