<p>Can you repeat courses, such that the grades are replaced?</p>
<p>Personally, if I was in your situation I would drop out of the college and begin taking courses at a CC and then transfering to a different University. You have already put yourself in a deep hole so it would be best if you started fresh somewhere else. </p>
<p>However if this is not an option, did you have a lot of AP credits? Maybe taking Calc 1,2,3 will be easy for you at the University if you previously have recieved credit from highschool and will be a good way of boosting your GPA.</p>
<p>No, you’re not screwed. I graduated with a low GPA but my senior year was a 3.5 - that is what got recruiters interested. Your performance in your core classes are the most important.</p>
<p>Some things that helped me turn it around:
Work fresh- Go to bed early, get up early, try to get all your work done before dinner. A tired mind is a distractable one. Go to the library to do your work, but, if possible, leave the laptop and phone in the room.</p>
<p>Work ahead - You need to get to lectures already knowing what will be covered. Playing catch-up on engineering topics is nearly impossible.</p>
<p>Work in groups - Engineers tend to try to solve everything in a solitary environment. Studying can be much more efficient working together with others.</p>
<p>Drop the distractions - A hockey game at 11pm does not help you do well in your 8am classes.</p>
<p>What you have to realize is that most engineering jobs are 90% tedious work, and GPA is a reflection of how you will handle these day to day tasks. Work to improve it, but stop obsessing. We working engineers understand that many young students are initially shocked by the engineering school work load. It’s how you respond in the end that matters most.</p>
<p>Maybe your aptitude is not for engineering? Google Johnson O’connor aptitude testing center. Many people who were frustrated in their job or majors found it helpful.</p>
<p>I’ll be blunt and this is my opinion. It was your freshman year. Who cares?
You likely haven’t taken any upper level courses to prove your worth. Concentrate on those. </p>
<p>And your username “4everalone” worries me bro.</p>
<p>^ But “pyroknife” doesn’t worry you? LOL</p>
<p>“You guys say join clubs/programs in my group related to my major? Like what? A “society” type thing, or one that does projects like a robotics club or something? I don’t feel like I qualify for the latter.”</p>
<p>I beg to differ. Don’t site yourself as “not qualified” for something. I’ll tell you a short story. I enjoyed writing, but never thought I would be any good at it. I wrote all the time so my writing levels were always improving. One day I decided to get into the university newspaper and you know what, the head editors ended up loving my work and thought it was unique. I put myself down without opinion from others. </p>
<p>From the newspaper, I also learned other important things like in an interview for an article. I asked something along the lines of “What are some of the qualities you look for in recruiting a person?” Now these weren’t clubs that the average person would get into, but the answer surprised me. The answer was simply “enthusiasm.” You don’t have to be super smart because they understand that you aren’t going to know everything right away. Don’t let yourself sap away your own potential. </p>
<p>As for your GPA and how you’re doing now, this should be a good wake up call for yourself. First off I’ll tell you this, you’re gonna have to change your style. Most high schools, it’s not hard to get into the top of the class. I was in the top of my class, but coming into college, I realized quickly that I was going to have to put a lot more effort in. That’s what you need to realize. Go the extra mile and get things done early. Get help when you need it. I strongly suggest finding people to study and do homework in because sometimes they can catch mistakes you never saw. Those are just a few tips that really helped me this semester. </p>
<p>You’re only entering sophomore year, you haven’t started the real core of your engineering discipline. Once you enter the core, that’s when it really starts mattering. Like someone commented here, doing well your senior year and ending with a high GPA there is considered a lot better than your other gpa’s b/c you understood the core concepts very well. </p>
<p>Just remember to tell yourself, go big or go home.</p>