How to know ehen to give up?

[ZombieDante]

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I think I'm being weeded out.

I'm a 2nd year and this semester I took Microbiology (+Lab), Statistics (+Lab), Organic Chem I (+Lab), and two gen eds. My science and math classes have been kicking my butt majorly. I've never was a good student before college, however I made some major changes and do relatively really good for myself, just not good in term for pre-med. Before starting this semester my GPA was a 3.495. This semester (if I'm lucky) I'm looking at a 3.2 gpa. I'm just naturally a B student.

I'm slowly getting better, however, but today in organic chemistry I think I finally hit my breaking point. I got my 4th exam back for the year and received a 53% on it (my first ever failing test grade in college). This put my grade average at 68.23. My final is worth only 20% of my grade and even if I do get a 100% I'll only go up to a C-, which means I'll have to retake.

I'm honestly just lost. I keep telling myself that I'll do better next semester but each semester my GPA goes down further (more B's than A's). I love medicine and can't see myself doing anything else, but I don't think I'll be able to make it.

One of my main concerns is that I don't even have a good support system or background. It seems like all my pre-med friends have someone in their family who is in medicine or is really close to a doctor. When I was growing up I was lucky to see a doctor once within 5 years. My family can't really offer much support since they don't know anything about pre-med or med school or anything and are at a constant loss for words when I tell them my problems.

I'm working two jobs, about to start a research internship, doing debate, have dyslexia (which is messing me up majorly in my bio classes since spelling is a big thing), and just trying my best to make it through. I really want to get into med school, but I don't think I have a chance.



So I guess my real question is, when do you know what you shouldn't pursue medicine anymore?

 

[Spirit of the Student Doc]

I think I'm being weeded out.

I'm a 2nd year and this semester I took Microbiology (+Lab), Statistics (+Lab), Organic Chem I (+Lab), and two gen eds. My science and math classes have been kicking my butt majorly. I've never was a good student before college, however I made some major changes and do relatively really good for myself, just not good in term for pre-med. Before starting this semester my GPA was a 3.495. This semester (if I'm lucky) I'm looking at a 3.2 gpa. I'm just naturally a B student.

I'm slowly getting better, however, but today in organic chemistry I think I finally hit my breaking point. I got my 4th exam back for the year and received a 53% on it (my first ever failing test grade in college). This put my grade average at 68.23. My final is worth only 20% of my grade and even if I do get a 100% I'll only go up to a C-, which means I'll have to retake.

I'm honestly just lost. I keep telling myself that I'll do better next semester but each semester my GPA goes down further (more B's than A's). I love medicine and can't see myself doing anything else, but I don't think I'll be able to make it.

One of my main concerns is that I don't even have a good support system or background. It seems like all my pre-med friends have someone in their family who is in medicine or is really close to a doctor. When I was growing up I was lucky to see a doctor once within 5 years. My family can't really offer much support since they don't know anything about pre-med or med school or anything and are at a constant loss for words when I tell them my problems.

I'm working two jobs, about to start a research internship, doing debate, have dyslexia (which is messing me up majorly in my bio classes since spelling is a big thing), and just trying my best to make it through. I really want to get into med school, but I don't think I have a chance.



So I guess my real question is, when do you know what you shouldn't pursue medicine anymore?

You're working two jobs? Have you considered cutting back? When do you study, on the bus ride to the commuter lot? Also, maybe drop the research internship for now. (Till you can fix those grades)

Everyone takes on debt during school, no one literally pays for everything on their own.
Furthermore, make sure you're sleeping.... Otherwise your studying is fruitless.

 

[efle]

Depends how you define weeded out. It sounds like it isn't your brain or your drive holding you back, more that you are spread way too thin. But technically yes you are on the side of the bell curve that gets completely noncompetitive grades and will have very slim odds unless you make academics your #1 priority starting next semester

 

[bweild]

I agree with efle that you are spread too thin. 5 courses, 3 of which have labs, is intense already. Throw working and ECs on top of that and forget it, something is going to give, and it sounds like it might be your grades. Social support is important, but in a more global way. It sounds like your questions and concerns are not something that they can help you with, but that doesn't mean there aren't other resources out there who can. Do you have an academic counselor that can help guide you through this? Also, is it possible to go down to one job? You can likely finance the difference with loans as mentioned above -- unless you're working 40 hrs a week there's no way working is going to make much of a dent in school costs, and the opportunity cost of working is poor grades.

