I messed up for a 3rd straight semester, don't know if I should continue

[thisismyacct]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I'm a sophomore and I just got my final grades today. I did pretty horrible in both of my science classes, getting a D+ in orgo and a D in a required biology class. My grade would have been higher in orgo if I wasn't lazy and if I didn't misunderstand something on the syllabus.

So far my grades in the pre-reqs are:

• bio 1, bio 1 lab, bio 2 (no separate lab component): B-, C+, and B
• gen chem 1 and 2 with labs: D and C-, D and B-
• orgo 1 and lab: D+, C

I've taken 2 other science electives and I got a B and B+ in those classes. My science GPA is a 2.05 and my overall GPA is a 2.35. My GPA without any science classes is a 3.31.

I've done poorly so far because I struggled with the transition to college and I'm unhappy at my school. I also have difficulty focusing and not getting distracted while in class and studying.

I just don't know if I should continue. I've done well when I've actually manage to study but I just can't seem to do it everyday. I think that if I can actually manage to fix my concentration issues I could do well most of the information isn't that hard to me, I just forget a lot of stuff due to the lack of studying. but I can't seem to focus.

What should I do?

 

[blablabla1]

I'm a sophomore and I just got my final grades today. I did pretty horrible in both of my science classes, getting a D+ in orgo and a D in a required biology class. My grade would have been higher in orgo if I wasn't lazy and if I didn't misunderstand something on the syllabus.

So far my grades in the pre-reqs are:

• bio 1, bio 1 lab, bio 2 (no separate lab component): B-, C+, and B
• gen chem 1 and 2 with labs: D and C-, D and B-
• orgo 1 and lab: D+, C

I've taken 2 other science electives and I got a B and B+ in those classes. My science GPA is a 2.05 and my overall GPA is a 2.35. My GPA without any science classes is a 3.31.

I've done poorly so far because I struggled with the transition to college and I'm unhappy at my school. I also have difficulty focusing and not getting distracted while in class and studying.

I just don't know if I should continue. I've done well when I've actually manage to study but I just can't seem to do it everyday. I think that if I can actually manage to fix my concentration issues I could do well most of the information isn't that hard to me, I just forget a lot of stuff due to the lack of studying. but I can't seem to focus.

What should I do?

Find ways to focus yourself! Everyone has trouble focusing on one thing for a long period of time (just the way the human attention span naturally works) so everyone has to find their own way to maintain focus.

I find it best to set goals for yourself in terms of the following: what's in front of you, short term, and long term.

When I say "what's in front of you," I mean doing something like setting a goal to do a certain number of slides/certain number of textbook pages within a certain amount of time and then rewarding yourself with a short break to socialize/text/etc. Some people swear by the pomodoro method of studying (look it up) but I prefer to do 1 hour work/5-10 minute break. In theory it seems inefficient, but that break you give yourself in between is essential to not burning yourself out.

For the short term goal, I think of it as my weekly agenda. I always plan my week in advance as much as I can including when I want to go to the gym. If I know I have a certain amount to do for a class or an exam coming up, I try to spread out the work as evenly as possible to accomplish the short term goal of acing a test or finishing an essay or something like that.

Finally the long term goal. This, I think, is the most important. This is what you are going to look to whenever you feel like you're having a hard time focusing on what's in front of you or the short term. In college, this goal has always been something like "get into dental school." It's easy to just say that this is your long term goal, but you have to BUY into it too. You have to truly want it. That way, when you find yourself in a rut while studying, you think about this long term goal, refocus yourself on the endgame, and get back to work.

This method works best for me because it avoids making me dependent on others/the threat of competition or time to get me to focus in on what I do.

It's hard to do, but if you keep yourself organized, I find that the method I just laid out works really well.

 

[thisismyacct]

Find ways to focus yourself! Everyone has trouble focusing on one thing for a long period of time (just the way the human attention span naturally works) so everyone has to find their own way to maintain focus.

I find it best to set goals for yourself in terms of the following: what's in front of you, short term, and long term.

