Terrible semester...

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Xelb

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This semester has gone terribly…and after some deep introspecting, I haven't a clue with what I want to do with my life anymore. To give you some background: I am a sophomore majoring in Biochemistry. I HAD high hopes of getting into medical school right after graduating, but now I'm really not sure if I'm smart enough/competent enough.

My current grades in my classes:
Orgo I - C
Orgo I Lab - B
Upper division bio - C/D
Physics I - D+
Physics I lab - B
Gen Ed - A
Statistics - A

This is my current situation…and there doesn't appear to be any indication that this will get better. Compared to my freshman year, this grade distribution is simply terrifying. I made only one B with the rest being all A's last year, giving me a 3.87 GPA. I studied like a mad man freshman year. The same story applies to this year, but for some reason I just can't pull the grades that I'm used to earning. It seems that working through numerous practice problems, spending hours going over the material in the library, and even getting a Physics tutor does not seem to do me any good. Obviously, my GPA is going to go down much more so after this semester…and there doesn't seem to be anything that I can do about it despite how proactive I've been in salvaging my GPA. And, by down, I mean several points worth, not by a small amount like in this thread: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=493189...christ reading the OP in that thread makes my blood boil. But I digress...

It just seems pointless to even consider taking the MCAT this April/May because if I can't even pull a B or an A in Orgo, Physics, and upper division Biology classes, how am I supposed to earn a decent score beyond the national average? Moreover, if I can't pull a B or an A in the aforementioned classes…how the hell can I succeed in medical school where the course load is equivalent to a 22 credit hour semester in ALL UPPER DIVISION SCIENCES? You know what, forgetting medical school and the MCAT, how am I even expected to succeed in my Biochemistry courses that I'm set to take next year if I can't even do well in the pre-requisite courses?

Seriously…I just feel so incompetent that I'm considering alternative options. What are some good alternative options for the discouraged/distraught/failed premed?
 
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Goodness man how many hours is that? Freshman year's a bit easier than the rest, consider toning down the hours maybe.

And are labs hard at other schools? I'm at a decently difficult uni (not hard, not easy) and labs are gimme grades. I see often people here getting B's and Cs in them.
 
Your post describes a lot of what happened to me after an easy first year. Cut down on EC activities, as academics are your main concern now. If you can, drop a course, as the load may be too much at the moment.
 
Xelb said:
This semester has gone terribly…and after some deep introspecting, I haven't a clue with what I want to do with my life anymore. To give you some background: I am a sophomore majoring in Biochemistry. I HAD high hopes of getting into medical school right after graduating, but now I'm really not sure if I'm smart enough/competent enough.

My current grades in my classes:
Orgo I - C
Orgo I Lab - B
Upper division bio - C/D
Physics I - D+
Physics I lab - B
Gen Ed - A
Statistics - A

This is my current situation…and there doesn't appear to be any indication that this will get better. Compared to my freshman year, this grade distribution is simply terrifying. I made only one B with the rest being all A's last year, giving me a 3.87 GPA. I studied like a mad man freshman year. The same story applies to this year, but for some reason I just can't pull the grades that I'm used to earning. It seems that working through numerous practice problems, spending hours going over the material in the library, and even getting a Physics tutor does not seem to do me any good. Obviously, my GPA is going to go down much more so after this semester…and there doesn't seem to be anything that I can do about it despite how proactive I've been in salvaging my GPA. And, by down, I mean several points worth, not by a small amount like in this thread: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=493189...christ reading the OP in that thread makes my blood boil. But I digress...

It just seems pointless to even consider taking the MCAT this April/May because if I can't even pull a B or an A in Orgo, Physics, and upper division Biology classes, how am I supposed to earn a decent score beyond the national average? Moreover, if I can't pull a B or an A in the aforementioned classes…how the hell can I succeed in medical school where the course load is equivalent to a 22 credit hour semester in ALL UPPER DIVISION SCIENCES? You know what, forgetting medical school and the MCAT, how am I even expected to succeed in my Biochemistry courses that I'm set to take next year if I can't even do well in the pre-requisite courses?

Seriously…I just feel so incompetent that I'm considering alternative options. What are some good alternative options for the discouraged/distraught/failed premed?
Click to expand...


Don't give up hope yet. Sometimes we go through doubts because it seems too hard, but there are solutions. For example, it is okay to take a lighter course load. I've learned through the years that I can't take a full load of classes because I become overwhelmed and can't keep up with the material. ( work is #1 priority, it is what it is)

What else are you doing outside of school? Do you work, volunteer? Are you managing your time well?

Don't be afraid to ask for help. I read that you have a physics tutor, that's a start, but seriously, if you don't truly understand something, keep asking until you get it, don't just say that you understand not to look "stupid". Talk with the teachers during office hours, take a mental day where you try to put everything into perspective.

