I am a second year engineering students and I think I am going to fail gen chem 1 again… this is very discouraging and I am truly sad. I will not lie, I do not focus 100% on this course, but I truly dedicate a lot of time and allocate at least a week of sole studying before each midterm. I got a 33/99 on my first midterm and 46/105 on my second. My final is on the 12/12 and I am not sure what to do study it pass the class. (For reference my first midterm score is roughly compared to as a D+ grade and my second midterm score is roughly compared to as a C)
I currently meet up with a tutor once a week and dedicate a minimum of 6 hours a week for the class outside of lecture to do hw and study. What are some tips so I can at least pass with a C- in the class? I thought I could do way better this quarter as I have been getting a way better grasp on the concepts as last year, but I am only doing slightly better
Engineering is tough. Really tough. My son’s favorite quote was “we all struggle together “. Saying that the real question is what have you done to improve? Most colleges have study groups, peer to peer tutors, professor office hour’s, math /science labs for help.
I would go directly to your professor since no one here has a clue of why you’re not understanding the material. Yes, in engineering sometimes there are classes you just have to get through. I get that. Some classes are also known “weed out classes”
See if in this short time frame the professor can point out the important material to focus on. I assume you need this class to move on in your sequence for engineering also?
How are you doing overall in your other classes?
If doing well than I would key on this class for the final coming up.
Also for many schools a grade of a “C” is passing where “C-” is not passing in your major.
Get copies of past finals and work with your tutor to make sure you understand the concepts in them and could answer those questions – completely and well. Make sure you can also answer all the questions on the exams you have taken. While tests are assessments, they can also be valuable learning tools.
It sounds like you need more than just the tutor. A study group? Are there review sessions? Have you gone to office hours?
There is only 2 weeks, and you probably have other things to study for. But for this 2 weeks, you need to be uber-disciplined and use all your time very effectively.
I would echo the other advice on here so far. One thing that I note with the students who do particularly poorly in chemistry at my institution is that they don’t attend class regularly, or if they do, they are not engaged with the material when they are in class. They also don’t do the homework or they don’t put the hard work into the homework assignments that they need to. Ask yourself the hard questions. Short cuts on homework (AI, relying on your tutor) will not lead to success on the exams. You have to do the hard work ahead of time. The other key is that if you do have practice exams, make sure to time yourself and take the exam under exam conditions (time it and do not use your notes- at least initially). Take those practice exams early enough so that you know where you are honestly with the material, and you have plenty of time to fix the problems and go back to sections you still don’t understand.
OP- hugs. I think you are getting good advice (certainly talking to your professor is absolutely and positively the right next step— do it tomorrow!).
But I want to reassure you that there are millions of happy and productive adults who never took or passed chemistry. And they have perfectly fine lives and careers. So if part of what’s keeping you from totally engaging in Chem 1 right now is you catastrophizing “If I don’t pass chemistry I won’t be able to major in engineering. If I don’t major in engineering I’ll never find another major I like. If I don’t find another major I like I’ll have to drop out of college and I’ll never get a job”.
Stop the cycle. Focus on NOW. Once the semester is over you can figure out if engineering and you are meant to be; and if not, there are dozens of majors you might like even more that won’t require a lick of chemistry!!!
One wild idea if you are not able to pass chemistry this time.
In university I was a math major. I attended a university that required that I take at least one chemistry course. However, thermodynamics counted as a chemistry course, and was one option that I was allowed to take instead of chemistry. Thermodynamics is also quite a bit more mathematical and logical and less memory intensive compared to other chemistry courses. I took it, liked it, and even pulled off an A. You might want to see whether this would count to fulfill your chemistry requirement. Being more mathematical and logical sounds like it might help an engineering student just as much as it once helped a math student.
And thermodynamics might be more relevant to engineering compared to chemistry.
You had an improving trend from the first midterm to the second, so hopefully you can sustain that. Echoing what others have asked - have you gone to office hours? Not only might the prof be able to give you some helpful guidance, but also, if your grade is borderline, the perceived effort could make a difference to which way it tips. You know you’ve been working hard, but does the prof know it?
Also as others have asked, is this the only class you’ve struggled in? Are you otherwise feeling good about engineering, and this is the one stumbling block, or is this just the tip of a struggle iceberg?
Hang in there; it sounds as if passing is still a possibility; the question is the extent to which strong mastery of this material will (or won’t) be needed for subsequent required classes. Is gen chem 2 required too?
sounds like you have a chance to pull this off. Go to all the office hours, optional review, TA sessions and see if your school has free tutors (both my kids schools do). Wyzant has solid tutors at not outlandish prices IME too if you can swing it, too. practice problems as much as you can find.
Also, chem is indeed required for many engineering majors… but not all. My kid doesn’t have to take chem and is an abet-accredited engineering path, but all the other engineering majors at their school do require Chem 1…
Some only want you to have a STEM-related background or will accept you contingent on taking a couple of classes before enrolling. Chem 1 may be easier on its own, at community college, for instance.
Most things are not now or never. MANY paths to the same place it turns out.
