Should someone consider changing their major,if they planned on being a biology major, but had to withdraw?

Question

from calculus and chemistry? they were a straight A student in math and science in high school, but are really struggling with the college level math and science classes. The Chemistry they had to withdraw from was general chemistry 1 and the math class was calculus 1. they have done well in all the biology classes, and have a passion for science. They aren't into drugs or alcohol or partying, so I'm not sure what the problem is all of a sudden.

Answer 1

It depends.....

What do you want to do with the bio major?  For some people, the GPA is key, especially the major GPA.  For other people, the grades are less important than the love of the material.  If med school or a PhD program at a fancy university is in the future, the math/sci grades are key.  For others, less so.

College calc (and to a lesser extent chem) is notoriously tough, at most every college.  I'd advise to soldier through them, even if a low grade is the result, unless it would jeopardize a scholarship.  What if you took them during the summer term (too late for that now, I guess) or at another school, to get them off your main transcript, or to allow yourself to really focus on them.

After the pre-requisite calc, it isn't used much in biology, so I would not sweat it so much.

Chem 1 is crucial though to organic chem and in turn to biochem after that.  Gotta make sure you have a good foundation, even if the grade is not there.

Pretty much every school has math/science tutors for students who have trouble.  And, take advantage of professors' and TAs' office hours.  No one ever goes, and you can get alot of 1-on-1 help.

Consider also different tracks in the bio major.  Some are more math/chem-centric than others.  Maybe bacteriology, ecology, or organism-level stuff would be better than biochem or genetics, if you love bio and have trouble with the math and chem.

Answer 2

In college you shouldnt be making straight a's. its about learning the material. my brother was a straight A student all through high school and then he got to college and was all B's and C's. it has to do with the change in curriculm(spelling?). it doesnt matter how well you do on the tests as long as you pass of course. but if you learn it thats what matters.

Answer 3

I suggest you keep trying.  I had the same problem and ended up taking calc I three times before I passed and O-chem twice.  I still don't really get it but it is not all that important to my current job as a Water Quality Coordinator.  

If this is something you really love, don't give up!  It's bad to say but remember C's get degrees!