4 answers
Cecilia
Student
Portland, Oregon
2
Questions
Updated
1870 views
Have I majorly screwed up my chances for college and (hopefully!) med school?
Greetings all! Currently, I am a sophomore in high school.
Last year, I was a 3.5-3.8 GPA student while learning how to study and juggling extracurriculurs. Fast forward past many things in my personal life gone wrong to sophomore year, and now I am meeting with my school counselor and therapist on a monthly basis because I've been doing horribly.
I have to retake AP Calculus AB, and my transcript will show this. But in the first place, my report card has never been good since this year started.
My goal is to become a psychiatrist since I wish to offer help others who are fighting monsters in ways that others cannot see. I hope I can be the one to catch those hidden struggles that many miss-and I can provide relief, comfort and remedy through a listening ear. But I know premed reqs are extremely laborious and achieving a 3.7+ GPA is NOT easy-not to mention med school-and if I'm already struggling this early...
I am afraid. Have I screwed up everything already?
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4 answers
Dr H
Dr. H's Research
1333
Answers
Australia
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hey Cecilia,
First off, I want to say you’re really brave for opening up about this—it takes a lot of guts to be this honest, especially about something so personal. You’ve already received some solid advice from Michelle M. and Patrick Meyer, both of whom made great points. Michelle suggested exploring Clinical Social Work as a possible path since it focuses heavily on counseling and connecting deeply with people. Meanwhile, Patrick reminded you that resilience matters just as much as grades in the long run, especially when it comes to a field like psychiatry. He’s right—many successful people faced setbacks like this early on.
Now, here’s something else I’d add that no one really mentioned: your current struggle could actually become one of your biggest strengths later. When you’re sitting across from a patient someday, knowing what it feels like to be overwhelmed, anxious, or afraid of failing will make you the kind of psychiatrist—or mental health professional—people trust because you truly get it. That kind of empathy can’t be taught in med school.
Also, don’t think of retaking a class as a failure. A lot of people quietly do it, and med schools know life happens. What they care about is growth. If anything, the fact that you’re reflecting this deeply now tells me you’ve got the right mindset to push through and adapt. That’s gold in this field.
Another thing you might try is slowly dipping your toes into mental health volunteering. It doesn’t have to be a big commitment—maybe helping at a local shelter, a crisis line, or even shadowing someone in the field once you feel ready. It’ll remind you why you’re passionate about this path and build experience that no GPA can measure.
Lastly, give yourself grace. You’re a sophomore. No door has closed. You’re still writing your story, and trust me, it’s far from over. You’ve already proven you care deeply, and that’s half the battle in this field. Keep showing up, one day at a time. I believe in you and I am so looking forward to your success. Stay amazing!
First off, I want to say you’re really brave for opening up about this—it takes a lot of guts to be this honest, especially about something so personal. You’ve already received some solid advice from Michelle M. and Patrick Meyer, both of whom made great points. Michelle suggested exploring Clinical Social Work as a possible path since it focuses heavily on counseling and connecting deeply with people. Meanwhile, Patrick reminded you that resilience matters just as much as grades in the long run, especially when it comes to a field like psychiatry. He’s right—many successful people faced setbacks like this early on.
Now, here’s something else I’d add that no one really mentioned: your current struggle could actually become one of your biggest strengths later. When you’re sitting across from a patient someday, knowing what it feels like to be overwhelmed, anxious, or afraid of failing will make you the kind of psychiatrist—or mental health professional—people trust because you truly get it. That kind of empathy can’t be taught in med school.
Also, don’t think of retaking a class as a failure. A lot of people quietly do it, and med schools know life happens. What they care about is growth. If anything, the fact that you’re reflecting this deeply now tells me you’ve got the right mindset to push through and adapt. That’s gold in this field.
Another thing you might try is slowly dipping your toes into mental health volunteering. It doesn’t have to be a big commitment—maybe helping at a local shelter, a crisis line, or even shadowing someone in the field once you feel ready. It’ll remind you why you’re passionate about this path and build experience that no GPA can measure.
Lastly, give yourself grace. You’re a sophomore. No door has closed. You’re still writing your story, and trust me, it’s far from over. You’ve already proven you care deeply, and that’s half the battle in this field. Keep showing up, one day at a time. I believe in you and I am so looking forward to your success. Stay amazing!
Patrick Meyer
Executive - Data Analytics and AI
1007
Answers
Naperville, Illinois
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
Cecilia, you should know first and foremost, I want to acknowledge your courage and self-awareness in reaching out with this question. It's not easy to confront challenges head-on, and recognizing the struggles you're facing is a powerful first step in your journey. While it's understandable to feel worried about the future, I want to reassure you that it is not too late to pursue your dream of becoming a psychiatrist, and you absolutely have not "screwed up" your chances. Many students, even those with setbacks early in their academic careers, go on to achieve great success, especially when they are driven by a passion for helping others, as you clearly are.
