- Joined
- May 7, 2010
- Messages
- 226
- Reaction score
- 4
sucks, so what are you gonna do? keep grinding or drop the class?
Am I just wasting my time?
- Thread starter gunito
- Start date
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2009
- Messages
- 1,502
- Reaction score
- 5
Drop it and redo it. It won't be offered until Spring 2011, but oh well. What can you do? There's always some kind of kind in the works when I set out to do something.
I know how that goes. Rather annoying. I need 100% on the rest of my work for a B. If i can pull it off, I will buy myself a drink.
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2009
- Messages
- 1,812
- Reaction score
- 14
You will make it. I'm not sure that your problems are academic related. Splitting with your wife and losing your job at the beginning of the semester was not conducive to learning.
Hold on, man, things will get better.
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2009
- Messages
- 1,502
- Reaction score
- 5
Just to clear it up. We weren't married...yet. Nonetheless, thanks.
- Joined
- May 9, 2009
- Messages
- 353
- Reaction score
- 0
Only when you don't like hearing things that factually contradict you.
Last edited:
- Joined
- May 9, 2009
- Messages
- 353
- Reaction score
- 0
EdLongshanks, stop being a poser. You are not the dean of admissions.
Last edited:
Arkansas,
I would suggest taking a step away from pre-med to work on your math skills before you spend more time/money on these courses. The same way you wouldn't be prepared for med school without your pre-med foundation, you aren't prepared for pre-med without a basic foundation in math.
Math will come back in med school. You will have basic biostats & pharmacology calculations. They are simple, but I probably would consider them a step more complex than what you get in chemistry.
Although it might not seem like it now, if you actually wait until you "get" the math part, you will probably save yourself time in the long run because you will have less W's, or poor grades to compensate for.
I would suggest taking a step away from pre-med to work on your math skills before you spend more time/money on these courses. The same way you wouldn't be prepared for med school without your pre-med foundation, you aren't prepared for pre-med without a basic foundation in math.
Math will come back in med school. You will have basic biostats & pharmacology calculations. They are simple, but I probably would consider them a step more complex than what you get in chemistry.
Although it might not seem like it now, if you actually wait until you "get" the math part, you will probably save yourself time in the long run because you will have less W's, or poor grades to compensate for.
- Joined
- May 6, 2010
- Messages
- 1,125
- Reaction score
- 1
You're still not even READING what I'm saying. I'm not even talking about your links anymore. I'm talking about your sunny disposition to the OP. But keep trying to prove you're right. I honestly don't care anymore.
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2009
- Messages
- 1,812
- Reaction score
- 14
Sigh, I see that you didn't keep your promise to move to another board. We are just too interesting for you I suppose.
Anyway, you're on ignore now. So I won't know if you find me so fascinating anymore.
- Joined
- May 15, 2008
- Messages
- 5,089
- Reaction score
- 55
I agree with this. I actually am a cardiology fellow, and I've been surprised by how much math there is in cardiology. There is physiology stuff, there is physics that you need to understand to understand echocardiograms and the cardiac cath lab. It's all cool, but as math isn't my best subject either, I sometimes wish that I'd taken more, or at least that I remembered more. Being a physician is all about lifetime learning, so I would not suggest throwing in the towel after one "B" on chemistry, but I would suggest a retrenching strategy (such as dropping Chem II and backtracking with some math classes). You'll need to understand some math to do physics, and perhaps for organic chemistry too...it also helps in organic chem if you understood and remember then 1st year chem stuff, so you don't want to get tripped up there.
The person with the 2.5 GPA needs to start doing something massively different. Again, one C shouldn't make you give up all thoughts of ever being a doctor, but the 2.5 GPA is a big red flag that something isn't OK. The OP needs to show that he/she can do the work to get serious consideration at any med school, whether DO or MD. DO schools really aren't easy to get into either. It sounds like the class is pretty hard if the test averages are that low, but most premeds have been faced with a class or prof like that at one point. I had a physics class where people were getting test grades like 18 or 28%. I got a 52 on he first test...it didn't get easier but then I pulled a high 70's, then 90, then a 95 on the final, and I worked my tail off on all the (graded) homework assignments. I ended up pulling out a B, but it was more work than any A I ever got in my major (biology). It's not "mean" to give the OP a reality check. It's possible that he/she also needs to backtrack and take some more math classes, but it's also possible he/she isn't enough of a science/math person to actually stomach med school and residency. There's no crime in that, but part of being a premed is figuring that out...nobody can do the figuring out except the OP, but it's clear that something has to change gradewise.
