The Low GPA Curse, or do I just suck?

[socialistmisanthrope]

It's either just a random fluke and I don't do well, or something randomly bad happens right during exam time that means I screw over a course I should have been getting an A in easily. Doesn't stuff like this happen to other people, too?

 

I apologize for this pathetic tirade, I'm just getting so frustrated realizing that I should just be realistic and give up the whole dream.

[Jochi1543]

First off, have you talked to your professors to see whether they may have some input regarding your low GPA? They might see something that you are not aware of. For example, it could be something as simple as lack of knowledge of how to organize a paper - you might put great info in your paper, but they will dock off points for the format. You might also want to consider joining some study groups to see how other people are studying. Maybe your study approach is inefficient. In that matter, most universities seem to have some sort of academic support center, oftentimes with free seminars such as "time management" or "reading skills." That might sound dumb, but it's worth checking out. HS learning is different from uni learning, so you may find some useful tips there.

 

Second, what are your course choices? It's not unusual to get C+/Bs in very competitive courses despite working hard, especially those in subjects that lead to high-income careers (medicine being one of them). These courses tend to attract very competitive people and if the professor curves the grade, it can be very hard to get a good grade. Do you like your particular program? If you don't enjoy what you're studying, pulling off a good grade is more of a challenge.

[socialistmisanthrope]

Thanks for your reply.

 

I'm actually an English major, and I have no trouble pulling off A's in any of my English courses, or any other courses that require papers, like Political Science, etc. It's the multiple choice exams that kill me usually, in any course. Biology, Organic Chemistry, Stats.... You're probably right about the Organic Chemistry being one of the more competitive courses, there were a lot of D's coming out of that exam, but I was just so comfortable with the material and so well-prepared...I walked out of the exam feeling like I did well.

 

I tried getting study tips and help from the Academic Counsellor's Services at my university, but it didn't help me at all....it's not like I have trouble with ALL multiple choice exams, I can do well on them usually. And I know I'm not as solid with science/mathematics as I am with english/polisci/philosophy, but I've always done well in science and math before. Heck, I even pulled A-'s in the general chemistry courses I took in the summer, and I did it pretty easily.

 

I switched my major from something more science oriented to English so I'd make sure I'd be getting a good gpa, but I very stupidly decided to take O-Chem and Stats as electives anyway, O-Chem to help me out with the MCATS and Stats because I don't have any trouble with math, so it should have been an easy course for me.

 

Next year I will stick to English courses only, but I wonder how much good that's going to do me now.

 

Thanks for all your advice, I really appreciate it! The study group thing is a really good idea for these science courses, and so are the academic seminars. I looked into taking those, but I was doing well in my courses at that point so I thought it wouldn't be too useful. It's definitely worth looking into again, ha.

 

Thanks again for responding!

[Jochi1543]

Heck, I even pulled A-'s in the general chemistry courses I took in the summer, and I did it pretty easily.

I got a solid A in gen chem and a D+ in Organic after working my ass off.

[socialistmisanthrope]

Really??! Great, I don't feel so alone now.

 

I bet you pulled A's in everything else you took that semester though, eh?

[lost__in__space]

my friend, you are not alone.... my marks this year have been bad to say the least and I have been putting in the effort but I'm not seeing it for some of my courses. in my genetics class, I thought i smoked the exam.....and BAM! HORRIBLE MARK! And some people got perfect!

 

Look at yourself honestly, how much time do you really put in per course? Do you consistanly keep up with the work or just cram at the end? Do you review your notes after every lecture and keep really clean, well-made, and relevant notes? Is everything organized and do you have those random extra lecture notes / diagrams you might of missed? Or more importantly, is there something else in your life right now that might be distracting you more than you think?

 

I think the main reason I'm doing poorly this year is because I've been having a tough time emotionally with some things and it's reflected on my marks. I've been less driven to work and it shows. Next year it's do or die for me because I can't afford another bad year.

[socialistmisanthrope]

Haha, well I guess misery really does love company, because I am enjoying this.