Cecilia, please understand that life can throw unexpected challenges, and it's clear from your story that you've faced some significant personal struggles that have understandably affected your academic performance. What matters most right now is how you approach these challenges moving forward. The fact that you're already working with your school counselor and therapist shows a commitment to addressing these struggles and improving your mental and emotional well-being, which is key in maintaining long-term success. Your mental health is just as important as your academic performance, and taking care of it will enable you to perform better in all areas of your life, including school.
As for the academic aspect, Cecilia, it's true that pursuing a career in medicine, including psychiatry, requires dedication and hard work. However, medical schools, especially competitive ones, understand that students may face challenges, and many look for resilience, determination, and growth in their applicants, not just perfect GPAs. You are still in your sophomore year, and you have time to turn things around. Retaking AP Calculus AB is not a setback but an opportunity to master the material and improve your understanding, which will be vital later on. It's also important to remember that grades are only part of the picture—medical schools value well-rounded applicants, so extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and gaining experiences that align with your passion for psychiatry will also make you a strong candidate.
Additionally, your desire to become a psychiatrist because you want to help people struggling with mental health issues is incredibly valuable. Medicine, and especially psychiatry, requires empathy, a deep understanding of human behavior, and the ability to listen with compassion—qualities that you clearly possess. These qualities, along with your willingness to seek help and improve, will set you apart in the field. Your personal experience of struggling and persevering can also provide unique insights and understanding in your future work as a psychiatrist.
Cecilia, in terms of achieving the GPA necessary for medical school, don't be afraid to reach out for help. There are resources available to support you—study groups, tutoring, and additional help from your teachers can make a huge difference in improving your grades. Moreover, building good habits, such as time management, self-care, and focusing on incremental improvement, will allow you to regain your academic momentum.
Cecilia, please know that although the road ahead may feel overwhelming at times, but remember that you are not alone. Many students face similar struggles, and many successful doctors have overcome significant obstacles on their path to medicine. Your story is just beginning, and with the right support, persistence, and a focus on your long-term goals, you can still achieve your dream of becoming a psychiatrist and making a profound impact on others’ lives.
Cecilia, please understand that life can throw unexpected challenges, and it's clear from your story that you've faced some significant personal struggles that have understandably affected your academic performance. What matters most right now is how you approach these challenges moving forward. The fact that you're already working with your school counselor and therapist shows a commitment to addressing these struggles and improving your mental and emotional well-being, which is key in maintaining long-term success. Your mental health is just as important as your academic performance, and taking care of it will enable you to perform better in all areas of your life, including school.
As for the academic aspect, Cecilia, it's true that pursuing a career in medicine, including psychiatry, requires dedication and hard work. However, medical schools, especially competitive ones, understand that students may face challenges, and many look for resilience, determination, and growth in their applicants, not just perfect GPAs. You are still in your sophomore year, and you have time to turn things around. Retaking AP Calculus AB is not a setback but an opportunity to master the material and improve your understanding, which will be vital later on. It's also important to remember that grades are only part of the picture—medical schools value well-rounded applicants, so extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and gaining experiences that align with your passion for psychiatry will also make you a strong candidate.
Additionally, your desire to become a psychiatrist because you want to help people struggling with mental health issues is incredibly valuable. Medicine, and especially psychiatry, requires empathy, a deep understanding of human behavior, and the ability to listen with compassion—qualities that you clearly possess. These qualities, along with your willingness to seek help and improve, will set you apart in the field. Your personal experience of struggling and persevering can also provide unique insights and understanding in your future work as a psychiatrist.
Cecilia, in terms of achieving the GPA necessary for medical school, don't be afraid to reach out for help. There are resources available to support you—study groups, tutoring, and additional help from your teachers can make a huge difference in improving your grades. Moreover, building good habits, such as time management, self-care, and focusing on incremental improvement, will allow you to regain your academic momentum.
Cecilia, please know that although the road ahead may feel overwhelming at times, but remember that you are not alone. Many students face similar struggles, and many successful doctors have overcome significant obstacles on their path to medicine. Your story is just beginning, and with the right support, persistence, and a focus on your long-term goals, you can still achieve your dream of becoming a psychiatrist and making a profound impact on others’ lives.
Michelle M.
Actress
2433
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Cecilia !
You are so awesome ! I like the fabulous way that you expressed your ultimate goal: "I wish to offer help others who are fighting monsters in ways that others cannot see." This means a lot, that you have the sharp insight for doing the work you plan to do.
You have not in any way done ANYTHING that will hurt your chances of going to college. You can and will do it. You just have to explore, decide and learn more about paths that will make you feel good about working at your end goal career.
There are so many details a student can overthink, worry and get anxious about, but college is definitely doable and working as a mental health professional is very, very doable, rest assured. You can do so much therapeutic counseling without becoming a Psychiatrist. Psychiatrists are great, however your time with patients and the counseling aspect may be very limited, and it can be very regimented, so in the long run, you'll want a career for which you can spend an hour with a patient and indeed do mostly therapeutic counseling with the chronically severe mentally ill and low level patients.
