Help PLEASE!!

[GC18]

Hi, I am a first year college student attending one of the most challenging universities in Louisiana, Xavier University of Louisiana. I am majoring in Biology Pre-Med and I want to attend Medical School after my undergraduate studies. I just finished my first semester in college and it was NOT easy for me at all. It is not that the work was hard, but being that it was my first semester being away from home I fell into that freshman mentality of wanting to party and I was not focused at all on my studies. I failed one of my Biology courses and an English Course. I also received 2 D's; one in a Biology Lab and a Chemistry course. In high school I was the "naturally" intelligent girl who honestly had to study for NOTHING. Made perfect scores on AP course work and now I feel like my entire life is over. Can retaking these courses Spring semester change anything? I have lost all hope. Going to Medical School has always been my dream and in one semester I honestly feel as though I have screwed everything up, but I am willing to cut out my entire social life to accomplish what I originally set out to do.I will go back to the old me and focus entirely on what I need to focus on. I just need assurance that this will not all be for nothing. Is there a way to turn things around? I NEED constructive criticism, but please don't be too rude. I feel like a failure enough as it is. If the truth is that Med school is out of the picture for me though, I would truly like to hear so.

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[jdh71]

Anyone have an over/under in how long before the OP is edited to a single "."

 

[MadRadLad]

Hi, I am a first year college student attending one of the most challenging universities in Louisiana, Xavier University of Louisiana. I am majoring in Biology Pre-Med and I want to attend Medical School after my undergraduate studies. I just finished my first semester in college and it was NOT easy for me at all. It is not that the work was hard, but being that it was my first semester being away from home I fell into that freshman mentality of wanting to party and I was not focused at all on my studies. I failed one of my Biology courses and an English Course. I also received 2 D's; one in a Biology Lab and a Chemistry course. In high school I was the "naturally" intelligent girl who honestly had to study for NOTHING. Made perfect scores on AP course work and now I feel like my entire life is over. Can retaking these courses Spring semester change anything? I have lost all hope. Going to Medical School has always been my dream and in one semester I honestly feel as though I have screwed everything up, but I am willing to cut out my entire social life to accomplish what I originally set out to do.I will go back to the old me and focus entirely on what I need to focus on. I just need assurance that this will not all be for nothing. Is there a way to turn things around? I NEED constructive criticism, but please don't be too rude. I feel like a failure enough as it is. If the truth is that Med school is out of the picture for me though, I would truly like to hear so.

This belongs in Pre-Allo.

 

[l.ant.md]

I'm a junior premed at Xavier, PM me

 

[Smurfette]

This belongs in Pre-Allo.

I agree. Moving.

 

[Goro]

Welcome to college. Your story is not unique. Fortunately, there is plenty of time to turn things around.

Seek out your school's learning or education specialists and get help with your learning style, time mgt, test taking skills etc.

And yes, retake these courses that you did poorly in.

Hi, I am a first year college student attending one of the most challenging universities in Louisiana, Xavier University of Louisiana. I am majoring in Biology Pre-Med and I want to attend Medical School after my undergraduate studies. I just finished my first semester in college and it was NOT easy for me at all. It is not that the work was hard, but being that it was my first semester being away from home I fell into that freshman mentality of wanting to party and I was not focused at all on my studies. I failed one of my Biology courses and an English Course. I also received 2 D's; one in a Biology Lab and a Chemistry course. In high school I was the "naturally" intelligent girl who honestly had to study for NOTHING. Made perfect scores on AP course work and now I feel like my entire life is over. Can retaking these courses Spring semester change anything? I have lost all hope. Going to Medical School has always been my dream and in one semester I honestly feel as though I have screwed everything up, but I am willing to cut out my entire social life to accomplish what I originally set out to do.I will go back to the old me and focus entirely on what I need to focus on. I just need assurance that this will not all be for nothing. Is there a way to turn things around? I NEED constructive criticism, but please don't be too rude. I feel like a failure enough as it is. If the truth is that Med school is out of the picture for me though, I would truly like to hear so.

 

[bluejay456]

Don't get discouraged. While you may have flopped a little harder than most, you can still turn it around. Just reprioritize a little and get some outside academic help (office hours, talk to TAs, tutors, etc). And don't go to the other extreme and completely cut out anything social. University is tough and we need a place to vent and have fun every once in a while. It's a long 4 years if you're not having any fun at all

 

[optimistic3]

This happens to a bunch of freshman who excelled in high school without having to work that hard who then struggle with actually having to work hard in college. I was also one of those people. You have to learn to study hard. Seek help from the different resources at your school plus your professors and TA's. Take advantage of office hours when you have questions.