 

Yeah, you're right on target. I do fall behind really easily, and I don't take care to keep up as much as I ought to. I have trouble balancing it all, I guess...I thought I was on top of everything last semester, but this semester I definitely let it go a bit, since it had no positive outcome anyway...

 

I hear you on the emotional issues. I have serious personal issues that distract the hell out of me, but I figure everyone must have something weird and unfortunate going on in their personal lives, and they still manage to focus. Those 3.9/4.0 kids don't exactly live in bubbles, do they. Or maybe they do. If so, where can I get me one of those.

 

What drives me insane is those absolutely stupid, inane, nonsensical, outrageous things that happen that screw over my grades. I can handle the normal everyday personal issues that spring up...I'm prepared for that stuff on some level. But I'm really not prepared for getting a stalker who also happens to be my TA and who gets to enjoy a lovely two hours during my final exam staring at me creepily nonstop. Which of course, makes it impossible for me to focus. So then I mess up that exam, get so upset about how something so stupid made me screw up an exam, can't study properly for my next one, bomb it, and then collect myself and study hardcore for the next one, and then catch a violent stomache virus the night before and spend the night throwing up 9 times and passing out and have to get it deferred.

 

Hahahah, okay, I would probably make a terrible doctor with this kind of luck. I don't want to be killing anyone, now.

[avenir001]

I agree with what's been said above...but I just want to reiterate how important it is to CHOOSE THE RIGHT COURSES FOR YOU. Sure, most med schools require some pre-req courses that everyone needs to take, but other than that, what program you choose and courses you take is entirely up to you. Probably one of the most important things to do in your early university years (or possibly even in HS) is to figure out what you're good at and what you're interested in--and these often tend to go together--and use this knowledge to guide your program and course choices. I've heard of so many people who were doing quite poorly in university until they found the right program for them. Very few of us (if any) are good at everything, so you just have to find your own niche in the world of university and stay away from unfamiliar territory as much as possible.

[avenir001]

Ok u know what...u need to train yourself to concentrate better...during most of my finals (meaning ones where I know what the hell I'm doing:D), I'm oblivious to time and to everything and everyone around me...I take a break every 15 minutes or so and those are the only times when I stretch and check out the invigilators;)

[vip_138]

A suggestion that i've noticed with myself and others is that you might have trouble understanding how teachers are testing you and what/how you should study. I know lots of people who study very hard and get lousy grades and i think its because they don't study efficiently. I think its very important to find out how the teacher tests/ask questions. If its MC from a big book, it probalby follows the text and you should pretty much read the text. If the teacher asks shortanswer expeting few word answers, you should be looking at your notes in lists ie. 4 characteristics of eukaryotes different from prokaryotes or something. If its option tests like answer 3 of 5, you could (pick wisely) skip over some sections and focus more intently on other sections for a better understanding. Maybe the prof likes to pull all his questions from slides, taking obscure words. What i find for me atleast, is that i don't do as well on a midterm but the midterm lets me assess how the teacher tests and how to focus my studying for the final. My mark generally goes up through the semester and i can usually pull off a decent mark. You can also talk to students that took the course before and ask how the teacher tests, what the prof's expeting for an answer, if they have past tests. I think investigating how prof's test is just as important as actually studying. I've noticed that after i get used to a teacher's style, i can cut down my studying by a lot.

[Smurfette]

One reason you might not be doing well is because you're in a degree like English. You're taking organic chemistry as an elective along with a bunch of lit courses. Most other students are taking organic chemistry along with biochemistry, molecular biology, general chemistry, analytical chemistry, and materials chemistry. So there's obviously a lot more overlap in their courses. That's why you'd probably have to put in double the effort in order to get the same result.

