this is my first post so I apologize if i’m doing this wrong. For some context, I’m currently a sophomore in Pre-calculus Honors and it is the hardest math class I have ever taken so far. The first quiz I took in this class I got a 50 something, and on the test for that first unit I got a 60 something. I realized there were problems in my study habits and for the next 2 units my test grades ranged from 70s to 80s. The last 5-6 units I feel like I have sort of cracked the system and have consistently been getting high 90s (and one 100) on the tests, except for one outlier unit that I received both a 77 on the quiz for that unit and 77 on the test. There are 8 units total and I feel like the only reason I did well on those tests is because I just crammed all the information the night before those tests and regurgitated it on paper. I have an 87 as my final grade and the only way I can end the class with an A is if I get a 99 on the final, which 2 of my friends who took their final yesterday received. However, they are really smart and never had issues in this class like I did. I just feel really burnt out and I don’t feel too motivated because I just got my first B today (final grade) in Chemistry and I feel sort of doomed with precalc. My parents are really disappointed in me about Chemistry and I realize it is my fault but I feel like the only way I can make them proud now is to end with an A in precalc. sorry for the rant… I feel like maybe reaching out for some help would help me get back on track and stay motivated for these remaining 5 days, I cant wait for summer! 
Hang in there and set aside enough time but make sure you take breaks. The mind can only do so much at a time:) Of course grades seem so important right now but it is more important to keep perspective. Do your best without overdoing it and this year will soon be over!
Thank you so much for replying! I will be sure to take breaks, and have realistic goals. I feel like the best thing I can do now is just learn from the mistakes I’ve made this year and just persevere through this last final. your reply really helped me feel a lot better, its nice to know someones rooting for me☺
Grades don’t make the person.
Everyone is different - if you’re struggling motivation wise, take breaks, etc. to keep focus.
Perhaps school or STEM stuff isn’t your jam.
Maybe get a job this summer.
Life isn’t about As - so be the best you. Hopefully you are in a club or sport and finding an interest, something to enjoy.
And don’t compare yourself to others - they are not you and vice versa.
Learning to study or perform efficiently in life - is not easy to learn - but you’ll get there.
And you’re learning this and that’s great awareness you have - it will help you long term.
Parents mean well but sometimes are looking at the wrong thing. Other times, they will be proud for trying your best but the kids put too much perceived pressure on themselves, thinking they will be upset.
Good luck. and don’t overstress yourself.
It sounds like you have a few days before your precalc final. On Monday, if possible go see your teacher to see what they recommend for your next math class and what you can do this summer to prepare. Also, ask if there is anything you should be reviewing for the final that you might not realize is a blind spot in skills. In reviews are there any areas you have struggled with? It sounds like something clicked along the way. That is great.
Get a good nights sleep every night this week. Eat breakfast the morning of the exam. These little things can help you perform just a little higher.
Concerning Chem, it is a tough class with a strong math component. It is okay to have a B. Your grades Junior year should show an upward trajectory from here and you can reflect on how you shifted your mindset and study habits to succeed in your college applications in a year and a half.
What you have is a series of mismatches.
Mismatch between your timing and academic ability; mismatch between parental expectation and your performance; mismatch between your motivation and academic demands. Ultimately the mismatch between academic advising and reality.
I’m sorry, but sometimes making sure a student will do well is properly gauging readiness. I personally will never ask my kids to take any class I don’t think they are ready for. Yes, I read their syllabus, textbook and assignments to know what the class demands are. If they can’t do it, they will just drop the class and find something else. Am I involved? Yes, very much so.
You did not need to take Honors Precalculus as a sophomore. Although a B grade is respectable, the fact that you are not happy about this says otherwise. Getting a B in chemistry is also not the end of the world.
With the harsh words out of the way, are you cooked? No.
School doesn’t need to be linear. In 5 years, nobody is going to care you got a B in HS chemistry and a B in precalculus in 10th grade. No one will care.
If you ever apply to grad school of any kind, nobody will care about your HS grades. It won’t even come up.
Your goal is not just looking forward to summer. What you should do is think about what you want to do in life and what will it take to get there.