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2010
- Messages
- 3,131
- Reaction score
- 253
Have either of ArkansasRanger or gunito tried talking with the professor about people willing to tutor you? Putting a classified ad in the local *whatever* may not be the best option. There are people in these classes who are getting As, and the prof can talk to them about helping you. Additionally, the prof likely knows some of the Chem majors who've taken it before who are likely good at this and could help you. Some of them will do it for free, some may want $$ or some beer, or cookies, whatever... After scanning these posts, I didn't see anything about talking with the prof for help (although I could have missed it). I used to be a chem major, and we used to tutor a ton of people for O-Chem, and gen chem. The profs would call us (before email) and say can you come tutor this person... We'd work something out... Just a thought... I have failed classes, mainly because I refuse to give up... but when I did, I retook for an A because I was in the prof's office all the time asking questions.
gunito, you don't say how many credits you have at the 2.5 GPA you have, this is a huge factor in me making any opinions about you wasting your time. If you have 25 credits at a 2.5, that's not so bad and is totally fixable. If, on the other hand, you have 150, we have a serious problem, as it will take 75 credits at a 4.0 just to get you to a 3.0 and 101 credits at 4.0 to get you to a 3.1, and a 3.2 would be more than 120 credits at 4.0 work.
If you are certain you want to do this, don't give in, just work smarter... Find a way, that's the thing with medicine, problem solving... you have to find a way that works for you! Best of luck
gunito, you don't say how many credits you have at the 2.5 GPA you have, this is a huge factor in me making any opinions about you wasting your time. If you have 25 credits at a 2.5, that's not so bad and is totally fixable. If, on the other hand, you have 150, we have a serious problem, as it will take 75 credits at a 4.0 just to get you to a 3.0 and 101 credits at 4.0 to get you to a 3.1, and a 3.2 would be more than 120 credits at 4.0 work.
If you are certain you want to do this, don't give in, just work smarter... Find a way, that's the thing with medicine, problem solving... you have to find a way that works for you! Best of luck
I have a plan and I know more about what I am doing, how long its going to take and how my gpa will be affected. As previously stated, I am doing my post bac. BEFORE my post bac my gpa was a 2.2, after one semester it is currently a 2.5. So dont sit up here and tell me that my gpa is a red flag, I'm working on it. I understand everything that I need to do and I know that I cant apply with a 2.5, obviously thats not my plan. I was asking if a C would hurt me to the point that I wouldnt get accepted, thus wasting my time. I dont need people telling me that maybe I'm not smart enough cause my gpa is low, blah blah blah. I plan on going to a DO, which I have stated 3 or 4 times, so I am taking advantage of grade replacement, which will make things easier. Its funny how people assume others dont know what theyre doing. And yes, I have a C, and I'm not doing something right, got it. I'll fix it next semester. How do I know? Because I will be more focused and motivated.
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2008
- Messages
- 550
- Reaction score
- 270
gunito, I've read your posts and you're on the right path. Good luck continuing to raise the gpa/replace old grades. One C = BFD. You're okay.
If you think you can do it, that's one of the most important parts of the whole process. Who cares what everyone else thinks, you're the one making the changes necessary to achieve your goal. Keep at it.
If you think you can do it, that's one of the most important parts of the whole process. Who cares what everyone else thinks, you're the one making the changes necessary to achieve your goal. Keep at it.
In my first semester, I walked away with a dismal GPA of 1.5, but after a change in major and a lot of work, I pulled off a 3.1 in my second semester, leaving me at a cumulative GPA of 2.4. I've been stressing a lot lately about my GPA, and I was wondering if there are any things I can do to make sure I walk away with a med-school capable GPA. I've been an EMT for 3 years, and I have (and continue to gain) volunteer hours. I'm currently a biochemistry major and doing well based on my last semester. What would be the best plan of action for me?
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2009
- Messages
- 1,502
- Reaction score
- 5
Yeah, I've already dropped it and am now awaiting my refund check. I've found all the successful students in the class are just coming out of AP high school chemistry. I'd wager about half of them have already taken calculus I, and my college algebra course, which I took twice (F then mercy A) lol, was a decade ago. I didn't even have regular chemistry in H.S. In fact, we didn't have anything AP. Most of them graduated in 2008.