Hello everyone thank you for all the tips! Yes chem is a major requirement and it is a pre req for gen chem 2 and organic chemistry (there are no alternative forms these courses unless you do honors level).
I emailed my professor and he gave me study advice. He said there is a chance I could still pass once the curve is implemented, but to not to depend on it and work hard for my final exam.
I have attended review sessions and office hours, but not consistently as I have other heavy classes I go to office hours to as well. Currently I am struggling in my other classes (classical physics and calc 4). It feels like an overwhelming slope, but if I manage to pass my classes with a C- and above (the minimum is C- to go to the next course), I will be able to take only 14 units compared to the 18 units I am currently taking.
Hello everyone, who gave me their helpful tips and input! I passed general chemistry 1 with a C and will be able to move on to general chemistry 2 next quarter!!!
This was a tough quarter for me as I passed Intro to Literature, barely passed Classical Physics with a C-, and failed Calculus 4. I personally feel like the difficulty of the classes with the fact that I was taking 18 units truly overwhelmed me to get to this point. I have thought about switching my major many times to something that is not engineering, but I always come back to my interest in designing physical solutions to problems. I find the courses difficult, but I truly value what I learned and the opportunity to learn such topics.
I am taking gen chem 2, classical physics, a 2-unit seminar course, and linear algebra+lab next quarter for a total of 16 units (I need to take 15 units to fulfill the requirements for my scholarship). If anyone has tips on how to improve my studies, I would appreciate hearing them. I truly want to continue with my degree, feeling more confident in myself.
Congratulations!! Thanks awesome. There is a guy on reddit that failed Calc 2 twice with physics 2 twice and something else and he’s a hiring manager for a major engineering firm.
Perseverance is the key but… there’s always a but….. Many get through engineering with a 2.0 GPA. It’s tough. But your also limiting your job options since lots of companies use 3.0 and higher as their benchmark for hiring. But not every company. Smaller regional companies need help. Even getting internships can be limited.
But as hard as engineering is you shouldn’t be struggling in several classes. There are always classes in engineering that you just have to pass and move on. But it really shouldn’t be every semester.
What does your engineering advisor say at your college?
To do the same and get the same results isn’t what you want to do. Struggling in many classes is tough on your psyche but I love your attitude you plow through.
What would I suggest? Talk to your advisor about Co-op opportunities. Why? This will give you real work experience and show yourself and a company you are more then your grades. Most companies are going to teach you what they want you to do. Make sure your communication skills are above average. Communication includes writing skills. If you don’t have these two skills you won’t go far in engineering. Period. Full stop.
Also make sure you can work in a group with others. Engineering is all about working in group’s. So join engineering club’s, study groups etc.
Talk to your professors, all your professors very early like the first week. Let them know your struggles. Let them guide and help you. Attend every math /science work lab study group. Join a study group. It’s very hard to do engineering alone. Ask for peer to peer help. If you have graduate students ask for help. But follow through. Some of the best engineering student’s I know of went to all of these. This is how they became good engineering students. Again. It’s hard doing engineering alone.
Can you take a class over the summer at a Community College that you know transfers to help lessen your load?
You can also ask your professor for their notes prior to their class. They might post them on their websites. This can help you focus on what’s really important.
Get this book or find a download and read it and apply their theories. It’s about strategies not the point of getting As.
I think you need to figure out what is causing your grades to be low in so many of the fundamental classes. Engineering builds on itself and you need a very strong foundation in math and physics. As noted by @knowstuff, talk to your advisor and professors, go to one on one tutoring, attend all review sessions and join a study group from day one of your new classes.
While I’m a huge fan of co-ops, most schools have a minimum GPA requirement to participate. I would recommend focusing on your academics. The job market is getting tighter and you will need a minimum of a 3.0 to be competitive. I’m not happy to report that anecdotally the students that we know that scraped through their engineering degrees are not employed or very very under employed. The market is not what it used to be.
You have a great attitude though so don’t give up! And another vote for the book How to Become a Straight A Student!
But that’s what folks in Urban Planning and Landscape Architecture and Graphic Design and Environmental Studies and Agronomy and Construction Management and Economic Development do. As well as many other fields.
Congrats on pushing through– but agree that spending some time your advisor figuring out the right mix of classes for next semester is essential. Good luck.
Do all engineering majors at your school, or just chemical and bio* engineering, require all of these courses? I.e. is there a different kind of engineering that requires less chemistry that is of interest to you?
This explains a lot! That’s a lot of credits with hard classes.
congrats on the C in chem, you persevered and that’s awesome.
I agree with others and see if you can do a CC course over summer (or even online if it’s easier!) during semester- some engineering kids do that with some calcs at my kids school believe it or not. Definitely see what’s allowed.
That was the typical course load for engineers at my D’s schools. 5 classes every semester to graduate on time.
OP - In your first post you said you were a second year engineering student. What was your GPA for your freshman year?
I also don’t see why you would need o chem unless you are a chem e or BME major.
I am more concerned though about your math and physics grades than chemistry. Chem can be a one and done depending on your major, but math and physics will follow you in the rest of your engineering classes.