There are many many careers that do not require chemistry, or math. You didn’t say what your future holds, but part of academic advising is figuring out what you are interested in, as well as things that you can excel. Students make the mistake of taking classes that everyone else takes without really thinking about why. I think the key is to explore your interest and take classes you might be interested in. Even if you want to major in Chemistry, having a B in chem and math is still not the end of the world. Trust me.
Bottom-line is everyone can go to college, get a job and live happily ever after. You just have to figure out your match.
Thank you so much for the well wishes. I am planning on trying some new extra curriculars this summer, so hopefully I find something I am interested in. I hope I can develop good study skills, again thanks so much for the response, your advice was very helpful!
I admire you for not sugarcoating what you have to say and giving it to me straight! I agree, I will realign my mindset to really focus on what I want for my future career. I have always been interested in medicine, which is why I am worried about my grades in my STEM classes. However, I now do realize that getting a B shouldn’t necessarily make me give up on my goals in health sciences. Thank you so much for your input, I will keep your advice in mind!
Our teacher did provide many resources such as practice exams and released finals, which I am planning to do right now. Hopefully I can see where I stand in terms of readiness and go from there. I will make sure to get adequate rest and eat a good breakfast on the day of the final. I appreciate your input about my chemistry grade. I hope to reflect over my study habits this summer and grow from this experience, I’ve made a plan to help go over basic skills for each class I am taking next year this summer. Thank you for your response!
My comment about life / school being not linear packs a lot of advice in itself.
Most HS students think they need to finish HS on top, go to the “best school” and do great research / volunteer work, earn top grades and test score so they can go to the “best medical school.” But that sentiment is just not true. In fact most people give up in UG the very first time something unexpected happens. For many people in medicine, they didn’t get there in a linear fashion.
If you just realign your expectation with school work, slow down a little, take a breather. For a career in medicine, there are number of threads on advice. Some are good, some are bad. But at least you can pick out ones you think suits you.
A B in pre-calc is great. My kid got Bs in pre-calc honors as a sophomore, and then, as a junior, got As in AP Calc BC.
Despite what you may have heard from other people, B is an excellent grade for pre-calc, and, as you discovered, sometimes it takes a bit before everything all fits together. The fact that you started getting much higher grades on your tests when things came together means that you have the ability to deal with that math, but there is a very good chance that the way that the material was explained to you did not match how you figure out things in math. I would hazard a guess that there may have been a mismatch between the teacher’s methodology and the way that you figure things out. However, the fact that things started making sense, means that you were able to figure them out on your own.
You will likely have different teachers in other math subjects, and the fact that you were in Pre-Calc Honors means that you are generally good at math.
So finish the year, and understand that you worked hard to earn that B, and therefore you should be proud of it. If you find any subject really challenging, for whatever reason, and you still manage to earn a B in that subject, that is a huge accomplishment, and one you should be proud of.
If your only two Bs will be Chem and Pre-Calc for this semester, you are doing really really well. Take that final push, and then it will be summer.
You got this!
Thank you so so much for this!
For OP and anyone wanting to help their child or themselves with embracing the productive struggle of math I suggest Jo Boaler’s website and books. She is at Stanford’s Graduate School of Education.
Video-
Free class for students
Books
The most heartbreaking thing about your post is that your parents are really disappointed in you for a B in chemistry.
I would be proud as hell to have a B in chemistry! That’s a hard class! If your parents are actually disappointed in you for your grades when you are doing your work and not slacking off- then shame on them!
FWIW- i am mega proud of you. You are doing great, don’t be so hard on yourself.
I had a B+ in Algebra 2 Honors freshman year.
I got an A- the next year in Precalc. An A in Calc AB, an A in BC, and an A in Multivariable.
I got into one of my first choice LACs, and I’m interested in physics (so math is probably even more important than medicine).
Work hard and you will be fine. A B is not the end of the world.
This made me feel a lot better about myself. Thank you, you don’t know how much a few words mean to me
Wow, congratulations! I’ll keep this in mind while I’m studying, I hope I can be as successful as you!