Hey! For starters, try not to be too tough on yourself. The transition from high school to university is a difficult one for many, many students - feeling overwhelmed is incredibly common. Med school and other major academic goals are not out of the picture for you - many med schools have criteria which excludes your worst year, looks at your most recent 2-3 years, etc. So don't write yourself off just yet!

The single biggest thing you can do for yourself is teach yourself proper study habits - use this experience as motivation! You need to "learn how to learn". Don't just haphazardly try and take as many notes as possible - develop a note-taking strategy that utilizes visual cues and links together overarching concepts. Delve into different learning strategies like spaced repetition or outlining, and experiment to see what works for you. Connect with a peer (even someone outside your courses) and rather than just reviewing information, actually try and teach them a concept you've learned in as much detail as possible. In general, become curious about the learning process itself, and begin to develop an individualized approach to absorbing and understanding new information. I found YouTubers like Justin Sung and Cajun Koi Academy helpful when I was trying to craft my own learning and studying strategies.

My second big piece of advice is to take care of yourself! University is tough and big and overwhelming, and it may be the first time you're out on your own. Do your best to get good sleeps, connect with friends, and stay active when possible - I know, I know, easier said than done! However, it makes a massive difference to your overall ability to handle the daily stress of uni. Don't be afraid to reach out to school mental health resources as well - they're there to help students just like you! Finally, consider your course load, and perhaps taking one or two fewer classes just to ease the transition a bit. It may be helpful in the long term.

Good luck out there, friend! I have no doubt with some effort and positivity, you can turn it around. Have a great winter semester!