IamCody

In general I thought I was pretty smart, but I'm seriously falling apart academically in college...
So currently I'm juggling Biology (with lab), Chemistry (with lab), Calculus, English, and a History class for my first semesters. Now the problems....
-I've basically failed every single quiz in Calculus (we took 3 or 4 now) and there 1/4 of our over all grade, but we have yet to have a mid-term. I've taken tutoring and practiced all the homework problems, and I understand most of the concepts, but the algebra simplification kills and trigonometry identities me at times.
-Chemistry, I'm lost in that class in general, I've been forcing my self to read the text book rather than attend lectures as my "professor" goes really fast, even though I don't get it. So it feels like I'm just wasting time sitting there lost. Math is really easy, but I have trouble setting up the equations for the problem, as their mostly word problems.
-Biology, I thought this would be one of my easiest classes, and I've always loved Biology, but I got a D on our very first midterm (1 more mid term and a final left) I couldn't force my Brain to learn all the facts as I had all my tests on the same day so I tried to balance out study time, and didn't fully memorize everything.
English, History and my Labs I feel confident I'm doing well in (I know I'm at least passing these)

I basically crammed the whole week before my class reviewing for my 3 mid-terms(History, Chemistry, then Biology) and 1 quiz (calculus). Even with that studying I couldn't pass my tests. I feel my work load is just to much for my first semester, but I do want to graduate in 4 years and go to grad school so I'm a little torn.
At this point my considering dropping Math, but then I'd have to take it again next semester, and to think I basically wasted 2 months of school if I do plan to drop it, seems like a waste.

Anyone got study tips or advice in general, I really need some....
Thanks reading!

Orbit196

So change from what's not working to what will work.
1) Instead of reading the book, attend class and take notes along with reading the book.
2) If you studied 4 hours for an exam, study 8 hours next time.
3) If you don't understand trig identities, practice them for a whole day.
4) If you crammed for biology and couldn't memorize all the facts, you did not study enough.

allyphoe

I'd modify #1 above to say, "Instead of reading the book and skipping class, read the book until you understand it, prior to the class lecture covering that section, then attend class."

littletreechild

I think you've got wayy too much for your first quarter/semester. At my university, they've pretty much been drilling it into our heads to take about 13-15 credits as a freshman with only two major pre req courses for the first quarter so that we can adjust to the workload. Heck, they don't even let us take bio along with chem the first year! You should consider dropping one if your classes-although you would have to repeat it again later, its better than sticking with it right now and harming your GPA. Seeing as to how you want to go to grad school, it would be wise to take more care of your GPA than to go finish all of your classes in four years and end up with a mediocre one. Because you are having trouble after studying, consider making a study group-they are really useful, and sometimes just talking about a concept makes it much easier to understand. Good luck!

IamCody

I tried studying for Bio for a good 5 hours a day for Bio, re-reading all the chapters and taking notes on what I though would be important.
Any study advice? The only thing with that is, I have my other classes to think about, would be a good move to study just one subject the whole day rather than splitting them up?
I have tried making a study group, and well.... we end up studying for a good hour at best then, we get off track.
Thank you very much for the advice though! I appreciate any and all help

invader71

I think your problem was deciding to take bio,chem, and calc in your first semester I would have recommended getting rid of one of the sciences till next semester since those classes are very time consuming. As for bio, I took it last semester and the key thing for me was just sitting in the library for hours upon hours to learn and memorize the material. Especially for bio science there really isn't too much math involved you must learn a lot of facts in a small amount of time which is time consuming and very difficult for some people. One studying tip that I found really helpful for me was note cards. I read the book as well a lot but the notecards are a great way to quiz yourself on concepts and facts. You are going to have a huge pile of notecards to memorize before each exam so give yourself at least a week on advance to start studying them. If there I'd something you do not understand ask a classmate or go to the professor or teaching assistants office hours they are usually prety nice and want to help. As ATTEND the lectures even if you don't get much out of it because sometimes the give clues or do problems that are similar to those on the exam snd they don't put it online so only students who came to class were rewarded.

IamCody

I'll try the note card thing, I haven't done that since sophomore year high school, but I'll try anything to get a better grade haha. Thanks for the advice invader71!

OHMomof2

1. Have you visited your college's academic help center? Students seem reluctant to take advantage of these but they really are there for a reason and can be the most effective way to learn study habits that will work for you. An advisor can also, perhaps, help you make the call re: dropping a class.

2. This book has some really good, specific tips for studying for various types of exams, among other good advice and ideas: How to Become a Straight-A Student: The Unconventional Strategies Real College Students Use to Score High While Studying Less: Cal Newport: 9780767922715: Amazon.com: Books

invader71

@Iamcody
Haha yeah I actually never used notecards in high school ex pet for vocab quizzes but they have been a life saver.