What should i do? - grades

[Onmyway]

Im currently in the second quarter of my junior year. Im typically pretty decent with my grades, however, this quarter i'm struggling with chemistry (failing) and trig/precalc (just passing). They are both college prep classes and im really concerned that this is what's going to eliminate my chances entirely (For my westpoint application) . I got an 1100 on my psat and an 85 for my afqt score, so im not necessarily worried about my SAT or ACT scores, but my gpa is suffering. It is currently a 3.0 which is far below my 3.4 goal, i was looking into summer courses but im not sure, any tips or help is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[TeddyPlus4]

I assume you've talked to your teachers, gotten a tutor, etc....

 

[Onmyway]

I assume you've talked to your teachers, gotten a tutor, etc....

I probably should a little bit more and ask around for a tutor, but i work a lot as well as do sports so its a little difficult to balance. Thanks.

 

[Ems410]

I am in a similar place. Currently a junior in high school and this first semester has been difficult to balance. I feel like as long as we improve in the quarters to come, it’s better than worrying too much about where we are now. I would say prioritizing your grades over everything else if you’re not working towards becoming a recruited athlete.

 

[MidCakePa]

@Onmyway, with all due respect, I’m a bit miffed by your question. What can you do when you’re failing classes? Have you talked in-depth with your teachers? Have you regularly used their office hours? Have you taken constant advantage of peer tutoring? Have you gone above and beyond in preparing for the classes? Have you truly prioritized doing better in those classes above all else, including sports?

While Chemistry and Pre-Calc can be very challenging classes, the above steps are not rocket science. Being proactive, taking control of the situation, using the resources around you and ruthlessly prioritizing how you spend your time and energy are all attributes of successful SA candidates (not to mention successful cadets/mids and officers).

As a junior, you have time to strengthen your case. But remember that this is a competition so you can’t be complacent about things. Wringing your hands on a public forum or being satisfied with an 1100 PSAT likely won’t cut it. You can do it, but you — you! — need to really lean in. Best wishes.

 

[CitadelN88]

I assume you've talked to your teachers, gotten a tutor, etc....

I probably should a little bit more and ask around for a tutor, but i work a lot as well as do sports so its a little difficult to balance. Thanks.

Their is a guy out there that works a lot and does sports and aces Chem and Calc while tutoring orphan baby whales - his nickname is Cadet - be like Cadet

Alternatively if you really can't handle that load and not everyone can, maybe a service academy is not for you. There are plenty of other paths to commission and service , seems to me getting on a path where you'll be successful is better than getting on one with nothing but struggle and failure.

Good luck

 

[Onmyway]

I assume you've talked to your teachers, gotten a tutor, etc....

I probably should a little bit more and ask around for a tutor, but i work a lot as well as do sports so its a little difficult to balance. Thanks.

Their is a guy out there that works a lot and does sports and aces Chem and Calc while tutoring orphan baby whales - his nickname is Cadet - be like Cadet

Alternatively if you really can't handle that load and not everyone can, maybe a service academy is not for you. There are plenty of other paths to commission and service , seems to me getting on a path where you'll be successful is better than getting on one with nothing but struggle and failure.

Good luck

Im not saying i can't handle it because i know i can, just need to work on balancing it out. Thanks

 

[Onmyway]

@Onmyway, with all due respect, I’m a bit miffed by your question. What can you do when you’re failing classes? Have you talked in-depth with your teachers? Have you regularly used their office hours? Have you taken constant advantage of peer tutoring? Have you gone above and beyond in preparing for the classes? Have you truly prioritized doing better in those classes above all else, including sports?

While Chemistry and Pre-Calc can be very challenging classes, the above steps are not rocket science. Being proactive, taking control of the situation, using the resources around you and ruthlessly prioritizing how you spend your time and energy are all attributes of successful SA candidates (not to mention successful cadets/mids and officers).

As a junior, you have time to strengthen your case. But remember that this is a competition so you can’t be complacent about things. Wringing your hands on a public forum or being satisfied with an 1100 PSAT likely won’t cut it. You can do it, but you — you! — need to really lean in. Best wishes.

Thank you, constructive criticism is appreciated. Im only asking about what i can do because the quarter is basically over and i need to get my GPA up for the future, not because im being ignorant about things such as tutoring.

 

[Onmyway]

I am in a similar place. Currently a junior in high school and this first semester has been difficult to balance. I feel like as long as we improve in the quarters to come, it’s better than worrying too much about where we are now. I would say prioritizing your grades over everything else if you’re not working towards becoming a recruited athlete.

Sounds about right.

 

[Onmyway]

Im currently in the second quarter of my junior year. Im typically pretty decent with my grades, however, this quarter i'm struggling with chemistry (failing) and trig/precalc (just passing). They are both college prep classes and im really concerned that this is what's going to eliminate my chances entirely (For my westpoint application) . I got an 1100 on my psat and an 85 for my afqt score, so im not necessarily worried about my SAT or ACT scores, but my gpa is suffering. It is currently a 3.0 which is far below my 3.4 goal, i was looking into summer courses but im not sure, any tips or help is appreciated. Thanks!

EDIT: Im not saying im not trying to improve my test scores, im just saying im not as worried about them as i am about GPA

 

[kinnem]

Well, you should be worried about the PSAT/SAT/ACT. It's this complacency that's hurting you.

Back in high school, when I was working and my grades were suffering, I quit working and focused on grades. You may need to make similar radical surgery to get on track. The other thing you can do, in future, is not wait until the end of the quarter to consider taking action. You know your grades and saw this coming, I'm sure.

Hope all works out for you.

 

[FMHS-79]

Im typically pretty decent with my grades, however, this quarter i'm struggling with chemistry (failing) and trig/precalc (just passing). They are both college prep classes and im really concerned that this is what's going to eliminate my chances entirely (For my westpoint application) .

Let's assume you secure admission to WP for a moment. Even "fuzzy" majors will have a health dose of STEM-based courses. If the struggles you are having with these college prep classes are at all indicative of your performance in similar college-level courses, then you will have a very miserable academic experience at WP. If you can't figure out how to master these classes, you may want to reconsider your change for success at WP (or other SA).

Good luck - there are may resources available to help, you will need to initiate the next steps. Sign off of this forum and redirect your focus to activities that will directly impact your mastery of these courses. IMHO.