How did you get over your first B?

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JohnnyMath

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I just got my first B in a course since like 7th or 8th grade (I've made B's on assignments plenty, not just as a final grade) in a class that is part of my major, and on top of that, it's a 3000 level biology course. I feel like garbage. I crashed and freaked out on a test, and I want to figuratively kill myself. I'll admit, I'm really insecure, and school is an outlet for me, so when I suck at that...well...I end up feeling like garbage.

Worst feeling ever.


Any coping mechanisms, how did you get over your first science B, if you made one?
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It's a B, you'll survive.
How did I get over it? I realized there'd be other courses and ways to make up for it. Don't dwell on it, it's not a big deal.
 
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I've had a few Bs, but those don't cause me distress. The one C I got in algebra when I was duel enrolled in high school bothered me for a time but I got over it because I realized no one cares about one or two Cs. That is the lowest final grade I have ever gotten. For you, that one B is absolutely no problem, but it will most likely not be the last. Keep that in mind. Just read up on some of the "what are my chances" threads and you will realize that many successful applicants would have at one time killed to have only one or two Bs, but learned not to dwell on it because it was a stupid waste of mental energy.
 
didn't have to. :happy:

but seriously, don't worry. even several Bs won't kill your chances for MD admissions.
 
Don't let the "B" ruin you. At the end of the day... a "B" will not keep you out of any med schools. Just try to keep your grades as high as you can and get in as many meaningful E.C.'s (research, tutoring, volunteering) during your college years. When you start freaking out about grades... just try to keep everything in perspective. There are far worse things going on in the world to worry about a "B'. Try to find an outlet to relieve stress. I go running when things get too out of control.

And don't worry... I think everyone has their little freak out in college with grades. Just work hard and do the best that you can. Don't dwell, just keep going and improving.
 
I grew up and moved on, knowing that a B wouldn't even come close to ruining chances at an MD. I have an F, a W, and smattering of Cs in my transcript and I still got into an allopathic school. I have a few Bs in science courses as well. No one will ever questions the Bs.
 
These are hard classes, and B's are very good grades. You shouldn't feel like a B is something you have to get over - it's something to celebrate as an achievement. But even if they were truly a bad outcome, your grades are not indicative of your worth as a person.

I think I understand how you feel. I was hellbent on getting a perfect record in high school, and I did - and I was pretty unhappy for that time period. My entire identity was doing well in school, so even a hint of a less than perfect grade was a disaster. Feeling like you have to be absolutely perfect can be make your life very painful.

I hope I'm not being intrusive, but it might help to talk with someone about these feelings - it helped me. With some help, I made the active decision to not care as much about grades in college, and I was a lot happier for it. You might still care a lot about grades, and that's fine, but I really hope you can start thinking about the other good qualities you have and hold on to those when you don't do as well academically.

And just to reiterate what everyone else says - B's will not prevent you from getting into medical school. I got B's (well, B+'s, technically) on more than half my med school prereqs, and I was just accepted at my top choice med school (and if it matters, it's a top 20).

Please don't be so hard on yourself - you're still doing very well.
 
JohnnyMath said:
I just got my first B in a course since like 7th or 8th grade (I've made B's on assignments plenty, not just as a final grade) in a class that is part of my major, and on top of that, it's a 3000 level biology course. I feel like garbage. I crashed and freaked out on a test, and I want to figuratively kill myself. I'll admit, I'm really insecure, and school is an outlet for me, so when I suck at that...well...I end up feeling like garbage.

Worst feeling ever.


Any coping mechanisms, how did you get over your first science B, if you made one?
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kittykattat said:
At first I felt sorry for it, but then I got lots more to keep it company and I think it was happier once it had friends and then it was like we were all one big happy family
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👍
 
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I would have been more upset had I not been a straight C student all the way until college.
 
JohnnyMath said:
I just got my first B in a course since like 7th or 8th grade (I've made B's on assignments plenty, not just as a final grade) in a class that is part of my major, and on top of that, it's a 3000 level biology course. I feel like garbage. I crashed and freaked out on a test, and I want to figuratively kill myself. I'll admit, I'm really insecure, and school is an outlet for me, so when I suck at that...well...I end up feeling like garbage.

