How did you do in your first year?
 

I was just wondering how bad or well people did in there first year of college. It doesn't matter if it's your first year now or you graduated 20 years ago.

I am really disappointed in myself. So, I guess this thread is a way of releasing my thoughts.

In HS, my cumulative GPA was 3.8, and I was on the Nat'l Honor Society and 2 other Honor Societies. That all changed once I went to UMD. I guess I had to much fun first semester, because I was just under a 2.0:( This was the worst that I have EVER done. This semester looks a little better. I think I may get close to a 3.0, but not over.
I spoke to this advisor in the Air Force program and he said in HS he was Salutatorian, but in his first semester, he got a 0.9...
Everyone keeps telling me it gonna get better. I really hope so

So, how did you guys do?

high school GPA means nothing. you'll see that a lot of things will change in college.

I used to be a high school recruiter for UCLA, and every student was concerned about GPA.

my advice:

-don't pick a major yet...study what sounds interesting.
-don't worry about General Education requirements...yet.
-have fun.
-don't worry about grades...yet.

get in your groove, and you'll see that things will move along smoothly...it took me three years before I found mine...so I ended up staying at UCLA a little longer.

when you graduate, we'll see if you're still worried about comparing yourself to your high school days...

In College, there is no real thing called "Extra Credit," many of the instructors in high school give this out to inflate grades. Also remember that you were graded on homework assignments in High School. In college, it is all about the projects and test.

This maybe the reason why you see your grades flactuate. You may already know your stuff...but if you can not A's those midterms or test...this is when you will get a lower grade. So study up.

Ah...highschool.....the world's largest joke....

I went from a 95% average in highschool, down to a 79% graduating average in university. The main reason was because it was more difficult, and profs don't play favorites like teachers. In highschool, I had the rep for being smart, so everyone would just give you better marks than you deserve to preserve that reputation. I probably actually deserved a high eighties average.

the secret to the first year of school is to pass. Only 30% of the people in my discipline get through the first year, but after that, most people stick through to grad.

I don't know about you, but I had extra credit in several classes during college...and it wasn't always about projects and tests.

I had one class that only had one midterm and one final, each worth 25% of the final grade. the other 50% of your final grade was based on in-class participation and discussion of material.


there will always be several perspectives on college experiences...make your own observations...don't use secondary sources as your primary source.

First year of college? Dropped out after 3 weeks. Of course working full time, third shift may have had something to do with it....

freshman year at UMD:

3.93 Fall '96
4.00 Spring '97....

I don't know what you're talking about shem... :p

Yup, agree with that 100%

it was a rude awakening for me when I started taking 400-level (junior-senior level courses) classes my junior year at Maryland. I ended up with a 2.93 that year.

better get your ass to do more studying!!!!

I can relate to this,, when you find your grove, nothing can stop you ...
Bruce

Thanks for the advice guys.

One more month till summer break. I can't wait any longer.:tit:

also employers don't look at grades...they more look at your extra curicular activities...and crap like that

only if your field of profession is not highly technical.

for highly technical positions (engineers, programmers, scientists, etc) they look for working experience in that field, what major-specific courses you took, and how you did in those classes.

i'm a government IT worker...the only thing they look at is what courses i took....

To all of you that are going to college: It's no f*cking joke, and IF you want to be successful in life, you are going to have give everything up for it. Otherwise, it will kick you in the ass so hard, you will regred it for the rest of your life. I did great in highschool too, but as soon as you get the taste of a real college, you will realize how much of the joke the highschool actually was. I am in my 4th year (5 year school) with 3.0 in Mechanical Engineering Technology.

1st year -> GPA = 1.8
2nd year -> GPS = 1.9
3rd year -> GPA = 2.0
4th year -> GPA = 2.1
2/3 5th year -> GPA = 2.2 -> graduated with BS weeee:bt:

Yeh, I realize how much of a joke HS is now. There is NO comparison.

that's BS. you don't have to give everything up. it's not THAT bad. if you like what you're studying, it will fly by. if you hate what you're studying, you're going to dread it.