When I say "what's in front of you," I mean doing something like setting a goal to do a certain number of slides/certain number of textbook pages within a certain amount of time and then rewarding yourself with a short break to socialize/text/etc. Some people swear by the pomodoro method of studying (look it up) but I prefer to do 1 hour work/5-10 minute break. In theory it seems inefficient, but that break you give yourself in between is essential to not burning yourself out.

For the short term goal, I think of it as my weekly agenda. I always plan my week in advance as much as I can including when I want to go to the gym. If I know I have a certain amount to do for a class or an exam coming up, I try to spread out the work as evenly as possible to accomplish the short term goal of acing a test or finishing an essay or something like that.

Finally the long term goal. This, I think, is the most important. This is what you are going to look to whenever you feel like you're having a hard time focusing on what's in front of you or the short term. In college, this goal has always been something like "get into dental school." It's easy to just say that this is your long term goal, but you have to BUY into it too. You have to truly want it. That way, when you find yourself in a rut while studying, you think about this long term goal, refocus yourself on the endgame, and get back to work.

This method works best for me because it avoids making me dependent on others/the threat of competition or time to get me to focus in on what I do.

It's hard to do, but if you keep yourself organized, I find that the method I just laid out works really well.

I think I'll look into working for an hour, followed by a short break. And I agree, I really need to buy a calendar. I was going to this semester but I just kept on putting it off and just never did.

Do you think its possible I need to go to the doctor because of my trouble focusing and staying on task?

 

[blablabla1]

I think I'll look into working for an hour, followed by a short break. And I agree, I really need to buy a calendar. I was going to this semester but I just kept on putting it off and just never did.

Do you think its possible I need to go to the doctor because of my trouble focusing and staying on task?

Not sure anyone can say whether you should or not other than yourself :/

 

[S_Diamond_DDS]

You need mostly A's and B's to be competitive for dental school. Are you just starting sophomore year or are you finishing? Also, what's your major? I would say take only 1-2 science classes each semester until you get used to the workload involved in taking college level science classes (the proper amount/way of studying to get an A). Go to the tutoring center at yout school! They will help you to do better in your science classes. I would also say (if you can at your school) you should retake all of chemistry classes you have taken and try to get an A in them before you graduate. The way dental schools calculate your GPA is they take the lowest grade (your D for instance) and average it with any new grade in the same class (try for an A, this will make your averaged grade a C). The bright side is- you have already taken these classes, so if you decide to retake them, they should be that much easier the second time around.

 

[thisismyacct]

You need mostly A's and B's to be competitive for dental school. Are you just starting sophomore year or are you finishing? Also, what's your major? I would say take only 1-2 science classes each semester until you get used to the workload involved in taking college level science classes (the proper amount/way of studying to get an A). Go to the tutoring center at yout school! They will help you to do better in your science classes. I would also say (if you can at your school) you should retake all of chemistry classes you have taken and try to get an A in them before you graduate. The way dental schools calculate your GPA is they take the lowest grade (your D for instance) and average it with any new grade in the same class (try for an A, this will make your averaged grade a B-). The bright side is- you have already taken these classes, so if you decide to retake them, they should be that much easier the second time around.

I just finished my 1st semester of sophomore year. I'm a bio major. I've been taking 2 science classes every semester. Next semester I'm taking an easier bio class (non-major class) and orgo as my two science classes so that I could put all my focus into orgo 2. I think I am gonna drop by the tutoring center, I've thought about it before but I just didn't know how to go about it.

 

[S_Diamond_DDS]

I just finished my 1st semester of sophomore year. I'm a bio major. I've been taking 2 science classes every semester. Next semester I'm taking an easier bio class (non-major class) and orgo as my two science classes so that I could put all my focus into orgo 2. I think I am gonna drop by the tutoring center, I've thought about it before but I just didn't know how to go about it.