 

[ZombieDante]

You're working two jobs? Have you considered cutting back? When do you study, on the bus ride to the commuter lot? Also, maybe drop the research internship for now. (Till you can fix those grades)

Everyone takes on debt during school, no one literally pays for everything on their own.
Furthermore, make sure you're sleeping.... Otherwise your studying is fruitless.

I don't work two jobs to be debt free, I have one so I can feed myself. The other gives me clinical experience. Also I live on campus, I study for hours in my apartment or in the library. My only concern with dropping the research thing is that I have to do it for my major eventually and I was lucky enough to get one that is competitive and really close to one of my jobs.

I agree with efle that you are spread too thin. 5 courses, 3 of which have labs, is intense already. Throw working and ECs on top of that and forget it, something is going to give, and it sounds like it might be your grades. Social support is important, but in a more global way. It sounds like your questions and concerns are not something that they can help you with, but that doesn't mean there aren't other resources out there who can. Do you have an academic counselor that can help guide you through this? Also, is it possible to go down to one job? You can likely finance the difference with loans as mentioned above -- unless you're working 40 hrs a week there's no way working is going to make much of a dent in school costs, and the opportunity cost of working is poor grades.

I've already exhausted my loans. Also I do have an academic advisor who can help me, but since it is finals time she can't meet with me since she teaches so many different classes. Also on the support system thing, it isn't even that they don't have the knowledge set it's that fact they flat out ignore most of my concerns (I bring it up they change the subject) or just say "you'll figure it out"

 

[Spirit of the Student Doc]

I don't work two jobs to be debt free, I have one so I can feed myself. The other gives me clinical experience. Also I live on campus, I study for hours in my apartment or in the library. My only concern with dropping the research thing is that I have to do it for my major eventually and I was lucky enough to get one that is competitive and really close to one of my jobs.



I've already exhausted my loans. Also I do have an academic advisor who can help me, but since it is finals time she can't meet with me since she teaches so many different classes. Also on the support system thing, it isn't even that they don't have the knowledge set it's that fact they flat out ignore most of my concerns (I bring it up they change the subject) or just say "you'll figure it out"

Schools want to see that you're busy, not that you're overloaded. Taking 12 credits a semester and doing everything else you've listed counts.

EDITED:
-Also, what kind of life are you living where you've exhausted all your loans and still are (assuming here) getting by at best with another job? Really, you need to reconsider the logistics of how you have your life set up.

Question here, can you move back in with your parents or maybe with some friends? If yes, do so immediately and quit the job that pays the bills.

-Support System: Premed clubs are notoriously bad. But I've found some bio/science classmates who are helpful. What classes are you having trouble with and why (specifics here)?

 

[Spirit of the Student Doc]

@ZombieDante

Many people give up money to pursue med school. There are lawyers who give up over 100K+ and take a $10 job as a scribe, people who go PRN at work, etc.
I know you believe you need the job to feed yourself.... but what is your definition of feed?
Rent over $1000, only brand name foods, luxury car...... or Ramen Noodles & something that runs? (I'd recommend student housing or living with parents/friends though for FREE)

Also, parents = Free rent, Free food, Free transportation at times (depends on your parents), and more.

You need to get your bills down. Maybe your parents can float you a few hundred a month as well. Those parents are actually a great resource.

 

[ZombieDante]

Schools want to see that you're busy, not that you're overloaded. Taking 12 credits a semester and doing everything else you've listed counts.

EDITED:
-Also, what kind of life are you living where you've exhausted all your loans and still are (assuming here) getting by at best with another job? Really, you need to reconsider the logistics of how you have your life set up.

Question here, can you move back in with your parents or maybe with some friends? If yes, do so immediately and quit the job that pays the bills.

-Support System: Premed clubs are notoriously bad. But I've found some bio/science classmates who are helpful. What classes are you having trouble with and why (specifics here)?

@ZombieDante

Many people give up money to pursue med school. There are lawyers who give up over 100K+ and take a $10 job as a scribe, people who go PRN at work, etc.
I know you believe you need the job to feed yourself.... but what is your definition of feed?
Rent over $1000, only brand name foods, luxury car...... or Ramen Noodles & something that runs? (I'd recommend student housing or living with parents/friends though for FREE)

Also, parents = Free rent, Free food, Free transportation at times (depends on your parents), and more.

You need to get your bills down. Maybe your parents can float you a few hundred a month as well. Those parents are actually a great resource.

