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Feeling devastated after semester performance
- Thread starter ElJamo17
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That's actually a fairly robust undergrad semester. I took biochem and immunology at the same time, and it was rough. I think if molecular biology would have been in the mix, it would have been so much harder, because the material covered in molecular biology helps with immunology. It can be done, but if you aren't used to a schedule where that's all that you do all week, then that's a lot of information to digest. Usually, by the time you are in professional school, you have a sink or swim choice to make, and it all can come together. But you don't need to test your mettle in undergrad to see if you have what it takes to get through PA or Med school, because they are different creatures.
Its really, really important not to overdo things in undergrad. Sometimes there is a temptation to rush through, but now that you are at this point, what good did you do for yourself by doubling down? Now you have an even bigger hurdle to overcome with poor grades. The better option would have been to go slow and spread it out. The most important thing for an applicant to have is good grades. That trumps any time you would save by adding difficult courses to your schedule.
But usually, there's a way to make things work. I wouldn't suggest taking all three of them again hoping to make up for what you did. If you have to repeat, repeat one at a time, and get A's in them. But be realistic. Don't sign up for the next semester and take ochem, lab, calculus, genetic, and then repeat immunology. You've proven its not time to be a rockstar. Instead, take molecular, some other moderately challenging course, and an easy one. And get A's. Grades are the most important thing for your future.... more important than graduating on time, and more important than healthcare experience, or anything else you have going for you. B's are not A's. Your attitude should be that something is not worth your time if you aren't finding a way to get an A. You can live with B's, but you might not get them if you don't shoot for A's. But don't freak out and get upset. Things will be ok. There's always good options out there, even when you feel you bombed.
Its really, really important not to overdo things in undergrad. Sometimes there is a temptation to rush through, but now that you are at this point, what good did you do for yourself by doubling down? Now you have an even bigger hurdle to overcome with poor grades. The better option would have been to go slow and spread it out. The most important thing for an applicant to have is good grades. That trumps any time you would save by adding difficult courses to your schedule.
But usually, there's a way to make things work. I wouldn't suggest taking all three of them again hoping to make up for what you did. If you have to repeat, repeat one at a time, and get A's in them. But be realistic. Don't sign up for the next semester and take ochem, lab, calculus, genetic, and then repeat immunology. You've proven its not time to be a rockstar. Instead, take molecular, some other moderately challenging course, and an easy one. And get A's. Grades are the most important thing for your future.... more important than graduating on time, and more important than healthcare experience, or anything else you have going for you. B's are not A's. Your attitude should be that something is not worth your time if you aren't finding a way to get an A. You can live with B's, but you might not get them if you don't shoot for A's. But don't freak out and get upset. Things will be ok. There's always good options out there, even when you feel you bombed.
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Med school is harder but don’t take this as a sign you can’t do it. You adapt and constantly get better at learning. Keep chipping away