Most importantly, stop thinking about the future. Think about today, because you need to succeed today to get to medical school. Good luck with your classes.
 
It seems like you're taking a heavy load. If you can I would drop a class and cut down on ECs. At this point your GPA is most important, and if that means dropping a class then so be it. Good luck OP.
 
I agree with posts above. Along with them, it will be also nice to have some more time of reflection, not just academically, but also personally. Just sit and reflect for 3-5 minutes every now and then. Re-evaluate yourself in every way. Values, goals, dreams, passions, strengths, weaknesses, past experiences, and etc.

Improving your time management and study strategies is one thing, but sometimes failure reveals some of your deeper personal qualities, values, and goals.


There is nothing wrong with setting high expectations and pursuing excellence in things you value. You will fail soon or later, and might as well go through it now and learn things now, rather than failing your patients.

Question is, are you going to accept and maintain your failure until the end, or would you try harder and seek different strategies to improve?


Above all, another question is, what you learned about yourself from this experience and how you will change after this semester.
 
I feel the same way OP. I'm a sophomore, received a 4.0 gpa first year. Currently, if I receive a substandard grade on my next test I will slip down to a B in one of my classes. I'm not sure if I'm smart enough for Medical school either at times, I feel like an impostor. Btw, I'm also majoring in Biochemistry.
 
TheVillain said:
I feel the same way OP. I'm a sophomore, received a 4.0 gpa first year. Currently, if I receive a substandard grade on my next test I will slip down to a B in one of my classes. I'm not sure if I'm smart enough for Medical school either at times, I feel like an impostor. Btw, I'm also majoring in Biochemistry.
Click to expand...

Impostor syndrome is extremely common among medical students-- we all feel like we don't deserve to be where we are, but it's all about faking it until you make it. A B won't kill you.
 
I started out well my freshman year >3.5 GPA

Sophomore year wasn't as ideal, I got a 3.1 in the fall followed by a 3.3 in the spring.
Summer: 9 credit hours of 4.0 replaced the damage
Junior year: ehh, probably will get a 3.5

I've had so many adcoms tell me that everyone has a couple bad semesters. If your not doing "great" don't come to SDN everyone here apparently has a 3.9+ GPA and it'll only make you insecure, when in reality it shouldn't because your only a sophomore! Cheer up, it could be much, much worse.
 
If your not doing "great" don't come to SDN everyone here apparently has a 3.9+ GPA and it'll only make you insecure
Click to expand...

This.
 
Cut out the clutter (EC's, etc.) and focus on grades. If it means dropping Physics, so be it.
 
Hang in there. I had a second semester sophomore slump after having a 4.0 fall semester. It isn't over.
 
Your post makes me really worried and your freshman stats are eerily similar to mine... I am also a biochemistry major who finished freshman year with around a 3.9, but sophomore year has been hell with organic and physics and a few other classes together. Even though I have an A is phys and ochem so far I can feel my confidence slipping away....

In all honesty, I've been getting through this by telling myself that college is only 3 years, and that senior year doesnt matter much because I've turned in my app in the summer after junior year..I can only make 7 more Bs sophomore and junior year for a 3.7 gpa. I know that this gpa is still kinda high.... but it makes me nervous because anything can happen.
 
Taking physics, o-chem, and upper level bio at the same time is rough.
 
Drop whatever ECs you're doing and focus in your classes. This semester will help you learn time management, how to study more efficiently and to not overload with too many units. I estimated from your post that you are taking like 17-19 units, this might be too much. I don't know how you're studying for physics, but physics is highly conceptual. You need to understand the core concepts very well, so that you can tackle a problem. Make sure you understand the concepts and do all the problems at the back of each chapter. Good luck.
 
Venom5 said:
Your post makes me really worried and your freshman stats are eerily similar to mine... I am also a biochemistry major who finished freshman year with around a 3.9, but sophomore year has been hell with organic and physics and a few other classes together. Even though I have an A is phys and ochem so far I can feel my confidence slipping away....

In all honesty, I've been getting through this by telling myself that college is only 3 years, and that senior year doesnt matter much because I've turned in my app in the summer after junior year..I can only make 7 more Bs sophomore and junior year for a 3.7 gpa. I know that this gpa is still kinda high.... but it makes me nervous because anything can happen.
Click to expand...

Lol. I was a Biochem major, had a 4.0 freshman year, then had a D in physics most of fall, later kicked it up to a B. Funny thing, I also got a tutor for the class (though it didn't help much).
 
What is the class average in the course?

I know I've had a few classes where the class average was like 50 and the teacher would give a curve.

Also not sure how your school is but the semester just started here, there is still 2 and a half months left and thats plenty of time to bring up your grades.

I'd also advise against taking so many hard classes at once.

