GPA

[Lifeblood_20]

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I'm a freshman and I'm getting good grades but it's been very consuming (I took Orgo 1 last semester and am currently taking 2, along with jobs, clubs, volunteering) -- I feel like GPA only goes down as students advance into tougher classes/have more responsibilities. Any suggestions as to how to keep it up?

 

[Frogger27]

I'm a freshman and I'm getting really grades but it's been very consuming (I took Orgo 1 last semester and am currently taking 2, along with jobs, clubs, volunteering) -- I feel like GPA only goes down as students advance into tougher classes/have more responsibilities. Any suggestions as to how to keep it up?

A U trend in grades is fairly common with the sophomore year physics and ochem being thrown in there; however, you want an upward trend (or high grades) in your upper level classes as you prepare for Med school. just work as hard as you can.. seek help when you need it

 

[Lifeblood_20]

A U trend in grades is fairly common with the sophomore year physics and ochem being thrown in there; however, you want an upward trend (or high grades) in your upper level classes as you prepare for Med school. just work as hard as you can.. seek help when you need it

Thanks, I didn't know that the U trend was common. I know upward trends are great but if I started high I can only go lower... haha.

 

[Frogger27]

Thanks, I didn't know that the U trend was common. I know upward trends are great but if I started high I can only go lower... haha.

Only worry about what is in your control, and that is doing your best. If you're a 3.8 student but end up getting a 3.4 sophomore year, your life isn't over.. just keep working hard!

Disclaimer: This is coming from someone who had a 3.2 fresh/Soph and a 3.8 junio/senior

 

[Saifa]

Did you completely test out of general chemistry?

 

[Lifeblood_20]

Did you completely test out of general chemistry?

Only gen chem 1. My school does gen chem 1 -> orgo 1 & 2 -> gen chem 2

 

[mwsapphire]

*sigh* I almost used my ap credit for gen chem, so I can go straight to orgo but I was advised not to ( some schools dont take AP credit).

 

[cactusman]

*sigh* I almost used my ap credit for orgo but I was advised not to ( some schools dont take AP credit).

Is that supposed to say gen chem, or does your college actually accept AP for orgo?

 

[mwsapphire]

Is that supposed to say gen chem, or does your college actually accept AP for orgo?

Gen chem, I got stuck between saying " credit for gen chem" or " use ap credit so i can go straight to orgo"
haha thanks for catching that ~~

 

[Lifeblood_20]

*sigh* I almost used my ap credit for gen chem, so I can go straight to orgo but I was advised not to ( some schools dont take AP credit).

I was advised not to go straight into orgo as well but I'm a rebel bwahahahahaha

 

[ScottTenorman54]

*sigh* I almost used my ap credit for gen chem, so I can go straight to orgo but I was advised not to ( some schools dont take AP credit).

Buy that advisor a candy bar

 

[honey0102]

I'm a freshman and I'm getting really grades but it's been very consuming (I took Orgo 1 last semester and am currently taking 2, along with jobs, clubs, volunteering) -- I feel like GPA only goes down as students advance into tougher classes/have more responsibilities. Any suggestions as to how to keep it up?

It's not always true that GPA goes down after this point. For me personally, after Orgo 1 I only did progressively better in my other science classes-and that was even as I got more and more responsibilities. I have friends who have been in that situation too.
But, in general, to keep a high GPA: stay on top of your classes. Start studying early (I'd read the notes as soon as I got them), seek help and do so early (office hours), talk to upperclassmen to see how to study for the class

 

[Lifeblood_20]

stay on top of your classes

Honestly that has been the biggest struggle!

Sometimes I spend too much time meticulously studying each detail that I don't get all the topics covered. Also homework takes me a long time... I'm bad at scheduling because I always underestimate the amount of time I spend on each task.

 

[honey0102]

Honestly that has been the biggest struggle!

