What is the best way to raise my gpa after years of screwing up?

Question

I recently decided to return to school after taking a few years off. Mostly because of health reasons. My first two years of college went really well, then when i had my daughter i decided to go back but i could not manage taking 18hrs and working and taking care of her. Needless to say it caused my gpa to drop drastically. Now I want to return so that I can pursue a career in nurising so that I can eventually become a CRNA. I have been taking one class a semester but it does not seem to be helping. Now that I am more focused and that my study habits are better I want to know if I should take more courses to raise it quicker or take my time? I am only 23 so I have time but I really want to hurry up and graduate.

I have no F's whatsoever on my transcript I have mostly C's. My first two years I was on the dean's list and after I had my daughter and got sick my study habits dropped. I have only been able to take one class persemester so far because I work 2 jobs and I am a single parent so it is all I have time to take for now, but I do want to take more.

Answer 1

I'm going through the same thing. At this point, the best way to raise your GPA is to take over the classes you failed or think you can do better in.

It works out like this: If you have 5 classes and average a 2.0 GPA, and the you take 5 more classes you may or may not raise your GPA because you are taking the average from your old, bad classes as well as any new classes you should take. Even if you do pretty good, your old scores may drag down your new. If you take your old classes over and do much better, you will only be raising your average overall and not adding much to the equation.

For example: Here's your first set of grades:
three C's and 2 B's equal to a 2.4 GPA
If take over those classes and get 3 B's and 2 A's your new GPA will be a 3.4.
Versus just taking more classes: Your original 3 C's and 2 B's + new classes, 5 B's = 2.7



I hope that a little bit of sense. Good luck!

Edited to add: Check with your school. If you were out of school long enough, your school may have something called "Academic Forgiveness" or something similar. Basically, they will forgive bad grades and you may be able to start from a somewhat clean slate. I'm not familar with the process, but I do know that if you use it, it your old grades will still remain on your transcripts.

Answer 2

There is no easy way to raise your GPA after screwing up for so long. A good grade in one or two classes isn't going to help much when you have ten classes with bad grades.
Say you get F's in 5 classes (or credits), you will need A's (4.0) in five other classes/credits to bring your GPA to a 2.0 (C). and A's in SEVENTEEN classes/credits to offset the 5 failed classes to get a little more than 3.0 (B). So imagine how much work you have to do if you have 50 credits of bad work.

That is the only legitimate way I know to bring up your GPA

Answer 3

My idea might be unappealing and expensive, but it will work. If you so chose, you could transfer to a different school. The classes would transfer but NOT the GPA, hence giving you a fresh start. But the down side is...some of the classes won't transfer over, so you would have to retake alot of classes. It might be worth it if you want to be a CRNA. Another downside is time...I know you want to graduate soon. Money, too, would be an issue. So you will have to weigh the costs and benefits. Would spending another 2-3 years in college be worth it if you would end up a CRNA? I personally think so, but you do have a daughter to think about and probably other factors as well. Good luck!

Answer 4

The only advice I have is to study. I'm like that too. I procrastinate and I usually study the morning of the test or 10 minutes before. You want motivation? Go college hunting right now and pick a college that you would like to get into (doesn't have to be the one you HAVE to go to, but just a motivation college). Set the college site as your homepage and on your bedroom wall, write down a specific goal for each year of high school. In freshman year, aim for at least a 3.5 - soph year a 3.7, etc... And high school's cumulative so don't worry too much! If you set goals, it'll set you straight and hopefully get you into the mindset. (If you start slipping, remember that college!) @axel: At least you're not Asian. I'm Korean and it's 100x harder to get into a college because of the racial factor T_T They think every Asian is an Einstein and I'm screwing up sophomore year majorly and it's gonna be tough :(

Answer 5

Transfer to a community college and receive an AA then transfer back to a school that has an AA program that does not carry over your old GPA. Did this with CCBC/Towson university. Your gpa resets itself

Answer 6

Talk to the college.

I transferred a bunch of credits, and they gave me a "C" no matter what the actual grade was.
If be;low a "C", forget it. Non transferrable.
At this time, don't be overly concened about GPA.