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Asked by jean499rake on 4 Jul 2024.
Question: I havent done the best in my first year of maths, physics and chemistry, I was wondering if its possible for me to get my grade back up maybe to all C/Bs maybe even As?
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Jemma Kerns answered on 4 Jul 2024:
That’s ok, there should be more opportunities for you to increase your grades. Sometimes you can retake modules. I’d suggest you speak to your teachers to see what your options are. You always have options and it sounds like you’re doing all the right things by asking about it here.
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Sophie P answered on 4 Jul 2024:
It’s definitely possible to improve your grades! Definitely speak to your teachers if you have any questions about specific topics, and see if there is any extra support. Also, sometimes you can know the right answers but not get the grade you want, so it may help to look at your exam technique – try to speak to your teachers about this.
Finally – grades don’t define you, they are just a stepping stone to your next thing. There are lots of routes to get to where you want to be in the future, and they don’t all need specific grades, or a certain number of As/Bs/Cs. 🙂
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Richard Caley answered on 4 Jul 2024:
I studied maths, physics and chemistry at A level and didn’t get great grades. My dad gave me a simple solution that reduced the question to a much simpler statement by writing down what information the question gave you. This helps clear your mind of all the clutter and tension and helps identify a process to the solution.
Sometimes it is hard to identify why you are having difficulty understanding. I had a chemistry teacher who demonstrated a gimmick for solving an equation. He asked if everyone understood. When I put my hand up and said I didn’t he thought I was being obstructive. I just needed a more simplified mathematical approach to understand the gimmick then I was fine. I suggest talking with your teachers to get a better understanding of where your mental processes are glitching. -
Pete Webb answered on 4 Jul 2024:
I left school at 18 with A level maths, geography, and economics. I couldn’t do geology at Uni because I only had 1 science subject, maths, and you had to have 2. I left home to work on the gold mines in South Africa, during which time I studied some chemistry, physics and applied maths, but the company I was working for wanted me to be an engineer and I wanted to be a geologist. So I left South Africa and returned home. I went to my old school (they remembered me!) and explained that I needed another science to get into Uni and do geology. They lent me a load of A level chemistry and applied maths books and advised me on which parts of the syllabus I should concentrate. I followed their advice and studied in the evenings – I had a 9 to 5 day job. Six months after arriving back home, I took my 2 A levels in July, passed both and got a place to do geology at London Uni, ending up 3 years later with a geology BSc. Moral of this story: yes, it is definitely possible. Speak to your teachers and ask for their advice. They will advise you how to study and revise. And above all, believe in yourself.
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Ruth Pegington answered on 5 Jul 2024:
It’s definitely possible! I didn’t really feel like I ‘got’ some subjects until the second year… Sometimes it takes a while for everything to click.
You can always resit and you can ask for extra support from your school if you want to get your grades up in the second year. You also have the summer to try and make some headway. Basically, my advice is put all your effort into it but don’t worry if the grades don’t come: it’s always worth putting the effort in. If you’re stuck on a particular topic, move on to another and seek support from teachers on the bits you are stuck on. Don’t give up 🙂 -
Rebecca von Hellfeld answered on 5 Jul 2024:
Tagging on to what others have already said, just by being aware of this and thinking about it, you are doing the right things already. If you talk to your teachers, or an advisor within your school if you prefer that, you can work out a path to get your grades up. i was quite bad at maths and chemistry in school, right up until I decided that I wanted to study biology and suddenly realised where chem and math feature in biology. Suddenly it made sense to me a bit more, and they became subjects I wanted to understand to get better in biology, rather than subjects I hated and didnt want to study for.
But at the same time, there are some degrees that are science-based that dont require SUPER high grades in e.g., maths. I did a geography-biology degree where they mainly cared for my overall grade, rather than specifics. So should you not be sure on what you want to study, or wanting to do a more generalised science degree, that might also be worth looking into 🙂
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Rebecca Saleeb answered on 5 Jul 2024:
It’s absolutely possible! I struggled a lot with Chemistry at the beginning so I completely understand how frustrating it is when it just doesn’t click. You have highlighted some really logic-heavy subjects where rote learning won’t go as far and the trick is really understanding the material. Things will click for you when you find the explanation that makes sense to you. All our brains work slightly differently, and sometimes what makes perfect sense to one person, is as clear as mud to another! So my advice is to identify which topics you’re getting stuck on and ask your teacher to explain it in a different way. You can also ask others to explain it – your classmates in particular may be able to really help if you feel comfortable asking them; they will have struggled through the same process of understanding and may have an idea of where you’re getting stuck (as finding that is half the battle!). Other places you can turn to for new ways of explaining things – a homework club, a different textbook, even google could help. Don’t be disheartened by grades, as long as you keep trying you’ll find a lot of career options open to you (including in science!).
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Stephanie Bayne answered on 10 Jul 2024:
I didn’t get the grades I needed for the career I thought I wanted, so instead went on a different path. I am for ever grateful for this diversion from my original plan when I was 15-16 years old. I had an amazing career as a Clinical Scientist (Cardiac Physiologist) and sometimes having to think more widely is a key to happiness.
Comments
Tina-Jaine H commented on :
It sounds like you are keen to improve this situation, and that’s great. It’s all about how much work you put in. There are very few natural geniuses, who do well without trying, but for most of us mortals its about how hard you work. You are going to need to focus, study extra hard, devote enough time to do all your assignments thoroughly, plus some extra reading around the subjects. Read your text books. Read sections again if you didn’t get it the 1st time. Make the most of opportunities to talk to your teachers, and ask them about topics you are struggling with. Don’t be shy about saying “I don’t understand”. Work consistently through the year. Don’t leave it until exam time. With the right attitude, you can do this. This effort will bring long term rewards, by increasing your choices and opportunities at the next steps of your education or career.
kareenmacleod commented on :
I studied in Scotland at a time where year 5 and 6 was where you got Highers (the ones you needed for University). I did really poorly in year 5 and I used that as my motivation to work really hard in my final year as I had really learned my lesson. The school allowed me to re-take some subjects like maths, but allowed me to add one new subject (biology) in there too. I learned to study hard for my exams and in the end did not too badly. So don’t worry too much for now.