Tips on Moving Forward after Bad Semester?

[chemdoctor]

So I went through a lot of **** this semester. Grandfather fell sick, passed away and I'm having trouble staying motivated. The cGPA is about a 3.80 right now, I'm not ridiculously failing but I'm not doing well either. Really upset with my progress because this was such an important semester, because I was taking so many prereqs. Sigh oh well. Nothing I can do but move forward.

I know one bad semester isn't terrible. I'm currently a sophomore but will be graduating a year early probably. Either way, any tips on how to rebound? I just feel like I need some time off to grieve. One bad semester isn't uncommon, right? Like one bad semester won't kill chances? I'm just really upset with everything right now... I know people go through bad semesters and rebound back. Anyone on here who went through similar crap but still did well and got into MD schools?

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[chemdoctor]

The 3.80 is WITHOUT a bad semester being factored in btw 🙁

 

[Isoval]

I had an awful second semester of freshman year (3.2). My cGPA dropped to 3.5.

My cGPA now, as a senior, is about a 3.9.

I’ve had a handful of interviews so far. From those places where I have not received an interview, I can think of other factors in my application that may be to fault (don’t fit mission well, MCAT subsection issues).

I’ll possibly (please med school gods) be able to report an acceptance in a few days when TMDSAS releases the embargo on pre-match acceptances.

One bad semester isn’t really all that big of a deal...just make sure it’s your only one; it’s very easy to sell the idea that it was a fluke if it only happened once.

 

[chemdoctor]

Are you sure? I'm just freaking out right now. What would be considered a good semester after this?

 

[Welshman]

Correct me if I’m wrong but it’s the beginning of November, You haven’t taken your finals yet right?

 

[Isoval]

Are you sure? I'm just freaking out right now. What would be considered a good semester after this?

I personally haven’t made a B since my poor semester, although I’d imagine one or two from here on out would be fine.

 

[chemdoctor]

Correct me if I’m wrong but it’s the beginning of November, You haven’t taken your finals yet right?

No sir I have not. Except Bio Lab, that class sucks. Too much grief going on right now!

 

[chemdoctor]

I personally haven’t made a B since my poor semester, although I’d imagine one or two from here on out would be fine.

That won't be the case for me. I'll probably make a couple B's... Is it necessary to get straight A's after a bad semester?

 

[Welshman]

No sir I have not. Except Bio Lab, that class sucks. Too much grief going on right now!

So you still have a huge chunk of your grade undetermined... Sounds like its time to stop worrying about a potential bad semester and get to work turning it around.

Second semester my sophomore year I thought I completely blew it, it was gunna be the worst semester of my college career, like straight Bs and Cs. Turns out I killed my finals and it turned into my best semester of college. It was quite the surprise looking at my student account after the grades were uploaded.

I'm sorry for your loss but its something that most people go through and you cant let it demotivate you or ruin your life.

Also, a couple of Bs isnt the end of the world.

 

[chemdoctor]

Yeah I suppose you're right. The thing is, we only have finals left and they aren't like a huge huge chunk of the grade. A lot of the grade has already been determined. I'm hoping to do well... and yes you are absolutely right. It's just, based on how the courses are graded, the finals don't count for THAT much... I just hope I don't do too badly... I mean one bad semester won't stop me from getting accepted will it?

 

[Welshman]

I mean one bad semester won't stop me from getting accepted will it?

No it won’t. there’s your answer, now you can get back to studying

 

[mellie0]

There are no hard rules like those in admissions. One bad semester will not keep you out. You don’t need straight A’s moving forward to get in. There are no such rules. In general, you just need as high a GPA as possible. As simple as that. Give it your best always: for every test, every lab, every assignment. Don’t worry about the minutiae.

 

[DBC03]

I had a 2.2 for my freshman year (not semester - the full year). It’s still below a 3.5, but I’ve had three acceptances at this point. Use this story as encouragement and motivation. This semester is not the end of the world. And you still have time, so buckle down (it’s hard, I know - my husband lost two grandparents during his hardest semester and I was supposed to go into surgery - it was tough for him.). It’s difficult to get motivated, but do what you can and move forward.


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[chemdoctor]

Thank you guys. I really appreciate it. You're right. One bad semester isn't gonna keep ME out of medical school. Gonna push forward. Thank you everyone. I really appreciate it

 

[Goro]

So I went through a lot of **** this semester. Grandfather fell sick, passed away and I'm having trouble staying motivated. The cGPA is about a 3.80 right now, I'm not ridiculously failing but I'm not doing well either. Really upset with my progress because this was such an important semester, because I was taking so many prereqs. Sigh oh well. Nothing I can do but move forward.

I know one bad semester isn't terrible. I'm currently a sophomore but will be graduating a year early probably. Either way, any tips on how to rebound? I just feel like I need some time off to grieve. One bad semester isn't uncommon, right? Like one bad semester won't kill chances? I'm just really upset with everything right now... I know people go through bad semesters and rebound back. Anyone on here who went through similar crap but still did well and got into MD schools?

• Go to your school's counseling center.
• Seek pastoral care at your local house of worship
• Stay busy
• Cry when you feel like =crying...don't hold it in.
• Take an LOA if needed. ...don't try to bulldoze your way through when you're not at your best. We like like people who make good choices.

 

[21Rush12]

Firstly I’m very sorry to hear of your loss. Just keep pushing on, you will be okay. Regardless of what the situation is, you would try to get the best grades you can anyway. Work on focus and time management and bounce back. One semester less stellar than others will not kill your application.

 

[chemdoctor]

Thank you guys. I'm working towards getting healthier. I don't know about a LOA, because I'm not THAT bad but I am working hard to do better. If I fail, so what? I keep trying and trying and trying. Dedication is the most important thing. Thank you dudes.