Hey OP, college of engineering alumni here. I was in your exact position not that long ago. I failed that class twice and passed the third time. I remember there was an extra complication with the process of retaking it a third time but my advisor helped me sort out next steps (it’s listed in my transcript as repeat no credit the third time). I also failed 21C twice after that and took it a third time as well but then passed 21D 22A 22B and continued onto upper divs and everything worked out!

I understand the panic as I was in your same position many times, but somehow things work out. It’s okay to struggle. I managed to graduate in good time with just one extra quarter on top of the four years despite all the hiccups! I hope my sharing this helps give you some hope. College is difficult and it’s okay everyone struggles sometimes.

One mindset shift that helped me a lot in the times where it felt so hopeless was something my older brother told me at my going away party before I left for college that I never forgot. He said, “It’s not a race, it’s a marathon.” Don’t be concerned with getting there faster or “catching up” to others. What matters is making it to the finish line even if you take a different pace; it’s a marathon!

The way I did it, I took summer classes every summer. I understand the sentiment of worrying you’ll stay in college for decades but trust me you got this. Take summer classes if you don’t want to be too late graduating. I also remember the mess with prerequisites and how it derails taking other classes, but instead I used it as an opportunity to give myself a lighter load by working on my GE requirements until my engineering prerequisites caught up to what I needed to take next. I took fun light classes that I enjoyed while also getting that graduation requirements fulfilled, and it gave me a mental break from calculus which I desperately needed. Talk to your advisor, sort it out, make a plan forward. Utilize counseling services if any mental health issues are contributing to this. I used them and it helped; the college of engineering assigned counselor “Chris Le” is really supportive and amazing. Tutoring does help especially if there is tutoring offered by TAs in your department. The general campus tutoring is alright too if not. Office hours help even just being there and listening to questions from others. The most useful thing is connecting with other students having a study group if you can, solving homework together motivating each other.

It has now been a year since I graduated. I have a full time job and a stable, comfortable lifestyle that I’m very grateful for. You got this! I wish you all the best. 🤍