Thanks for replying! Yeah I really hope to get help as soon as I can go back at the earliest to my university. My only reason as to why I want to get involved in clubs is because I need a support group to lean on during the semester. This and last semester I found myself having to do it all on my own and it took a toll on me mentally. I definitely plan on volunteering during summer and winter breaks as well!
Hi there. I replied to your original post awhile ago. Great job on the hard work and improving your GPA!
This comment "My only reason as to why I want to get involved in clubs is because I need a support group to lean on during the semester. This and last semester I found myself having to do it all on my own and it took a toll on me mentally." stuck out to me a lot.
When you were taking classes in-person, did you ever study with your classmates? Such as joining or starting a study group, or even just having a couple people who you would check answers with, ask to explain something you don't understand, or if you make your own study guides, flashcards, or other form of virtual studying (such as quizlet) sharing those with each other?
To me, it doesn't seem like this the solution to finding a support group to lean on is joining clubs, but making connections in each of your classes with one or a few people. Then, you have a support group, and also have people to help motivate you and help you with studying for that class since they are doing it too.
It is as simple as the first day of class asking people who seem nice and like good students (organized, prepared, working hard in class) to do a phone and email exchange. Then, when you are working on homework or an assignment, it is easy to text or email someone if you are stuck. Or ask someone what they think might be on the test, or arrange a study group. Or talk to when you are worried about an upcoming test. Once you have someone's contact information, it makes it easy to form a connection and have a support group.
As an introvert who has social anxiety in some situations, I made friends quite quickly just by making my own study guides and offering to share them with classmates and doing the phone/email exchange.
Also, if what you are after is gaining a support group to lean on, I would look at joining clubs that are more oriented on supporting each other rather than doing a specific task or thing. For example, at my college, the psychology club was more focused on acceptance and support than discussing psychology in an academic sense (one meet-up, they talked about their challenges they were having in college). They also did more fun things, like holding movie nights and bake sales. A group that is more like that rather than a challenging club where you have to prepare in advance (which could take a significant amount of time from your classes and studying) and participate in competitions seems a better fit for what you are looking for.
Or if there is a pre-med club, maybe join that instead since it'll help you connect with other pre-med people.
It also seems like, much like myself, you seem more focused on planning for far out in the future, rather than focusing on the right now, or the next assignment. It is helpful for planners to have a rough idea of what their life will look like in the next 2-5 years, but quite a few of your posts are focused on getting into SMP, taking the MCAT, MD/DO, and planning farther out into the future.
You have a confirmation that your plan is good, so now is the time to focus back on the immediate.
I really do not recommend using your summer to self-study. That typically only results in burn out once you actually start school work. Right before school starts and during the school year, for biology and chemistry, I really recommend reading the entire chapter and working on problems (and even making flashcards/quizlet/study guide while going through it) the day before class, that way during class, it is review and your 2nd time seeing the material. Then, while you are reading and practicing on problems in advance, for anything that you are confused on still after the lecture on the chapter, you can ask your professor during class if there is time or office hours.
Same for labs. Read the lab the day before, make sure you fully understand it, and try to find anything relating to what you will be doing in your book to gain a better understanding. Make sure you set up your lab notebook in advance as well.
For things that you struggle with, I would see if there is a crash course video or other video on youtube on it. Make use of office hours.
One thing to really start to think about it is that as you take more science courses, it isn't only about getting a good grade. You need to understand and know the material in order to do well and not struggle as much in the next class. It is easy to cram and get an A, but when you go onto the next thing, your lack of understanding of a topic will make things a lot harder. The classes you are taking next have material that will be on the MCAT. Understanding the information is vital to being successful, not just getting an A.
I know you had a better overall GPA your previous semester, but what was your grade in Biology 1 and Chemistry 1 and how much of the material do you feel that you understood? Did you like or enjoy the material at all?
Are you taking anymore classes with biology 2 w/ lab and chemistry 2 w/ lab?