Worst feeling ever.


Any coping mechanisms, how did you get over your first science B, if you made one?
Click to expand...

Realize that a few Bs don't matter at all. I got a D in a class and I've got multiple interviews and an acceptance. Seriously though, learn to cope with it now because you'll be getting plenty of them if you get to med school...
 
The one C I got in algebra when I was duel enrolled in high school bothered me for a time but I got over it because I realized no one cares about one or two Cs. That is the lowest final grade I have ever gotten.When you start freaking out about grades. just try to keep everything in perspective.
kc0X8t
 
weird thing about this one B I got once... it was kinda shaped like this... "F"

a B is a perfectly fine grade. it could be much, much worse, just ask my F in calc freshman year. be grateful that you've worked hard from the start to give yourself some leeway. a luxury I truly wish I could go back in time to give myself. you'll be fine OP
 
I've had lots of Bs, but my sister was a 4.0. Her first non 4.0 (and A-) was met with tears and hysterics. AFter the vent, she was fine. Just a dream of being perfect was shattered. Then she realized IT JUST DOESN'T MATTER all that much. Put is in your PS how you overcame the burden of perfection to be merely happy and well-adjusted.
 
My first B was in Organic I, and I was extremely relieved and grateful to have escaped with that grade. I think you have to ask yourself if it's the B that is making you upset or is it that you know you could have done better? I was pretty upset with my B+ in genetics because I know I could have gotten the A if I would have given it my all, but I celebrated my B in Organic because I knew it was honestly the best I could do.
 
Great White Buffalo said:
I've had lots of Bs, but my sister was a 4.0. Her first non 4.0 (and A-) was met with tears and hysterics. AFter the vent, she was fine. Just a dream of being perfect was shattered. Then she realized IT JUST DOESN'T MATTER all that much. Put is in your PS how you overcame the burden of perfection to be merely happy and well-adjusted.
Click to expand...


I highly recommend the OP find a better personal statement topic.
 
I have 4 Cs and probably like 10 Bs in college... and now I will be going to a great (top 25) school.

Its not a big deal as long as you dont fail courses, but then again Im wasnt gunning for Harvard/Johns Hopkins to begin with.
 
JohnnyMath said:
I just got my first B in a course since like 7th or 8th grade (I've made B's on assignments plenty, not just as a final grade) in a class that is part of my major, and on top of that, it's a 3000 level biology course. I feel like garbage. I crashed and freaked out on a test, and I want to figuratively kill myself. I'll admit, I'm really insecure, and school is an outlet for me, so when I suck at that...well...I end up feeling like garbage.

Worst feeling ever.


Any coping mechanisms, how did you get over your first science B, if you made one?
Click to expand...

Bottle of rum, bro.
 
You're fine OP. Don't worry you weren't getting into Harvard unless you learned the appropriate secret handshake. It is only those that learn the Harvard med shake that is a slight variation from the infamous Harvard Law hand shake that would gain you admission. But in all seriousness hopefully your not one of the neurotic premeds that is all like, "OMG HARVARD OR SUICIDE…" lmao
 
Just tell yourself that there will always be people smarter than yourself and you will not be disappointed. At least it's worked for me..
 
By getting more B's and reminding myself that as long as I don't get too crazy with my B's, if I can destroy an MCAT, most of those B's will be irrelevant.
 
I wonder how people like OP cope with real problems... it's a freakin' B, bro. Chill.
 
GandalfTheWhite said:
I have 4 Cs and probably like 10 Bs in college... and now I will be going to a great (top 25) school.

Its not a big deal as long as you dont fail courses, but then again Im wasnt gunning for Harvard/Johns Hopkins to begin with.
Click to expand...

how
 
U Wot M8 said:
how
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It's not impossible. In fact, I totally believe someone with 4 Cs and 10 Bs could do it. That could put you in the 3.3-3.4 range, and with a mid 30s+ MCAT and Texas residency, I think someone wouldn't have too much problem getting into UT-Southwestern. If you have post-bacc experience on top of that, it makes your chances all that much better.

However... I don't really think of UT-Southwestern as a "top" school (but yes, I do know it broke the top 25 for research rankings).
 
I never did. That B still haunts me. Every time I close my eyes, I see it.
 
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