My suggestion is that you would be suited to be a Clinical Social Worker. It's only 6 years of college. You can apply to any college - community college or a University. If you get an Associates Degree first, transfer to a university for your Bachelors and Masters. This path will be a lot less to worry about and you can still do what you want for a career. The truth is that if you did go to medical school, your high school information is not what they'd be looking at. They would be looking at your college Bachelors information and how well you do on the MCAT medical school entrance exam.
I hope that redirecting you for a journey toward Clinical Social Work can reassure you that your expressions of anxious feelings may mean that you need to be well-informed because psychiatry's on a different plane than helping people. It's very medical and technical testing on patients, but sure, I am sure they also do a bit of therapeutic counseling, too, but look at some employment ads for Psychiatrists. The semi-medical atmosphere may not be what you've had in mind.
Have a discussion with your school counselor about the idea of going for a degree in Social Work. You can major in either Social Work or Psychology in your undergrad school and than go for your Masters and Certification for Clinical Social Work. Run this by your counselor to get an additional opinion as your counselor knows you. Most of all, never give up !
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
You are so awesome ! I like the fabulous way that you expressed your ultimate goal: "I wish to offer help others who are fighting monsters in ways that others cannot see." This means a lot, that you have the sharp insight for doing the work you plan to do.
You have not in any way done ANYTHING that will hurt your chances of going to college. You can and will do it. You just have to explore, decide and learn more about paths that will make you feel good about working at your end goal career.
There are so many details a student can overthink, worry and get anxious about, but college is definitely doable and working as a mental health professional is very, very doable, rest assured. You can do so much therapeutic counseling without becoming a Psychiatrist. Psychiatrists are great, however your time with patients and the counseling aspect may be very limited, and it can be very regimented, so in the long run, you'll want a career for which you can spend an hour with a patient and indeed do mostly therapeutic counseling with the chronically severe mentally ill and low level patients.
My suggestion is that you would be suited to be a Clinical Social Worker. It's only 6 years of college. You can apply to any college - community college or a University. If you get an Associates Degree first, transfer to a university for your Bachelors and Masters. This path will be a lot less to worry about and you can still do what you want for a career. The truth is that if you did go to medical school, your high school information is not what they'd be looking at. They would be looking at your college Bachelors information and how well you do on the MCAT medical school entrance exam.
I hope that redirecting you for a journey toward Clinical Social Work can reassure you that your expressions of anxious feelings may mean that you need to be well-informed because psychiatry's on a different plane than helping people. It's very medical and technical testing on patients, but sure, I am sure they also do a bit of therapeutic counseling, too, but look at some employment ads for Psychiatrists. The semi-medical atmosphere may not be what you've had in mind.
Have a discussion with your school counselor about the idea of going for a degree in Social Work. You can major in either Social Work or Psychology in your undergrad school and than go for your Masters and Certification for Clinical Social Work. Run this by your counselor to get an additional opinion as your counselor knows you. Most of all, never give up !
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Rafael Diaz Montelongo
Consultant
395
Answers
Raleigh, North Carolina
Updated
Rafael’s Answer
Hi Cecilia,
It's completely normal to feel a bit worried about your academic performance, especially with such meaningful goals for your future, like becoming a psychiatrist. It truly means that you care about yourself. You're definitely not alone—many students go through similar challenges, and it's awesome that you're already reaching out for support from your school counselor and therapist. I can relate to your situation because I also struggled during my first two years in college while studying engineering. My grades weren't where I wanted them to be, and I was worried about my future. However, with the help of my Program Director, a supportive professor, and, most importantly, my classmates, I was able to turn things around. They provided guidance, motivation, and practical advice, which made a significant difference. Remember, tough times don't define your entire journey, and you have plenty of time to improve your study habits and grades. In my case, even though I didn't have a perfect GPA, I was still able to apply for a master's program abroad. Admissions committees often look at the whole picture, including your personal story, resilience, and dedication, not just your grades. Stay focused on your goals, keep pushing forward, and remember why you started this journey. You've got this!
It's completely normal to feel a bit worried about your academic performance, especially with such meaningful goals for your future, like becoming a psychiatrist. It truly means that you care about yourself. You're definitely not alone—many students go through similar challenges, and it's awesome that you're already reaching out for support from your school counselor and therapist. I can relate to your situation because I also struggled during my first two years in college while studying engineering. My grades weren't where I wanted them to be, and I was worried about my future. However, with the help of my Program Director, a supportive professor, and, most importantly, my classmates, I was able to turn things around. They provided guidance, motivation, and practical advice, which made a significant difference. Remember, tough times don't define your entire journey, and you have plenty of time to improve your study habits and grades. In my case, even though I didn't have a perfect GPA, I was still able to apply for a master's program abroad. Admissions committees often look at the whole picture, including your personal story, resilience, and dedication, not just your grades. Stay focused on your goals, keep pushing forward, and remember why you started this journey. You've got this!
Hey Cecilia, setbacks don’t define you—your resilience does. Retaking a class isn’t failure; it’s growth. Try mental health volunteering to reignite your passion. Also, if you need 3D Modeling Assignment Help, check out www.solidworksassignmenthelp.com for expert guidance. Get 10% OFF with code SWAH10OFF!
Joe