How to improve my college grade point average with only 2 years left?

Question

Hello I'm a microbiology major undergrad at UCLA and I've just finished my sophomore year in disappointment. I really want to improve my chances of getting into a decent professional school but my GPA is a pathetic 2.8 and my science/math GPA probably worse.
I'm wondering, what am I doing wrong? I used to get decent scores in high school and admittedly high school was much easier and much more lenient but I want to improve. I don't want to give up science. Optimistically, I'm wondering is there any way for me to get my GPA to a 3.5 before I graduate? Anyone have this experience before where they took their low GPAs and made a comeback?
I guess it's really depressing, and I'm just wishing that there is some hope for a fellow like me.

Organic chemistry really hurt me. Now I'm afraid of taking the last 2 labs/2 courses in the series.

Also in freshman year, I didn't do too well. I had attributed it to "adjusting". Now I don't think there's an excuse.

HOW DO I STUDY? Is there a secret technique or what?!

Answer 1

Retake some classes. Instead of averaging in additional classes replace the D's and C's with A's.

It took my highschool science teacher two times to pass physics at Harvard. Sometimes it takes a second time to get it. No big deal.

Good Luck

Answer 2

I should probably know this since I spent 4 years at UCLA and live right by the school, but I assume they have a learning center of some sort? You might look into taking some sort of a study skills program, which most schools offer. If you are having science/math problems, especially given your major, you should probably get a tutor from the very beginning with the next such class that you take.

As far as bringing your GPA up to a 3.5, the only way this will happen is if you retake some of the courses you have already taken. Assuming you have been taking a full schedule, you have already taken half the classes you need to graduate. Since you have a GPA of 2.8 on those units, even if you get a 4.0 for the rest of the time as an undergrad (and the chances of that are slim if you have put any effort into the first part of your degree), the best you can do without replacing the existing grades is a 3.4.

There is hope. Maybe not if your goal is Harvard Med School, but there are plenty of things you can do with a record like the one you have now.

Answer 3

You obviously need to take all your required courses. So, you will have to shoot for no less than an A to boost that GPA up.

Another option can be to take some elective classes, which you know will be simple to pass, and pass those with A grades aswell. I don't know how practical or smart this idea is though.

As for studying, that is all you! You have to put in the time and effort to become familiar with the material. Tutoring or study groups can help you if you feel alone. Or maybe this is a method in which you will learn more overall. You often times learn more if you try to teach something to someone else. This way you know what to work on and what you already know.

Good luck!