I think I failed my first Bio exam

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jay2324

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i think i jut failed my bio exam. This is my firsts semester at UT austin and my first bio exam was definitely the hardest test i have every experienced. Just wondering, has anyone else every failed a bio exam and how did you bounce back from it? I need advice because I am really upset with myself....
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I have failed other tests before not bio but I haven't taken much bio. After this test you know the format that your teacher gives and you have an idea of how much material is from in class or in textbook.

You should reevaluate your study habit and take note of how much free time on your hands. Bio is complete memorization so you might not be putting in enough time. If you think you did put in enough time and knew all the material going into the test, then other students probably felt the same way and their grade will be affected as well. Just hope your above the curve.

For now just relax cause its over! Forget about this test and improve.
 
Well, good luck for you: all hope is not lost.

There are a lot of subjects in college in which you might have studied and think you "know" everything that you will be tested on, but in fact it's just the opposite, and you might fail the test. Bio is not not one of those courses. Bio is truly a class where it's either you "know it or you don't know it." It's pure memorization, just grab the book and know everything there is to know.

Follow gmcguitar's advice on reevaluating your study habits, and figuring out what it is your doing wrong. With the right amount of time and hard work, you should come out just fine in the next exam.
 
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I also failed a bio exam freshman year, and for someone who wasn't used to getting bad grades in high school, it came to me as a bit of a shock. But after the initial disappointment, it motivated me to study my butt off for the next exam and I got an A 🙂 The prof sent me an email congratulating me in improving by so much, lol.
So definitely don't fret it, but be on top of everything this round, i.e. no procrastinating, and try to get your hands on past exams if available, those always help me out a lot. Oh, and take solace in the fact that you're a freshman...now's the time to be making your mistakes, and you'll eventually get the hang of studying for these college courses.
 
Double Trouble said:
Should have spent less time on UT memes
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I'll be honest, I am guilty of this...

But idk. I guess I could have studied more but my prof doesnt focus on memorization. The prof focuses on giving us scenarios and using our basic understanding of subjects to figure them out...the only problem is that there seemed to be multiple answers that could have been right on alot of the multiple choice questions. Idk ima just work harder. Thanks for the advice people
 
jay2324 said:
i think i jut failed my bio exam. This is my firsts semester at UT austin and my first bio exam was definitely the hardest test i have every experienced. Just wondering, has anyone else every failed a bio exam and how did you bounce back from it? I need advice because I am really upset with myself....
Click to expand...

First test I took in college was Gen Bio I. I got a 57 and I won't ever forget it (well actually I probably will, but that's not the point). That freaked me out because, like another poster just said, I was used to making all As with little effort in high school. This experience made me realize I needed to put more effort into studying which for me meant not waiting until the last day before a test. Continually study (at least some) so that when it comes time to really study the last two days or so before an exam, you're just reviewing and refreshing your mind on everything. You can do it! Just put forth more effort next time! Good luck
 
"Everybody falls the first time"
 
jay2324 said:
i think i jut failed my bio exam. This is my firsts semester at UT austin and my first bio exam was definitely the hardest test i have every experienced. Just wondering, has anyone else every failed a bio exam and how did you bounce back from it? I need advice because I am really upset with myself....
Click to expand...

Is the test curved? I have had lots of tests that I thought I failed until the curve came out.
 
Shaddy said:
ragecomic.png



Lol kidding.

If you're 110% sure that you're a premed, then back up what you're saying with the 110% effort. Get serious from this point on. You might get a B in the class, but meh, just one B in the grand scheme of things. Tell yourself that making more mistakes like the biology test will take away your future as a doctor.

And as FutureMD23 mentioned, the curve could be ridiculously high.
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That cartoon thing would be true if I was trying to be a doctor for the money

But bio is just hard for me to understand because it is so random. Random mutation, speciation...**** like that...especially punnet squares! Punnet squares are not even facts, they are assumptions. Assumptions make me feel like every answer on my test could be right. Idk I'm more of a math/chemistry guy
 
Shaddy said:
ragecomic.png



Lol kidding.

If you're 110% sure that you're a premed, then back up what you're saying with the 110% effort. Get serious from this point on. You might get a B in the class, but meh, just one B in the grand scheme of things. Tell yourself that making more mistakes like the biology test will take away your future as a doctor.

And as FutureMD23 mentioned, the curve could be ridiculously high.
Click to expand...