[lost__in__space]

nothing's going to work until you get those emotional issues out of the way.....and im speaking honestly that it may take you this year and you might end up with 2 bad years but for your next, you can be emotionally healthy again which then gets you back on a level playing ground to start to tackle school again. im just trying to minimize the damage of this year (try your best to do so too) and then my 100% focus will be on school next year. i know i can't slack off or go on facebook or even be in my house, i'll need to live at the library because thats where i do my best work. i'll also need to say okay im on a varsity team and i need a 3.9....so yeah i cant have a life or spend hours goofing off or just studying hardcore right before an exam... if i need the time to study, ive got to do it, if it means quitting the team, i've got to do it or say hello to working at a boring 9-5 job for the rest of my life and i'll always regret that i didn't give it a good shot. it's maslow's hierarchy of needs, get your self esteem/love and belonging / emotional out of the way and you create a solid foundation for higher stuff, like focussing on material to study! it's tough, ESPECIALLY when you start off a course with a bad mark!! it's so tough to get away from that slippery slope. Just give it your best shot and figure all this stuff out, i'm rooting for you! and ps: 2 bad years sucks........... but you still have options, don't discredit yourself just yet for med school. AND ps: talk to your guidance counsellor, they may give you relief if you having pressing issues like emotional issues.

[avenir001]

vip: very true...couldn't have said it better myself. You need to match your studying strategy to the prof's teaching/testing style ---> saves you a lot of time and helps maximize your performance on exams.

I also agree with spending a lot of time in the library to get away from the distractions of your personal/social life. A while back in uni, I was addicted to Yahoo Messenger and couldn't resist it when I was at home so I essentially lived in the library for a while to get through the withdrawal (I don't carry my laptop around with me)...needless to say it did wonders for my gpa. In HS, I was addicted to soap operas so finally I got rid of the cable and in Grade 12 my marks shot through the roof.

So to sum it up, choose your courses carefully, study efficiently, get rid of distractions and don't waste your time (except for relaxing, of course), and don't worry about the past...it's not too late, don't get discouraged. Good luck!

[socialistmisanthrope]

Some really good advice. Thanks so much, everyone! I'm feeling the motivation again...hopefully I can try to do some damage control on this semester, and really improve my studying skills/strategies for next year. And figure out how to avoid distractions and stay focused, too, lately I've been unable to concentrate even in the library.

 

Thanks again!

[socialistmisanthrope]

One reason you might not be doing well is because you're in a degree like English. You're taking organic chemistry as an elective along with a bunch of lit courses. Most other students are taking organic chemistry along with biochemistry, molecular biology, general chemistry, analytical chemistry, and materials chemistry. So there's obviously a lot more overlap in their courses. That's why you'd probably have to put in double the effort in order to get the same result.

 

 

Wow, I didn't even think of that. Somehow I thought it would be easier for me because I'd have less demanding courses than the science majors...but I guess not.

[Jochi1543]

Really??! Great, I don't feel so alone now.

 

I bet you pulled A's in everything else you took that semester though, eh?

Well, I got a B+ in physics which was fine by me because 2/3 of the class had an F. I only took 2 courses last semester.

[Jochi1543]

I think the main reason I'm doing poorly this year is because I've been having a tough time emotionally with some things and it's reflected on my marks. I've been less driven to work and it shows. Next year it's do or die for me because I can't afford another bad year.

I would suggest seeing a counselor on campus (not the academic kind, the Psy.D. kind). If you just need to talk to someone and get some help analyzing/dealing with your emotions, this should help, and s/he can also refer you to a psychiatrist if s/he determines that you have a medical condition and would also benefit from some medication. I developed depression between my 3rd and 4th year and my marks/attendance plunged in the beginning of the fall semester. Luckily, I was diagnosed early enough to still pull together a 3.8 that semester (though I had to drop 1 course to lighten my workload). I found the professors to be very cooperative, too.

[Jochi1543]

I've heard of so many people who were doing quite poorly in university until they found the right program for them.

*raises hand*

 

Year 1 and 2 (economics) = 3.1 and 3.3

 

Year 3 and 4 (Japanese/premed) = 3.85 and 3.8

[socialistmisanthrope]

I would suggest seeing a counselor on campus (not the academic kind, the Psy.D. kind). If you just need to talk to someone and get some help analyzing/dealing with your emotions, this should help, and s/he can also refer you to a psychiatrist if s/he determines that you have a medical condition and would also benefit from some medication. I developed depression between my 3rd and 4th year and my marks/attendance plunged in the beginning of the fall semester. Luckily, I was diagnosed early enough to still pull together a 3.8 that semester (though I had to drop 1 course to lighten my workload). I found the professors to be very cooperative, too.

