[Freshman] I just got a D in my Intro to Biology class this term, should I start stocking up on sunscreen?
This semester was my first semester of college and I feel like I destroyed my chances of going to medical school (joking, but only partly).
The term started when I was getting kicked out of the military for being transgender. I was “technically“ supposed to be on leave while I prepare for the boot, but during the first half of the semester, I dealt with my sergeants calling me in the middle of lectures demanding that I drive 30 minutes across town for very important tasks, of which an email would've sufficed. Additionally, the conflicts in Venezuela forced me back into a military role. Because of this I got a super rocky start in my classes, and none more critical than in my Intro to Biology class where I was having trouble understanding the distinction between a Van Der Waal’s bond and a Polar bond 2 months in.
Fast forward a bit after I got discharged, and I started to feel a whole lot better from the lack of distractions, but my brother suddenly passed away, causing me to miss more class and be even more distracted. This was a huge blow, since my brother was the driving force for me pursuing medicine. Because of this, many topics, most pointedly being cell division, flew over my head as I was studying on a laptop when my family around me was crying in grief.
I tried to climb back, but due to being so behind, as well as my own habits as I adjusted to college life, I ended up getting a 60% on my Biology final and finished the overall term with the following grades: A, A, B, B, and a D in Biology.
Is this damage enough to derail my career in medicine? I am deeply saddened and concerned of how this appears, especially since it was Intro to Biology, out of all classes, that I failed :( Is there a way to present this on my application in a good light? I know the stereotypes of pre-meds considering a B as failure, but I can’t help but worry about this and my future. Thank you.