Thinking about dropping Physics

[HEARTOFADENTIST]

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😕😕😕 Hello all, I'm a newbie whose been lurking for a while. I am in Physics 111 and it is killing me. I woke up in tears this morning because of fear of failing and not being smart enough to finish this course out with least a C. I want to drop it and take in the fall. I can hardly find the time to study and stay focus on my other classes. What should I do, Hire a tutor, drop and retake later after Algebra.
I'm also taking
eng 101 got an A so far
Bio 181- B so far
chem 130 - Bor C

I also work full time and I think I bit off more than I can crew.

15 views no replies ??

 

[JamesOSU]

Are you a freshman?

Stop working and going to school full time if you want to be able to focus and do well, and you need to bring up all those science grades, starting your sGPA with 2.33 doesn't bode well, though hopefully you have 3 more years to even that out.

Sounds like you need to focus. I think a lot of schools might be requiring/expecting calculus too... if you can't get through algebra base physics 111, I don't know what to tell you.

See Rule #39 http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=391959

 

[eldirty]

I agree ... working full time and going to school can be very challenging especially for a freshman. Consider quitting your job or at least reducing your hours. You dont want to begin your dental school quest in the GPA hole so make your grades your priority. As James hinted ... if this is something you really want, its time to focus and get it done, excuses please see the door. English, intro physics, bio, chem does not equate to the toughest class schedule you will see in the next 3 years. Let us know if you need any help and good luck!

 

[HEARTOFADENTIST]

I wish I could, but I can't... I need my job and I'm an older student I have bills and people to support.

I'm about 6 credits away from my BS degree in business and I don't want to mess-up my gpa, going to two different schools. I'M LATE starting my pre-reqs I know.

I just checked my physics grade an I have B's for the homework and lab, but F for the 1st test of 4 worth 45% of grade. The homework is just getting really hard and long. I also use the school tutoring session and they help a little I just feel so overloaded. I'm so sick to my stomach and I lost my breakfast... Stressed!

 

[BillytheEchidna]

Try to hang in there! I am a mature student, too, with only myself to look after, so I can't imagine what you're going through. Some schools are more sympathetic to the plights of the mature student.

I would spend less time on the English and put that time into Physics instead, and get a tutor, if it's an option. It sounds like you could still make a B or B- in Physics if you pull it together in the end. There may be a curve, too -- have you talked to the rest of the class? If everyone is doing poorly, that F might be weighted as a C instead. Don't drop the class... Even if you get a C- and have to re-take it, I think that looks better to D-schools than dropping it when the going gets tough.

It's a stressful road you're on, but it doesn't get any easier. Consider taking out student loans next semester so you can cut back on working a little. Ten hours makes a big difference, so if your employer is cool with it, you may still be eligible for benefits at 30 hours/week.

 

[shinbone86]

That first exam is a big chunk of your grade and it will be an uphill battle from here on out because physics gets tougher throughout the semester. If you absolutely feel that you can't get at least a "C", then you should drop it because it won't show up on your transcript and No One will know whether you failed it or not. A withdrawal or "w" will show up on your record, which I think is still better to get than a "C-", which means that you will have to retake the course anyways. Plus a W does not average with the grade you get the second time around, while schools will average the grade that you get for the first and second time you took the course.

 

[smileforme31]

have you had any Ws on your transcript? i dropped physics2 because i never had a W in my life and the dental school advisors told me that would be better than getting a C or below. so i took their advise and retook it over the summer and got an A. I got 7 interviews with 4 acceptances and only 1 school asked me about my W in physics. you jus have to mention about you were trying to balance life but never say you couldnt' handle the stress load. and that you learned from it and learned how to study more efficiently now.

 

[smileforme31]

i've had a full time job. i don't know what you mean by full time (40+) but i worked at school as a student employee and the full time a student has is 20. so i worked all 20 hours +volunteer work with 19 credits. it was my first year doing that (while takin physics 2) so i guess i had an excuse- and learned from it. if you never had a w on your trancsript- people have told me its not much of a problem. its a problem when you have Ws every semester. good luck

 

[lhtran07]

It's easy for people to say cut back on work hours and focus on your education when they're not in your circumstances and with no dependents to support/bills that have to be paid.

But you have to be able to balance your priorities. This won't be any different when you get to dental school. If you feel that you can't pull a B or better out of this class, then by all means drop it and take the W, especially if this will be your first and only W. Take care of what you need to right now, and then concentrate on acing the class next semester and pulling your GPA up.

I had to drop Physics I and retake it the next semester because I had too much on my plate, but it all worked out in the end. And one W does look a lot better than an F.