Anonymous
02/06/2026 15:28
Subject: Bad grade in college
DD is a college junior and has gotten a couple Cs in her college career. Her overall GPA is 3.5.
Last semester one class was looking like a likely D. If that had been the case, she'd have retaken the class. It was a major class and had to get a C or higher.
If it's not a major class, you can also sometimes opt to take the class pass/fail so it meets the gen ed requirements but doesn't impact your GPA. Rules for that vary by college. DD did it for one summer class and might this semester for a gen ed class if it looks like she won't get an A.
Last semester one class was looking like a likely D. If that had been the case, she'd have retaken the class. It was a major class and had to get a C or higher.
If it's not a major class, you can also sometimes opt to take the class pass/fail so it meets the gen ed requirements but doesn't impact your GPA. Rules for that vary by college. DD did it for one summer class and might this semester for a gen ed class if it looks like she won't get an A.
Anonymous
02/06/2026 15:26
Subject: Bad grade in college
Only thing that matters is GPA, and then only for certain study abroad programs or internships. I'm sure my son has had some bad grades, but overall his GPA is fine, and was good enough for him to get selected to a sought-after study exchange.
Anonymous
02/06/2026 15:19
Subject: Re:Bad grade in college
Take a deep breath. It’ll be ok. My DC graduated from college with 2 C. One freshman year and one sophomore year. He is now in graduate school in a competitive program.
Anonymous
02/06/2026 14:34
Subject: Bad grade in college
Very gently, OP, it sounds like both of you could use some help with your anxiety.
Anonymous
02/06/2026 14:28
Subject: Bad grade in college
Anonymous wrote:My kid got a C first semester freshman year in a prerequisite class. She reflected on her study skills and got a tutor for second semester. It's really not the end of the world. It's not fair to demand perfection.
I don't care about perfection and I don't ask about grades other than generally at the end of the term. But I do worry he will get a C or even fail that class. I would not even know about this obviously if he did not tell me! I feel like he should not have told me because I can't do anything about it.
Anonymous
02/06/2026 14:25
Subject: Bad grade in college
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Have you or your dcs ever had them? I can't say I ever did and ds never did either until a recent test he completely bombed. He is so upset and basically cannot get an A in that class now. Are there huge consequences to this?
Not necessarily
Obviously he should he a tutor and speak with the teacher and figure out what exactly he missed in terms of studying for this test.
C’s get degrees one C is no big deal.
If he can drop the class maybe that’s an option .
Or some schools allow for taking a course again and if you get a better grade it replaces the other grade
Not the end of the world or their college career.
Lots of variables like if this is a core class for their major they need to mage sure this is the major they can succeed in.
This is a class he can't drop and needs but not even one of his hard classes. He was doing fine in it until this specific grade in the class (which is very specific, not really a class like Chem, Calc...) He was completely panicked and upset. I don't ask about grades because yes, I am a very anxious person. I just wish he did not tell me tbh because I immediately go into worry mode and problem solving mode. I tried to calm him down but he basically said he is screwed and there is no solution.
Anonymous
02/06/2026 14:20
Subject: Bad grade in college
My kid got a C first semester freshman year in a prerequisite class. She reflected on her study skills and got a tutor for second semester. It's really not the end of the world. It's not fair to demand perfection.
Anonymous
02/06/2026 14:19
Subject: Bad grade in college
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:So, the bad grade is a possible B?
Seriously OP, you're WAY overreacting.
+ 100
Anonymous
02/06/2026 14:18
Subject: Bad grade in college
Anonymous wrote:Have you or your dcs ever had them? I can't say I ever did and ds never did either until a recent test he completely bombed. He is so upset and basically cannot get an A in that class now. Are there huge consequences to this?
Not necessarily
Obviously he should he a tutor and speak with the teacher and figure out what exactly he missed in terms of studying for this test.
C’s get degrees one C is no big deal.
If he can drop the class maybe that’s an option .
Or some schools allow for taking a course again and if you get a better grade it replaces the other grade
Not the end of the world or their college career.
Lots of variables like if this is a core class for their major they need to mage sure this is the major they can succeed in.
Anonymous
02/06/2026 14:16
Subject: Bad grade in college
OP, you need to seek help for your anxiety disorder. You think getting a D on one test, and not being able to thus get an A in one class is something for you to worry about. Please get professional help. This is crazy.
I have an associates degree and got D's in all my math and hard science classes, and B's in most everything else. My cousin has a master's degree. I earn more than she does, and my parents don't pay for any of my life, while hers do. Grades aren't everything.
I have an associates degree and got D's in all my math and hard science classes, and B's in most everything else. My cousin has a master's degree. I earn more than she does, and my parents don't pay for any of my life, while hers do. Grades aren't everything.
Anonymous
02/06/2026 14:15
Subject: Bad grade in college
Anonymous wrote:So, the bad grade is a possible B?
Seriously OP, you're WAY overreacting.
Anonymous
02/06/2026 14:15
Subject: Bad grade in college
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:So, the bad grade is a possible B?
No, it's a D. He said he basically could not get his final grade up to an A for the semester even if he got 100s on every assignment. He did very well first semester. I really wish he did not tell me this because now I am going to worry.
But he still could get his semester grade up to a B? Wish him luck and tell him to work hard. This is his worry now, not yours.
Anonymous
02/06/2026 14:12
Subject: Bad grade in college
Anonymous wrote:So, the bad grade is a possible B?
No, it's a D. He said he basically could not get his final grade up to an A for the semester even if he got 100s on every assignment. He did very well first semester. I really wish he did not tell me this because now I am going to worry.
Anonymous
02/06/2026 14:08
Subject: Bad grade in college
So, the bad grade is a possible B?
Anonymous
02/06/2026 13:54
Subject: Bad grade in college
Have you or your dcs ever had them? I can't say I ever did and ds never did either until a recent test he completely bombed. He is so upset and basically cannot get an A in that class now. Are there huge consequences to this?