I'm getting alot of bad grades...?

Question

I'm getting alot of bad grades. Not a bunch of F's, but Cs and Ds. One F in Spanish. My friend is getting B's and A's. She's currently on the merit role. I really am friends with her, but next year I go to the high school and I think that the teachers are going to put us in teams depending on our grades. There are still two quaters left until 8th grade is left. Do I have a chance to still be in her team? Also, since I'm in 8th grade, if I were to get straight A's for the rest of my school life, would I still have a chance at Harvard, even though I've been making average since I was in 1st grade?

Answer 1

Yes, you will still have a chance at Harvard. The ONLY grades that ever count are your grade 12 grades - those are the ones universities look at. Sometimes they will take a peek at your grade 11 grades but never earlier than that.

Of course, this doesn't mean you should slack off until then. If you get good study habits now, it'll be easier to study then. So catching up to your friend is an excellent idea! Ask her for tips on how she studies, etc.

In grade 8, I swear all you have to do is pay attention in class (that means being there) and handing in homework. Enjoy it while it's easy!

Edit:

At least in Canada they only look at your grade 11/12 marks. ;)

Answer 2

This Could Be A Possible Phase He Is Going Through. My Neighbor's Had This Problem With Their Son Last Year When He Was In Sixth Grade. Or This Could Be A Serious Problem. My Personal Take On This Is Take Him To A Doctor That Specialzes In Behavior Such As Your Brother Is Displaying. This Could Really Turn Out To Be More Than A Phase....

Answer 3

I was kind of like you growing up. I was a B/C student who really didn't care about studying. I was passing without studying so why did I need it?

Well, I honestly regret having that attitude. Being an A student gets you more than into a class with a friend. You will be perceived as a student who will do well in life. I would have liked to do more things in school, but I think administration view students like you (and me) as people who won't appreciate or make good use of opportunities when given to us. Now that I'm older, I completely understand that.

When I got to college, I finally understood this and started making effort about a year in. But in reality, that was way too late. I basically had to learn how to study and do what it takes to make A's, which took me another semester to a year. So i left college with a B average, but it could have been an "A" if I would have applied myself in high school and hence my early college years!

I think you definitely have a chance in high school, but you better start NOW. Maybe talk to guidance counselors and tell them that you are trying to improve yourself. They may not put you in the same type of classes as your friends right away, but they may try to help you get there!

ANd high schools in the US look at all of your Jr High and High School grades from what I can tell. So you are okay now, but you have to really improve in the future. But I must warn you, you are going to have to learn everything you didn't learn in the previous grades!! So it is going to be harder on you to reach this than it might be for your friend. But give yourself a year or two to catch-up, because that is what you are going to have to do!

Answer 4

At this point in your life, I would not worry about which college you will be accepted to, but rather how to improve your grades. If you are "an average student", as you claim, then why not ask your teachers for some extra help and perhaps your grades will improve. I was an average (B's and C's) student too, but then I decided to do better. I am now working on my doctorate in math. Your teachers will be more than happy to give you some tutoring after class- really. They want you to succeed. So don't look at what others are doing, you concentrate on your own work, and it will all work out fine. Good luck.

Answer 5

Let's start from the bottom and go up:

Harvard is NOT going to look at your elementary and middle school grades. They just don't care about that. So yes, if you were able to make straight A's, you would definitely have a chance at getting to Harvard, although sometimes they look for more than just grades. From their website:

"There is no formula for gaining admission to Harvard. Successful applicants present strong academic credentials, evidence of highly developed talents or interests, motivation and character. We hope that every student who is committed to excellence in its many forms will explore the opportunities at Harvard and consider applying to the College."

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Getting into your friend's team: Is that your primary reason for wanting better grades? Just to be on your friend's team? What about doing it for yourself? Work hard to get the marks YOU want because they are important to you. Reaching your goals means:

*setting some specific goals for the end of the year, but also on each assignment and test from then until now
*making a specific plan to reach those goals; this includes being aware of how you got poor marks in the past and what you need to change to get the marks you want
*catching yourself when you fall away from your plan, figure out why you fell away, and make a specific plan to prevent it from happening again

I have no clue if you can get your marks up to what you need to get on her 'team'. I've never heard of schools being broken up into 'teams' for high school. You should consider talking to your teacher's and school guidance counsellor to find out if it's possible and to get more study tips.

Answer 6

Okay now I was never the best student in the world when I went to school in fact I was put into special ED.
I had very low self essteem low sense of self worth.
I hardly ever studied I took all the easy classes that were available.
This was the biggest mistakes that I ever made.
If you put you mind heart and full attention to something you can accomplish anything your hearts desire.
Work very hard study study study and you will accomplish your gold the world is yours for the taking if only you apply yourself.
Good luck.

Answer 7

Middle school does not matter to colleges. Your performance in highschool is what you will be scaled on. So when you start highschool next year. Do your best to stay on top of work from DAY ONE and let your teachers know that you care and that you are very eager to get into a very reputable college.

Answer 8

as far as being in the same team as your friend, it's possible, but you better get with it. As far as going to Harvard (or any ivy league), absolutely, provided you get good grades. People just don't get good grades for showing up. I've gotten good grades all my life and I've always earned them. It takes doing your homework, double checking it, comparing answers with friends, studying for tests. You need to apply yourself and be willing to put forth the effort.

Answer 9

Wow! YOur grade is pretty low. Do you go to class everyday? And turn everything in? Do all extra credit? Study for every class? hm...if you do all of these, you should at least get a decent grade. You have a chance to pull it up if you take time in your school work. Or you can ask for friend to stay back with you, but I don't think she will. =) My friend did and we were happy about it!

Answer 10

study hard and do real well. You might be able to get in a team with your friend. and do well all your HS life and you will have a good chance at getting in your dream college.

plus colleges only care about HS grades.