I know exactly how you feel.  But you need to realize, grades aren't everything.  I have seen super smart 3.8-4.0 students have a really hard time getting jobs.  I have seen average students get really good jobs. 

Graduating with a 3.2, my GPA was nothin special.  My accounting GPA was even worse! I realized this, and I passed a section of the CPA exam as soon as possible to improve my resume. Ended up with a pretty good government auditing job.   

You need to sit down right now and think about what you want your life to look like in 1, 5, and 20 years from now. Don't think about what your friends are doing with their lives! Don't think about what your parents want you to do! I feel like i need to repeat that: Don't think about what your parents want you to do! This is YOUR life. 

I've never worked at a big firm, but I have friends who have.  From what I hear, it's pretty stressful and the hours can be extremely long.  Some people thrive on that type of stuff.  But some people, like me, would rather have less money and more time for myself and family.  To make partner at a big 4, you need to be prepared to work for it and make sacrafices.  Are you willing to do that?  If you end up married with kids, are you willing to tell your kids that you can't make their ballet recital or softball game because you have to work late again?   

It all comes down to the quality of life you want.  There are so many more options than working at the Big 4.  With a college degree and a CPA license, you will never go hungry.  There are plenty accounting positions with great salaries that don't involve long hours and lots of stress!!! Don't think that just because you don't make it into the Big 4 that you won't ever find a good job.

I'm not sure what year you are in school, but do you want to spend the rest of your time in college stressing out and being miserable?  Do the best you can do, but don't ruin your health! Your GPA is not as important as you think it is.  As a recent grad, now working full time, I sometimes wish I was back in school.  Enjoy it while you can. 

In my opinion, unless you REALLY want to work at a Big 4, unless you just get giddy with joy when you think about it, you are going to be miserable there.  And it sounds to me like you aren't that excited about it. 

So here's my advice to you:

1) Think about what you want the rest of your life to look like. (Is it important to you that you be home at 6pm everynight to hang out with your family or friends? Lots to consider here...)

2) Do some research, talk to people, and find out what other accounting jobs there are besides public accounting.  (Lots of great accounting jobs at hospitals, governments, insurance companies, electric companies....do some research)

3) Study hard and do your best, but STOP STRESSING OUT ABOUT YOUR FREAKING GPA.  Stop it!

MidwestStudent wrote: The prevailing attitude at my school is:  You're lucky to get a job.  Period.  90% of my friends didn't get internships.  My friends who are coming out of the MACC program haven't had an easy time finding a job either.  But I'm judging that our market might be below average in prospects compared to other markets.

That seems to be the attitude where I'm at also.