For every other normal 9th grade class, I have above a 90. Can I still get into a good college?
I am currently in 9th grade,and so far after 1 semester I have a 65 in physics,and a 70 in geometry.
You will cross that bridge when you come to it.
First, you need to get help with physics and geometry. See if your teachers have free periods, or time before and after school, to get some help. Improving these grades is where your focus needs to be right now.
Define “good college”.
Yes. If you study with focus, ask teachers and classmate to help understand concepts,get workbooks to practice sample questions, go online to Khan Academy for practice. Once you have a better understanding you’ll learn better in class and raise your grades. If you raise your grades then colleges will see that you were a much better student after first semester because you accepted the challenge and tackled it. With good grades, GPA would go up as well. If your geometry got better than you’ll have a better score on SAT as well. All isn’t lost, pick yourself up and get back to work.
This is the flaw of the education gpa based system. Physics as a freshmen is FAR from normal even at the most elite of elite schools.
As George Bush said “For those graduating with honors congratulatio s, and for my C students dont worry you too can be President!”
Physics First is a thing some schools do; it doesn’t necessarily indicate that the OP is taking an advanced science class.
What classes are you taking right now?
What classes did you take in Middle School?
Is Physics in 9th grade normal at your school - or do you mean Physical Science (which most 9th graders take)?
that’s because you need at least basic algebra two knowledge for physics. i took physics as a freshman too, but id already taken algebra two so it was easy.
physics in 9th grade? Doesn’t sound reasonable.
@jym626 Its perfectly reasonable. Physics first is “a thing” at some schools. Algebra 2 is not necessary, but yes, Algebra 1 from middle school will do the trick. Just like any science classes, there is the option of regular 9th grade Physics and Honors Physics depending on the student capabilities.
My 2 kids had no issues with Physics First.
Well, with that grade, if its real, they should drop it.
My kid’s school just implemented a new online gradebook system; among other things, it gives the average scores for every kid enrolled in a given course (regardless of class period; possibly regardless of teacher). The honors track 9th grade science course has an average grade of 70% at the end of the first quarter. Parent speculation is that they’re intentionally weeding due to limited capacity in AP classes; a B in that class is a prerequisite for almost all of the AP science courses.
So the OP may not be that far behind the class average. (Our school also would not permit a drop.)
I took algebra 1 and living environment in middle school. So instead of putting me in Chemistry, they put me in 9th grade physics.
And to other individual. To me a good college is like an ivy league, or maybe perhaps something around that level. Well I mean the college does not have to be that prestigious, but like one of the top colleges. Or maybe perhaps a college that will make me look good at a job interview? I’m not sure how how to phrase it, but I think you get the gist.
And to the other individual, I am taking the most rigorous curriculum that a freshmen can take. The classes I took in middle school, were, 11th Grade US History, which I had gotten a 98 on the standardized test, an 88 for the living environment standardized test, and a 78 on the algebra 1 standardized test. I am not exactly sure why I was placed in geometry despite my horrible algebra 1 grade. I mean this school is within the top 10 in NYC, so I had thought they would place me in algebra 1 honors, but apparently every single class is considered honors,so they placed me in Geometry.
I would definitely speak to your teachers to get a better understanding on how to improve for the next semester. It’s great to build solid communication with your teachers. I wouldn’t sweat your low scores too much, especially as it’s only your first semester of freshman year. As long as you have an upward trend, you’ll be fine. Also, please remember, school is about the process of learning, not just the grade! Enjoy your high school years!
1 semester or half a semester? You said 1 semester meaning half the year has already passed? Are you making the effort to seek help when you need it- yes as scholarchild said, you should ask your teachers for help wth understanding the material. Seeking help will show that you are interested in your academics and shows to your teachers that you do care. Furthermore, this will likely be a chance to build a good relationship with your teachers. Start working on your study habits and how you learn material. I do not know how rigorous your school is with these courses, but if it’s rigorous, I recommend putting in all the effort you can- Do not neglect other subjects, but make these two subjects your priority focus. Maybe with geometry and physics, after you get help with comprehending the material, you should do all the problems. This is just personal advice and it’s up to you whether you want to follow it. Whenever I struggled in a science or math course, I made summary notes and did a lot of problems (more than I was assigned). I usually do better when I have good studying habits and do more problems- it helps make me feel confident that I am able to solve problems when you get them right.
As they say, practice makes perfect. Haha
For those of you who said physics for 9th grade is unreasonable- I don’t think it is.Depending on the rigor of the course, you can pass by with some minimalistic trigonometry knowledge, which students usually get introduced to in algebra 1 or 2. And the skills to solve problems are created in algebra 1.
You can certainly get into a good college, however, you really should work on bringing up your grade, especially in physics. Are you in honors or CP? I struggled with honors science, but I’m getting 90’s in CP science now. You may not be able to drop the class, but there are ways to improve your grade.
1.) If you don’t understand something in class, mark it down in your notes. Ask the teacher about it after class if you can, or google the question when you review your notes at home.
2.) Meet weekly with your teacher to go over what you aren’t understanding. If your school has tutoring, see if you can make a few meetings.
3.) Make use of your textbook, flashcards, and online resources. Don’t just rely on your notes. Quiz yourself regularly and see what you aren’t getting.
4.) With math specifially: Do your homework. I have had math teachers that do not collect the homework, but it is a form of studying. Try different types of problems in your textbook to see what you do and do not understand.
Keep in mind: I did all of this and I still ended up with a 77 in Honors Physics, but I managed to pass the class with a C.
A lot of times schools will offer physics for freshman but it is really just a general science course
Thank you. Um my school doesn’t have honors courses since there are about 5,600 kids in the school, and most of them are a year ahead in a subject, primarily math, about 800 kids of the 1200 freshmen are taking geometry, which is pretty normal, except for physics which only about 300 kids out of the 1200 are taking. But the reason there are no honors courses is because of the dense student population. But um yea, I’m struggling in a class that isn’t even honors. This is the first time something like has happened to me. And uh I meant the 1st MARKING PERIOD not semester, sorry, I wrote that by accident.