Category: Academics & Studying

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I just dropped gen chem…

I just dropped gen chem with wolfman, and I feel super relieved, but I feel like a failure. My friends talk about studying for chem all the time , and I'm relieved that I don't have to do that, but sad that I feel like I can't be successful anymore. what to do from here, wall?
I just dropped gen chem with wolfman, and I feel super relieved, but I feel like a failure. My friends talk about studying for chem all the time , and I’m relieved that I don’t have to do that, but sad that I feel like I can’t be successful anymore. what to do from here, wall?

My librarian friends who are blessed with lungs say take a deep breath — it’s OK to chill and regroup.  I know you’ve heard it before, but life is a marathon, not a sprint.  You may want try chemistry again next semester, or, perhaps, it’s time to redirect your academic focus.  Consider checking in with your academic advisor.  Take a look at the classic, What Color is your Parachute (O’Neill Library HF5383 .B56).  Even though it’s for job hunting/career stuff, it may help you think about what gives you joy, your interests, and your strengths.

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I dropped calc II. … Feel like a failure.

I dropped calc II. It's much easier than what my Chinese peers learn back home. But I have trouble fitting it in schedule and need to protect GPA. Feel like a failure.
I dropped calc II. It’s much easier than what my Chinese peers learn back home. But I have trouble fitting it in schedule and need to protect GPA. Feel like a failure.

You’re not a failure! It sounds like you made a very rational decision. I hope you got input from your advisor? Also, if you feel a burning need to learn the material covered in calc II (and you might), you can take it later; this year, or even all your college years, are not your only opportunities.

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How do I survive organic chemistry?

How do I survive organic chemistry?
How do I survive organic chemistry?

Mostly through hard work and putting in the time. Orgo isn’t easy! But you can do this, and there is help. Try the Connors Family Learning Center (bit.ly/BC-connors) and maybe form a study group in your class.

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…how can i get into T20 law school? …

I have Cs, Bs and As, how can i get into T20 law school? =( Including this semester I have 3 semesters left to go, what should I do? Boosting up GPA is hard =(
I have Cs, Bs and As, how can i get into T20 law school? =( Including this semester I have 3 semesters left to go, what should I do? Boosting up GPA is hard =(

Boosting up GPA is hard, but I’m sure you can do this. Take advantage of all the help on offer: CFLC (tutoring & academic coaching: bit.ly/connors), meet with all of your professors, create study groups with other students, find productive places to study in BC Libraries, work with librarians on all of your research papers (library.bc.edu/ask-a-librarian), and then study like mad for the LSAT’s. You’ve got this!

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Where is the warmest place to study on campus?

Where is the warmest place to study on campus?
Where is the warmest place to study on campus?

I asked one of my helpers, and she said that the vestibules as you enter Stokes N are both very toasty, and surprisingly nice places to sit and concentrate. The warmest place she’s found (she’s done a lot of research on this) is in the cloak room at the Burns Library, but it would be a terrible study space. Same for the warmest spot she’s found in O’Neill; the level 2 women’s restroom!`

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How do I get better at chem?

How do I get better at chem?
How do I get better at chem?

I’m afraid the answer is study – but maybe you can study more effectively, if you don’t have the time to study for more hours. I’d check in with both the professor and the Connors Family Learning Center (bit.ly/BC-connors) for advice and tutoring.

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Why is Prof. Crowley so weird? In a good way.

Why is Prof. Crowley so weird? In a good way.
Why is Prof. Crowley so weird? In a good way.

You see, being a library wall, I’ve come to know academics pretty well. They’re all a little… eccentric. A whole lot of specialized knowledge does that to you. One famous academic once referred to it as the “re-entry from orbit” problem (bit.ly/percy-orbit) You spend weeks or months or even years working on an intractable problem that few people in the world even know exists. It can be hard to return to everyday life. Does that answer the specific weirdness you’ve observed?

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I’m stressed all the time.

I'm stressed all the time. Am I doing too much?
I’m stressed all the time. Am I doing too much?

Maybe, or maybe it’s a time management issue? It would be good to figure out. Talk with your advisor, perhaps try Academic Coaching at the CFLC (bit.ly/BC-connors) and if you’re really stressed, University Counseling (bit.ly/BC-counseling), to see how you can find the right level of commitment in your busy life.

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How to learn abstract math?

How to learn abstract math?
How to learn abstract math?

You could do worse than to start with Khan Academy, but there are some experts here on campus who could answer that question in depth: the Math Department: bit.ly/bc-math-dept

First, you need to believe that in some cases, 2=5. Second, you need to realize that on some level, IR^>/=0 is IR. Third, you need to see that there are two triangles on a donut.
First, you need to believe that in some cases, 2=5. Second, you need to realize that on some level, IR^>/=0 is IR. Third, you need to see that there are two triangles on a donut.

Sounds like this is the math version of believing 6 impossible things before breakfast?

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Should I switch from pre-med to a soft science?

Should I switch from pre-med to a soft science?
Should I switch from pre-med to a soft science?

It’s not an either/or situation – you can major in any subject and still get in the pre-med requirements. People who can help you figure out your path in life are your major advisor, the Pre-Health Program (bit.ly/BCPremedProg). and the Career Center (bit.ly/BC-career).

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Was math created or discovered?

Was math created or discovered?
Was math created or discovered?

Though the word “mathematics” was coined by the Pythagoreans in 6th C. BC Greece, it’s clear that wasn’t the first math. Records of arithmetic, algebra, and geometry go back much further, to areas in the near East, near modern Egypt and Iraq, and it’s quite possible forms of mathematics existed long before the printed word (or number). Here are a few dozen books on the topic: bit.ly/bc-ancient-math

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Orgo is so hard ….

Orgo is so hard ',( [drawings of molecules] [response: same] [response: [in Chinese]]
Orgo is so hard ‘,( [drawings of molecules] [response: same] [response: 苯 宝 宝 已 烷]: I’m a hexed benzy baby)

It’s generally acknowledged to be one of the more challenging subjects. The labs can be fun, though! Ask for peer tutoring at the Connors Family Learning Center (bit.ly/BC-connors) and/or form a study group with your classmates. You can do this. (And, oh, yeah – I totally appreciated the orgo pun in Chinese. We could bond over that. Covalently.)

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How to force myself to participate in class more?

How to force myself to participate in class more?
How to force myself to participate in class more?

The Wall is going to guess you’re a little shy, but let me know if it’s something else, because there are a variety of reasons that can be hard. Idea #1: Start by doing something easier regularly and work yourself up to the hard thing. Some people have trouble answering questions, some with asking them. Try doing the one that’s easier for you. Be gentle with yourself: most people need lots of practice to get comfortable being the only person talking in a big room.

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What if I’m always hungry on TI TH class? :(

What if I'm always hungry on TI TH class? :(
What if I’m always hungry on TI TH class? 🙁

If you’re not hungry with your M/W/F classes, then we can probably rule out medical issues. Are you eating full and healthy meals? Can you bring a snack with you? It’s important not to be too hungry in class; not only is it distracting but without fuel the body gets tired and learning can suffer.