The teacher doesn't give a rat's ass about helping. That's obvious from the outset of class. I didn't talk to him nor did I want to, and besides that when he gets asked a question he sort of stares with a dear in the headlights look and routinely says "What are you not getting here?" I don't understand why he'd be like that since his doctorate is fairly recent which to me suggests he ought to be an eager beaver teacher. When I was in college (grad 2003) he taught there and didn't have the old PhD sheepskin.
Everyone in there was teaching themselves through the first chem I and into the chem II. I could tell the AP kids were getting more bogged down here in the second part of the course, and their daily quiz scores were down a few points. I wish them the best though.
I'll retake it at a community college. Will it be easier? I don't care. Will it "look bad?" I don't care. The same guy always teaches this course, and I'd just assume not try to teach it to myself again.
Last edited:
- Joined
- May 7, 2010
- Messages
- 226
- Reaction score
- 4
meh, sounds like a lot of excuses to be honest, but whatever. I think you're going to find that its not much easier at community college. you're also not setting the best precedent by looking for an easier place to take it. its pretty pathetic actually. how are you gonna get through med school with that mentality?
everyone deals with lousy professors. its part of life. the fact that you're a nontrad with some life experience yet still have all these excuses, especially about the professor being bad and the other kids having taken calculus (who gives a damn?), makes me question your maturity. your post honestly sounds like some back of the room griping I'd hear from freshmen.
sorry, my post probably pissed you off. just giving you my honest opinion though. have a nice night.
everyone deals with lousy professors. its part of life. the fact that you're a nontrad with some life experience yet still have all these excuses, especially about the professor being bad and the other kids having taken calculus (who gives a damn?), makes me question your maturity. your post honestly sounds like some back of the room griping I'd hear from freshmen.
sorry, my post probably pissed you off. just giving you my honest opinion though. have a nice night.
It may be, depending on your state community college system. Here, CCs are teach the same material as 4 year unis, same books, same level of difficulty. I took chem 1 at a 4 year and i was probably easier than at CC, except i didnt pay attention...which doesnt make sense. The only good thing is that the labs arent seperate grades which should help, maybe, most likely.
I say: hack the grades, but learn the stuff.
What's with the bell curve in many institutions, every class has its share of students getting Cs.
Just keep learning and absorbing. Remember what you've learnt, and make linkages between them. Maybe you just lack exam skills, but you are actually strong in the "field". So don't discouraged!😎If you want to be a practitioner, being able to think on your feet while you are in actual situations, rather than in an examination hall of tens or hundreds of students sitting on a chair and doing a pen and paper test, is vital.
There has been research to indicate that standardized tests like MCAT and the SATs do not necessary equate with success in med school and college.
What's with the bell curve in many institutions, every class has its share of students getting Cs.
Just keep learning and absorbing. Remember what you've learnt, and make linkages between them. Maybe you just lack exam skills, but you are actually strong in the "field". So don't discouraged!😎If you want to be a practitioner, being able to think on your feet while you are in actual situations, rather than in an examination hall of tens or hundreds of students sitting on a chair and doing a pen and paper test, is vital.
There has been research to indicate that standardized tests like MCAT and the SATs do not necessary equate with success in med school and college.
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2009
- Messages
- 1,502
- Reaction score
- 5
I couldn't care less if you think they're excuses. My excuse for sucking it up in chemistry is that I don't have a damn clue what I'm doing.
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2009
- Messages
- 1,502
- Reaction score
- 5
The idea isn't to be easier. The idea is to get a teacher that teaches, lol. If I'm doing poorly now I can't help but think I'd do poorly at it later. Heck, I took chem years ago and didn't understand it then either, but then I never went to class because it seemed hard. I've stuck with it, but I just can't figure it out despite class, the book, practice problems, supplemental texts. Now, with a little focus and some adequate proctoring maybe I can do it.
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2008
- Messages
- 1,483
- Reaction score
- 7
I'm sorry to hear you're having a rough time. I hope you can persevere, though, because it would be a shame to have given up your old career without making it to the new one you want.
As to what's wrong here, I have to agree with pietachok: it sounds like math is more of a problem for you than the chemistry itself. I think you should tackle that first, before taking on any more science courses, because this kind of stuff will be coming up again and again in the future.
