At the beginning, professors always use scare tactics to weak out the strong from the week. College work requires the same as any other school. You must study hard to past test, do research papers, and make the grade.

If you were an A student in high school, evidently you know how much hard work it takes to get the grade. Keep doing the same and put a little extra on it.

Don’t let the professor intimidate you.

I go to UCLA too! I don’t think Bs are a bad thing! Besides they assign different amount for a B+ , B- or a regular B. I don’t think getting As is difficult, but why would you be more obsessed with your letter grade then actually learning something? The people that I know that get all As tend to have no life and no job other than to go to school.

It also depends on your major. I think humanities majors in general had higher gpas and some people believe this is because their classes are easier than math and science majors. I’ve also heard that among science majors, it is much more competitive and people are less willing to help each other for fear of upsetting the grade curve.

During orientation they told us that we were there for a reason and they wouldn’t have selected you if they didn’t think you would do well at their school. So I’m sure you will do well. A B is not the end of the world.

Maybe the problem is that you’re studying incorrect material. It sounds like, to me, that your notes are inadequate or not correct. Perhaps if you correct your note taking skills, things will improve. Listen carefully to the vital points your professor makes while teaching the course. For every example s/he puts on the board, copy every detail of it. If you don’t understand a step or transition from, say, the derivative of 2xy, ask. If the professor isn’t a good one, maybe Googling the step-by-step process. If the professor has tutorials, go to them. Use your free time to improve your skills because that’s what matters right now. After thoroughly learning the material, do practice problems. Practice, practice, and PRACTICE! I cannot emphasize this enough. Practicing will give you confidence if you manage to understand and do the problem correctly. If you have homework, review over the problems and step-by-step process. When you take tests, I assume you don’t have anxiety attacks. So good luck on your endeavors! If you need any more help, check out the site in the sources. Study Hacks is an awesome site. I love it.

Research has shown that those who have gotten A’s and B’s in high school have gotten mostly B’s and C’s at the university, or even dropped out. I’m not trying to scare you, but if you are an “A” student in high school then put your time management and and your studying skills to work and do not be “llike most people”.

Your story isn’t too bad. I had a neighbor in the graduate at Purdue University which is know for engineering. He told me that in his Mech 114 the professor told him to “look to your left, look to your right, look behind you, and look in front of you” because by mid-term you may not see these individuals againg. How’s that for fear? Get and “A” =D

hey… i can’t really answer your question because I’m still in high school and i really want to ask you a question… it doesn’t have anything to do with yours its just that i really want to get in UCLA but I’m not sure how to keep concentration and work hard through my junior and senior and all high school years… i just want to ask someone who is in UCLA… how exactly did you get in i mean is it like… you have to be a straight A student or you could have a B and stuff.. cuz its my dream college and i want to start getting ready and trying to focus on the task… i know it doesn’t make any sense its just that… i want to know is it really really hard to get in…???

Well work hard if you want to get good grades. You will have to seclude yourself when it comes to studying.

Never study in your dorm becuase people usually try to find you to go out. Find a quiet cornor in the library where you can get a good couple of hours to study hard.

I don’t know what this professor thought he was proving. If you focus and have studies as your priority, there should be no problem in reaching your grade goals.