Bad Chem Grade...

[puregrace]

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Here's my semester grades... my gpa is a 3.09


General Chem C-
Chem Lab B
Eng A-
Speech B-
Anthro A
Freshman Seminar A

This is my first semester in college, I'm knocking off prerequisites for UH Hilo (it's in hawaii). My grade was a C before the final...

I feel so stupid. All of my friends are moving on to gen chem II while im stuck at I.

I'll retake it again this semester i guess and then take the chem II over summer... i just hope they offer it here.

Got any suggestions and insight about science classes in college?

 

[SoccerCoach10]

Reread your notes from the day's lecture later at night.

Study little by little throughout the semester...Don't cram for exams.

Get a tutor if needed.

 

[Pharmcdc]

Here's my semester grades... my gpa is a 3.09


General Chem C-
Chem Lab B
Eng A-
Speech B-
Anthro A
Freshman Seminar A

This is my first semester in college, I'm knocking off prerequisites for UH Hilo (it's in hawaii). My grade was a C before the final...

I feel so stupid. All of my friends are moving on to gen chem II while im stuck at I.

I'll retake it again this semester i guess and then take the chem II over summer... i just hope they offer it here.

Got any suggestions and insight about science classes in college?

Dont feel bad, all is not lost! This was your first semester and you have plenty of time to get your gpa up.

First determine why you stuggled. If it was due to comprehension/understanding then dont go to chem II, however, I would caution you about taking I & II over the summer. This can be even more difficult.

If your struggle was due to study habits, or not spending enough time on the material then this can be adjusted/corrected. Part of undergrad is developing the study system that works for you.

Whatever the case may be, when you see things not going as smoothly as you would like, go talk to your instructor immediately! This is often over stated but underappreciated. Your instructor(considering that you have a good one) can be invalubale with helping you not only understand the material, but also with shaping how you study. The key is trying as hard as you can, and getting help sooner not later( i.e. before you bomb a test, not after) Talk to classmates who are good with the material and are willing to help you(thses two dont always go together). As the previous poster stated, get a tutor if needed. I got an A in chem II, and then a C in chem II and I was worried about moving on to Organic. I moved forward with a new found motivation and focus( called fear!) I studied harder and asked any and every question I had and did very well in organic. I retook chem II and got an A🙂

Sorry for the long post, but the main thing is to do what you feel comfortable with, and what you know you can handle. Dont let this shake your confidence. Use this as motivation. Chemistry is not a huge focus in pharmacy school, you can love pharmcay and not like chemistry. However, acid/base knowledge is something you must have. Make Henderson Hasselbalch your friend! You will be fine.

 

[Knickerbocker]

In addition to rereading your notes, rewrite them in a concise, logical manner. The notes you take probably aren't optimal, especially if your lecturer flies through the material and/or makes a lot of mistakes. Sometimes typing them works; sometimes you might want to organize a separate notebook or journal (great for organic reactions).

Not only does rewriting serve as a refresher, it also makes studying faster and easier.

 

[CaliCPhT]

Rereading and rewriting notes is a great way to study. Use your professor's office hours to go and ask questions about concepts you don't have full grasp of (preferably more than a week before the final - not much they can do then!). Also, read the book and do the problems at the end of the chapter. this will enhance your understanding of the material more than you could imagine! This will be most helpful when you start taking the Organic Chems! Keep your chin up and don't discouraged. Most everyone hits a bump in the road at some point or another!

 

[esrodems]

I did very well in inorganic chem and came in without any science background at all and I found that just doing the homework problems and understanding them really helped me on the tests. I always bought the solutions manual and was diligent about doing my homework every week and not waiting til the night before the test. This helped me to get an A in inorganic I & II besides you need to develop good study habits for when you take organic because you cannot cram with that course.

 

[stardustmemory]

OP: Check out my thread near the top of the page titled "College grades"

I'm pretty much in the exact same position you are (C- in first quarter chem). Some of the advice there might help you as well.