I am failing out...

[hle007]

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It's only first semester... a few weeks away form finals... I am dead! I am literally failing bio and chem right now. I need some study tips! I am committed, 110% committed to this field but it seems like I am not getting the point that I NEED TO FOCUS! I sit in lectures, I sit! Honestly, I am really confused right now. I am not sure what to do with my life. I am scare of failing out on college and not knowing what to do from there. All these years, all I wanted to do is to go to college, and now that I am here, I am doing so bad. 🙁 The grades that I have now give me no chance to Medical school; dreams shattered... I am extremely confused and stressed out.

Please help, I need study tips. There must be a time when you've been through what I am going through now... please help me out. Thanks!

 

[NE_Cornhusker1]

Originally posted by DrMom
moving to pre allo

why do we always get the kids who are ready to jump off a bridge?

op: you're doing shhitty. drop all but a few of your classes and save your grades in those. talk to your teachers to get a late drop if the deadline has passed. maybe see about incomplete grades-you'll pry have to talk to your teacher about getting an 'i'. retake stuff later on. if you can't drop anything find out about your schools d and f grade replacement policy. fail classes especially if they can be 'hidden' on your transcripts later on. if they can't be hidden away then just do the best you can. do well enough to stay in school though.

 

[Supadupafly]

Similar things have happened to alot of folks (myself included). Hope is not lost.

Talk to all of your professors. Most of them will probably be able to work things out.

For those where the profesors won't work with you, you'll have to retake the classes eventually. If your school has a good grade replacement policy, things might not turn out so bad.

In any case, see a couselor or your doctor and document the depression, personal problems, family problems, or whatever has been causing the problems.



😎

 

[XCanadianRagwee]

can we say: Sexual Favors

 

[XCanadianRagwee]

Originally posted by NE_Cornhusker1
why do we always get the kids who are ready to jump off a bridge?

The pre-allo board wouldn't be the same without them....

 

[beatla19]

I've been on academic probation before, and was almost kicked out of school. My freshman year just kind of sucked all around. The next quarter I came back and got a 3.3, though. Part of it was getting out of the dorms and into a good study environment. All I can say is that I've been doing much better since my freshman year, and I'm just going to have to hope med schools can overlook it. If not, I might be off to physician assistant school, which is definitely not a bad option. It's definitely not impossible to turn it around!

 

[hle007]

Nah, I am not at the edge of "jumping" yet. 🙂 I am not dropping any class although I am failing. I am confident that I can do it and I am going to do it! I haven't give it all yet ... Thanks folks, those who have given me some really great inputs and oh yeh sarcasms are fine too. 😉

 

[sgilani]

try to get thru this. it's your first semester. learn your lesson and make sure you don't make these same mistakes again. if you do well after this point you'll be fine most likely.
good luck

 

[hle007]

Originally posted by beatla19
I've been on academic probation before, and was almost kicked out of school. My freshman year just kind of sucked all around. The next quarter I came back and got a 3.3, though. Part of it was getting out of the dorms and into a good study environment. All I can say is that I've been doing much better since my freshman year, and I'm just going to have to hope med schools can overlook it. If not, I might be off to physician assistant school, which is definitely not a bad option.

PA is not a bad way to go at all. You messed up but you came back so all is well, I hope. Good Luck!

 

[beatla19]

Thanks! Also, it may depend on the level of your school. If it is a top school, I hear med schools have more leniency(sp?) when considering your gpa.

 

[jlee9531]

are you overloading yourself?

if you are committed then focus should not be a problem. committment and focus come hand in hand.

but as of now...so late into the semester your options are limited. i suggest you talk to the counselor and profs ASAP to hear your options and take the best course of action.

good luck.

