Chemistry struggles

G

gibby42

USMA Appointee
Joined
Dec 11, 2019
Messages
58
I am worried about a grade in AP chem as of now, and my teacher is absolutely horrendous. I attend a very large public high school and am one of the top students in my class, have a large extracurricular load, and a varsity athlete, so my workload is heavy this year. I am truly struggling to keep a B in this class and it is really freaking me out. I never want to blame the teacher before I evaluate my own effort and participation in a class, but this is a new level. I have gotten a tutor, spent hours on khan academy, and talked with others that have taken the class before me to figure out what I can change, but still, no luck. I am really nervous that a B in chem, and a B in AP calculus could drop my class rank and screw over my shot at the Naval Academy. I really do not want to come off as arrogant or try to brag about anything on here, as all of you have been very helpful. Overall, I guess I just want to know if it is possible for one really bad teacher to ruin your chances. Thank you for any feedback.
 
gibby42 said:
I am worried about a grade in AP chem as of now, and my teacher is absolutely horrendous. I attend a very large public high school and am one of the top students in my class, have a large extracurricular load, and a varsity athlete, so my workload is heavy this year. I am truly struggling to keep a B in this class and it is really freaking me out. I never want to blame the teacher before I evaluate my own effort and participation in a class, but this is a new level. I have gotten a tutor, spent hours on khan academy, and talked with others that have taken the class before me to figure out what I can change, but still, no luck. I am really nervous that a B in chem, and a B in AP calculus could drop my class rank and screw over my shot at the Naval Academy. I really do not want to come off as arrogant or try to brag about anything on here, as all of you have been very helpful. Overall, I guess I just want to know if it is possible for one really bad teacher to ruin your chances. Thank you for any feedback.
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Relax about a B ( any B) in AP chem or calculus. Remember some schools don't offer class rank. It's your overall portfolio that is considered and you sound like your bases are well rounded. These admission boards look at the big picture. Perfectionism/anxiety is a struggle for all hard workers to conquer. Keep doing your best...let God take care of the rest.
 
First, breathe. If you are doing all you can, then that’s all you can do! If you were my child I would tell you how proud I am of your efforts to do you best!! Then I would hug you and tell you that you are my hero because there is no way that I could have survived your high school experience.

No a B won’t wreck you chances. You are more than a grade in a class and USNA knows that. They look at you overall. Your whole person. I don’t now if you are a senior who has already applied, but if so, you may not send in grades beyond your application transcripts, and then again after you receive an appointment. And at THAT point, I’m confident that a B won’t impact that appointment at all. Their decision was already made....they picked you...and it would take more than a B for them to rescind an offer for academics.

Keep doing you best! Honestly it’s all you can do. Hang in there!
 
In the words of General Patton, “If a man does his best, what else is there?”

One bad grade is not going to significantly drop your chances of getting into the academy. In the end the academy is looking for leaders and future Navy and Marine Corps officers. That is why they look at the whole candidate and not just grades and test scores. Take this as a learning experience rather than putting yourself down because that is how one learns from their mistakes and grows as a person.
 
As the parent of a former high school athlete, honor student, & Eagle Scout I can tell you that getting B's in AP courses is perfectly fine. What is your overall GPA? What is your ACT score?

The rigor of AP courses is really helpful for preparation for ANY SA. Just do your best and when you have your BGO interview you can tell him/her about it. Also, as you write your Personal Statement and your nomination essays you can address these courses, how you handled things, and how you succeeded. You will deal with all sorts of people in life...some will be difficult to work with, especially in the military. You need to adjust and persevere. Own it. No excuses.

Good luck!
 
You are not alone. My senior DD has Cs and Bs in APs. I don't remember high school being this tough! Agree with justdoit19 and HB2019, just do your absolute best. If you don't get the grades you want, improve the next quarter.
 
I guess it also depends on what year you are as to the advice. That said, bad teachers are everywhere. One good thing about them is they force you to learn how to effectively teach yourself material. And that is a great life skill to master
 
Thank you for everyone’s responses as of now. It is kind of reassuring to know that others are going through the same things as I am. This community is so supportive and I thank you all for that. Currently, I am a junior, and after this year will take another year of calculus, physics, literature, and European history, all AP. I guess I am a bit early to be worrying about these things, but I just want to make sure my profile is the best it can be.
 
One thing that might be helpful is to study really hard for the AP test via self study as well, and crush it. My DD, a 2019 USNA grad, had a B in AP environmental studies but a 5 on the AP test. The message is either teacher is incredibly demanding or not great. A 5 on the AP is pretty impressive. And a B now doesn't mean that is what it will end up being at the end. Just do the best you can...but make sure it is the best you can. You describe things you have done but don't include discussing it with the teacher. When you discuss it with the teacher discuss it in terms of wanting to learn the material as it is important for your future and not just about getting an A. Best of luck
 
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gibby42 said:
I am worried about a grade in AP chem as of now, and my teacher is absolutely horrendous.
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> I find this comment a lot more troubling than a couple Bs. You aren't the first High School student who has had a less than optimum teacher...face it, there are good teachers and bad teachers. How you handle it is more telling than the final grade. Your education is your responsibility ... get extra instruction, a tutor, or learn it on your own. If you've done all that, move on and excel in other areas. A couple B's in gut AP classes isn't going to keep you out of USNA, but blaming a teacher could.
 
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Old Navy BGO said:
> I find this comment a lot more troubling than a couple Bs. You aren't the first High School student who has had a less than optimum teacher...face it, there are good teachers and bad teachers. How you handle it is more telling than the final grade. Your education is your responsibility ... get extra instruction, a tutor, or learn it on your own. If you've done all that, move on and excel in other areas. A couple B's in gut AP classes isn't going to keep you out of USNA, but blaming a teacher could.
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I mean no disrespect, but I said in my first post that I had gotten a tutor and spend countless hours on khan academy, as well as talking with others who had taken the class before me. Again, I don’t mean any disrespect, just wanted to clarify.
 
gibby42 said:
I mean no disrespect, but I said in my first post that I had gotten a tutor and spend countless hours on khan academy, as well as talking with others who had taken the class before me. Again, I don’t mean any disrespect, just wanted to clarify.
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> I saw that, hence my comment to move on and excel in other areas. Blaming the teacher is a pet peeve of mine. We have all had to deal with "bad" teachers, and you likely will if you attend USNA. Why is the teacher "bad" ? Does anybody have an A in the class, if so what are they doing different.
 
Old Navy BGO said:
> I saw that, hence my comment to move on and excel in other areas. Blaming the teacher is a pet peeve of mine. We have all had to deal with "bad" teachers, and you likely will if you attend USNA. Why is the teacher "bad" ? Does anybody have an A in the class, if so what are they doing different.
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At this point, 11 out of 21 people have dropped the class, and the class average is around a low B to a high C. He refuses to follow the AP curriculum as it is stated online, and assigns material without teaching. I agree with your dislike of blaming the teacher, as my mother is a teacher as well, but I really just think this guy has it in for us. I am going to do my best to get the best grade possible, and hopefully get a good grade on the AP test to show I have learned the course.
 
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