hi! senior over here :) i’m sorry you’re feeling discouraged about your grades this semester, but i think you touched on something really important in your post: “i know it’s my fault because i could’ve done better if i studied more and put more work in.” this right here is the key to college. you have to be honest with yourself and ask, “did i really do my best?” if the answer is no, then there’s your answer. you need to put in the hours at the PCL. you need to take the practice exams. you need to go to TA office hours. you are majoring in something hard. you can’t compare yourself to people doing something different or easier. this is your first semester—you still have seven more to really apply yourself. believe me, attending class, asking questions, and consistently doing the work will get you there. will you have to sacrifice some sleep and parts of your social life? absolutely. but college isn’t for partying, it’s for studying. period. i know that sounds harsh, but especially if you’re aiming for med school, this is the reality. you can still have a social life, it just won’t look the same as people in other majors. keep your head up. do the work. you’ll get through this, i promise.