Should I withdraw from gen chem? What would you do?

[CNac]

Hello.
I am a freshmen in college and I just received my general chemistry test back.
I got a 46.5%. 🙁 I'm not a bad student, I just wasn't ready for college. It was my first college exam ever, and what it came down was that I grossly underestimated how much I need to study for college exams. In high school, I could breeze through classes no problem, studying for tests only 1 to 2 days out. But this helped me realize that I need to start studying a week out instead.

I'm getting the hang of things and starting to study at least 1 week out for exams. I pulled off a B+ on my bio exam when the class average was a C. I'm pretty sure I got an A on my history midterm, so I'm feeling good in that regards. I love biology and it something I could see myself studying it (it just really clicks, but for any type of major or grad school, i need those chem classes.

I just think my chemistry grade is beyond repair and I really dont know what to do. I would have to kick ass and get REALLY high A's on the next two tests, which I honestly don't think I can do. Also, I think I'm getting a C in lab halfway through.

What would you guys do? Withdraw and try again next year, now that I know what it takes? Also how bad will a withdraw in a pre-req such as gen chem look? I don't want a single chem test ruining my chances at dental school.

Keep in mind also that If I drop lecture, 3 credits, I have to drop lab as well, 1 credit. It will technically count as two W's.

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[Double Bonded]

Hello.
I am a freshmen in college and I just received my general chemistry test back.
I got a 46.5%. 🙁 I'm not a bad student, I just wasn't ready for college. It was my first college exam ever, and what it came down was that I grossly underestimated how much I need to study for college exams. In high school, I could breeze through classes no problem, studying for tests only 1 to 2 days out. But this helped me realize that I need to start studying a week out instead.

I'm getting the hang of things and starting to study at least 1 week out for exams. I pulled off a B+ on my bio exam when the class average was a C. I'm pretty sure I got an A on my history midterm, so I'm feeling good in that regards. I love biology and it something I could see myself studying it (it just really clicks, but for any type of major or grad school, i need those chem classes.

I just think my chemistry grade is beyond repair and I really dont know what to do. I would have to kick ass and get REALLY high A's on the next two tests, which I honestly don't think I can do. Also, I think I'm getting a C in lab halfway through.

What would you guys do? Withdraw and try again next year, now that I know what it takes? Also how bad will a withdraw in a pre-req such as gen chem look? I don't want a single chem test ruining my chances at dental school.

Keep in mind also that If I drop lecture, 3 credits, I have to drop lab as well, 1 credit. It will technically count as two W's.

Stay in it for now and try to pull your grade up by giving it all you've got. If you can't get a B or better by the time the withdrawal deadline arrives, then withdraw.

I'm applying now and I can honestly say that 1 W during your first semester of freshman year will not effect your career plans one bit. Just don't get any more.

 

[YoHomey]

I would drop and retake it another semester. Withdrawals are frowned upon by schools but they'll accept a couple of them especially if one of them is in your first semester freshman year.

Consider it a mulligan.

 

[dmdluffy]

Hello.
I am a freshmen in college and I just received my general chemistry test back.
I got a 46.5%. 🙁 I'm not a bad student, I just wasn't ready for college. It was my first college exam ever, and what it came down was that I grossly underestimated how much I need to study for college exams. In high school, I could breeze through classes no problem, studying for tests only 1 to 2 days out. But this helped me realize that I need to start studying a week out instead.

I'm getting the hang of things and starting to study at least 1 week out for exams. I pulled off a B+ on my bio exam when the class average was a C. I'm pretty sure I got an A on my history midterm, so I'm feeling good in that regards. I love biology and it something I could see myself studying it (it just really clicks, but for any type of major or grad school, i need those chem classes.

I just think my chemistry grade is beyond repair and I really dont know what to do. I would have to kick ass and get REALLY high A's on the next two tests, which I honestly don't think I can do. Also, I think I'm getting a C in lab halfway through.