I hate it when people tell others that college is so hard or so easy...let them find out for themselves and let them decide.


oh and KYREDP5...and halfway through school, I started working full time (50+ hours per week) and I still managed to have 20 units PER QUARTER...so you can't blame dropping out of college on your job.

if you want it bad enough, you should do whatever it takes to get it...

Grades will open the door to big companies. Big companies get
so many resumes that they set gpa mins. Small companies will
look at the resume but then the interview is probably the #1 selling point. If you do bad in school but still know your shit then you can get a good job. It may be harder now with all the unemployed around. btw. I'm in computer engineering and have
interviewed a fair number of soon to be grads.

EXCATLY
I go to GMU to all people that live in DC area know(george mason univ). I have a major in biology. It is a fucktard major.

Freshmen thru sophmore all I did is study. I literaly had no live. I was a studying machine. Seriously, if you want to succeed, study hard. I 'll tell you why

As many of you know, having a Major in Biology means nothing profession wise. You don't make a shitload of money once you graduate. But it is the road to grad schools such as Pharmacy, Detal, and medical

My GPA now is a proud 3.4.

I got accepted last month to VCU, Medical College OF VA, Pharmacy school:D

I met other students who had better GPA, around 3.8-3.9. But when I went to have an interview(which lasts a whole day), I think they (teachers, students) got to know me for who I am and accepted me.

I know, all of the DC area people are going to miss me, I could feel it:D :D

But, to answer Shem's question, yes, I studied my ass off. I didn't have a life. The only reason you see me know is because I am off the semester, (no need to go to school, got accepted to VCU, MCV) and so I am having a little fun before 4 years of hell

hope that helps a little:D :D

I am sucking it up HARDCORE.... I used to also be a 3.8 in HS... was in hon0r society... now i'll be LUCKY if I can get above a 2.0 and even PASS all my fucking classes :(

college blows goats.

I got a 3.45 and a 3.63 my first two semesters, and that was working 40hrs a week. It is definitely getting harder now that those BS core classes are getting out of the way. Right now I have a 3.2something cumalitive GPA, and now working 45hrs a week.

crappy in HS, crappy 1st year, crappy now....

d'oh :(

I kicked ass in high school... somethin like a 3.8, with college level courses...

I thought I was smart shit... til I went to RIT and those f*ckers told me I wasn't... (they seriously did tell me that)
they go on the quarter system, and I went 2.0 1.9, 1.7, and then lastly a 1.6... I was suspended, but I worked the system and managed to stay at the school... I had to change majors, but its all good.. cause I eventually graduated with a 2.7, which I'm pretty proud of considering I what my first 4 quarters were...

my advice, don't sweat it too much... but get into a major you really care about and can get into. don't try to stick out somethin that you think will be profitable but drives you nuts... cause thats what I was doin. but enough of my fortune cookie babble...

party hard while you can, cause the times fly by ya, and you'll wish they were still around... :D

I'm like the exact opposite of most of you. I did bad in HS. I think my GPA was around 2.6. I was lucky if I passed all my classes each semester.

Now in college, I have taken somewhere between 10-15 classes. I got one C and all the rest A's.

In HS the teachers gave me tons of homework and busy work. I just would not do it. In college there is a lot less busy work, plus I am actually interested in what I am learning so I do more homework. Except english, that still sucks. Thats why I got a C in it. Its also why I have been putting off taking any more english/speech classes.

I'm in a Canadian University and the marking scheme sucks.

Your judged relative to the people in your class section. I got a 75% which should constitute a B+, but because others in my class were academically strong, I was downgraded to a C. Like it was my fault for picking a class section with many smart people that I didn't even know about.

That's why I'm up so early today during my summer holidays, to go complain to the board about the grading practices.

Thats the grading criteria for most classes in college. (Trying to explain it correctly) They take the highest grade in the class and all the other grades have to compete and surround that. The grades are based on the median or average of other people grades.
So, if you're in a class with a bunch of smart ppl, even though your smart and know your stuff, it will be harder because the median grade average has moved up. If you're in a smaller class, and you understand the work more than the rest of the students, then their grade will be based around yours.

I hope you understand how I explained it. Kinda confusing, but this is what my teacher told me. I doubt that the board will side with you :( .

ah...the all too common Bell Curve.