Sorry for the late reply. It's a good thing that you are still a sophomore, that will give you plenty of time to raise your GPAs and retake the prerequisite classes that you did poorly in, that is, if you buckle down and start to do well now! Admission committee members often respect students who do an academic 360, because it shows them that although they may have struggled in adjusting to college life, they were able to turn it around and excel. Some things to keep in mind are:

-most dental schools will not accept prerequisite classes at a C- (D?) or below. So like I said before, you'll have to retake your Chem classes, except the one in which you got a B. You probably want to retake orgo I before taking orgo II (it's more difficult and many of the concepts from orgo I are seen again, if I remember correctly). Again, only an A in these classes will bring your averaged grade up to a C/B.

- If I remember correctly, the average student admitted to dental student (across all schools) has ~3.45 overall GPA and a ~3.45 science GPA. So, try to do as well as you can from here on out.

 

[postpitadh]

Chiming in to let you know you can turn it around if you really want to. It will take strength of character and possibly new study habits and priorities as well. I was in your position a few years ago and it was one of the hardest times of my life. PM me if you'd like!

 

[ms.mollymay]

I feel like if you really REALLY TRULY want it, you will make whatever sacrifices necessary to achieve your goal. If you don't make the necessary sacrifices... then you might not want dentistry for the right reasons.

Ask yourself "To my core do I really want to be a dentist?"
"What am I doing to better myself in my school work?"
"Am I TRULY giving it my all?"

You can do it but it is going to take MAJOR sacrifice. And you need to be ready for that.

 

[stoopidmonkeycatdog]

I'm going to be honest with you.

You don't "mess up" three semesters in a row. Those semesters aren't mistakes anymore, they're a pattern of poor performance that right now reflect your academic ability.

You can turn it around, but it will be a huge amount of work and requires you to actually own up to your shortcomings. Nowhere in your post do you seem to take accountability for what happened. Instead of saying you performed poorly it's "I missed something in the syllabus" "I don't like the school".

I know all about concentration issues, I'm legitimately diagnosed with ADHD. You've got to prioritize what's important to you and ask yourself how much hard work you're willing to put in to getting into detail school.

You don't need advise from us you know what you need to do. If you want to keep going, continue, but know you're definitely not likely to get a seat at this point so you better know you want it and it's worth the hard work.

Good luck

 

[Universitygeek]

It's hard to recover at the 3 semester point, but it's still possible. However, even if you start doing really well from this point like getting 3.9+ each semester and that's a big if, you still might fall short. So are you willing to do that and still accept the possibility that it might all be for nothing? You said the problem seems to be a lack of interest/motivation? Is dentistry truly your passion or is it procrastination? Only you can answer these questions and the sooner the better because continuing on this path with the same mindset is only wasting time. Wishing you luck with whatever decision you make.

 

[WheatLom]

I had a "bad" start too. If you get distracted easily, which I DO A LOT. I would study for 15-20 minutes and take a break for 10 minutes. It helps you retain more cause you have to go back a review if you forgot what you did before the break.

you will have to RETAKE Orgo 1, GC 1 and 2. Those grades are too low for pre-reqs. You can do it. There are methods. PM if you want me to personalize something.

 

[LuckBloodandSweat]

I had a "bad" start too. If you get distracted easily, which I DO A LOT. I would study for 15-20 minutes and take a break for 10 minutes. It helps you retain more cause you have to go back a review if you forgot what you did before the break.

you will have to RETAKE Orgo 1, GC 1 and 2. Those grades are too low for pre-reqs. You can do it. There are methods. PM if you want me to personalize something.

Your bad start is higher than my bad start if I recall correctly. Unfortunately I have had a bad end too. Welp. at least graduated college early. Focusing will require a lot of sheer willpower tbh

 

[Big Time Hoosier]

It's gonna be pretty hard to dig yourself out of this hole. Getting 4.0's between now and when you apply will likely barely bring you above a 3.0 cumulative GPA.

I also hate to say it, but even if you could get in, I question your ability to handle the workload in dental school. Are you ready for 26+ credit hour semesters?

If you're dead set on working in healthcare, I'd look for other avenues. Have you thought about nursing? If you excelled there, you could always shoot for becoming a nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetist. If I couldn't get into med/dent/pa school, I'd rather have a degree in nursing than a biology degree.