 

[flong]

Here is a tip from one of my friends. He is a person that is not very bright but he is extremely dedicated. Finish this semester in whatever way you can. Make C's in your classes. Do not take any classes the next semester, instead work. While you are working imagine you were taking classes by buying the books for those classes and read them. Do you know how many classes you will have under your belt in two years? Then when you take those classes in college you will be one step ahead of the game. You will have better insight than any other student in class (with exception to those repeating the class) and I promise you can make very good grades. It worked for him, but remember, you have to be dedicated. Trust me, if you just came out of high school there won;y be much difference between a 28 year old doctor and a 30 year old doctor.

 

[DrMom]

Originally posted by NE_Cornhusker1
why do we always get the kids who are ready to jump off a bridge?

Somehow it didn't seem appropriate for the lounge.

 

[hle007]

Flong, that's not a bad idea at all. The thing is that I can't take any year off. If I do, my family would think I am doing so bad in school that they kicked me out and that's why I have to stay home and work. 🙁

Most of my classes are rollover so I will basically have the same schedule next semester.

Here is what I will do. I will go and talk to my science professors. I will get tutoring and I will not "think" but "DO", take action. Honestly, my performance now does not do me justice, it does not reflect on my potential.

I need to stop lying to myself. I can't keep cheating to myself. That's what I need to do and for those who are overwhelmed like me... lift it up, stop cheating to yourself. YOU CAN DO IT!

Good Luck all!

 

[flong]

kick you out???

Good lord, just tell them your situation and tell them what your plans are. I'm sure if they have half a brain (insult not intended) they will understand and allow you to work while you build up your knowledge.

 

[evines]

I took an entire year off from school, and in retrospect was the best thing I ever did for my collegiate career. I'm not saying it is for everyone, but please consider all of your options.
During that year, I found the focus and motivation I had lost. Sometimes we need to take a step back in order to move forward.

 

[gary5]

Originally posted by hle007
It's only first semester... a few weeks away form finals... I am dead! I am literally failing bio and chem right now. I need some study tips! I am committed, 110% committed to this field but it seems like I am not getting the point that I NEED TO FOCUS! I sit in lectures, I sit! Honestly, I am really confused right now. I am not sure what to do with my life. I am scare of failing out on college and not knowing what to do from there. All these years, all I wanted to do is to go to college, and now that I am here, I am doing so bad. 🙁 The grades that I have now give me no chance to Medical school; dreams shattered... I am extremely confused and stressed out.

Please help, I need study tips. There must be a time when you've been through what I am going through now... please help me out. Thanks!

Hi hle007,

Give us some background info. What was your ACT? High school GPA? How are you in lectures? Do you sit in front? back? Do you take notes? Answer questions? Do you do all the homework? How many hours per day do you study? Per week? How do you prepare for exams? How many days in advance do you start preparing?

I ask because I know a guy who takes no notes and does poorly. Sometimes it's due to studying skills.

Hang in there. In 10 years, you'll look back at this as a challenging time that you survived. You've done the right thing by asking for help and advice. By the way, schools have counselors if you need someone to talk to to help calm you down and get perspective.

😛 😉 😛

 

[beanbean]

Adjusting to the transition from high-school to college is difficult for many people; especiallly the smart ones! Many students were able to ace their high school classes with very little effort or real studying; they just sit in class, absorb the material, and ace the exam with a quick review. Alas, this approach is often fatal when you enter college. No longer can you expect to do well by just sitting through lecture - there is a lot more involved.

It can become a vicious cycle - the further behind you get and the lower your class average gets, the more stressed and depressed you become and the harder it is to motivate yourself to work hard.

Some tips form someone who has had a "well-rounded" academic career - I have received the lowest grade in the class on an exam (fluid mechanics) to the highest grade on an exam (fortunately there have been a few of these):

1) Talk to your professors NOW! A bright freshman having trouble adjusting to the pace and style of college classes is nothing new to them. Discuss your situation with them, get their advice and attend office hours and review sessions from now until the end of the semester with questions about the material. Demonstrate you are motivated to succeed in their class.

2) No partying! No hanging out! No video games, TV, pool, or frisbee! This may sound harsh, but you can survive a couple weeks of focused studying. Take study breaks, but they should be planned, brief and not turn into all night goofing off sessions. Failing classes = I need to study on the weekend too! Reward yourself with some fun when you can see a significant improvement in your grades. Next semester you can work on the whole social life vs. academics balance issue.

