I'm having doubts... (Please see details below)?

Question

I used to be an A+ student. But this year, my grades have really really dropped. Part of it is because my teacher is... (I'll just say weird). I think part of it is also because I'm under a bit of stress (my mom is divorcing and my father is being a real jerk :(

But still I think I should be able to improve my grades. But their not really changing that much. I've always wanted to got to university and become a doctor, but know I feel like it's the end of the world - I'm feeling like if I can't get my grades up, how am I going to manage to go to university.

I'm hating these doubtful feelings that I'm having, how do I stop them? How do I convince myself that there is still hope?

Answer 1

Colleges and universities don't just look at grades when accepting students. There's usually an option that will allow you to write a personal essay. Not only is this your chance to wow them with your writing style, it is also an opportunity to explain things on your application that might otherwise count against you.

Use your stress to your advantage. Explain your failing grades through the lens of dealing with your parents' divorce (I'd leave the weird teacher out of it) and justify why this will lead you to be a stronger, more independent and motivated student in the future.

My brother used his essays for law school to explain why he had been arrested as an undergraduate (he claimed that the experience was what first made him interested in law). He got a full ride scholarship. If he can do it, so can you!

Answer 2

I started out premed at WSU and ended up changing my mind and went into pharmacy.  But I remember the culture in premed circles I hung around were kind of stressful.  It's not so much the stress that others put on you (though there is that), but it's the stress they put on themselves that got to people.  My advice to you is to make sure that being a doctor is really what you want to do.  Being a doctor isn't really all that it is cracked up to be.  Something like 50% of family physicians regret becoming a doctor.  You can find out what it's about by shadowing doctors, reading books written by doctors who have gone though it, ect.  It sounds like you are a smart and capable person, but make sure that just because you are capable of becoming a doctor, doesn't mean you want to be one.  However, maybe you will find that the LOVE of being a doctor is great enough that you know this is what you want to do.  Than by all means, GO FOR!  As far as the difficulty you are having getting as good of grades as you want, it's not going to matter in the long run; just try to enjoy the process as much as possible.   Keep up the hard work, and always remember, you will always have to overcome adversity in life, but 90% is just showing up.  Hope that helps.

Answer 3

Grades are not the only thing that colleges look at...when they look at grades they look at them as a whole and if you were an A+ student then a quarter or semester of bad grades will only drop your GPA a few points and i think that is what they will look at more is your GPA instead of your grades...but if you dont get into a university its not a big deal all you have to do is go to a community college and while your there just do transferable requirments and if you do real good while your there it should be easy to transfer to a university after a year or two

Answer 4

hey.........Don't be unhappy.

Answer 5

Try your best to concentrate on school while your home life is in a bit of a mess. Love on your parents the best you can.

When you graduate, your GPA will be what it is....

If your grades aren't good enough at graduation to get into a pre-med program at a university, consider junior college an option. It's less stressful, costs less, and allows you a couple of years to find out who you really are.

You can transfer into a university as a junior after 2 years.

Answer 6

Read the book "The Secret" and watch the movie by the same name. They've got some great tips in terms of taking control of your thoughts and techniques to improve your thinking and your life.

Answer 7

When my parents divorced I was in 5th grade at the time. Everyone except my older sister failed that year. There was abuse so her stress level dropped while everyone elses raised.

The divorce no matter what is not your fault. You can't control your parents relationship.

How old are you?

Who has coustody?

If your Mom has coustoidy then good. While your dad insists on being a jerk then you don't have to have a relationship with him if that is if you are old enough to escape court ordered visitation. My dad had to learn that lesson from us. We all at one point quit seeing him. I am the only one of his 4 living kids to have a good relationship with him because I told him he was a jerk but I was willing to have a relationship on MY terms.

My older sister sees him on hoildays, my little sisemails him now and again (and they live in the same city) and my older brother has spoken to him twice since my little brothers funeral almost 4 years ago.

I don't know that you can get rid of doubtful feelings or depression over it. Have you spoken to a dr about your feelings. Maybe he can help you by getting some therapy or some medication to help with the depression. I am not a big advocate of medicating oneself but when you need it you need it.

There is always hope. Do you go to church? Try that join a youth group there are always kids your age who know what you are going through. Maybe someone can help you study and get caught up.

God Bless and Good Luck in Med School!

Answer 8

I'll tell you this...

My grade point average was average, if not below....my SAT scores were horrendous (well except for writing..that wasn't so bad). My guidance councelor told me that I could never get into the college I was going to apply for...

The University of Arizona which is a 1st division school.

That was the only college I applied for...I got in.

Grades do matter...but don't stress yourself about them. It really matters how you handle it.  You can go to college with average grades, to  a first division college if you wish (I did). What helped me, personally, is looking at examples of other people who had the same kind of grades as me etc.

Answer 9

There is always hope...You are just losing confidence in yourself as a result of the stress you are under.  You've been an excellent student before, you can do it again.  Talk to your teacher.  Don't be afraid to ask if they have any suggestions on improving your grades.  They are there to help.  Talking to a counselor may seem dumb, but it can help just to talk the c**p out and de-stress.  By talking about it, sometimes you are able to come up with a solution to the problem on your own.