You've only had one semester. You can still turn this around. Good luck.

 

[ski89]

@GC18

It's certainly not over, not even close. But you have a lot of maturing to do. You also don't need to abandon your social life, in fact you absolutely should not. Letting off some steam at a party is perfectly fine, just be smart and make better decisions (don't get waisted, don't party at irresponsible times like near a test, don't use drugs, basically have some self respect and integrity).

Turn things around next semester. If you can do that then this experience can be something you can reflect on and explain how you grew as a person and a professional as a result.

Sent from my iPhone, please excuse any errors.

 

[GavinThePremed]

Hi, I am a first year college student attending one of the most challenging universities in Louisiana, Xavier University of Louisiana. I am majoring in Biology Pre-Med and I want to attend Medical School after my undergraduate studies. I just finished my first semester in college and it was NOT easy for me at all. It is not that the work was hard, but being that it was my first semester being away from home I fell into that freshman mentality of wanting to party and I was not focused at all on my studies. I failed one of my Biology courses and an English Course. I also received 2 D's; one in a Biology Lab and a Chemistry course. In high school I was the "naturally" intelligent girl who honestly had to study for NOTHING. Made perfect scores on AP course work and now I feel like my entire life is over. Can retaking these courses Spring semester change anything? I have lost all hope. Going to Medical School has always been my dream and in one semester I honestly feel as though I have screwed everything up, but I am willing to cut out my entire social life to accomplish what I originally set out to do.I will go back to the old me and focus entirely on what I need to focus on. I just need assurance that this will not all be for nothing. Is there a way to turn things around? I NEED constructive criticism, but please don't be too rude. I feel like a failure enough as it is. If the truth is that Med school is out of the picture for me though, I would truly like to hear so.

Hi! I'll offer you some unorthodox advice. A friend of mine really suffered in her classes first semester (which is NOT a big deal, relax, you have plenty of time to make up for it). She decided it's difficult for her to take lots of upper level classes at once and that she didn't really like her major, Chemistry. So, she changed her major to history while taking her premed courses. I wouldn't say that the history courses were easier (though some might), but she just had genuine interest, which allowed her to give more time to all of her classes. She's an applicant this semester with a 3.8 cGPA.

Other SDNers might not agree with me recommending a major change, but you're young, reevaluate your passions, set yourself up for as much success as you possibly can.

 

[GC18]

Hi! I'll offer you some unorthodox advice. A friend of mine really suffered in her classes first semester (which is NOT a big deal, relax, you have plenty of time to make up for it). She decided it's difficult for her to take lots of upper level classes at once and that she didn't really like her major, Chemistry. So, she changed her major to history while taking her premed courses. I wouldn't say that the history courses were easier (though some might), but she just had genuine interest, which allowed her to give more time to all of her classes. She's an applicant this semester with a 3.8 cGPA.

Other SDNers might not agree with me recommending a major change, but you're young, reevaluate your passions, set yourself up for as much success as you possibly can.

Thank you very much! I really appreciate this. I have thought about changing my major to Chemistry instead of Biology. Although I was not fully focused as I should have been I did find myself more interested in my Chemistry courses than any other courses I took, I have a real love for math and it helped me a great deal with my Chemistry. Thanks again for your advice!

 

[GC18]

@GC18

It's certainly not over, not even close. But you have a lot of maturing to do. You also don't need to abandon your social life, in fact you absolutely should not. Letting off some steam at a party is perfectly fine, just be smart and make better decisions (don't get waisted, don't party at irresponsible times like near a test, don't use drugs, basically have some self respect and integrity).

Turn things around next semester. If you can do that then this experience can be something you can reflect on and explain how you grew as a person and a professional as a result.

Sent from my iPhone, please excuse any errors.

Self Integrity and respect is a must! I do greatly appreciate this advice and I will take this and utilize it. Thanks for the encouraging words. Honestly means more than you would ever know!

 

[GC18]

This happens to a bunch of freshman who excelled in high school without having to work that hard who then struggle with actually having to work hard in college. I was also one of those people. You have to learn to study hard. Seek help from the different resources at your school plus your professors and TA's. Take advantage of office hours when you have questions.

You've only had one semester. You can still turn this around. Good luck.

Thank you!! I WILL TURN THIS AROUND! I appreciate the advice and hearing that it is not too late really encourages me to push harder!

 

[GC18]

Don't get discouraged. While you may have flopped a little harder than most, you can still turn it around. Just reprioritize a little and get some outside academic help (office hours, talk to TAs, tutors, etc). And don't go to the other extreme and completely cut out anything social. University is tough and we need a place to vent and have fun every once in a while. It's a long 4 years if you're not having any fun at all

I will definitely seek the outside help faithfully and thanks for that advice. I won't completely cut out my outlet but I will learn how to prioritize more responsibly.