What would you guys do? Withdraw and try again next year, now that I know what it takes? Also how bad will a withdraw in a pre-req such as gen chem look? I don't want a single chem test ruining my chances at dental school.

Keep in mind also that If I drop lecture, 3 credits, I have to drop lab as well, 1 credit. It will technically count as two W's.

Suck it up and finish the class as best as you can. It's hard to advise you without knowing the grading scheme for your professor but if you drop Chem, your out a whole year cause you can't take the rest of chem. You'll have to take it in the summer to catch up and be able to take Orgo sophomore year. If you can get a B in the class, that'd be good. Hopefully you're honest that this experience has opened your eyes about how much effort you'll need in college to make yourself a competitive dental applicant in the future cause I can tell you it sucks trying to be a "come back kid" type of applicant.

 

[crax]

Honestly, you have so much free time with which you waste. I would go back and seriously learn genchem, and use it as a base to ACE the rest of your chem uppers as welll as chemII, and also the DATs. Work your ass off and one bad grade wont matter.

In my opinion, it will look good to see that you got a B- in genchem to follow it up by some solid improvements with A's in upper level chems.

-NOTE: talk to your professor, and express your concerns in a professional matter, go to office hours, and tutoring. make sure he knows youre putting in the effort = benefit of the doubt when youre borderline on a grade.

 

[YoHomey]

Most important GPA for d-school is BCP (Bio, chem, physics) followed by Science GPA and then Overall GPA.

B's are GPA killers (well maybe not to that extreme but definitely negatively impact it) as you'll need 2 consecutive A's just to raise the average back to a 3.67 or 3 consecutive A's to raise it to a 3.75.

I would rather drop and retake it for a A/A- (4.0/3.67). You can do the math and likelihood of the outcome for each scenario.

 

[CNac]

I really don't mind taking gen chem again next year and being "a year behind". I know it takes away flexibility but I'm only going to take the minimum chem requirements and excel in the high level biology and physics courses. Also, there seems to be a lot of sophomore pre meds/dents in my chem class.

Another option is to take a lower division semester chem class, while it doesn't fulfill any pre req for dental school, it might ease my way into chemistry for next year. And there is no way in hell im taking the class over the summer. I heard that's terrible, especially after getting a W here.

I agree that B's are gpa killers, and i want a really high GPA this and next semester(3.75 and above) so i have a little more flexibility for upper divison.

Any more thoughts before i make a decision?

 

[Dgeorg6]

I took Gen chem 2 and the lab last spring and made 70's on the first 2 test and wasnt satisfied so dropped the class, took it in spring intercession and made a 140 in the class.. (made a 100 on every test +40 point bonus paper) In the end.. that A was way better than the C and it didnt affect my scheduling because it was an intercession class.. but idk if your college does that

 

[jackalo34]

I took Gen chem 2 and the lab last spring and made 70's on the first 2 test and wasnt satisfied so dropped the class, took it in spring intercession and made a 140 in the class.. (made a 100 on every test +40 point bonus paper) In the end.. that A was way better than the C and it didnt affect my scheduling because it was an intercession class.. but idk if your college does that

Must be nice…lucky 🙄

 

[AlbinoPolarBear]

I took Gen chem 2 and the lab last spring and made 70's on the first 2 test and wasnt satisfied so dropped the class, took it in spring intercession and made a 140 in the class.. (made a 100 on every test +40 point bonus paper) In the end.. that A was way better than the C and it didnt affect my scheduling because it was an intercession class.. but idk if your college does that

A's must be handed out like candy at your school.

 

[UCLAzy]

i think i remember what extra credit is. they used to have that in like 6-8th grade right?

 

[BobLoblawDDS]

Lol a FORTY PERCENT bonus paper? That's ridiculous. I think the biggest bonus assignment I ever had was writing a psych research paper for an extra 5% on my exam, which was only worth 35% in the first place. So that's 1.75% of my final grade. It was almost imperceptible as to whether or not I actually got the extra marks. 😳