<p>I’ve been attending CC (SMC) for the past year and have dug myself into a pretty deep hole and any advice would be very helpful. Long story short is first year in college decided to mess around and not focus on my studies and not being inspired to work hard etc etc but now I’ve realized i need to get my act together. I currently have 5 Ws and 2 Ds and 2 Fs on my transcript and I really want to get it together and transfer to a UC in the future hopefully UCI. What can I do at this point to reach my goal? Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>You need to start getting good (great?) grades. Many transfer students have interesting stories to tell so find a way to make your first year at SMCC interesting, primarily by documenting your amazing turnaround and the epiphany that set it in motion. Your strong upward trend, along with some pertinent extra-curricular activity and/or job related to your intended major will help you get in to UCI. If you have any learning disabilities, document them and get help at the DSP office at SMCC. If you don’t have an LD, get help at the academic probation office. They usually have programs that offer help for students who have lost focus. Believe me, your future does not rest with one poor freshman year. It happens all of the time.</p>
<p>This semester I expect to get 2 C’s and 4 A’s.</p>
<p>The only thing you need to focus on is getting good grades from now on.</p>
<p>See if your school offeres academic renewal, too. Usually all you have to do is retake the classes you got bad grades (D’s and F’s) or get good grades in 24-30 units.</p>