Finishing First Semester of College with 2.67

[blacksugar]

Hello,

I've started to attend UofT this fall and suffice to say, I've completely killed myself in the first semester of school. Moving 4000km away from home alone, along with courses I thought I did well in (but clearly didn't) ended up ruining me this first semester. I didn't get a single A in any of my four courses (biology, calculus, bioethics, east asian studies) and I'm already starting to freak out for next semester. My high school did not offer AP courses except the two english courses and compsci (which I didn't take). Four of my classes in my senior year of high school were replaced with substitute teachers because the actual teachers were on maternity leave/accident/sickness/quit and the subs were replaced every few months or so and they were not good. None of the things they taught us really applied in university either except calculus. This GPA was my fault for sure but I do feel a lot of resentment to my high school because none of the 'things you should know' the professors talked about was ever applicable to me while my other friends said they learned all of it in high school. I also know my other high school friends who came to this university with me are also struggling a lot to try and catch up.

On an unrelated side note, I also did take physics but ended up dropping it. Class average was in the 40's and even with the curve I failed.

For now I'm thinking of just continuing first year and if i can get into a medical radiation sciences program I won't go to medical school and just get that degree (but I also heard it's hard to find a job for radiation therapists these days so I may have to try applying to med school if push comes to shove). If all else fails and I can't even get into the major I want, I'll switch to a East Asian Studies/International Relations double major and maybe find some other path in my life.

I've been wanting to be a doctor before I even entered elementary school and it breaks my heart to think about giving up this dream but I think I have to learn to be realistic.

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[SailorMD]

A few things:

1) You're in your first semester, a bad semester is not the end all be all. Let it be your ONLY bad semester.
2) This is part of growing up. You were good enough to get into University despite not having AP course. Own up to your part. High School is finished--you can't use it as an excuse. That being said, did you really use all of your resources available at your school to catch up?
3) NONE of the adcoms are going to regard your high school experience when looking at your college grades, so you need to step it up.

That being said--you are in college now. Unfortunately you won't be spoon fed, and you will be expected to pick up a lot of information very quickly. You should find out your learning strategy and use it. If you need a tutor, get one. Luckily, Medical Schools are open to diverse education backgrounds, BUT you must still succeed in Science to succeed in school. Next semester, step it up.



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[stickgirl390]

I'm sorry to hear about your high school experience. I'm a high school chemistry teacher, hoping to attend medical school next year.

High school is less about teaching content, and more about teaching self discipline and learning techniques. You probably are not "missing" any knowledge about math/science. Rather you should seek help in areas like time management and study habits.

See if your university has a tutoring or student success center. These offices can help with more than just tutoring; they have excellent resources for students who struggle adapting to the college lifestyle.

Good luck and keep pushing forward! I don't think it's early enough for you to change your goals. You can still get into medical school if you make the right changes.

 

[studpremed]

I had a 2.3 gpa after my first semester. I'm sitting at a 3.6 gpa now and a lot of other people have started lower and climbed higher than me. Not amazing but it took a lot of work and introspection to find out what works best for me. Take it slow. The gpa can still be saved but make sure you figure out how to study. Expect to take classes every semester (winter and summer) to bring that gpa up but as long as you persevere you'll be fine.

 

[Fluffy123]

Began with a 2.8 after the first year and ended with a 3.4x, it could have been higher but I liked video games a little too much lol It is possible to raise your GPA but I will give some studying advice (what I did). M-F all you are doing is class/labs/studying/gym (running can be very therapeutic and so can weightlifting but weightlifting has it's own risk if you have bad form). That is ALL you do. Your weekends are yours unless you have an exam.

Again, this is what I did, this may not work for you. The important thing is you find what does work for you and stick with it.

 

[camtheram1815]

After my first semester in college I had a 2.5 GPA and I straight up failed my first two tests. Was recently accepted to medical school! You have a bit of an uphill battle. You're going have to work hard at it, but if I can do it, so can you! Hang in there, if it's truly your dream, don't let a bump in the road hold you back.