That's how I planned my own schedule when I started my postbacc work: my only credit-bearing class that first summer was math (precalc). I don't have a problem with math, but I'd been out of the classroom for quite a few years, and I knew it would be wise to have a refresher. The course was a lot of work, but I was glad I'd done it when fall semester started and all my science courses were fairly heavy on math.
You can take math at a CC if you think it would help, but even then you might still need a tutor. If so, get one, because it will be time and money well spent. And no matter what, you will really have to spend several hours a day doing math problems on your own in order to get up to speed and stay there.
You should take your school's math placement test to help you figure out which math course to start with (you might need to take advanced algebra or something of that ilk before you're ready for precalc).I would make math your ONLY course until you feel you've really mastered the material.
Once you have, you should be well-prepared for anything that comes up in your science classes, and your self-confidence should be much improved.
Good luck.
P.S. Just to respond to your earlier comment, an "antilog" is the number you would have to take the log of to get some other number. So, for example, the antilog of 10 is 100, because log(100)=10. Wasn't that simple? 🙂
Last edited:
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2010
- Messages
- 449
- Reaction score
- 181
For Arkansasranger...
I took chemistry at a really tough 4-year uni over a decade ago and retook it last fall at a community college. I think I got a B the first time, and this last time I got an A. The big differences were a) maturity and b) a better teacher. The course was no easier and in some ways a lot harder - no multiple choice tests, lots of problem solving.
If I didn't have a strong algebra background I never would have gotten an A this last time. It's critical to gen chem. Calculus doesn't matter, though it will for a lot of physics classes. I suggest you take algebra again before you retake chem. I think it will really help. Also check ratemyprofessors.com and talk to other students about the teachers. You want a good teacher and you want someone who isn't out to flunk everyone. It might be worth it to pay to take it at a private college, or another community college or wherever just to get the good teacher.
I took chemistry at a really tough 4-year uni over a decade ago and retook it last fall at a community college. I think I got a B the first time, and this last time I got an A. The big differences were a) maturity and b) a better teacher. The course was no easier and in some ways a lot harder - no multiple choice tests, lots of problem solving.
If I didn't have a strong algebra background I never would have gotten an A this last time. It's critical to gen chem. Calculus doesn't matter, though it will for a lot of physics classes. I suggest you take algebra again before you retake chem. I think it will really help. Also check ratemyprofessors.com and talk to other students about the teachers. You want a good teacher and you want someone who isn't out to flunk everyone. It might be worth it to pay to take it at a private college, or another community college or wherever just to get the good teacher.
- Joined
- May 7, 2010
- Messages
- 226
- Reaction score
- 4
Ahhh, you didn't want to ask that mwean old pwofwessa for help? Poor baby, its ok.
Accept some responsibility for yourself. You didn't blow the class because of your professor or b/c the other kids were more prepared than you, you blew it b/c YOU failed to learn the material. Stop wasting all this time trying to hold other people accountable for something that falls solely on you. I would never let someone with this lame attitude into my imaginary medical school.
Earlier in the thread you talked about all these books you found in advance to prepare you for chemistry. Why the hell was the math in this class so foreign to you then? Did you even attempt to teach yourself the math when you were reviewing weeks beforehand, or did you just think, "Ah, no worries, the professor will take care of that for me"? I'll bet it was the latter.
I bet you were probably just downloading torrents, opening'em once for 20 minutes and then never looking at them again, all while giving yourself a big pat on the back for staying on top of things.
Totally lame. You only have your choice of ONE teacher for general chemistry? I also kind of resent the notion that taking it a community college is going to make it so much easier, being as that's where I'm doing my prerequisites and don't find classes to be a walk in the park by any means.
Anyway, I wish you success, but I just found your response to be one of the lamest things I've ever heard, especially coming from a non-trad. I couldn't help myself.
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2010
- Messages
- 6,208
- Reaction score
- 36
I'm also taking community college classes. And while there are some walk-in-the-park classes, there are walk-in-the-park classes at 4-year universities. If the course you're taking is science and transferable to a 4-year institution, you will not have an easier time with it. I'm currently taking a community college class. The same professor is currently teaching the same class at the 4-year with the exact same curriculum. So far the only difference is that in the community college more students have dropped. The material and everything else is exactly the same.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2009
- Messages
- 1,812
- Reaction score
- 14
That's totally unprofessional, and, frankly, just mean.
