Freshman year ended badly? Any advice and tips?

[TheLeadSeed]

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Hey guys, freshman year just ended for me, and it definitely could have gone better. I'm currently a biology major. Here are my grades from first and second semester:

1st (18 credits completed): I commuted from home. (40 minute drive)

Bio I: A-
Chem I: B
Chem lab: A
Hon. Engl.: A
Cal I: A-
Philosophy: A

Cumulative: 3.687

2nd (only 6 credits completed): I moved on campus this semester.

Hon. Art: A
Bio II: W
Chem II: Audit
Chem lab: F
Speech: A
Fresh. Seminar on Women Immigration: W

Semester: 3.429
Current Cumulative: 3.614

As you can see, I hit a slippery slope this past semester. Even though my current GPA concerns me, what concerns me even more is the 2 W's, the Audit, and the F that happened. To be honest, I did not manage my time and honestly got lazy and had no concern. I deeply deeply regret it. I know that I can, and will do better.

I'll be retaking the classes next semester/year and am looking at a 18 credit semester.

Extracurricular wise, I am very invovled: SGA Senator, Student Ambassador, Honors College Orientation Advisor, Founding Father of a fraternity.

I just need some advice, tips, and just comfort to know that it is still possible to do well and reach my ultimate goal of medical school. I just needed to vent some stress as well. Any advice that you guys have about my grades, my future, what to fix, how to think, what to do, and just any wise words of wisdom would help out.

Sorry for the long post, and thanks guys.

 

[ace12345]

Relax, enjoy summer. Do something productive.

You just finished freshman year. This is a blip on the radar, if it even makes it onto anyone's radar at all. Do well for the next three years and it will appear to everyone in every industry as nothing.

Of course, you DO need to do well now, or it will appear to everyone.

 

[SilverCat]

It looks like moving on campus really affected your grades. What happened-- did you get stressed, or just start partying more? You'll have to change somethng here, or just move back home if it doesn't look like it will work out.

The courses with the F and W are prereqs for med school, which is troubling; did you seek help in those courses from professors, classmates, on -campus tutoring? You'll have to retake Bio and Chem, and change your study habits to prevent future GPA damage. I know that our school had a program which would set freshman and sophomores up with upper classmen who would help them arrange their study schedules, and give useful tips for classes. I would look to see if your school provides this service.

I wouldn't worry too, too much-- you are a freshman and have lots of time to turn things around. Just make sure that grades like these don't become a pattern.

 

[TheLeadSeed]

Yeah, moving on campus really got me distracted. I was always all over the place, delving into my extracurriculars and socializing. I have a lot of resources on campus that can me out. I'm in a science program that guides students, and I have access to tutoring. I'm living on campus again next year, and i'll give it another shot. I know that I will do better this time, and I will make sure that something like this doesn't happen again. I know classes get harder as I move up, but I will give it all I got. Have a good summer everyone!

 

[SilverCat]

get a couple publications during the summer in curing cancer and you should be set. Grades dont matter as much as people think

You wish.

 

[TheLeadSeed]

get a couple publications during the summer in curing cancer and you should be set. Grades dont matter as much as people think

Yeah that was already on my to do list, let me just finish building this spaceship I'm currently working on in my backyard.

 

[neuronerd24]

Just plan better for the upcoming semesters! I had a ****ty freshman year too, but my GPA trend kept going up and now I have a respectable GPA to apply to medical school this year.

Also, maybe spread out your premed courses a little bit more... It looks like your schedules may be too difficult/time consuming!

 

[shenellica]

You're good. Just keep your head up and stay focused from now on!

 

[TheLeadSeed]

Thanks everyone!

 

[kevinc2]

Fortunately, your gpa is fine/isn't too damaged. Just retake bio II and chem lab. By the time you get to the end of the junior year, you will have enough number of credits (hopefully good grades) to raise your gpa and whatever one bad grade you got should be "diluted" enough to the point where it will barely have any effect on cumulative gpa.