Lol, choice. I actually had a buddy who switched to pre-law almost the day after he failed the first chem test of the semester. Given, I failed too, but stuck with it and picked up my game after that.

OP, failing one test is nbd. Learn from it, study harder, and move on.
 
I got a D in my first biology test. I still used the same study habits I used in high school, so I decided to study a lot more for my second test. Got an A-.
 
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jay2324 said:
That cartoon thing would be true if I was trying to be a doctor for the money

But bio is just hard for me to understand because it is so random. Random mutation, speciation...**** like that...especially punnet squares! Punnet squares are not even facts, they are assumptions. Assumptions make me feel like every answer on my test could be right. Idk I'm more of a math/chemistry guy
Click to expand...

Medicine is at it's core just a bunch of biological facts that have to be remembered. Better get used to it.😀
 
jay2324 said:
i think i jut failed my bio exam. This is my firsts semester at UT austin and my first bio exam was definitely the hardest test i have every experienced. Just wondering, has anyone else every failed a bio exam and how did you bounce back from it? I need advice because I am really upset with myself....
Click to expand...

relax, i felt the same way when i took my first general biology exam, however even though it was hard, the average was like a 55, and i got a 72. At first i was traumatized, however you have to realize at the end of the semester there is always a curve, i kept this trend but slowly improved, i ended up getting low 80's on all of the remaining exams. I ended up with an A- 🙂
 
You'll prob get a "b" or something the first semester. Just continue to work harder.
 
Shaddy said:
ragecomic.png



Lol kidding.

If you're 110% sure that you're a premed, then back up what you're saying with the 110% effort. Get serious from this point on. You might get a B in the class, but meh, just one B in the grand scheme of things. Tell yourself that making more mistakes like the biology test will take away your future as a doctor.

And as FutureMD23 mentioned, the curve could be ridiculously high.
Click to expand...

this is hilarious
 
Hemorrage said:
relax, i felt the same way when i took my first general biology exam, however even though it was hard, the average was like a 55, and i got a 72. At first i was traumatized, however you have to realize at the end of the semester there is always a curve, i kept this trend but slowly improved, i ended up getting low 80's on all of the remaining exams. I ended up with an A- 🙂
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I wouldn't count on a curve unless your teacher specifically mentioned one. At my school nothing is curved (physics, bio or chem) and class averages are low 60's for chem and physics. For Orgo II we had to take the ACS final for our final exam (was worth 30% of our final grade) and they didn't even curve that.
 
shoehornlettuce said:
I wouldn't count on a curve unless your teacher specifically mentioned one. At my school nothing is curved (physics, bio or chem) and class averages are low 60's for chem and physics. For Orgo II we had to take the ACS final for our final exam (was worth 30% of our final grade) and they didn't even curve that.
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Exactly why Im scared. I don't think my teacher curves grades...she doesn't even drop one either
 
Welcome to college. This stuff happens, but lucky for you, you've got plenty of time to make up for it. Almost everyone tanks a midterm or a final at some point in time, even after their freshman year. People have gotten into top med schools with C's early on in their college career. Hopefully, you know what to do now to ace your future exams, and can make the necessary changes. That's all that matters 🙂
 
jay2324 said:
That cartoon thing would be true if I was trying to be a doctor for the money

But bio is just hard for me to understand because it is so random. Random mutation, speciation...**** like that...especially punnet squares! Punnet squares are not even facts, they are assumptions. Assumptions make me feel like every answer on my test could be right. Idk I'm more of a math/chemistry guy
Click to expand...

This is some of the easiest biology you will experience. it's like a step up from common sense.
 
ppfizenm said:
This is some of the easiest biology you will experience. it's like a step up from common sense.
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Yeah it is, but I could care less about biology. Most of intro bio is stupid and useless (the parts about eukaryotic taxonomy, their characteristics, etc.)* And if I don't care about something I won't do well in it. Give me math or chemistry ANY day over biology, psyc, and history.

*I realize they aren't "useless" and may in fact have some connections to bodily disease, but lets be honest, almost no one is going to remember the classes/characteristics two weeks after the semester ends. If no one remembers it, what's the use of learning it in the first place?

Knowing that paramecium has two nuclei (? i think so?) won't make me a better rounded person.
 
ppfizenm said:
This is some of the easiest biology you will experience. it's like a step up from common sense.
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not entirely true.....thats subjective depending on professors.. and schools
 
jay2324 said:
not entirely true.....thats subjective depending on professors.. and schools
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Yes, speciation and punnet squares are more difficult concepts at Harvard than other schools.
 
