Advice needed. Having a very rough start.

[skqkgk123]

This is my first semester of the dental school and I'm having problem with my classes.
Currently, I'm halfway into the semester and I am very worried and disappointed with myself. I am barely keeping a C average in my anatomy class and the dental lab class, which are the most crucial classes for this semester. The class average is high 80's or even low 90's in those classes. Even with some of other "easier" classes, I'm struggling to keep a B. This never has happened to me during my undergrad years, and I feel very depressed about it. I study at least 4 hours a day, and all day and night during the weekend unless I need to go into the lab to catch up on my practical assignment. Nevertheless I am thinking that I may not be cut out for dental school. I am ashamed to talk about this with my friends. Anyone has advice for my situation? Thank you.

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[Roy Williams]

Have you been studying alone or with people/classmates? Honestly, take advantage of other people's intelligence. Everybody studies differently, but forming a small study groups to discuss things and talk through concepts really helps to engrain (ingrain?) the information into your head. It's a lot of material, so always being alone studying will isolate you and probably not be good for your mental health as well. That way you can try to explain things and they can correct you and add on to information that you might not have remembered. And it will also benefit them (teaching is the best way to learn something).

 

[Incis0r]

This is my first semester of the dental school and I'm having problem with my classes.
Currently, I'm halfway into the semester and I am very worried and disappointed with myself. I am barely keeping a C average in my anatomy class and the dental lab class, which are the most crucial classes for this semester. The class average is high 80's or even low 90's in those classes. Even with some of other "easier" classes, I'm struggling to keep a B. This never has happened to me during my undergrad years, and I feel very depressed about it. I study at least 4 hours a day, and all day and night during the weekend unless I need to go into the lab to catch up on my practical assignment. Nevertheless I am thinking that I may not be cut out for dental school. I am ashamed to talk about this with my friends. Anyone has advice for my situation? Thank you.

Firstly, you are cut out for dental school, it's just really hard. Just like you, I was a good student in my undergrad too but I'm having my own share of issues to overcome. This is really common.

And it's your first term - you've got to give yourself time to evaluate what you're doing right, what needs improvement, and how you're going to make those adjustments.

Some ideas I've got:

1. Does your school offer tutors? My school does and they're completely free to the students, and taking on a tutor to help me overcome some things I was struggling with is one of the best decisions I made. One of my classmates has taken on tutors for every single class - she doesn't meet with them every week, but when she needs help, they're only a text away.

2. Do you have a big? Ask him/her how they made it through that class. Heck, they may even come in and help you with lab or be an extra set of eyes for you with lab.

3. Old exams. Do you get these? Very useful.

4. Study schedule. What time of the day do you study? I used to study mostly in the evenings, but I realized it wasn't cutting it for me after a long day of class (terrible retention, was forgetting everything, etc.), so I started sleeping earlier and waking up at 4 am and studying then. Have you thought about this?

5. Keep the fire going. Remember that these kinds of days you're having...didactic heavy, overwhelming amounts of info, etc.... that isn't what real world dentistry is like. Picture yourself practicing and remind yourself that dental school will be over before you know it and you'll be on to a great career.

 

[FanOfCostco]

I hope you got your head up
Even when the road is hard, never give up!
Baby don't cry! I hope you got your head up
Even when the road is hard, never give up!

-Tupac and some other people who are irrelevant now

 

[321931]

This is my first semester of the dental school and I'm having problem with my classes.
Currently, I'm halfway into the semester and I am very worried and disappointed with myself. I am barely keeping a C average in my anatomy class and the dental lab class, which are the most crucial classes for this semester. The class average is high 80's or even low 90's in those classes. Even with some of other "easier" classes, I'm struggling to keep a B. This never has happened to me during my undergrad years, and I feel very depressed about it. I study at least 4 hours a day, and all day and night during the weekend unless I need to go into the lab to catch up on my practical assignment. Nevertheless I am thinking that I may not be cut out for dental school. I am ashamed to talk about this with my friends. Anyone has advice for my situation? Thank you.

It's hard. Some people are born with handskills and some aren't. I finished in the bottom of my class. <5%. I got straight C's but I worked hard. Worked in lab all day and studied afterwards...and still didn't get anywhere. But it will be fine...just survive dental school and you will come out as a dentist just like everyone else. And now I'm pretty sure I make more $$$ then 90% of the class. Business is more important and being personable to. I know you are early in your career as a dentist but stuff like A's in anatomy and histology and even lab class don't account for anything in the real world.

