Should I retake the course?

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

So I am taken Gen Chem I and Bio. I'm doing fine in Bio (for now), but not so much in Gen Chem. In the class, you can only lose 60 points to get an A. So far, I have lost about 46 points. This was after three midterms (81, 90, 84) and 10 labs (plus four more to go) worth 100 points total (so far, I have 97.2/100). Out of the 400 points graded, I only have 352.2 points, and we have a 150 point final in a couple of weeks, and having only an 88 (and they don't give out B pluses), I doubt I will get that 90 I need for an A.

My nursing program is extremely competitive. The average prereq GPA is a 3.6. I basically need all As to get into the program.

Should I retake the class and get an A at my university in the fall?

[caliotter3]

There is no guarantee that you will get an A the second time around, so you should not retake the class unless you fail or get a C.

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

But at my university, they curve. Here at this local community college, they don't.

[Saysfaa]

You are SO close... at the same pace, your labs will bring you up to just a hair under 90%, and you've already done a 90 on one of the tests. If I were you, I'd try for the A in the class you are in.

I'd reread the class description and objectives, the syllabus, and the notes from the first day of class. Also, go to the prof's office hours and ask for help in identifying your weakest areas on the last tests (either in types of material or types of test questions). All so you can work smart as well as a lot.

Brush up on test taking skills, get enough sleep and eat right, and when feels not worth it - go for a walk and remember it is short term push to save you a lot of time and money next term.

If it won't undermine your efforts, you could also sign up for the class at your university and drop it when you find out you don't need it. That kind of escape valve helps some people unstress enough to do better and demotivates others.

[kenpochic]

i dont know if you do this but i research my professors online before i take them. i find this really helps i have straight A's. i dunno i havent found ANY of the nursing prereqs that hard at all. a teacher can make or break the class

[CrazziiRN913, ADN, BSN]

you can get the grade that you, need to get in... even if you only get a b that's still really good. Just try your best and b in couraged if your meant to be a nurse trust me life has a funny way of working it out when you least expect it to!!! :)

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

Okay, so I just got my final grade in Chem: A "B". I'm debating whether or not I should take it again this fall...should I?

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

I wouldn't retake it until you've taken all of your prereqs and you know exactly what your GPA is going to be. Even then, I'm not sure I'd retake a B.

[CrazziiRN913, ADN, BSN]

A B is a really good grade for chem...unless your going to be a chemistry teacher or or something lol... I wouldn't retake it

[Anne36, LPN]

I would also wait it out and see what your GPA looks like when you are done with the rest of your pre-reqs.

[strawberryluv, BSN, RN]

Wait it out girl, you got a good grade. Does your professor consider participation grade? Because my chemistry teacher does. I think that just work hard on the final and you should do well.

[Saysfaa]

How much does it matter if you don't get in the first time you apply? If you have other gen ed classes to do, it might be almost as good to have them done before starting nursing school. If you are borderline about having enough money saved up and an extra year of working more hours will let you work fewer hours while in nursing school or a job that pays less but offers more flexible hours, again, it might not matter much if you don't get in the next time.

And what is the opportunity cost of retaking the chemistry? If it is only $$ for the credits, and you have the money and an otherwise light schedule, that is different than if retaking it means have to quit a job to make time for the class or take so many credits that you can't realistically do well in any of your classes.

And how sure are you that you have to get an A to have any reasonable chance of getting in? If you know you are barely average even if you get the A and decidedly below average if you have the B that is different than being above average either way and just gaining a little piece of mind with the A.