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SleepingPillow said:
Hello,

So I just finished freshman year, first semester with a 3.15, and this semester will probably be even lower with a C/C+ in bio. After last semester, I knew I had to work harder. And I did. I used to never stay in the library past 5, but this semester I am in there almost every day, and before exams I am there 12-14 hours a day just studying (though at 2/3 efficiency probably). Still, I struggled this semester with chem, chem lab, bio, basically all the science stuff.
My advisor told me 3.15 is pretty respectable here, even for premed. Said that a 3.3 from here is still pretty successful for getting into med school. I dont know. I went to a normal public high school with easy grading, so coming to college was tough, especially when every single one of my friends went to top private prep schools or magnet schools, I found it hard to compete even though it seems like they just don't need to study that much and still get A's and just few B's. Hard to not compare myself to them. Then there's next semester with orgo, known as the hardest class here with insane tests...

Anyone with any inspiring suggestions/personal experiences that might help a despairing freshman? I still want to go to med school and still plan on continuing.
Click to expand...
I had a 3.3 as a freshman. After learning the optimal study style for college and picking a major I cared about my grades went up.

By junior year I pulled off a 4.0 and I got a 4.0 every semester after that until I graduated (I even took a 5th year)

It's all about finding what works for you.

Maybe I just didn't care enough to learn the material freshman year, maybe I matured. Mostly I just came to the realization I actually had to learn the material and not memorize.

Graduated with a 3.84 and was accepted this cycle as a first time applicant. Keep the faith kid, you'll be good.
 
Have you visited the student support office ? They might be able to help you figure out why you are having a hard time and help you study smarter. Do it as soon as the semester is over because despite what your advisor said, 3.3 isn't really competitive for medical school. Maybe some low tier DO but no MD schools. And it would seem that your sGPA is even lower. Is that correct? You really have to figure out your studying issues because you need a complete turn around in September. You also shouldn't be spending all that time in the library especially since you are only being 2/3 efficient. Starting soon you'll need to start your ECs etc.. You have to get yourself together now. Good luck!


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SleepingPillow said:
Hello,

So I just finished freshman year, first semester with a 3.15, and this semester will probably be even lower with a C/C+ in bio. After last semester, I knew I had to work harder. And I did. I used to never stay in the library past 5, but this semester I am in there almost every day, and before exams I am there 12-14 hours a day just studying (though at 2/3 efficiency probably). Still, I struggled this semester with chem, chem lab, bio, basically all the science stuff.
My advisor told me 3.15 is pretty respectable here, even for premed. Said that a 3.3 from here is still pretty successful for getting into med school. I dont know. I went to a normal public high school with easy grading, so coming to college was tough, especially when every single one of my friends went to top private prep schools or magnet schools, I found it hard to compete even though it seems like they just don't need to study that much and still get A's and just few B's. Hard to not compare myself to them. Then there's next semester with orgo, known as the hardest class here with insane tests...

Anyone with any inspiring suggestions/personal experiences that might help a despairing freshman? I still want to go to med school and still plan on continuing.
Click to expand...
I've found this to be a great overview:


You need to improve your grades, but you have plenty of time to do it. If you wind up having to take more time than your peers getting to med school, just remember that you were probably going to get that old anyways.
 
RogueBanana said:
I had a 3.3 as a freshman. After learning the optimal study style for college and picking a major I cared about my grades went up.

By junior year I pulled off a 4.0 and I got a 4.0 every semester after that until I graduated (I even took a 5th year)

It's all about finding what works for you.

Maybe I just didn't care enough to learn the material freshman year, maybe I matured. Mostly I just came to the realization I actually had to learn the material and not memorize.

Graduated with a 3.84 and was accepted this cycle as a first time applicant. Keep the faith kid, you'll be good.
Click to expand...
Not OP but this response made me feel better about losing my 3.7/3.95 to something muuuuch worse soon because of a bad semester. Thank you.
 
I had a 3.3 and a 3.5 the second and first terms of my senior year and I was admitted this cycle - it looks even better if that low
year is in the front end. You still have plenty of hope OP,
But you do need to figure out your study style.


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