I struggled a lot during Orgo 1, I don't think I learned a thing that semester, I have no idea how I even made it out with a B. When I studied for the MCAT though somehow it just started making sense.

Try to find different sources other than your textbooks to gather information on the topics. Whenever I don't understand a concept I will google it and see what information I can find about it.
 
OP heres my take:

I take 2-3 labs and 2-3 science courses every semester, however, i spend 95% of my time doing something related to getting into medical school. Either its studying, research, or volunteering, i spend ALL of my time doing it. Somehow everyone on SDN gets A's in orgo, physics, etc by studying 2 hours a week but im not like that. The take home message is if your not willing to work your ass off, don't take those courses all at once. The only reason why you don't at least have a C is because either your study methods dont work, or your not studying hard enough. For each physics test do 1000 problems. Im not kidding.
 
Hemorrage said:
OP heres my take:

I take 2-3 labs and 2-3 science courses every semester, however, i spend 95% of my time doing something related to getting into medical school. Either its studying, research, or volunteering, i spend ALL of my time doing it. Somehow everyone on SDN gets A's in orgo, physics, etc by studying 2 hours a week but im not like that. The take home message is if your not willing to work your ass off, don't take those courses all at once. The only reason why you don't at least have a C is because either your study methods dont work, or your not studying hard enough. For each physics test do 1000 problems. Im not kidding.
Click to expand...

Uhhh.....wut
 
Okay, so I was going to address mostly everybody that replied in this thread, however I'm just going to address two things that were addressed in most of the replies: EC's and dropping physics.

I've completed over 50 hours of shadowing across numerous specialties. By most SDN standards, this seems to be more than enough. I plan on completing at least ten more hours during the winter break. As for volunteering, I've accrued over 32 hours in health-related volunteering already. Currently, I volunteer at my school's student health center one day a week for 2 and a half hours. That's it. I do nothing else "EC" wise...so that should give you a better idea of the EC situation hopefully.

As for Physics...I might consider dropping this class. This would reduce my course load from 18 credit hours to 14 (if I decide to drop the lab as well) or 15 (if I decide to stay in the lab...we're allowed to do this). I took some Gen Eds during the summer (A's in all of them), so I wouldn't need to worry about adding another class or graduating on time. However, the reason I'm taking physics at all this semester (and also the reason I even bothered to take gen eds during the summer) is because I had plans to graduate early. I really wanted to be done with college by the summer of 2014. I'm thinking now that this may not happen. Depending on how midterms go...I may drop Physics, I might not. Midterm grades, thankfully, are not factored into my GPA. They merely show where I stand in the class, grade-wise.
 
mouthwash4hobo said:
Most importantly, stop thinking about the future. Think about today, because you need to succeed today to get to medical school. Good luck with your classes.
Click to expand...

That's a really important point and a poor habit of mine. Focus on the present and forget about the future...
 
TheVillain said:
I feel the same way OP. I'm a sophomore, received a 4.0 gpa first year. Currently, if I receive a substandard grade on my next test I will slip down to a B in one of my classes. I'm not sure if I'm smart enough for Medical school either at times, I feel like an impostor. Btw, I'm also majoring in Biochemistry.
Click to expand...

From time to time, I have the same doubts as you guys, and I am IN med school. You guys are picturing a competition against a horde of robotic premeds with nothing but superlatives and accolades in their back pocket. You are comparing yourselves at your weakest with them at their best. Of course you're getting discouraged.

OP, a single bad semester will certainly damage your application, but it cannot possibly sink it altogether (trust me, I had three of them). I would lighten your load if possible by dropping a class (or two), look into tutors for other classes that are giving you trouble, probably replace your physics tutor, and take a deep breath. You're stumbling, but you can regain your stride.

To the person I quoted, you have absolutely nothing to be worried about, a single B will be hardly noticed, even in a prereq. Relax.
 
Patty you should change your status to medical student
 
Xelb said:
This is my current situation…and there doesn't appear to be any indication that this will get better.
Click to expand...

I don't want to hear this. Stop putting yourself down.
 
Xelb said:
My current grades in my classes:
Orgo I - C
Orgo I Lab - B
Upper division bio - C/D
Physics I - D+
Physics I lab - B
Gen Ed - A
Statistics - A
Click to expand...

What did you expect with this load? I mean yeah, to try and get done early is great, and is very ambitious of you. But to what end? 3 science courses + 3 labs, and stats? I mean c'mon, unless you are part of the small % that can ace courses with minimal studying, you should always waiver on the side of caution with course loads. This is in regard to Freshman/Soph year, where it is the years to get a good grasp of efficient studying/time management skills.

Drop 1 science course and lab. Whichever one you feel would alleviate the biggest amount of stress.

Sounds like you are doing what you need to as far as studying, but you just bit off more than you can chew this semester.

