AxeBack

Ok so I just started as a freshman in engineering this fall. A bit over two months into the semester now, my grades are actually pretty bad. I have a 72% in Chemistry and a 78% in Calc II; basically, both are C's (according to the university). The other two classes I'm in are relatively easy and aren't important anyway, so they don't matter much but I'm seriously worried about math and chem.

Last month, I thought it was fine because college classes are generally supposed to be hard and I felt like the calc exams were a bit overwhelming, honestly. Chemistry is just something I suck really hard at, not sure why. Its not my thing and I hate it with a passion, but its a requirement so I just need to do it.
Now, I see people everywhere who have borderline AB grades (85-87%) and are freaking out about having "bad" grades and study all the time. Frankly, I'd be really happy with those kind of grades.
Worst thing is, the class average grades in both those classes are in the B-range (about 83%), and I'm below-average in both. Even more depressing is the fact that I chose the lowest possible level of Chemistry available (they had three - Regular, Accelerated and one recommended for engineering students) and I chose the easiest one hoping to get an easy A but wow this is ridiculous.

So, should I be worrying? I'm trying and studying, but calc II is just so intense with all the random proofs and crap...I don't even know how to study. I fall asleep every single time I study chem so I really have no idea what to do.

Any tips appreciated.

Axion004

A. Talk to your professors and ask them how you can perform better on exams. This helped me a lot(You might be wasting time studying the wrong material).

B. Calculus was impossible for me to get an A in since my professor couldn't teach and over 70% of the class failed. Look at Point D.

C. If you want to improve your GPA as an Engineer it is going to be a heavy time commitment. Expect to spend more time doing homework assignments and problem sets.

D. My Freshman Year GPA was a 3.8. I was only able to obtain this because I put school as my #1 priority in life.

E. Tell us more about how you are studying and how you are "falling asleep" every single time you study Chemistry.

The results can vary, but the people who usually get the highest GPA do not just study day and night. They usually go out and do other things as well(Exercise, Work, Time Management). If your dorm room is distracting it is better to study at the library.

The semester I did the worst(I got below a 3.0 GPA) was because all I did was study and I never socialized/exercised/didanythingelse. This was a stupid mistake on my part.

Batllo

Welcome to college. Weeder courses like your chem and calc II classes separate the weak from the rest of the herd. Not everyone is cut out to be engineers/ doctors/whatevers. If you are struggling with freshman classes then you need to learn how to study efficiently or misery and darkness will descend upon your life. Cheers.

true_mustang

wow Batllo. thats intense.

AxeBack

Axion, thanks for the tips.
I'll definitely reach out to the profs more and see how that works.

As for the Chemistry part, its sort of a self-thing. I just hate the topics covered in Chemistry, always feel they're pointless and I've hated them since middle school. Its downright boring and I can't study it for long periods of time. Even if I'm well-prepared, I'll always make some minor mistakes here and there which add up and take down my entire grade. Problem is, I have zero motivation to study Chemistry.
If I don't get something in math, I'll sit down and try to understand it until it makes sense. Chemistry on the other hand...I'd just try to slide by it by bs'ing as much as I can.

The problem for me is that I'm not sure how exactly I should be studying...all I do is the review problems and read through the chapters and things. I'm pretty sure I have a good idea of whats going to be on the exam, just not sure how to study the material.

And thanks a lot Battlo, definitely motivates me to try harder. -.-

Batllo

AxeBack- Find a good study group For Chemistry. They will hold you accountable to bring something to the group and in the long run you will learn how and what to study.

romanigypsyeyes

Axe, Batllo was blunt but there is truth in his words. If you are already really struggling, you may want to reconsider your major.