Double Trouble said:
Yeah it is, but I could care less about biology. Most of intro bio is stupid and useless (the parts about eukaryotic taxonomy, their characteristics, etc.)* And if I don't care about something I won't do well in it. Give me math or chemistry ANY day over biology, psyc, and history.

*I realize they aren't "useless" and may in fact have some connections to bodily disease, but lets be honest, almost no one is going to remember the classes/characteristics two weeks after the semester ends. If no one remembers it, what's the use of learning it in the first place?

Knowing that paramecium has two nuclei (? i think so?) won't make me a better rounded person.
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"could care less" means you care.
 
If it were me I would...go talk to the teacher and try to find out why I did poorly (bad study method, missing class, etc). Then I would make sure I learned all the test1 stuff down cold because the class will build on it.

It's not the end of the world, don't stress too much, but be sure to apply what you learned as to why you didn't do your best for next time.

GL
 
ppfizenm said:
try sociology instead
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I dont even know if i failed it yet so whats the point in trolling? plus, talking to everyone else, most people feel the same way I do so im not really worried anymore
 
jay2324 said:
I dont even know if i failed it yet so whats the point in trolling? plus, talking to everyone else, most people feel the same way I do so im not really worried anymore
Click to expand...

TBH this should all have been stuff you saw in hs. Since the state of public education is pretty decrepit in some areas so I will assume this is the first time you are seeing it. These are very easy concepts to master. It's possible you are just adjusting to college but the odds of actually making it to med school are not in your favor. The difference between students who start out pre-med compared to the percentage that actually get accepted is very high.
 
Shaddy said:
ragecomic.png



Lol kidding.

If you're 110% sure that you're a premed, then back up what you're saying with the 110% effort. Get serious from this point on. You might get a B in the class, but meh, just one B in the grand scheme of things. Tell yourself that making more mistakes like the biology test will take away your future as a doctor.

And as FutureMD23 mentioned, the curve could be ridiculously high.
Click to expand...

hahahahaha as someone posted earlier today, Shaddy is "on fire". keep em coming!
 
ppfizenm said:
TBH this should all have been stuff you saw in hs. Since the state of public education is pretty decrepit in some areas so I will assume this is the first time you are seeing it. These are very easy concepts to master. It's possible you are just adjusting to college but the odds of actually making it to med school are not in your favor. The difference between students who start out pre-med compared to the percentage that actually get accepted is very high.
Click to expand...

intro to biology is not make or break man. I mean, i know GPA is very important but some pre meds are psycho about it. Its not the death of you if you make one B in a class. And no, i actually have never seen the hardy weinberg equation in my life until 2 weeks ago...or heard of speciation. I did the best i could on the exam...bottom line is that i tried and i will do better. You are making it seem like this is my last stop on the road to medical school....i still have all my upper division chemistry classes left which is a subject im very good at. And I know plenty of people who have failed classes and got into medical school. Just because people aren't as perfect as you are at biology doesnt give you the right to tell me I wont make it to medical school. I actually can't think of a doctor who i know who would tell any pre-med student they should give up.......
 
ppfizenm said:
TBH this should all have been stuff you saw in hs. Since the state of public education is pretty decrepit in some areas so I will assume this is the first time you are seeing it. These are very easy concepts to master. It's possible you are just adjusting to college but the odds of actually making it to med school are not in your favor. The difference between students who start out pre-med compared to the percentage that actually get accepted is very high.
Click to expand...

WOW lol. You realize that, statistically, this applies for you as well right.

ppfizenm is just assuming you're a ******* - which probably isnt true. OP - are you doing well in your math classes? How did u do on your first math/chem tests?
 
jay2324 said:
intro to biology is not make or break man. I mean, i know GPA is very important but some pre meds are psycho about it. Its not the death of you if you make one B in a class. And no, i actually have never seen the hardy weinberg equation in my life until 2 weeks ago...or heard of speciation. I did the best i could on the exam...bottom line is that i tried and i will do better. You are making it seem like this is my last stop on the road to medical school....i still have all my upper division chemistry classes left which is a subject im very good at. And I know plenty of people who have failed classes and got into medical school. Just because people aren't as perfect as you are at biology doesnt give you the right to tell me I wont make it to medical school. I actually can't think of a doctor who i know who would tell any pre-med student they should give up.......
Click to expand...

