Keep your head up premeds

[damitusbrown]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

This is a summary of how my gpa rose from a 3.165 --> 3.6.

1st semester gpa: 3.165
Intro Biology: B
Gen Chem: B+
Calculus I: Withdrew!
Writing seminar: B+

Notes: At this point, I thought it was impossible for me to bring my gpa up! I was afraid that I didn't have what it took to become a doctor. I withdrew from calculus and didn't feel confident. I constantly thought about the possibility that I would have to change my major.

2nd semester gpa: 3.062
Ecology: B+
Physiology: B+
Gen Chem: B-
Drawing: B-
Literature: B+

Notes: I thought it was all over!! My gpa was getting worse! I wanted instant gratification and took too many science course; it backfired on me. I also had a terrible arts class. At this point, I though it was OVER! But being accepted to my school's summer school "make up" program gave me a glimmer of hope. I was allowed to retake calculus I.

Summer gpa: 4.0
Calculus I: A
Calculus II: A

Cumulative gpa: 3.27

Notes: I retook calc and did really well. Feeling ambitious, I also took Calc II, and also got an A. This made me more confident, it made me realize that I had what it took to get A's.

Sophomore first semester gpa: 3.938
Organic Chemistry: A
Plant physiology: A
Philosophy: A
Theology: A
Psychology: A
Organic chemistry lab: B

Notes: I learned from my mistakes. Throughout my freshman year, I learned through trial and error. I didn't get smarter, I just determined the study methods that worked the best for me.

Sophomore 2nd semester: 3.90
Organic Chemistry II: A
Bio lab: A
Theology: A
Philosophy: A
Econ: A
Orgo lab: C+

Current cumulative gpa: 3.6
Current science gpa: 3.51

Notes: I kept doing what worked for me and it gave me consistant results. As you can see from my orgo lab grade, I am not perfect! Mistakes always happen. But you just keep your head up.

Final word: There are numerous posts from freshman students stressing about their gpa's. Its going to be okay! You can bring it up! I am not a "special case", I freaked out as well. I was disappointed, but equally motivated. Every time I didn't receive the grades I wanted, I reflected on all the things that helped me academically and took out all the things that hindered my performance. It is possible, but not easy. How bad do you want it? I can tell you that I am no different from you, I once considered applying to the Caribbean medical schools. But its all about three things: learning how you learn the best; trusting yourself; being confident. Hope this helps!

 

[911 Turbo]

yay


now keep it up for jr year op

 

[Thanhn]

First off, that upswing is incredible, congratulations!

What was the difference between gen chem and o-chem for you? And what advice would you have for those entering o-chem?

 

[487806]

yay


now keep it up for jr year op

This exactly.

First off, that upswing is incredible, congratulations!

What was the difference between gen chem and o-chem for you? And what advice would you have for those entering o-chem?

Not my question I know, but since I already finished with the prereqs, I can give you some insight.

Both are honestly similar for me, at least concept-wise. To study o-chem, you need to understand the concepts of hybridization, basic reaction patterns and trends, and do a lot of practice problems.

 

[damitusbrown]

What I have seen is that some people that were good at gen chem struggled with orgo. But there were some students who were good at both. They are completely different however. Gen chem is completely math based while organic chemistry is mostly pattern recognition and conceptual.

 

[BeancheBlanco]

breh what happened in organic chem lab?

 

[sinombre]

First off, that upswing is incredible, congratulations!

What was the difference between gen chem and o-chem for you? And what advice would you have for those entering o-chem?

Basically how diligent you have to be about studying. Neither is more conceptually difficult--ochem just requires more discipline. Most people who take ochem have poor study habits and try to cram a day or two before the midterms (study all day/pull all-nighters) and then crash and burn. I think most people in any given ochem class are capable of getting an A if they study every day and actually stick to it.