3) Study somewhere you won't be distracted. If you study with a group make sure your time is spent studying not just complaining about the class and gossiping.

4) Read the book. Go over your lecture notes. Review the professors notes, powerpoint presentations or whatever else you have. Do practice problems (absolutely essential in chemistry!!). Get copies of old exams. Talk to people you are doing well and get advice from them. Find a tutor.

5) Don't be discouraged! There are plenty of us in med school who went through rough times in undergrad. A couple of bad grades is not the kiss of death; however, the quicker you figure out how to study effectively and do well in your classes the happier your existence will be!

6) This 'learning experience" is only the first of many. When you get to med school you will see that many students again have difficulty adjusting to a new style of learning and must change their study habits.

7) If you are depressed - seek help. Depression is treatable but can make it very difficult to focus and motivate yourself if it is not treated.

8) Lastly, don't think about the future right now! Take things one day at a time and set your priorities. Worry about "what ifs" right now will not help you pass bio and chem.

Good luck to you and feel free to PM me if you wish.

Deirdre

 

[Doni]

Ok first go talk to your teachers and have them find you a previous student that was successful in their class to tutor you. Cancel all of your social plans and make the library your new best friend. Also in your books they may have came with a cd or they have a webpage, check these out because they have sample tests and flash cards to help you out. Here is the thing, if you don't understand something then you have to find someone that can explain it to you. If you don't understand the teacher then find a student that has already taken the class or a classmate that is at the top of the class. There is nothing wrong with asking for help. If you understand the concepts and do well with the class work, then you just need to buckle down and study more.

 

[flong]

Originally posted by Doni
Ok first go talk to your teachers and have them find you a previous student that was successful in their class to tutor you. Cancel all of your social plans and make the library your new best friend. Also in your books they may have came with a cd or they have a webpage, check these out because they have sample tests and flash cards to help you out. Here is the thing, if you don't understand something then you have to find someone that can explain it to you. If you don't understand the teacher then find a student that has already taken the class or a classmate that is at the top of the class. There is nothing wrong with asking for help. If you understand the concepts and do well with the class work, then you just need to buckle down and study more.

I hate studying in the library. Too many geeks 😉

 

[crazy250]

Originally posted by flong
I hate studying in the library. Too many geeks 😉

I agree. All the gunners hang around there.

 

[woolie]

When I went back to school, I bought a couple of books called "how to study." I read them cover to cover and and did everything they told me to do. I also bought books like "how to succeed in Math". I bought baby review books as well before I even started school, and began with things like: 'an integer is a whole number ...'

You can do it, it's first semester. See if you can calm your fears and somehow grab hold of your confidence and then just work out problems like there's no tomorrow. Also, try and make friends with classmates you like, it can really help to bring down the anxiety. And tutors are great !

 

[jlee9531]

Originally posted by flong
I hate studying in the library. Too many geeks 😉

i agree for 2 reasons.

1. tho i can fall asleep easily there, the wooden chairs are uncomfortable.

2. if gunners are looking for a spot to study and see that im just wasting my chair by sleeping then they just pull it out right from you and run away with it. punks.

 

[ewing]

Originally posted by jlee9531
i agree for 2 reasons.

1. tho i can fall asleep easily there, the wooden chairs are uncomfortable.

2. if gunners are looking for a spot to study and see that im just wasting my chair by sleeping then they just pull it out right from you and run away with it. punks.

LOL. That's why I don't go to Cal.

 

[perfectmoment]

don't knock library studiers =[

i find that i absolutely CANNOT study anywhere else. too many distractions. i just love how it's all cool on these boards to seem like you're all natural geniuses. sorry to burst your bubble people, but just because somebody has to study harder than you "natural geniuses" and study in environments they're comfortable with DOES NOT make them some kinda gunner out to sabotage every other premed.