Big Hoss

 

[LuckBloodandSweat]

Honestly I would highly consider NP/DH if I can't get into d school.

 

[thisismyacct]

Sorry for the late reply. It's a good thing that you are still a sophomore, that will give you plenty of time to raise your GPAs and retake the prerequisite classes that you did poorly in, that is, if you buckle down and start to do well now! Admission committee members often respect students who do an academic 360, because it shows them that although they may have struggled in adjusting to college life, they were able to turn it around and excel. Some things to keep in mind are:

-most dental schools will not accept prerequisite classes at a C- (D?) or below. So like I said before, you'll have to retake your Chem classes, except the one in which you got a B. You probably want to retake orgo I before taking orgo II (it's more difficult and many of the concepts from orgo I are seen again, if I remember correctly). Again, only an A in these classes will bring your averaged grade up to a B.

- If I remember correctly, the average student admitted to dental student (across all schools) has ~3.45 overall GPA and a ~3.45 science GPA. So, try to do as well as you can from here on out.

Haha well I think I'd rather do an academic 180. I appreciate the advice.

 

[thisismyacct]

I'm going to be honest with you.

You don't "mess up" three semesters in a row. Those semesters aren't mistakes anymore, they're a pattern of poor performance that right now reflect your academic ability.

You can turn it around, but it will be a huge amount of work and requires you to actually own up to your shortcomings. Nowhere in your post do you seem to take accountability for what happened. Instead of saying you performed poorly it's "I missed something in the syllabus" "I don't like the school".

I know all about concentration issues, I'm legitimately diagnosed with ADHD. You've got to prioritize what's important to you and ask yourself how much hard work you're willing to put in to getting into detail school.

You don't need advise from us you know what you need to do. If you want to keep going, continue, but know you're definitely not likely to get a seat at this point so you better know you want it and it's worth the hard work.

Good luck

I agree. I think the problem is that I want to pursue this but I'm also lazy and that has affected my performance. I want to fix this, along with my concentration issues.

 

[thisismyacct]

It's hard to recover at the 3 semester point, but it's still possible. However, even if you start doing really well from this point like getting 3.9+ each semester and that's a big if, you still might fall short. So are you willing to do that and still accept the possibility that it might all be for nothing? You said the problem seems to be a lack of interest/motivation? Is dentistry truly your passion or is it procrastination? Only you can answer these questions and the sooner the better because continuing on this path with the same mindset is only wasting time. Wishing you luck with whatever decision you make.

This question obviously involves a lot of speculation but would a big DAT score and amazing extracurriculars offset my GPA, assuming I bring it up to the low 3's?

 

[S_Diamond_DDS]

Haha well I think I'd rather do an academic 180. I appreciate the advice.

Haha. I would have said 180, but I wasn't sure if you'd get what I was saying if I did. And to answer your new question- yes- I applied with a 3.2 GPA and a 24 DAT (and a boatload of work experience) and got several interviews/acceptances. Focus all of your energy on getting good grades through the remainder of school (by far the most important thing) and then worry about the extra curriculars/volunteering/etc.. If I were you, after graduation, I would take a year off in order to beef up the extracurricular part of my application and to have the time needed to properly study for the DAT.

 

[thisismyacct]

Haha. I would have said 180, but I wasn't sure if you'd get what I was saying if I did. And to answer your new question- yes- I applied with a 3.2 GPA and a 24 DAT (and a boatload of work experience) and got several interviews/acceptances. Focus all of your energy on getting good grades through the remainder of school (by far the most important thing) and then worry about the extra curriculars/volunteering/etc.. If I were you, after graduation, I would take a year off in order to beef up the extracurricular part of my application and to have the time needed to properly study for the DAT.

Thanks and congratulations!

 

[setdoc7]

Not everyone becomes a dentist who starts out pre dent. This may not be your calling. Dental school is many times more difficult than undergrad. I would consider switching majors. There are lots of other excellent paths tho follow.

 

[rivarat]

be realistic, advanced degrees are not in your future at this point in your life.