
Originally Posted by
dedo
Hi JB:
I had a low year when I was undergrad when my GPA was 2.6. However, I made a decisive turn around and changed it to a 4.0 the next year. Thus, you have to decide for yourself how bad you "want it". A couple things that helped me:
1. Staying in church. I believe I was "guided"; however, I could not see it at the time. Also, when I ran into things that just terrified me (like giving talks in front of groups) someone always just seemed to "show up" right when I needed him / her and helped me overcome the obstacle. Thus, I credit my faith with providing both guidance and strength.
Used to be very active in the church, christian groups on campus, etc., just lately my views have changed a bit so I haven't gone to church in quite a while. (still believe in God) just disagree w/ a few things of the church, etc., (at least my church in particular) Guess I need to get back in it, huh? Just not really into the churches here in the area of the school. Still haven't given up on God or the faith though.
2. As you now know, the partying crowd can hurt you. Consider connecting with friends through church or sports. I was very shy and had few friends. However, my martial arts interests at the time kept me in the university karate club of which I was eventually elected president. It is a small thing compared to school govt. types; however, any sort of leadership experience looks good on graduate applications.
yeh the partying crowd can hurt you, but staying inside all day doesn't help either. partying's okay if all the work is done. I have friends, been meeting people, girls, etc., I don't have a problem getting involved. Was on a few committees, but I dropped them because I wasn't that interested. I'll try and join something else though. I'm also trying to shadow a doctor and volunteer at a nursing home / hospital.
3. Be careful about overloading. It is better to do a reasonable load and do well than to overload yourself with too many brutal courses and not do well.
This right here is the problem. I've been taking 18 credits and that's not working for me. I seriously need to cut down. Every semester, I always overload myself and take more than I can handle (due to ambition). that's part of the reason my grades are the way they are. I learned this the hard way this summer. working and taking 3 summer classes. something had to give. unfortunately. so I'm not going above 13 next semester.
4. Be willing to look at other majors. I started in engineering and immediately realized it was not for me. I wish I had majored in computer science since computers fascinate me and I loved the one course I took in it. So if you are thinking pre-med, realize you can major in anything as long as you take the required pre-med courses. Consider majoring in something that can give you a back-up career in case med school does not pan out. Also, I think med schools like to see something different from the standard "bio" / "chem" major.
see, that's the problem. there are no jobs out there right now. so looking at other majors is very risky (for me). the hospital / health field seems to be the safest bet. I'm considering computer science (if i change majors), but it's not something I would want to do as a career. I'll do it just to improve my grades, but I'll still take the MCAT and apply for med school even as a computer science major. i'm failing terribly as a bio major. my weak math and science skills are a part of the problem. I'm struggling with the sciences, so I'm trying to work on that for a semester then I'll try again and see what happens.
5. Be open to those "unusual" turns in life that may be meant for your good. What really caused me to change my habits is a summer job when I was able to see people at work in a profession I was considering. I had a crush on a girl that summer and she basically "brushed me off". The experience caused me to take a total re-evaluation of my life / habits etc. I became "driven" and determined to be "good enough" for someone like that girl. I know that sounds bizarre, but it worked. I succeeded, and when I did I called the girl and she sort of laughed and said I should have called sooner because she was engaged. It did not matter, since by that time I was over the crush. A few years later I met my wife, and last year we celebrated our 25th anniversary.
Good luck.
i hope this "unusual" turn is really meant for my own good, d. I really hope so. thinking of my future right now really scares me. my parents are counting on me big time as well.