Looking for advice to improve my grades in my Senior year at university

[Dr. Courtney]

I can't imagine any US university allowing a student to take 9 full-length courses in one semester. Unless perhaps the student signs a waiver saying that he takes full responsibility for the outcome.

When I was a student, regardless of course load, I always took full responsibility for the outcome.

Maybe the problem these days is that universities have allowed students with ordinary course loads to shift responsibility for the outcome.

 

[jtbell]

I dug out from my files a copy of my college's catalog, from the year before I retired (2015-16). In the chapter "Academic Policies and Procedures", section "Academic Course Loads", is the statement "No student will be given more than 21 credit hours per semester. This total includes correspondence, extension and audit courses." At 3 credit hours per normal lecture-only course, that corresponds to 7 courses.

We probably did tend to be more paternalistic than large universities.

 

[Barracuda]

I adopted the following study method in graduate school and I went from a C average as an undergraduate to all As earned in graduate school. It also helped that I had acquired work experience before graduate school. And of course there is grade inflation in graduate school.

When I read a textbook, I would attempt to capture the key concepts and equations while I am reading, look away from the textbook and attempt to memorize them, and them write them down on a pad of paper from memory. Then at the end of the chapter, I would review all the notes that I had taken and make sure I understood them all and they were correct. When the exam time came, I would use the notes I had written down to help memorize and study.

I think the process of reading, memorizing, and then writing down the concepts from short-term memory forced me to expend more mental energy over just reading the text.

That's what I've been using, rather than forced memorization, I read about half a page, and explain it in my own words out loud, if i make a mistake, I go back to the material. When I've got the concept down, I write a brief summary down on my jotter which I read later to review.

 

[Barracuda]

Maybe, and it maybe not economically feasible, is to may withdraw from the semester, take a year off and use it to study previous material. This will feel in some of the gaps you may have with physics. However, this requires extreme motivation, and a commitment to study every day and not just memorize and play flash card games. Moreover, I am reluctant to offer this advice, since you have an issue studying during the semester, when things like improving oneself, sticking to a schedule, and not really caring about grades/graduation.

In all honesty, your expectations are not grounded in reality. You can't just do things last minute and expect a different outcome. Moreover, you also lack maturity. Since you are in senior year, and now just realized that that you need to hit the books hard. What happened Freshman, Junior, Sophomore year? This is something a kid would do.

Now, I do apologize if my tone is a bit ruff. But I make no apologies for the spirit of my message. What I am trying to get at, is that its not to late to actually become a productive and studious adult. But don't expect things to change overnight, especially if you are not consistent.

Do you even like physics? Is that truly the reason as to why you cannot focus?

Is it possible to retake some of the courses and have the poor grade replaced with the better grade? This may also help you with filling in gaps in your knowledge while also awarding you a better gpa, if you actually try. However, there is a financial price to pay...

I always liked physics growing up. My favorite youtuber has always been vsauce. It's because of him I went into physics in the first place. Somewhere along the line, I got discouraged by the sheer amount of studying I needed to do to pass my exams, I just thought everyone was made differently, and I couldn't possibly do better. I just had a bad study habit.
It was a very stupid and costly mistake.
At this point, taking an extra year off might not be the best way to go, I'm able to cope with new materials, if i don't understand anything, I usually take note of it and ask, or watch a video or two on it. My school doesn't allow retaking of passed exams, even if you have poor grades.

 

[Barracuda]

OP, this might be your best option, if it is even an option.

Upper level STEM classes are demanding as is. Furthermore the material builds on itself; if you slacked off in the beginning you likely don’t have the foundation to contend with later material. To rebuild your foundation and contend with new material in a month’s time is a tall order.

On another note, a lot of your behaviors sound like symptoms of ADD/ADHD and possibly depression. I’m neither a psychiatrist or therapist but you might consider seeing one on campus.

All the best.

Edit: 9 courses? Are you crazy? Even if they aren’t all STEM that is crazy.

There are nine course, and are all STEM. But concepts are spread out over 4 years i.e Electro magnetism 1, 2, 3, 4.
I had ADHD, I was never quiet, up until late last year.
I locked myself up in a room, and gave my friend the keys, I slept, I woke up, I did this as often as possible, and my mind wandered till I had clarity, "a structured environment helps curb the incessant noise", distraction was and is a real problem, that's why I avoid it as much as possible.
NB: I'm not telling anyone what to do, neither do I recommend it to anyone.

 

[Barracuda]

I can't imagine any US university allowing a student to take 9 full-length courses in one semester. Unless perhaps the student signs a waiver saying that he takes full responsibility for the outcome.

That's how it is from the first year to the last.

 

[Barracuda]

I dug out from my files a copy of my college's catalog, from the year before I retired (2015-16). In the chapter "Academic Policies and Procedures", section "Academic Course Loads", is the statement "No student will be given more than 21 credit hours per semester. This total includes correspondence, extension and audit courses." At 3 credit hours per normal lecture-only course, that corresponds to 7 courses.

We probably did tend to be more paternalistic than large universities.

I'm taking five 3 units, and four 2 units. That is a total of 23 units i.e the peak total credit load of a semester.

 

[Barracuda]

I've done three tests, I wrote what I knew in the first two, I wasn't fully prepared for the third. I was terrified and depressed, that's why I haven't been uploading.
It won't happen again, persistence and consistency are another word for faith i.e if there is no faith, you wouldn't persist.

The test was split into two due to the mass failure, the other is after easter. I will complete it fully this time, with no gaps or room for excuse.

 

[Barracuda]

Thank you all for your support. I'll be discontinuing my messages to the thread as all that needs to be said has already been said, and I've been given more than enough wisdom to be successful. Exams are in a month's time, I pray not to let you and most importantly my self and my parents down. I'll message after I'm done with my exams. Thank you.