Low GPA First Semester of Freshman Year

Hope everyone is doing well.

My first semester of college has been pretty stressful. I am taking 14 credits, one class being a level 300, two being level 200, and two being level 100.

The decision to take the 300 probably wasn’t the best decision, but I really was interested in the material going into the course (business law, 3 credits) and it was a requirement for my major so I figured why not. I am going to receive a C+ (2.5) in the course which isn’t all that bad. Despite the 2.5, I took a lot away from the material and enjoyed it overall.

The level 200 courses are going okay, except for one of them – accounting ( 3 credits). I will probably be failing this class. I just wasn’t able to balance this class with my other courses. It is an online class. The other level 200 course, liberal democracy (4 credits) is going good and I’ll receive a 3.5 in there.

My two level 100 courses are math (3 credits) and a simple computer science lecture class (1 credit), I will receive a 4.0 in the CSE course and a 2.0 more than likely in math.

I have given it my all to try and finish this first semester on a high note, meeting with counselors, finding people to study with – it just didn’t work out. I spend a lot of time in the math tutoring rooms, but when it comes to test time, I just am not able to obtain a good grade. I usually end up pulling C’s on the all the tests, but low B’s on the small quizzes.

My accounting professor isn’t the most helpful. when I would visit him during his office hours, he’d just kind of shrug me off when I tried to ask for any helps or tips I could be doing different in order to at least pass the class.

I obviously know this is the first semester of college, and that retaking accounting would be my best option and would definitely benefit me as well. I guess I’m just looking for reassurance. I obviously care a lot about my grades but I guess I just may have bitten on more than I could chew. Do many other students do poor in their first semester of college? Will this hinder me away from internship opportunities in the next couple years? Sorry if I’m sounding like a broken record, it just kind of bums me out things couldn’t go my way with all the time I put in to try and get the best grades possible. It’s also worth noting all these classes are just degree requirements and don’t really have anything to do with my major, which is computer science.

I’m excited for my next semester and am looking forward to excelling in my new courses.

Thank you again for taking the time to read this.

What majors are you thinking of?
What classes do you plan to take next semester?

I’m currently a computer science major. Next semester I am taking three 100-level classes and one level 200
Plant biology (105)
Writing (101)
Trigonometry (114)
Economics (200)

This was the schedule that my advisor helped set up for me back in August. Does it look okay? Or should I be getting straight into my CSE-degree courses?

If you’re getting a C in pre-trigonometry math, you’re not ready for CSE. Don’t attempt it.
Stick to 100-level classes. I’d suggest switching out of Economics (200) and taking a 100-level “famously easy” class.
Do you have a “4-year study plan” provided by your college and if you can you share a link?

If you can talk to an advisor before classes start for next semester I’d recommend it. I think they can assist you in getting your GPA up/getting your foundation solidified before you can excel in upper division work. You’ll be fine, you have a lot of time to bring it back up.