<p>3 exams, and my grades were 65, 51.5, 50. The last exam was my worst but I felt like I did really well. I don’t know, why but I always do much worse than expected and I have not clue why. I study the material well and I wrote thorough explanations, but they just won’t give me the points; it’s the bio department’s collaborating against me. Everyone else can got at least a few points above average, but mine are always at or below. </p>
<p>Seriously, does anyone have any advice or know any resources that I can use. I’m thinking the problem is in the way I study or take tests, in which case, are there any places on campus open now that I can ask to for help?</p>
<p>First of all, you are not failing. You have a solid C. Second of all, talk to Cornerstone. They have private tutors that I’ve heard are very helpful. Third of all, I found that talking through all of the material with floormates was very useful; we all learned from each other that way. Maybe this could help you? Good luck.</p>
<p>Depends how the final grade is distributed…(I don’t know what the bio/professor policy is). If I were you, I’d have taken the W, but drop deadline was friday. You are obviously not grasping something. Look at what you have lost points on, try rewrite a solution you deem correct (for your self, not for others to see). Ask to see someone else’s exam and compare what they did correctly, and what you did wrong.</p>
<p>Talk to the TA’s, Cornerstone, the Professor, etc. I believe you’re an engineer, so you could have gotten free 1 on 1 tutoring services, but again with the semester almost over, this is likely too late. </p>
<p>You really need to wake up and figure out what’s wrong after the first exam, not the third. On a personal note, my GPA was a lower first year (3.3ish). Last two semesters I’ve had a 4.0. You get accustomed to how to do things in college…for some people this transition period takes longer than others.</p>
<p>Make sure you’re putting in adequate time to study. Don’t just study before exams. Cornerstone offers brief one day courses in study-skills and time management. </p>
<p>There are lots of opportunities available…you just have to wake up to them sooner rather than later. With only 3 weeks of class to go, I’d guess that Cornerstone doesn’t have much right now. Your best current bet is meeting with a TA and going over the questions (or otherwise another Bio major – people are willing to help for money).</p>
<p>wait marcdvl, are you also a BME? I’m also really hoping it’s easier to get A’s next year and so on, but I’ve been hearing different things from everyone. Though a lot of people say it’s easier cause the classes are shorter and they’ve already weeded out the weak, but some say it’s gonna be a weed out all 4 years…</p>
<p>Also I have tried to figure out, but it just doesn’t seem to work, and it also appears that I discover I’m missing something major after each exam…god kill me</p>
<p>I am a CSE/Math/Econ triple major (prme engineering) so I can’t help in the BME, but I’ve had my share of rough classes, where I didn’t do great on a midterm. In every case, I worked extremely hard, and managed to do significantly better in the final.</p>
<p>In 8ish semesters, I’ve never done worse (+ or - a couple points) on a final than a midterm. Once I know the structure of the exams, what the professor is looking for, etc. you gain a tremendous advantage for remaining exams. After doing a midterm in most classes, I’m easily able to roughly predict what the next exam will ask…this allows me to focus studying better and do better.</p>
<p>I do think, from reading your posts over the past year, that you have a study skills problem. I’m guessing there isn’t too much to be done now but here are my suggestions</p>
<p>a) Take a study skills course in the summer. Yes, it sounds stupid, but if you’re generally lacking these skills you will have problems throughout college. If it means choosing between an internship and practicing skills…I would take the skills class, you have 3 more years to go and you don’t want problems in every class.</p>
<p>b) Talk to Cornerstone early next semester, find out what programs they have. I know they offer multiple study skills seminars in the semester. </p>
<p>My GPA my first year was 3.2ish. I’ve risen it since to a 3.6ish while taking several graduate level classes (I’ve taken more 400 and 500 level classes total than I have 100 and 200). Hope is not lost for you, you just need to identify your weaknesses and ride above them. </p>
<p>On a side note, do you think you have problems such as ADD/ADHD? If so, definitely see a qualified psychiatrist over the summer. This is one common reason for difficulty in college (many people find out they have issues in college and not in high school as high school is extremely different / generally easier).</p>
