Terrible grades for 2 years

[IWTBAD]

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I got bad grades in freshman year science classes. Then I decided to try and kept getting bad grades. I have no clue where to go from here except getting my degree in a subject I'm doing horribly in.

 

[Mad Jack]

How bad is bad? You might want to consider switching majors...

 

[IWTBAD]

How bad is bad? You might want to consider switching majors...

Below 3.0, but it's the one thing I love. I just hate the competition and want to see how upper division classes are.

Should I switch to an easier subject and then do a post-bacc for any requirements I haven't taken?

 

[Mr Interesting]

Below 3.0, but it's the one thing I love. I just hate the competition and want to see how upper division classes are.

Should I switch to an easier subject and then do a post-bacc for any requirements I haven't taken?

What is your major?

 

[Mad Jack]

There's two ways you could play it. You could try pushing through and doing harder science courses in your current major. Science doesn't actually come all that naturally to many people, it's something you have to work at and work at until you get good, so getting some more science under your belt is advisable. It will help you both on the MCAT and in medical school to be more scientifically adept.

The other way you could go is to switch majors and do a postbacc. I'd recommend this if you feel you have more of a motivation problem- you think you're capable of the work but just aren't feeling it. Once you've got the undergrad degree out of the way, and you've just got that one year of courses standing between you and med school, you'll be hungrier for it and will probably perform better. You'll also be older, which will probably make you more mature and focused (I certainly got better at the whole school thing as I aged). The option is yours, you really have to ask yourself which way works better for you.

Do keep in mind that the competition generally just heats up once medical school starts and that the volume of science material covered in medical school makes freshman courses look positively babby level in comparison.

 

[IWTBAD]

What is your major?

Biology. It's not Biology where I'm doing bad, it's the classes that go with it.

 

[Mr Interesting]

Biology. It's not Biology where I'm doing bad, it's the classes that go with it.

Which courses? The ones that are pre-reqs or the ones that are just required for your degree?

 

[IWTBAD]

There's two ways you could play it. You could try pushing through and doing harder science courses in your current major. Science doesn't actually come all that naturally to many people, it's something you have to work at and work at until you get good, so getting some more science under your belt is advisable. It will help you both on the MCAT and in medical school to be more scientifically adept.

The other way you could go is to switch majors and do a postbacc. I'd recommend this if you feel you have more of a motivation problem- you think you're capable of the work but just aren't feeling it. Once you've got the undergrad degree out of the way, and you've just got that one year of courses standing between you and med school, you'll be hungrier for it and will probably perform better. You'll also be older, which will probably make you more mature and focused (I certainly got better at the whole school thing as I aged). The option is yours, you really have to ask yourself which way works better for you.

Do keep in mind that the competition generally just heats up once medical school starts and that the volume of science material covered in medical school makes freshman courses look positively babby level in comparison.

Thank you, this was very helpful. The thing is, I can do well in these classes if I'm motivated. I've just had a lot of anxiety towards school and my dad's health since college started. So I'm not sure what to do.

 

[IWTBAD]

Which courses? The ones that are pre-reqs or the ones that are just required for your degree?

Both, Chemistry, Physics, etc. That being said, I never gave school a real chance. I'm just kind of depressed over my GPA and have a "why bother" attitude that's destroying the rest of my quarter.

 

[Mr Interesting]

Thank you, this was very helpful. The thing is, I can do well in these classes if I'm motivated. I've just had a lot of anxiety towards school and my dad's health since college started. So I'm not sure what to do.

I think maybe you should consult a health provider about your anxiety issues. They could be a major barrier to your academic success.

Both, Chemistry, Physics, etc. That being said, I never gave school a real chance. I'm just kind of depressed over my GPA and have a "why bother" attitude that's destroying the rest of my quarter.

Chemistry and physics are tough for some students to grasp. Depression and anxiety will only make things more difficult to learn the necessary concepts in order to succeed. I suggest consulting a health professional and your student success office at your school. Bad grades aren't great but there are ways to overcome them if you are willing to work for it. I don't think you need to switch majors but do keep that option open. If you still have electives to take, take them for a semester while you work on your mental health and study habits.

 

[IWTBAD]

I think maybe you should consult a health provider about your anxiety issues. They could be a major barrier to your academic success.

Chemistry and physics are tough for some students to grasp. Depression and anxiety will only make things more difficult to learn the necessary concepts in order to succeed. I suggest consulting a health professional and your student success office at your school. Bad grades aren't great but there are ways to overcome them if you are willing to work for it. I don't think you need to switch majors but do keep that option open. If you still have electives to take, take them for a semester while you work on your mental health and study habits.

Thank you, I will. The problem is I'm on a quarter system and school ends in June. So I'm not looking at a great GPA this quarter either.

 

[Mr Interesting]

Thank you, I will. The problem is I'm on a quarter system and school ends in June. So I'm not looking at a great GPA this quarter either.

Consult a health provider then explain it the situation to the school with the necessary medical documentation. You may be eligible for a medical withdrawal. The withdrawals will show on your transcripts but your GPA will not take another hit. Contact your schools ombudsman to inquire about any other options.

 

[IWTBAD]

Consult a health provider then explain it the situation to the school with the necessary medical documentation. You may be eligible for a medical withdrawal. The withdrawals will show on your transcripts but your GPA will not take another hit. Contact your schools ombudsman to inquire about any other options.

It's still "early" and I can drop a class or two while seeking help. Or I can completely withdraw for a few quarters on a medical leave.

 

[darklabel]

It's still "early" and I can drop a class or two while seeking help. Or I can completely withdraw for a few quarters on a medical leave.

If you're doing poorly now, then just withdraw and make sure you get everything in order. Then when you're ready you can come back and take the classes you need.

 

[Mr Interesting]

It's still "early" and I can drop a class or two while seeking help. Or I can completely withdraw for a few quarters on a medical leave.

Oh okay, seek help and if you feel up to it afterwards you can give it the old college try. If not withdrawal and do not do anymore further damage to your GPA.

 

[IWTBAD]

Oh okay, seek help and if you feel up to it afterwards you can give it the old college try. If not withdrawal and do not do anymore further damage to your GPA.

If you're doing poorly now, then just withdraw and make sure you get everything in order. Then when you're ready you can come back and take the classes you need.

Thanks guys, I think I will not be withdrawing from university because 2 courses I'm taking, I'm managing fine (looking at A and B+), but there's one course I'm worried about. I could drop it, but this also doesn't look good (just taking 2 courses). I could work my ass off and get a C/B, but I think my anxiety will not allow that. I can tell myself I need to work to not get a D, but I still might end up not doing anything.