Dental School Lifestyle

IcemanDDS · Jul 8, 2004

Hey I'm just curious and nieve about the lifestyle of a dental student. What is a typical week like? How many hours of studying does one normally do? Extracurricular activities? Dating life? Days and hours in lecture or lab? I'm applying next summer after taking some more undergrad classes and shadowing a lot more. Someone fill me in on your day to day schedule, and what's been your experience with dating/marriage while in dental school? Thanks!!

Dr.SpongeBobDDS · Jul 8, 2004

Lecture 8 AM - 5 PM, a couple hours after school in the lab or studying, go to sleep, wake up and do it all over again.

ItsGavinC · Jul 8, 2004

My experience was slightly different than the previous post

Lecture 8 AM - 5 PM, a couple hours after school in the lab or studying, post on SDN, go to sleep, wake up and do it all over again.

sjdent · Jul 8, 2004

8-5 most days, 8-2 or whatever sometimes. It's going to change now that I'm supposed to be seeing lots of patients.....About half clinic time and half class time now.

I go home, crash, eat and watch TV, do nothing, hang out with friends until late when I maybe have to study. If you don't finish your lab projects in class....which I always make sure to do most of the time....you may have to come in on the weekends and finish, but it shouldn't be too bad if you're avg-good at lab stuff.

Except for NOW life sucks with part 1 coming up! Living hell with no time off!

IcemanDDS · Jul 8, 2004

Yea what you guys are sayin is about what I expected. A friend of mine who is a new dentist told me that its best to stay clear of starting a relationship while in school. He said it almost ruined his relationship with his now wife, and all the guys who were dating or married ended up splitting because of the riggors of d-school. What are you guys thoughts on that? sounds depressing.. 🙁

blankguy · Jul 8, 2004

IcemanDDS said:
Yea what you guys are sayin is about what I expected. A friend of mine who is a new dentist told me that its best to stay clear of starting a relationship while in school. He said it almost ruined his relationship with his now wife, and all the guys who were dating or married ended up splitting because of the riggors of d-school. What are you guys thoughts on that? sounds depressing.. 🙁

You are verifying my hunch that getting into a relationship at that stage in life is more of a curse than a blessing.

cgt3477 · Jul 8, 2004

IcemanDDS said:
Yea what you guys are sayin is about what I expected. A friend of mine who is a new dentist told me that its best to stay clear of starting a relationship while in school. He said it almost ruined his relationship with his now wife, and all the guys who were dating or married ended up splitting because of the riggors of d-school. What are you guys thoughts on that? sounds depressing.. 🙁

Most of the married people in my class make time for their families -They make it the #1 priority in their lives. Some people make time for the gym every other day...some people go to church every week...you make it a priority if it's important to you.

Most of the people that have split up were doing the long distance thing-distance makes things a little more difficult but it's doable...again it's all about prioritizing.

dentite001 · Jul 8, 2004

blankguy said:
You are verifying my hunch that getting into a relationship at that stage in life is more of a curse than a blessing.

Couldn't agree more. There can be nothing worse than the wrath of a woman. Afterall, hurricanes were originally named after them. Traditionally it has been your house and car, but don't think a rejected lover won't try and sabotage your 300K dental education either.

EHA DDS · Jul 8, 2004

i agree with CGT....i am planning to stay with my girlfriend long distance....is it going to be hard?a bit, but is it worth it? ABSOLUTELY. If it's important to you, you'll mke it work out.

IcemanDDS · Jul 8, 2004

All true. But what about dating while in school? Is it a common thing to date within your class or just people from different programs? I ask about the dating life because I am currently not dating anyone, and I would hate to be without any female company 😀 all through school.