<p>Yeah there’s some at SHS. You can always talk with them, but in general if you do think you have ADD, you should see a specialist. If you just want to discuss your issues with them, then that might also be helpful.</p>
<p>I know your taking orgo this summer, but make sure to know your options in terms of tutors and such. I know washu, though it may be hard, had cornerstone which has amazing options. and keep in mind if your pre-med, that squeezing orgo into a summer may not be beneficial come MCAT time.</p>
<p>^I was pre-med when I came to washu, but after taking medprep I, I’m like 75% I don’t wanna go through it with anymore because there is MUCH more to go through towards becoming a doctor than I had anticipated and as I much as I want to give back to the community, I don’t want it THAT much. Instead, I’m becoming more interested in pursuing research in BME. I’m still taking orgo, because 1) I may change my mind AGAIN and 2) I looked up some graduate programs in BME; orgo is required or at least recommended.</p>
<p>I will also keep my eyes open for studying skills and management tutors over the summer.</p>
<p>I don’t know what else to say besides what marcdvl has already said. Go to Cornerstone for help and definitely, definitely work with your friends/floormates. The mindset here is so collaborative, so take advantage of it!</p>
<p>However, and I’m sure I don’t need to tell you this, but it’s probably too late. “About to fail” means it’s too late.</p>
<p>First, cut the melodramatics. The Bio department tends to be mean at grading, but they don’t “conspire.” Next, onto some powertips:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Every time they tell you to write only “one sentence” or “20 words” or “ANY ARBITRARY LIMIT” on pretty much any exam (orgo included) ignore this. A lot of people take these seriously. Particularly in a bio course, WRITE MORE! Never leave a test early. If you leave a test early (particularly in a course you are struggling in) you should feel stupid. Finish each question. Then do a quick check of your work. Then ADD MORE! Consider drawing pictures too (even if they are not asked for). </p></li>
<li><p>The reality is that bio in general is 90% memorization, 10% understanding. Treat it as such. Make flash cards. Lecture to an “invisible” audience as if you were teaching. Repetion is good. In particular, quiz yourself on everything. Ask yourself, “What components make up ___ process? What are the steps? etc”. </p></li>
<li><p>Listen to your professors. When I took 2960, they dropped hints that seemed hilariously obvious to me, that a lot of people missed. Ie. “Blank is very important.” Mark these moments in your notes. Study them extra.</p></li>
<li><p>Be sure to do all readings/psets/watch or attend all lectures. If you don’t and you don’t get the grade you want, you have no excuse. </p></li>
<li><p>Chill out some…orgo makes bio/gen chem look hilariouslly easy by comparison . You’ll learn more in orgo than you learned in those two course combined :)</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Do they give out + or - in bio, cause I think if I get a B or B+ in Bio, I can get like a 3.5-3.6 at the end of this year; does that look good for grad schools?</p>
<p>You shouldn’t be caring about grad schools when you’re a freshmen. Focus on your classes each semester, until you’re a junior/senior, ignore everything else. Just do the best you can.</p>
<p>^Read all of DarkKnights posts…he had this same thread last semester when his overall gpa was 3.4 or something and he thought his life was over.</p>
<p>Let’s be realistic here. I’m not going to sugarcoat it like some people here. A B in bio is bad but anything less than a B is really bad. When people usually refer to failing at WashU it is indeed in this range. </p>
<p>I used to have the same issue as you but I learned to adapt after the first exam. Basically, never read the book. If you put the book’s words on your test instead of what he said on the lecture, even though it is technically right you may not get points for it. This happened to me a lot on the first exam. What I suggest for you is to purely focus on lecture. Memorize the exact words he says. Don’t just think “oh I have the general gist of it I’ll be fine” because you wont be. After I memorized his words completely, I started getting atleast 10 points above the mean.</p>
Oh please. A C in bio is not the end of the world (or “really bad”) - half the class is going to get a C+ or below based on the way the curve is set up. (or anyone below the average- I can’t remember if the cutoff is by mean or by median).</p>
<p>And a B in bio is not bad at all. Pre-meds need a serious chill pill.</p>
. You’ll learn more in orgo than you learned in those two course combined :)</p></li>