 

[Doni]

Originally posted by flong
I hate studying in the library. Too many geeks 😉

I don't know what school you go to, but here all of the athletes, fraternities, and sororities are required to spend so many hours in the library.

In your case, even if there are too many geeks in the library, the purpose is to study, not look for hotties. 🙂

 

[flong]

You are right. But you can't argue that those wooden chairs don't irritate your buttcheeks after a few hours?

 

[indo]

study at starbucks...since you paid 3.50 for a 1 dollar cup of coffee I'd say you've pretty much purchased a good 3 hours of study time.

 

[Doni]

Originally posted by flong
You are right. But you can't argue that those wooden chairs don't irritate your buttcheeks after a few hours?

I am glad you agree with me. I also have to agree with you that the chairs are fairly hard.

 

[Hethera]

Have you considered the possibility that you may have a learning disability? I never had trouble with anything until I was a college junior and found that I was having trouble absorbing anything that had to do with numbers. Turns out that I have ADD (which makes sense to anyone who's been around me for 5 minutes!) and I wasn't "getting" math and chapter-and-verse Bible references (Christian university 🙄 ) because I find numbers boring and couldn't concentrate. Being on medication changed my grade in algebra from one of the lowest in class to one of the highest. In other subjects, I tend to daydream but I write down EVERYTHING the professor is saying and that keeps me focusing on the material -- and is also great to have when I need to go over the material later while studying. Some people laughed at how much stuff I wrote down, but they didn't laugh when I graduated summa. 😛 Would I have gotten top grades if I didn't write those detailed notes? Heck no! I would have checked out the cute boys in my class, figured out names for our future children, and wound up majoring in business or early-childhood education and desperately seeking a husband who could support me while I sold Mary Kay.

It's not too unusual for chemical imbalances that affect school performance to go undiagnosed until college, especially among intelligent, well-behaved students. If you feel you are really trying hard, and if you scored well on your college entrance exams, you might consider going down to the university health center and checking into disability testing. It doesn't make you any less intelligent; it just means your brain needs a bit of help regulating itself.

 

[NontradICUdoc]

First thing's first:

Calm Down. You are getting yourself worked up and you will not only do things worse but it will all be a blur and you will not know where anything starts or ends.

Second, take an assessment of your classes at this moment. Usually final exams weigh more than the rest of the semester. Look at your schedule and see where you can increase your grades. And speak to your professor, some may even allow you to perform some extra credit.

Find out how YOU need to study. It took me several years to figure it out. I used to tutor my roommate on an exam and then get a lower grade than he because I was so nervous I blanked out. This is no longer a problem.

The worse thing you can do is try to cram everything in. We have not even reached Thanksgiving yet so you do have some time.

The best way that I found that I retained information is by using a tape recorder.

While at the lecture, my recorder is on and recording. I write down all the notes that I can during the lecture. If I miss something that the professor said, I just jot a quick note and then ask after class. Then, prior to the next lecture, I put the tape on and listen to the lecture again. But I do not take notes, I just listen.

Since you listened to the same lecture more than once you have a better tendency to remember things. And when I read, I listen to a thunder storm or a babbling brook. It breaks the silence but it is not disturbing.

But please CALM DOWN. Take a deep, cleansing breath, and realize that this is just your first semester and that it is not over yet. But you may be able to pull through with a half-way decent grade. If you get too nervous, you will freak out and forget just like your post leads me to believe.

Good luck and may the force be with you.

 

[LTbulldogs]

There are four extremely important components for maintaining success (works for me anyways). One must MASTER the arts of:

1. Consistency- In my eyes, the most significant... ?Many aspire, very few succeed. Success is something that common people obtain; maintaining success is what separates the achievers from the aspirers.?

2. Time Management- One must wisely manage his time.

3. Mental Discipline-when the going gets tough, the tough get going.

4. Procrastination- I do have a remedy for this evil culprit that seems to work extremely well, but that'll cost you! 😉

Of course, there are other components for being successful but these are the big 4. If you can master each discipline, you will be successful.