Being good in biology isn't something to be proud of. It just means you sat in a corner reading and memorizing a book for a few hours - who the **** cares lmao.

TBH, I hate when people say that their "brain works well" in english, history, and biology (not math or physics).
 
Double Trouble said:
WOW lol. You realize that, statistically, this applies for you as well right.

ppfizenm is just assuming you're a ******* - which probably isnt true. OP - are you doing well in your math classes? How did u do on your first math/chem tests?
Click to expand...

Oh im a chem major....i take my first orgo test next week and im confident ill do well

And i love math as well.....92 on my first cal test

so needless to say, im not stupid....i just get bored of reading about biology. Its interesting at some points but most the time it seems dull and full of assumptions (not that assumptions are always a bad thing).
 
Double Trouble said:
WOW lol. You realize that, statistically, this applies for you as well right.

ppfizenm is just assuming you're a ******* - which probably isnt true. OP - are you doing well in your math classes? How did u do on your first math/chem tests?
Click to expand...

I've already applied and been accepted. Odds don't matter anymore.
 
jay2324 said:
intro to biology is not make or break man. I mean, i know GPA is very important but some pre meds are psycho about it. Its not the death of you if you make one B in a class. And no, i actually have never seen the hardy weinberg equation in my life until 2 weeks ago...or heard of speciation. I did the best i could on the exam...bottom line is that i tried and i will do better. You are making it seem like this is my last stop on the road to medical school....i still have all my upper division chemistry classes left which is a subject im very good at. And I know plenty of people who have failed classes and got into medical school. Just because people aren't as perfect as you are at biology doesnt give you the right to tell me I wont make it to medical school. I actually can't think of a doctor who i know who would tell any pre-med student they should give up.......
Click to expand...

My point isn't that it's an intro bio class which is harped on later. the point is that this is very easy subject material. You don't need to spend hours sitting in a corner to learn it. Punnet squares are common sense. And guess what. This isn't the only time you are going to see this. The HW theory of equilibrium and Mendelian genetics are tested on the MCAT along with other gen bio concepts. You may not be stupid and a B will not kill your chances for med school, but you make it sound like you found this info very challenging. What is going to happen when you start learning about the intricacies of the endocrine system or how the concentration gradients of the kidney work to remove wastes from the blood? If it is the strict memorization you have a problem with how are you ever going to remember all the cranial nerves and their functions?
 
mrbliss said:
Just adjust and study harder next time. I remember getting a B on my second Gen Chem test and thinking it was the end of the world. Man was I uptight :laugh:. I think it is normal during the first semester to be surprised that you actually have to study for tests to get A's. Relax and work hard.
Click to expand...

this is spring semester
 
ppfizenm said:
My point isn't that it's an intro bio class which is harped on later. the point is that this is very easy subject material. You don't need to spend hours sitting in a corner to learn it. Punnet squares are common sense. And guess what. This isn't the only time you are going to see this. The HW theory of equilibrium and Mendelian genetics are tested on the MCAT along with other gen bio concepts. You may not be stupid and a B will not kill your chances for med school, but you make it sound like you found this info very challenging. What is going to happen when you start learning about the intricacies of the endocrine system or how the concentration gradients of the kidney work to remove wastes from the blood? If it is the strict memorization you have a problem with how are you ever going to remember all the cranial nerves and their functions?
Click to expand...

?

I never said the subjects were hard. My teacher made them hard....they do that you know..
And different teachers teach the subject matter differently and emphasis different parts more than others. Obviously my teacher taught the subjects harder than yours if all u had to do was memorize...
 
Last edited:
You're not ruined, even if you got a really low score. I didn't do well on my first two organic exams, and then studied my butt off to get ~90 on the third and final exam.

You now know that you need to study and or change how you study, as well as what to expect for the next exam.
 
ppfizenm said:
TBH this should all have been stuff you saw in hs. Since the state of public education is pretty decrepit in some areas so I will assume this is the first time you are seeing it. These are very easy concepts to master. It's possible you are just adjusting to college but the odds of actually making it to med school are not in your favor. The difference between students who start out pre-med compared to the percentage that actually get accepted is very high.
Click to expand...

I don't understand how you can support so many "nontraditional" views and be so opinionated/unsympathetic at the same time. It's who you are, but it is still interesting. Haha.
 
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