I mostly cook my own food, I spent about ~$60 on food every two weeks. I don't have a luxury car. I'm not going to move back into my parent's place because of reasons....we don't get along much and the food there is usually a lot less than what I can get myself (ie they are broker than me).

I'm really having trouble with Organic mostly. When I wrote the post I was very emotional so sorry for the confusion. I got back a test, on which I got a 53%. This lowered my grade from a 79 all the way down to a 68. Since the final is only worth 20% of my grade I would have to get a near perfect score for me to pass.

The 4th exam was a sperr of the moment thing. He also was going to originally curve the class but said we were all doing too good to do so. I'm going to try to talk him tomorrow about my grade (yes he has saturday office hours lol), but I don't know exactly what to say, or if it will even be appropriate.

 

[Lancer]

I mostly cook my own food, I spent about ~$60 on food every two weeks. I don't have a luxury car. I'm not going to move back into my parent's place because of reasons....we don't get along much and the food there is usually a lot less than what I can get myself (ie they are broker than me).

I'm really having trouble with Organic mostly. When I wrote the post I was very emotional so sorry for the confusion. I got back a test, on which I got a 53%. This lowered my grade from a 79 all the way down to a 68. Since the final is only worth 20% of my grade I would have to get a near perfect score for me to pass.

The 4th exam was a sperr of the moment thing. He also was going to originally curve the class but said we were all doing too good to do so. I'm going to try to talk him tomorrow about my grade (yes he has saturday office hours lol), but I don't know exactly what to say, or if it will even be appropriate.

Is there no curve in the class or is the 53% already including the curve?

If so, I would find honestly email TAs or the professor in the class and look for help. They are great resources. Getting below average in organic means some fundamental flaws that need to be sorted out. Organic chemistry builds on itself, and if you had trouble with sterics, you will have a hard time with mechanisms, since a lot of it is based on sterics. Do a lot of practice problems, and for any concept you don't understand, go back to previous sections and figure them out.

 

[FindMeOnTheLinks]

Don't give up, just don't take so many classes next semester. OChem II, a bio, and one or two gen eds. Having 5 classes and working so much in addition to other EC's is just insane. I'm actually impressed you are managing all that as a sophomore in college. Don't give up!!

 

[Holmwood]

Take your time. If employment is top priority (you don't want to do loans), then just cut back on classes.
Do some online courses for general elective coursework as those tend to be easier, require less time commitment, and tend to be cheaper (check with adviser for course equivalency first though). If you have to extend your graduation to more than 4 years, do so. It's not going to matter much if you are applying a little later. In fact, you'll be quite normal as the average age of matriculants is around 24-25 for most schools (meaning they applied around 23-24).

Taking summer courses, though expensive, would be a viable option if you can cut back on a semester or two in the process.

Getting a bit of stafford loan is also a good option. By reducing the amount of cash you need per semester, you can reduce the number of work hours. By doing less work, you'll have more time to study.

And it's too early to give up. You can easily bring your GPA back to the 3.5 range (and your sGPA to the 3.4 range). You just have to manage your time better.

 

[ZombieDante]

Is there no curve in the class or is the 53% already including the curve?

If so, I would find honestly email TAs or the professor in the class and look for help. They are great resources. Getting below average in organic means some fundamental flaws that need to be sorted out. Organic chemistry builds on itself, and if you had trouble with sterics, you will have a hard time with mechanisms, since a lot of it is based on sterics. Do a lot of practice problems, and for any concept you don't understand, go back to previous sections and figure them out.

No curve on the class and 53% isn't with a curve. And alright I'll talk to him and do practice problems..

Don't give up, just don't take so many classes next semester. OChem II, a bio, and one or two gen eds. Having 5 classes and working so much in addition to other EC's is just insane. I'm actually impressed you are managing all that as a sophomore in college. Don't give up!!

Does this schedule seem okay? Ochem II (+Lab), Research Methods and Analysis (+Lab), Psychology of Personality, and Advanced Statistical Application.

I'm a psych major too. I've heard the methods class is easy and the stat application class isn't too bad.

 

[Mad Jack]

You shouldn't be working two jobs or participating in ECs if your GPA is in the toilet.

 

[Goro]

I suspect that your problem is not that you're unable to handle a rigorous UG curriculum, but you're not good at time mgt. Get thee to your school's learning or education center for help with this.


I'm working two jobs, about to start a research internship, doing debate, have dyslexia (which is messing me up majorly in my bio classes since spelling is a big thing), and just trying my best to make it through. I really want to get into med school, but I don't think I have a chance.