 

[GC18]

Welcome to college. Your story is not unique. Fortunately, there is plenty of time to turn things around.

Seek out your school's learning or education specialists and get help with your learning style, time mgt, test taking skills etc.

And yes, retake these courses that you did poorly in.

Most definitely. I've already scheduled to retake the classes I performed horrible in. The classes I did so poor in were not challenging enough for me to do as poorly as I did. A second chance will help me turn those careless efforts around. I will seek the help that I need and I thank you for the encouraging words. With all the time I have left I will work my hardest to contain the most knowledge possible.

 

[lazyindy]

Hi! I'll offer you some unorthodox advice. A friend of mine really suffered in her classes first semester (which is NOT a big deal, relax, you have plenty of time to make up for it). She decided it's difficult for her to take lots of upper level classes at once and that she didn't really like her major, Chemistry. So, she changed her major to history while taking her premed courses. I wouldn't say that the history courses were easier (though some might), but she just had genuine interest, which allowed her to give more time to all of her classes. She's an applicant this semester with a 3.8 cGPA.

Other SDNers might not agree with me recommending a major change, but you're young, reevaluate your passions, set yourself up for as much success as you possibly can.

Oh cmon, don't you think most adcoms see right through this strategy? perhaps @Goro can shed more insight. But I would be very skeptical of a history/basket-weaving major taking only the minimum set of required pre-med courses with absolutely NO upper division science classes on his/her transcript.

I can understand taking a few easy classes here and there but this is just straight up GPA padding. Hopefully the MCAT can expose someone gaming the system but then again medical school itself is the ultimate filter in the end. I graduated with a 3.4-3.5 gpa as a biochem major taking mostly hard courses because I found them challenging and interesting and my MCAT score shows my commitment.

 

[Conflagration]

Xaiver University, eh? You all have a page managed by a professor there that really helped with my history of statistics project.

Well, OP, if you like math, why not be a math major? (Join the club!)

I'm a Math major myself, and I did a lot of recovery after my first semester (I was a Biochemistry major who had Orgo I that first semester because of all my AP credit). I'm looking at a 3.4 for my cycle. You can come back from this!

I will warn you, though. Some of the upper-level math classes are very complex- so it's certainly not going to be a picnic. But if you like it, why not?

And, @lazyindy, I think that an adcom would use the MCAT as the "great equalizer". Have a 3.9+ GPA but a 20 MCAT? That won't be pretty. But, if you have a 3.3-3.4 and pull a 35+ on the MCAT, you know your stuff.

 

[Goro]

We don't care about majors or minors, only that applicants do well in them. People who can demonstrate that they can handle a rigorous curriculum always get a leg up in this process.

Oh cmon, don't you think most adcoms see right through this strategy? perhaps @Goro can shed more insight. But I would be very skeptical of a history/basket-weaving major taking only the minimum set of required pre-med courses with absolutely NO upper division science classes on his/her transcript.

I can understand taking a few easy classes here and there but this is just straight up GPA padding. Hopefully the MCAT can expose someone gaming the system but then again medical school itself is the ultimate filter in the end. I graduated with a 3.4-3.5 gpa as a biochem major taking mostly hard courses because I found them challenging and interesting and my MCAT score shows my commitment.

 

[GavinThePremed]

Oh cmon, don't you think most adcoms see right through this strategy? perhaps @Goro can shed more insight. But I would be very skeptical of a history/basket-weaving major taking only the minimum set of required pre-med courses with absolutely NO upper division science classes on his/her transcript.

I can understand taking a few easy classes here and there but this is just straight up GPA padding. Hopefully the MCAT can expose someone gaming the system but then again medical school itself is the ultimate filter in the end. I graduated with a 3.4-3.5 gpa as a biochem major taking mostly hard courses because I found them challenging and interesting and my MCAT score shows my commitment.

Why do you have to major in science if you're not interested in it? Your major doesn't matter.

 

[joe_schmoe_64]

In my experience, Goro has it spot-on. If you're in a field you can excel in, and that will give you unique experience and a fresh PoV, it can only benefit you, well over failing and drudging through a major you're not passionate about.There are benefits to bringing a different major to the table, just exploit the different opportunities your road gives you, do well and it will be counted as a W when you show maturity in discussing it in the interview. Don't let up, it's a long road, but it's worth it all when you get that acceptance!

 

[lazyindy]

Why do you have to major in science if you're not interested in it? Your major doesn't matter.

not interested in science? have fun in med school...