Col Sanders · Jul 9, 2004

IcemanDDS said:
He said it almost ruined his relationship with his now wife, and all the guys who were dating or married ended up splitting because of the riggors of d-school. (

I know of at least 35 married students in my class and have heard of only one divorce and it was not because of d-school. Dental school is BUSY but it is NOT social or family suicide. All dental students love to make school sound really hard (its as hard as you want to make it) and at times it can be but you are still living a life. You just have to learn to manage your time and make priorities.
Your time will become even more valuable as you start your professional career in private practice. A mentor/dentist once told me "the older you get the less time you have each day" and I believe him. Graduation from dental school is just another beginning.

anamod · Jul 9, 2004

It's easier than undergrad science courses, and I have more time at home now than I did in undergrad. It all depends on how valuable grades are to you. If they mean a lot than dental school will take up a lot of time. If you could care less than it will be easy and you will have time to do what ever you want.

ItsGavinC · Jul 9, 2004

anamod said:
It's easier than undergrad science courses, and I have more time at home now than I did in undergrad. It all depends on how valuable grades are to you.

Ditto to that. Well written, and the same holds true for me also. MUCH easier now than in undergrad.

toofache32 · Jul 9, 2004

I usually showed up at school between 7-8, depending on if there were clinical chores to get done. I sat in class/lab until 5:00pm most days, then sat in lab or library until about 10 or 11pm. On Saturdays and Sundays I spent most of the day in the lab or library working and studying. It sucked.

I got married about 2 weeks before dental school started, and I couldn't have done so well in school without her. She made my life much easier and worthwhile.

Pinolero · Jul 9, 2004

I think that having a spouse in dental school can be very advantageous. When you feel like crap and wonder why your there, your wife/husband can always offer an extra pick-me-up and get you going again. Furthermore, there is always the responsibility issue. You now have a family to support, and knowing that simple fact can help keep you on track. Personally, I have gotten alot better grades in school since I've been married. Being married has helped me stay focused, be responsible, and not so much of a slacker, and I believe it will be very much to my advantage when I start dental school.

sjdent · Jul 9, 2004

I was single for the first 2 years of dental school, and it was great. I think I was single for a reason! The first year was difficult for me (I suck at sciences, excel at dental classes, which is why 2nd year was a breeze). I think I would have ruined any relationship that I was in at the time i.e. studying until late at night and all day Sunday...

I just started dating someone seriously recently, and it's been a definite adjustment, setting aside time for him whereas I had so much freedom before. But he's a pedo resident so he totally gets my stress level - it's great.

After boards.......home free!!!

c132 · Jul 9, 2004

Why is it that most slackers love the dental classes and most shooters hate the dental classes? In the D classes I am usually up in the top of the class, and look smart!!!!! But in sciences, man, I don't even want to talk about that!

I avg. studying 3 hours for each exam, with usually 2 or 3 a week. If you want to specialize them, D school is tough, cause you gots to get the A"S but if you just want to be a dentist, then its not that bad, esp if you have good hands!!!!!

PERFECT3435 · Jul 9, 2004

blankguy said:
You are verifying my hunch that getting into a relationship at that stage in life is more of a curse than a blessing.

when i was getting ready to move to Indy, i thought i'd be the only one with a kid and family. well, i know at least half of my classmates are married and have 1+ kids. but thats just my class and who knows whether they'll stay together or now. my guess is that they absolutely will.
i also happen to meet many of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th yr students who are married and have multiple kids. i know that dental school could get tough, but doubt that it will have that big of an impact on your love life.

just my thoughts.

Dental School Lifestyle

IcemanDDS

Dr of Dental Shadowing

Dr.SpongeBobDDS

Senior Member

ItsGavinC

Full Member

sjdent

Senior Member

IcemanDDS

Dr of Dental Shadowing

blankguy

Full Member

cgt3477

Member

dentite001

Senior Member

EHA DDS

Senior Member

IcemanDDS

Dr of Dental Shadowing

Col Sanders

Senior Member

anamod

Senior Member

ItsGavinC

Full Member

toofache32

Full Member

Pinolero

Junior Member

sjdent

Senior Member

c132

Senior Member

PERFECT3435

Full Member

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