underachiever

Thank you both and yeah Airwalker, I know, I know about the mental health issues - - I do have problems with social anxiety which made me avoid the test situation. It is stupid and I am working on it. I will take a look at the TAMU site. Best! N

Belatedly (senior year), I have realized how much I want to pursue a MS program in fisheries (rather than pursue a second BS in medical lab technology as I had considered for practical reasons (i.e. job)). I have been a classic example of a confused, unfocused underachiever, mostly due to personal angst rather than due to excessive partying. (I lived at home, had few friends and wallowed in self-pity rather than doing anything about my situation). It took a DWI to wake me up to my own selfishness and idiotic behavior. All I can say is that I am grateful I did not hurt anyone other than myself. The long and short of it is this: I have decided to stay at my university for a fifth year to get my major (biology) course grades back up. I have a 2.9 in the last 60 credits, but if two "C" chem courses were excluded, my bio average would be a 3.0 or 3.1. Not stellar I know. (My overall GPA stands at a 3.2). Thankfully, a professor in my field (ecology) gave me the chance to work with him all last summer, so I have had research experience and presented findings, at least on my campus at undergraduate research showcases. I have been working with him for 4 semesters doing independent study and at least earned As in that (something I am passionate about--freshwater bio). Question: Should I retake undergrad Genetics and Ecology, in which (stupidly) I coasted by with a B-? I know I can easily earn As in both. I am also planning to take other upper-division bio (anatomy and molecular) and geology courses, but I wondered about the retakes of these essentials in my area. Again, would I be better off retaking them and not the "C" courses in chem? (Again, stupidly, I rocked Orgo I with an A and then bombed out in Orgo II with a C when I did not take the final exam-- (because I could not live up to my Orgo teacher's expectations of me I threw in the towel rather than live with a B - - I know, I know...) My professors have been so patient with me - - I am planning to volunteer as a tutor at a local site for ask-risk teens in part to give back and to at least in part atone for my complete idiocy. I would appreciate any feedback. N