 

Thanks for the advice. I'm seriously considering seeing a counselor now, I never thought it would do me any good before, but maybe you're right.

 

I hope this isn't too personal to ask, but what helped you overcome your depression so quickly? Was it counselling or medication, or both? I've always been afraid to go see a counselor in case they did diagnose me with depression or something and put me on medication. I'm really not open to going on medication at all. Still, maybe counselling in itself will help.

 

So are 2 good years of undergrad still enough to try for med school? I was beginning to think it was completely hopeless, but if I get all this sorted out and do well my last two years, maybe I have a wavering shot?

[kaymcee]

Hi socialistmisanthrope,

 

Each medical school in Canada has different ways of assessing whether or not a candidate would be a suitable physician. Some schools drop lowest grades, weight your GPA so that your senior years matter more, only look at more recent grades, etc. Weaker GPAs in first and second year aren't the end of the world. (Keep in mind that this discussion board has a lot of people with pretty sweet GPAs– I certainly felt inadequate for awhile– so the kind of "statistics" you can infer from here should be taken with a grain of salt.)

 

Also, academics are half the battle: "everything else" matters, too. What other stuff are you doing in your life? I've always found that balance allowed me to do better scholastically.

 

I agree with Jochi who said earlier that learning and succeeding in university is very different than high school. I had a difficult time with the transition into first and second year, as I had to learn how to study– a skill I didn't use in high school. Even when in university, the way in which you assimilate information in an English course is different than in a biochemistry course. Drop me into a Edwardian fiction course and I'd likely flounder, too.

 

Chin up. You'll figure it out.

[The Law]

in my genetics class, I thought i smoked the exam.....and BAM! HORRIBLE MARK! And some people got perfect!

 

Same here! I came out of that exam thinking I did pretty well, and bam... oh well, just going to have to make up for it on the next exam. Which I will. Genetics is going to kiss (kick?) my ass!!

 

I agree with VIP, try to figure out the WAY you'll be assessed... each prof has a different exam style, so try to figure it out. Unfortunately, sometimes you only have 2 exams in a class, so you don't have time to waste. I find some people who understand the material do not do well... simply because they do not try to put things into context of an exam. Try to predict questions, and get ready to be able to do it on a test.

[socialistmisanthrope]

Hi socialistmisanthrope,

 

Each medical school in Canada has different ways of assessing whether or not a candidate would be a suitable physician. Some schools drop lowest grades, weight your GPA so that your senior years matter more, only look at more recent grades, etc. Weaker GPAs in first and second year aren't the end of the world. (Keep in mind that this discussion board has a lot of people with pretty sweet GPAs– I certainly felt inadequate for awhile– so the kind of "statistics" you can infer from here should be taken with a grain of salt.)

 

Also, academics are half the battle: "everything else" matters, too. What other stuff are you doing in your life? I've always found that balance allowed me to do better scholastically.

 

I agree with Jochi who said earlier that learning and succeeding in university is very different than high school. I had a difficult time with the transition into first and second year, as I had to learn how to study– a skill I didn't use in high school. Even when in university, the way in which you assimilate information in an English course is different than in a biochemistry course. Drop me into a Edwardian fiction course and I'd likely flounder, too.

 

Chin up. You'll figure it out.

 

Hey, thanks for that! Good to know about the gpa's. Looking at other people's stats all the time is probably not the best idea.

 

You're right about the "everything else". I've been really trying to focus on that as well for the last while, but I don't want to go overboard in my extracurricular type things in case they end up taking up too much potential study time. I've cut back on some of the things I really wanted to get involved in, but unfortunately it didn't really help my grades. I still think I'm doing okay as far as that goes, I have a couple of things going on right now that I love doing and I'm sure would end up looking good on my applications, too. I'm just sorry I can't take up some of the other things I've been dying to start, like Karate! Maybe in the summer...