I can understand. It definitely is a process. I would say, don't be afraid to try out new study strategies. Sometimes they differ for various classes. Definitely talk to upperclassmen, GSI's or the professors if you need help with study strategies. But also be sure to allocate proper time-procrastinating and cramming will not work.
And one last thing...in saying all this I'm not trying to imply you need a 4.0. The higher your grades the better but I highly doubt that one or two B's here and there among a stellar app and stellar grades will by themselves make you not get into medical school

 

[Lifeblood_20]

I can understand. It definitely is a process. I would say, don't be afraid to try out new study strategies. Sometimes they differ for various classes. Definitely talk to upperclassmen, GSI's or the professors if you need help with study strategies. But also be sure to allocate proper time-procrastinating and cramming will not work.
And one last thing...in saying all this I'm not trying to imply you need a 4.0. The higher your grades the better but I highly doubt that one or two B's here and there among a stellar app and stellar grades will by themselves make you not get into medical school

Thank you, that is definitely reassuring. I was feeling a little rough because I believe classes only get more and more difficult... I have trouble sticking to a timetable because I don't finish things within the time I allow myself. It's definitely time for me to reevaluate my studying strategies.

 

[koolkid596243]

STRONGLY recommend checking out Quizlet.com! Quizlet was my savior and it really helped me remember things. Of course, this won't work if you have fundamental conceptual gaps. Addressing these gaps can be done if you use lots of youtube videos, which is what I use to learn. 🙂 Perhaps even joining a study groups.

 

[honey0102]

Thank you, that is definitely reassuring. I was feeling a little rough because I believe classes only get more and more difficult... I have trouble sticking to a timetable because I don't finish things within the time I allow myself. It's definitely time for me to reevaluate my studying strategies.

So one thing is, it's not necessarily true that classes get more and more difficult. This may depend on many factors so I can't say for sure what it's like at your school, but I felt, from my own experience, that I have had pre-med classes that I took after Orgo 1, even at the 200 or 300 or 400 level that were not as intellectually challenging for me as Orgo was
About the timetable, as you study more you'll realize how much time things take you-use that to schedule in the future.
🙂 Good luck. It will take some adjustment but I'm sure that with some work and dedication it can work out

 

[ServiceFirst]

General and organic chemistry were particularly challenging for me my first two years of UG, but it was actually the upper-division biology courses (anatomy, physiology, microbiology, etc.) and a minor in public health that really helped bring my GPA back up to par nicely!

 

[BeddingfieldMD]

I'm a freshman and I'm getting really grades but it's been very consuming (I took Orgo 1 last semester and am currently taking 2, along with jobs, clubs, volunteering) -- I feel like GPA only goes down as students advance into tougher classes/have more responsibilities. Any suggestions as to how to keep it up?

I don't know your financial situation, of course, but if you find your grades slipping, you may want to consider quitting any "jobs" you have while you are taking classes. Same goes for clubs and volunteering. The latter are necessary to some degree, but it won't even come down to that if you end up with too low of a GPA.

And if the jobs are just for extra spending money, don't let that get in the way of your academics.

Good luck!

 

[LizzyM]

My 15+ years experience looking at the undergrad college transcripts of medical school applicants has taught me the year a student takes organic chemistry is almost always the year with the lowest GPA. Because most students take o-chem in year 2, most students end up with a U curve for the GPA.

I do think that taking using AP credit for gen chem and thus taking o-chem as a freshman is one of the worst things an incoming freshman can do in terms of schedule.

@Flying Penguin take it one semester at a time and work as hard as you can. Check out resources available to you that might help things click. O-Chem is not just about memorizing every detail but knowing how different compounds will act in one another's presence (critical and analytical thinking). Some people do best by drawing pictures or diagrams, or thinking about different bonds as friends, lovers and enemies. Find what works for you and you'll work smarter.

 

[teenyfish]

Agree with everyone here, that a U trend won't kill you. Just be smart, and choose your upperclassmen courses wisely. Do courses you're interested in, that way you know you'll have an easier time doing well in them. I had a 3.4 GPA my orgo2 semester, and with 4.0's every semester since, it inched up to a 3.71. It can be done! Stay focused and don't stress too much.

 

[Donna Moss]

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[Lifeblood_20]

Go Blue OP!
@Flying Penguin if you go to Michigan feel free to message me. I was definitely in your position and know how you're feeling. My grades fell during OChem 1/2 but increased after weeder classes. What are you majoring in?

GO BLUE!!! Thank you 😀 We can definitely chat up sometime!