What do I do?

[mdk119]

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Hi everyone. I just recently finished my sophomore year of undergrad. I go to a university that has a rigorous course load, and basically, I've done terribly up til now. I could explain everything but I know there's no excuse. I really want to finish my undergrad strong and be a competitive applicant for OT... but I'm just so discouraged and disappointed with my progress so far.

Here are my stats so far.

Cumulative GPA: 2.88
Abnormal Psych: A-
Statistics: A-
Human Development: B
Child Psych: C
Anatomy and Physiology II: C+
Anatomy and Physiology II lab: B
(I'm taking part one next semester)

So my questions are:
-What can I do for the next two years to finish off strong and be a competitive applicant for OT school?
- Is it even possible to still graduate with a 3.7 or above GPA?
- I'm so disappointed in the C's right now.. even the B's! Should I retake those classes? At my university or at a community college?
- Would OTA be a good backup? Is it easier to become an OTA than OT if I don't pick up my slack?

(As for hours, I'm planning to get at least 50 hours for this summer. My major also comes with an internship my senior year so that will also give me a lot of hours.)

Please help me, I have no guidance right now and I'm extremely discouraged at this point. I only know one person who is pre-ot and she is struggling as well. Ideally I'd really like to go straight to grad school after undergrad and not take a year off. I know if I really want to do OT then I will wait as long as I can, but this is what I'm aiming for. I just need to do better from now on. 🙁 *sigh*

 

[SamuraiIAmurai]

You are still so early in your college career that you do not need to worry! It's surprising how much a few really good semesters can raise your GPA. I can't imagine taking A&P II without already having taken A&P I, because there is so much you are already supposed to know when you start II that you learned in I. Since you still have two years, it might be a good idea to take A&P I and then retake A&P II, because those classes are very important for OT school admissions (and I imagine OT school in general, but I haven't started yet and can't really say). Keep working hard, and you'll be totally fine! Schools really love seeing upward trajectories.

If you continue to have trouble with some of these classes, it might be helpful to reevaluate your study habits or look into tutoring. However, my freshman year was really tough, because I was still figuring stuff out, so you might just learn how to handle everything better... Good luck! Don't give up!

 

[Member76762]

I agree that you should retake the prerequisites, especially A&P. Then, ask that instructor for a recommendation. You still have the other half of college to raise your overall GPA, so you are in good shape. Get a part-time job related to a nursing home or something pertaining to OT (even a tech.). Volunteer in many different settings and show your dedication. It's more about the overall person than strictly the GPA, but You should try to bring the GPA up too. Start a drive or fundraiser pertaining to OT and stand out from other applicants. Reference your volunteer experiences in your essay.

 

[BHSUStudent]

So my questions are:
-What can I do for the next two years to finish off strong and be a competitive applicant for OT school?
- Is it even possible to still graduate with a 3.7 or above GPA?
- I'm so disappointed in the C's right now.. even the B's! Should I retake those classes? At my university or at a community college?
- Would OTA be a good backup? Is it easier to become an OTA than OT if I don't pick up my slack?

(As for hours, I'm planning to get at least 50 hours for this summer. My major also comes with an internship my senior year so that will also give me a lot of hours.)

Please help me, I have no guidance right now and I'm extremely discouraged at this point. I only know one person who is pre-ot and she is struggling as well. Ideally I'd really like to go straight to grad school after undergrad and not take a year off. I know if I really want to do OT then I will wait as long as I can, but this is what I'm aiming for. I just need to do better from now on. 🙁 *sigh*

1) Get as many good grades as you can. Get a part time job in an OT related field (if this does not affect your coursework, which it probably will given the high course loads). Do observing and volunteering in multiple settings. Make sure you are developing good relations with your professors and an OT. You will need exceptional letters of recommendation.
2) I would say no. I'd say that you would be able to graduate in the low 3.0s (3.0-3.4) which is still respectable, but this is without looking at your transcript. It's impossible to make an accurate calculation without your transcript.
3) No. Retaking a course will not guarantee a better grade. Some people retake courses and get worse grades. In addition, many admission committees will calculate all grades into your GPA, including the grades the retakes were supposed to replace. B's are fine as long as there are many A's in the mix. Many committees will look at the GPA of your last 60 credits, as they realize that people tend to make mistakes during their freshmen and sophomore years.
4) I don't know. IMO, it's kind of pointless to get a bachelor's only to then seek an associates degree. You should be getting a master's degree afterwards.

If you are already getting burnt out with undergrad, I recommend taking a year off. If you are struggling now, graduate school is going to be more intense.
You need to manage you course load if possible. You should also learn how to manage stress (externally and internally). A stable, supportive environment that will allow you to focus on your school work is ideal. For example, don't focus on relationships (unless if you already have obligations), which will add stress and drama that you don't need. Get your head out of the clouds. You obviously need a social life but college is the place to start taking things seriously and to develop your career early on. Too many college students graduate, only to learn that they squandered away their college years.
Learn how to sign up for classes properly. You should be setting a good foundation upon which to expand. As a sophomore, I was already taking 300-400 level classes, and in fact tried to fill up my transcript with those. I did it because I liked the challenge, and I tend push myself to the limits. I had no life as a result, however. I recommend building a smooth foundation that gradually leads to higher level material. It will make life much easier. Also ask professors if you can see a syllabus ahead of time, ask about what will be covered in the course so you will know what to expect. Also ask students who have just taken the course. This is also how you go about managing course load. Don't overestimate, and don't underestimate. Make sure you are planning your curriculum well. Your advisor isn't going to be this meticulous for you.

Try doing things to help relieve stress. When I was in college, I went to the gym to exercise and release those endorphins. I also ate healthy, and managed my sleep well. I had a consistent sleep schedule. Sleep can drastically impact your overall health and your cognition (sleep consolidates memory). Your circadian rhythm will influence your motivation, alertness, and attentiveness during class. So take your health seriously, as the condition of your body will affect the condition of your mind.

Anyways, you still have two years left, which is enough time to prepare. Don't stress too much.

 

[youngbrOT]

Retake all the courses you had Cs in(especially A&P 1 and 2), schools love to see improvement on transcripts. For instance, my first year of undergrad I had Cs from math courses such as algebra and precalc, however I never ever got below a C again after my first year and even explained in my essay how adjusting to college as a freshman may have impacted my grades. You still have time, just study hard and aim for an A in all your classes! Best of luck.

-Tom