i only do well in upper level classes!

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I don't understand this phenomenon. I only do really well in upper level classes. In all of the upper level classes i have in bio, chem, and math, i have all A's or A-'s. but for some reason, in the intro classes, i have B's. not that B's are bad, but if I had a choice between a B and an A, i'd pick the A.

 

[kokonut]

One possibility is that the intro classes are "weed-out" type classes, and so the grading curves are tougher. At my school, upper-level science classes are generally graded more generously. That might be different from yours, but its a possible explanation for your phenomenon.

 

[Anka]

Same deal with me. In my case, it has to do with interest level (I'm a lot more interested in my 400 level biochem than I was in my 050 level intro biology, where the professor wanked on and on about the ecosystem), as well as feeling you have a grasp of the material (i.e., in a lower level science course, you have to memorize a bunch of facts that are only generally related... it's a survey course; in an upper level course, you're focused on one thing and have to have it down cold, understand it, and be able to work with it).

Anka

 

[rom3o]

It's actually quite simple. Since you consider these other classes "lower" classes, mentally you say to yourself that they're easy/ier. Therefore you aren't working as hard as you should for these "simpler" classes, as a result it's turning around and nipping you in the butt. It's all psychological, you believe what you think.

 

[ForensicPath]

It's actually quite simple. Since you consider these other classes "lower" classes, mentally you say to yourself that they're easy/ier. Therefore you aren't working as hard as you should for these "simpler" classes, as a result it's turning around and nipping you in the butt. It's all psychological, you believe what you think.

That was exactly my problem. I didn't start working hard until I thought I had to. I guess it could be a good sign that we work better under pressure.

 

[freaker]

A lot of intro courses just have stiffer curves. Additionally, your professors probably aren't as concerned with the students in this class because 1) they generally resent having to teach intro courses 2) there are so many students, many of whom don't show up to lecture regularly 3) there are fewer students interested in majoring in their department.

Also, if you're better at discussion classes, intro courses tend to be lecture classes, which would not be to your advantage.