Lisa M. Blacker

Today is one of those days when I feel that I am not well-enough prepared to be here (in med school).  Part of the feeling is academic: after all, I did earn only a “C” in each organic chemistry and physiology during my last two undergrad years. “Not stellar” where the words I kept hearing in the voice of an MD, PhD advisor from my past, who was commenting on my 3.55 cumulative GPA at the end of my first year of college. While in my last undergrad year, one term before my anticipated graduation, I expressed an interest in retaking organic chem and physiology but was advised against doing so.  Was I being obsessive about my grades and the idea of maintaining my honors GPA? Or, was I motivated by understanding the significance of the foundation each of those two classes would lay for cellular physiology and human biochemistry respectively during trimester one of the professional program? Now, I regret not following my gut and taking those two course a second time.  Yet, I wonder: Was it the matter of believing I had a weak foundation that contributed to my poor scores in biochem and cell phys, or was it that I truly had a limited grasp of the basics? I’ve heard time and time again, “Whether you believe you can or you cannot, you are right.” Was this a self-limiting belief?  Do students who earned “C’s” in undergrad organic chem and physiology have a strong enough foundation for solid building? These are rhetorical questions, but if you have a strong opinion, especially if it is based on experience with this regard, please share in the comments section below.

Success Strategies based on lessons from my mistakes:

Do your absolute best in all foundational courses! Believe you CAN learn the material, regardless of your past performance!

LMB

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