My parents yelled at me for getting below the mean on a couple of midterms. How do I convince them that the classes are really hard and that I’m doing my best?
First of all, you are doing your best and putting in the effort and that itself deserves to be commended for. Classes in Berkeley are really competitive and sometimes, the test scores are dependent on prior knowledge or exposure in high school. If you are having trouble in the class, maybe try going to the SLC (Student Learning Center) where there is tutoring available or going to GSI/Professor office hours. Since you are trying your best, try to find out what the problem is in connected to the material or maybe it is just test taking strategies you need improvement on. Explain to your parents that you are doing all that you can and that you are seeking additional academic support. Hopefully they understand after some breathing room and can support you in finding a study strategy. Best of luck! You got this! -Rowena
I feel that perhaps your parents do not understand one key thing: Berkeley is not high school anymore. Although you probably hear this often, I feel like it is important for me to restate this again. Berkeley is an incredible school, but it is also an incredibly competitive school. Berkeley is filled with valedictorians, the 2400’s, etc. On top of this, the challenging materials and exams force you to truly think through them. Try explaining to your parents your circumstances as well as how hard you are trying. Let them know if you are doing any extracurricular or looking into any new things. Hopefully, they will come around. Hope this helps! Best of luck, darling. –Jami