I ran into so many classes where the grade was based on a curve...and there were always students who liked to throw the curve off and screw everyone else. It's a common practice for the 'weeder' classes (these are the General Ed. classes that 'weed' the weak students out of the large group).


...couldn't say it any better...but remember that the friends you make in college will always be around (assuming you didn't make enemies out of them)...so you will always have the opportunity to have good times again.

I did an engineering degree but it took me 2 years of college to get here. At first a was doing terrible, as time progressed I matured and realized that those things were important to me any more. I did have fun though and I would trade it for anything. I have experiences that some don't so I like what I did. I WAS disappointed with myself but, now I'm very happy. Don't dispare. Just keep going and don't give up. People respect others that don't give in. If your happy, your friends and family will be too. Its a direct correlation. Hope I helped.

I did pretty good in HS, but not great. Finished with a 3.2. Through three semesters of College, I'm holding on to a 2.75. The scariest part though is not knowing what you're going to major in, and wondering if you're ever going to finish :o .

High school was a breeze. I did well, couldhave done much better, but what's the point when I have an A average without having to study?

College was tough my first semester, I had 7 classes, it was a big shock. I just missed dean's list with a 3.43 or something. Second semester was less classes, but even more difficult than the first. Again, just missed dean's list with a 3.47 or something.

My second year of school I really applied myself because I knew I was going to be graduating (Assoc. degree), and I wanted to get a job. The classes were the toughest yet (especially 3rd semester), but I got 4.0 both semesters.

It probably really helped that I liked what I was taking in school, so it made studying less difficult. I think all classes pertaining to my major was about a 3.9 over the semesters, but the gen ed. crap i didn't care for as much.

Overall, I didn't like college too much. A lot of pressure (that's put on by myself, mostly). I don't like the whole grading idea. My job right now is nice. It's pretty laid back, not much stress, I like it MUCH better than college.

A 75 is a "C" - all day long! If you're lucky, then the mode was lower and then 75 would be a higher letter grade.
BTW, "means are meaningless"...
Determining statistical distributions is much better when looking at modes (Most frequently occurring number/range). Generally, the modal average is set at "C" or "C+"

Trust me, it's VERY common for an individuas GPA to drop an entire grade point from High School to College. I graduated High School with a 3.8 in the top 13% of my school and my first term of school I had just over a 2.0. It just takes some time to get adjusted and figure out how things work. I should be graduating in about 8 months and I'm trying to pull my GPA back up to above a 3.0. It's hard to do though once you kill it. I've been able to pull a few 4.0's out a term here or there but over all it's pretty hard. My advise...

if you're going to school to have fun, have fun and don't worry about your grades, but if you're in it for the degree it's time to grow up and quick screwing off. I work 2 jobs, between 40-50 hours a week and am a full time student. I don't have very much time to do other things outside of work and school, but I'm graduating almost an entire year early so it's worth it to me. I'll be recieving a BS in just over 3 years!

I wish I could take that advice, but our school puts you on academic probation and if you don't bring your grade up in the allowed time, then you are kicked out.:( This is what worries me the most.

In HS I did alright, considering I didn't give a shit, but I got a 4.25GPA which was pretty good (weighted). First semester of college I went to a community (2-year) college. It was a joke, just like high school made dean's list every semester without trying. Then I transferred to a real university and it kicked my ass the first semester (2.5ish). I also discovered I don't particularly care for Electrical Engineering (which was my major at the time) so I switched to Econ (which I enjoy). After I started Econ my GPA was around 3.5 every semester afterward which ended up being a 3.3ish GPA and a 3.7 Major GPA. Stick in there, it will get better. Work harder was the biggest lesson I learned.

Put really well. Wow, that's impressive too. Good job Girlie!

Trust me I know what you mean. They do the same thing at the college I go to. If your GPA is below a 2.0 for more than 2 terms they place you on academic probation for a term and if you don't pull it up after that they kick your ass out and you have to patition to get back in.

And thanks for the congrads, it hasn't been easy but it's definatly been worth it. I save myself some $ too by not taking the entire 4 years to finish!

Red Rims, do you commute or live on campus.. My first two years on campus killed me..i did crappy...but after commuting...I've been getting 3.3s every semester..