Good luck,
 
So I have my most recent test grade for the upper division bio class...and I have a C. Seriously, I'm just ready to give up now. I have no motivation to continue studying, I have several more exams next week, I feel like studying even more will only produce diminishing returns, and I'm constantly wondering how I let myself arrive at this position. Then, it occurred to me: I'm simply not smart or capable enough. Most of my friends seem to think I am, but that facade will dissolve soon enough. I'm a hard worker, sure, but there is a certain amount of innate intelligence one is required to possess in order to actually *succeed*. I just don't have it. You'd have to be incredibly naive to think hard work is the end-all-be-all when it comes to succeeding.

My original question still applies: Are there any other (financially sustainable) alternative careers that a failed premed can possibly pursue?
 
I really suggest that you drop one of your classes to save your GPA.
That is the most important thing. I took a chance and took a W in the first semester of freshman year.
That's been my only W since and I remind myself that overloading is not worth sacrficing my GPA.
Really think about it. 🙂
 
Cut down on classes and see if that works. I always spread out my heavy classes as much as possible.
 
Xelb said:
My original question still applies: Are there any other (financially sustainable) alternative careers that a failed premed can possibly pursue?
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How are you a "failed premed"? Your semester is ~25% over. Just drop physics and work hard in the other classes. Go for a jog. Order a pizza, drink some Natty Lite, and watch a movie. If you're truly depressed, see a psychologist. Don't seek advice from randoms on the internet.
 
Xelb said:
My original question still applies: Are there any other (financially sustainable) alternative careers that a failed premed can possibly pursue?
Click to expand...

You should drop Physics.

Another financially sustainable career that you should consider doing is engineering in general, in this order- biomedical, chemical, or electrical. The advantage of this is that you can pursue medical school while still having a professional career in place, that pays well.

Also, don't give up. Get old tests from upperclassmen, classmates, TAs and professors. Use those to study for exams!!!
 
Just wanted to give a quick update. Everything has been looking up since September. My grade distribution looks something like this at the moment:

Orgo I - B
Orgo I Lab - A
Upper division bio - A
Physics I - A
Physics I lab - A
Gen Ed - A
Statistics - A

I'm exhausted at this point. I still don't think I'm going to try and graduate early. Not worth the stress, honestly. Organic still makes me want to kick babies, but I'll push through. I deeply appreciate the advice that everyone here has given me. Thank you! 🙂
 
Wow, that is way too many courses to take. I'd definitely suggest dropping one of them. A withdrawal won't look as bad as a D or C.
 
Xelb said:
Just wanted to give a quick update. Everything has been looking up since September. My grade distribution looks something like this at the moment:

Orgo I - B
Orgo I Lab - A
Upper division bio - A
Physics I - A
Physics I lab - A
Gen Ed - A
Statistics - A

I'm exhausted at this point. I still don't think I'm going to try and graduate early. Not worth the stress, honestly. Organic still makes me want to kick babies, but I'll push through. I deeply appreciate the advice that everyone here has given me. Thank you! 🙂
Click to expand...

Congrats! Keep up the good work! :luck:

Just ignore the poor semester, and continue believing in yourself that you can succeed in the courses no matter how difficult they are.
 
Stumpyman said:
Your post describes a lot of what happened to me after an easy first year. Cut down on EC activities, as academics are your main concern now. If you can, drop a course, as the load may be too much at the moment.
Click to expand...

+1. I took the exact same load as you my sophomore year (2nd semester). I bombed. 3.17 semester GPA and then a summer course I didn't do well in either because I was so burnt out.

However, it's not too late! I learned from my mistakes and brought my cGPA up to a 3.5 and recently got an II for an MD school. Granted, I didn't do nearly as badly as you're doing right now - 4 B's, a B- a B+, and an A but I had a slightly lower freshman GPA to start with (3.8) so it evens out.

Be careful with C's and D's though as those are often red flags and disqualifying factors. I wound up with a solid 3.5+ GPA and 30+ MCAT with nothing under 10, and no grades under B-. I've been told this causes me to pass preliminary screens. You might not be so lucky if you get C's, especially if you get D's - most med schools don't even let you apply with anything under a C.

Moral of the story? A major rule of thumb is to never take more than 15 semester hours in a semester or you are setting yourself up for failure unless you're a total genius or taking a lot of easy courses (and none of those are easy except maybe gen ed). But the semester isn't over yet - go ace those finals, make sure you don't get under a C under any circumstances and try really hard not to get under a B. Then you CAN recover! I know I did.

Best of luck!

EDIT (just saw your new grades): -facepalm- talk about neurotic premed! If you freak out like that after only 25% of the semester, medical school will be a constant freakshow for you (there is a learning curve, or so I've heard). Keep calm and study on, don't freak out over mishaps so early in the semester - I got a 48% on my biochem midterm and ended up with a B-, anything is possible!
 
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