 

I think I definitely have to work on my study skills. I had no idea how to go about it first year, second year I thought I had it, but it really does change from course to course, from prof to prof, so I guess I really need to be more aware of that before I get down to studying at all.

 

Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it!

[socialistmisanthrope]

Same here! I came out of that exam thinking I did pretty well, and bam... oh well, just going to have to make up for it on the next exam. Which I will. Genetics is going to kiss (kick?) my ass!!

 

I agree with VIP, try to figure out the WAY you'll be assessed... each prof has a different exam style, so try to figure it out. Unfortunately, sometimes you only have 2 exams in a class, so you don't have time to waste. I find some people who understand the material do not do well... simply because they do not try to put things into context of an exam. Try to predict questions, and get ready to be able to do it on a test.

 

Good idea on the predicting questions. I've been trying to do this during my current midterm study sessions. I think it's helping...I think my worst problem is time management though. How do you keep up with everything? I end up taking so much time with labs, assignments and things, that I don't ever get a chance to keep up with my readings or actual "studying" in advance. Cramming = very bad. I know my buddies have a system where they just pull all-nighters as needed, but for me, if I don't get a solid 8 hours I won't be functional until I get sleep.

[lost__in__space]

I agree with Joichi.....depression is rampant in my family (grandmothers, uncle killed himself, other uncle tried, cousin has it and is bipolar, and my mom has it) and I've been trying to tough it out on my own and act "normal" so i don't scare my mom that i've too, fallen prey to it. However lately I have been contemplating seeing a psych and maybe getting some meds, because I mean, if it'll help me feel like my normal self, then why not? What do you have to lose but a lot to gain? My friend is on meds and it has worked WONDERS for her, so sometimes, even if it still has a bit of a stigma, if you've got to do it, then you've got to do it (even though i'm still deciding...... maybe i should follow my own advice!!!) i find that it comes and goes with me, like a 4 year cycle, so one year every 4 i seem to be very depressed and i guess that's why im just hoping it'll "leave". But yeah, I do urge you to talk to people. I have a SUPER EXTREMELY supportive boyfriend and without him, I know I would be in a much worse situation. Keep it strong! :)

[The Law]

Good idea on the predicting questions. I've been trying to do this during my current midterm study sessions. I think it's helping...I think my worst problem is time management though. How do you keep up with everything? I end up taking so much time with labs, assignments and things, that I don't ever get a chance to keep up with my readings or actual "studying" in advance. Cramming = very bad. I know my buddies have a system where they just pull all-nighters as needed, but for me, if I don't get a solid 8 hours I won't be functional until I get sleep.

 

Alright, I'm the same as you. I need to get my sleep!

My tips, I do this and kind of find it helpful (it depends on the course). A course that is heavy on memorization, I usually review a lecture ONCE... trying to understand the MAIN concept. I do additional readings if I am not understanding a concept. When I go through it once, I make sure I fully understand exactly what is going on. Following that, I'll proceed to the next lecture, and try to fully understand the material. Once I've gone through a few lectures, I go back and start testing myself to make sure I'm memorizing things.

 

The thing is, you are going to be shuffling work throughout the semester (as exams approach, you need to prioritize). Make yourself a schedule (approximate) to let you see what needs to get done, and set some estimated guidelines for when you think you can get things done by. When midterms are coming up, realize that you are going to be studying for particular courses, so you will fall a bit behind in other topics... make sure you make time to catch up.

 

Labs, assignments, definitely take a lot of time... but another good idea is to go over things after class. If you have a break between class, use that break to do some of the readings. Make sure you make time for yourself to relax too! Just try to plan what has to get done, and start taking it on. If you feel you're falling behind, work really hard throughout the week to catch up as much as possible.. then spend the weekend trying to catch up.

 

For me, I need to do work NONSTOP to be efficient. I hate starting work for an hour, then going to do something else... so I usually do smaller tasks during my short breaks between class... then bring out the heavy artillery later in the day. ANNNNNNND if you're really really tired, just take a break! No reason to kill yourself.