Work hard! You will be fine.

 

[Snowmead]

i also struggled first yr. have you talked to your professors?They are often very helpful and very willing to help you. some classes are really helpful to study with friends as mentioned above. If you are not getting a good grade may be try different methods - study groups, or studying at the library (get out of the house ) etc etc. first year is really tough but it is tough for everyone. don't give up !! you can do it

 

[fayevalentine]

This is my first semester of the dental school and I'm having problem with my classes.
Currently, I'm halfway into the semester and I am very worried and disappointed with myself. I am barely keeping a C average in my anatomy class and the dental lab class, which are the most crucial classes for this semester. The class average is high 80's or even low 90's in those classes. Even with some of other "easier" classes, I'm struggling to keep a B. This never has happened to me during my undergrad years, and I feel very depressed about it. I study at least 4 hours a day, and all day and night during the weekend unless I need to go into the lab to catch up on my practical assignment. Nevertheless I am thinking that I may not be cut out for dental school. I am ashamed to talk about this with my friends. Anyone has advice for my situation? Thank you.

Don't be ashamed! Seriously, who gives AF what your friends think? If they are going to judge you instead of try and help you succeed, they are not your friends. If you struggle, you need to ask for help. Trust me, I am struggling in the simulation clinic and I understand it can be embarrassing walking up to a tutor or a peer with a prep that looks like you took a hammer drill to it, but who cares what they think? All you should focus on is how to get better. It won't be your classmate's opinions who matter, it will be your patients.

If you want someone to talk to, feel free to PM me. I'm in first year too and I can completely empathize with your struggle.

 

[asgdfgafadf]

Hey ,so sorry for this,
Just believe your self.

 

[Daurang]

I have always done great in school yet almost flunked out my first year in dental school. Don't despair and don't give up cause it'll get easier after the first year. Even if you graduate last in your class, you'll still be a dentist.

 

[O Gaúcho]

The key word is 'C average.' You're passing! We live and we learn! It can only go up hill from here if you work hard and are on top of it. Dental school is all new to us and we need to learn how to be dental students. And I feel like that's the hardest part. Take this C average opportunity as a learning experience and be grateful that you will pass your first semester.

 

[Springs01]

The reason why the class average is high 80s and 90s is because everyone in dental school is extremely smart (including you)! I wouldn't worry about other people or their grades, just focus on yours. Do whatever it takes to at least pass and get that C. If you do better, then great!

D1 is hard, because it's a lot of material in a short amount of time, that you probably weren't used to in undergrad. I think by the time you finish first semester, you'll get used to the workload and studying will become just another routine part of your life.

 

[babytomato]

It's hard. Some people are born with handskills and some aren't. I finished in the bottom of my class. <5%. I got straight C's but I worked hard. Worked in lab all day and studied afterwards...and still didn't get anywhere. But it will be fine...just survive dental school and you will come out as a dentist just like everyone else. And now I'm pretty sure I make more $$$ then 90% of the class. Business is more important and being personable to. I know you are early in your career as a dentist but stuff like A's in anatomy and histology and even lab class don't account for anything in the real world.

Work hard! You will be fine.

How much of the material you learned in dental school do you actually apply in the workplace? Do you feel like if you did better in your classes, it would make you a better dentist?

 

[321931]

How much of the material you learned in dental school do you actually apply in the workplace? Do you feel like if you did better in your classes, it would make you a better dentist?

Maybe like 10%. You have to have a foundation of simple dentistry to make it work.

No it would not make me a better dentist. You know what helps me be a better dentist? Networking and asking my friends for help. I have a few dental friends with 20 years of experience that I ask them for help on cases all the time. Taking your specialist out for lunch or attending their study clubs....you learn a TON. Why even do a GPR and waste money (interest) and time...when you have all the tools in front of you to succeed. Dentaltown is also an awesome resource.

Studying from some stupid book doesn't translate to real world experience. Getting graded a C/B on some prep that is 1 Degree overtapered by some faculty dentist means nothing.

You know what translates to being a good dentist? Having a wide breadth of knowledge. To be able to talk politics, current world events, sports trivia, wide variety of music knowledge, HUMOR!!!!, and a comfortable injection and you will be a successful dentist.

I know I graduated in the bottom 5% of my class, but yet I know I make more then 90% of them. Even the specialists. Granted I did buy a expensive practice but we are doing great and just had our best month ever.

 

[skqkgk123]

Thank you all for your help and kind words.

I'm happy to say that I've passed all of my classes.