Nearly Failed a class, Is this going to be a PROBLEM?

[PreDentalStudy]

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After taking two classes ( Bio I & Chem I) I have noticed something. Hard work cannot make up for what I just do not know. Every student seems to already know the material ... except me! All my classmates seem to know everything better than me. I'm embarrassed!


I'm tired of being in labs with students who look at me like i am wasting their precious time, teachers who can't be bothered to explain a "simple" concept they have no problem failing you on, or dealing with low self-esteem and feeling useless because I cannot keep up. How have you dealt with this?


I want to be the student who is confident and able, for once. Should I just hire a tutor during the summer to help me play catch up? How would that work? Have you done that?

thanks for listening. this site is awesome

 

[fogorvostan]

I worked with a tutor throughout orgo and a little into biochem. For other classes, I supplemented lectures/labs with youtube videos, Chad's videos (he has a great college science series), extra problems from the textbook, and even sometimes sat in on different professors' lectures to hear the material taught a different way .

 

[JLT223]

I'm tired of being in labs with students who look at me like i am wasting their precious time, teachers who can't be bothered to explain a "simple" concept they have no problem failing you on, or dealing with low self-esteem and feeling useless because I cannot keep up. How have you dealt with this?

I've been in groups in undergrad where I was treated like I knew nothing. I can remember distinctly a research based physiology lab filled with pre-med kids who did tons of research just to pad their applications. They thought they knew everything under the sun.

Honestly? Just put that person in their place. Just do it. It feels great and they won't know what hit them. You're both students and you are there to learn. As for professors, you just have to suck it up and find other methods of learning (TAs, friends, online resources, etc).

 

[Advance]

I've been in groups in undergrad where I was treated like I knew nothing. I can remember distinctly a research based physiology lab filled with pre-med kids who did tons of research just to pad their applications. They thought they knew everything under the sun.

Honestly? Just put that person in their place. Just do it. It feels great and they won't know what hit them. You're both students and you are there to learn. As for professors, you just have to suck it up and find other methods of learning (TAs, friends, online resources, etc).

Savage.

 

[bjpenn]

I'm one of the hardest workers I know. When I was applying to dental school, I had a tutor for the DAT and he helped me crush it. I went to office hours a lot too. If I didn't do that, I don't know if I would have gotten into dental school. Do whatever it takes. School isn't for everyone, and I'm one of them. I'm much better in the real world.

 

[confidentandgood]

You're not useless. Take it from someone who applied to college with dreams of studying journalism and with no science experience outside of honors chemistry and biology in high school. I now tutor general and organic chemistry, and I have worked with people from AP or IB science backgrounds. They are no less intelligent. We all learn differently.

Resources are key, and not everyone studies the same way. And sometimes, you can't depend on a professor for help. I took Orgo I with a professor who was completely unapproachable and group studying saved my life.

Ultimately, we can't give you the answer because we don't know how you study. Do you retain information more easily when it is repeated audibly or visually? Are you an early bird or a night owl? Do you work better when you review the material over a period of time, or when you cram before an exam? What is specifically difficult about learning chemistry and/or biology? Applying equations? Comprehension over memorization? Ask yourself these questions and more, and figure out what resources (tutoring, group work, etc.) are best for you.

I would also recommend (if possible) meeting with an academic advisor or someone at your school's academic center. They might be able to share some insight regarding your situation.

Best of luck.