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2010
- Messages
- 6,208
- Reaction score
- 36
You take these forum boards too seriously. I've noticed older people that didn't grow up with the internet try to treat it as an extension of job environments.
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2009
- Messages
- 1,812
- Reaction score
- 14
By gum, these youngsters now days. I'd reply but my geritol spilled on my keyboard.
ArkansasRanger is having a difficult very difficult time and turned to this board for help. Beating up on him that way is wrong. It's mean and it's a violation of the compassionate nature that people who want to be healers should have.
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2008
- Messages
- 1,483
- Reaction score
- 7
I don't understand your astonishment, because this happens frequently, and not just at two-bit institutions. I took my premed classes at an Ivy League school, and they have had only one professor--a horrible teacher and notoriously vicious grader--teaching intro bio for the past 25 years. And this was far from the only time that I had no choice of professors.
Yes, of course you have to suck it up, but there's no question that a bad professor can make a hard course even harder.
Give the guy a break. ArkansasRanger was very clear about the fact that he has trouble with the math and feels lost--he knows that's his problem and no one else's. On top of that, he's been out of school for a while and never had to use those skills in his prior career. It's hardly surprising that he's having a bit of trouble making the transition to a new environment.
If you keep up this "lame attitude" toward people who could use some encouragement and compassion instead of insults, "imaginary medical school" may turn out to be the only one you're going to graduate from. Get a freaking life.
- Joined
- May 7, 2010
- Messages
- 226
- Reaction score
- 4
zinggggg.....
I'm giving him what I think is HELPFUL advice. Sometimes I think people benefit more from a blunt opinion. It is my hope that he succeeds.
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2009
- Messages
- 1,812
- Reaction score
- 14
That wasn't helpful advice, that was a slap in the face. But maybe you're one of those people who think that you are helping people by slapping them. If so, you are wrong.
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2010
- Messages
- 6,208
- Reaction score
- 36
The magical "should." I've noticed this type of thinking all over the place, not just pre-med. People seem to love to tell you how to lead your life, which usually involves either some romanticized version of reality or submitting other people to their agenda. For the weak, it usually accomplishes to damage their self-esteem more and submit to group mentality. For the strong, it promotes two-faced behavior, since they will continue to be the way they are but give the public another image.
Remember, everyone knows what's best for you, except yourself.
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2009
- Messages
- 1,812
- Reaction score
- 14
I don't totally understand you, are you really saying that physicians don't need to have a compassionate nature? That wouldn't make sense.
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2005
- Messages
- 1,575
- Reaction score
- 2
Ranger - I've worked with gen chem students for years, and 9/10 times it's the math that's killing them, not the chem (as you know). Particularly when they get to acid/base. Usually what I do with students is take the first few sessions to go over the important math concepts - ratios, exponents, logs, multiple variable systems, and how to set up a word problem. One resource I've found to be a quick and dirty helper is the kaplan gre math review book. It starts with the super simple, like what's a real number etc, all the way up to algebraic manipulations and trig. It has a lot of practice problems, and is a decent resource for someone working on their own.
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2010
- Messages
- 6,208
- Reaction score
- 36
I believe a physician could be competent through different motives. For example, he might enjoy critical thinking and solving problems. Second example, if he had a strong sense of job duties (i.e. he believed he created a contract with his patient and believes in delivering the best care due to contractual obligation), he may deliver equal or better quality to a physician that's lovy dovey. I believe a physician that's a complete ******* to colleagues and random people may be compassionate and caring with patients because he categorizes them differently. Etc. So in conclusion, yes, I don't believe a compassionate nature or even an all encompassing one where they act "professional" to other forum members must exist to be a good, or even the best, doctor.
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2009
- Messages
- 1,812
- Reaction score
- 14
Well, we have very radically different ideas of how doctors, or posters on SDN, or human beings, ought to act. I guess it is my age - or maybe my Mama's age. Maybe manners are age-related, but I doubt it.
- Joined
- May 19, 2010
- Messages
- 578
- Reaction score
- 3
People who think you need to be a ideal compassionate doctor haven't been around medicine very much. There are plenty of very skilled physicians that are big A*holes. There are also compassionate physicians. Obviously in some cases, the disposition of the doctor can affect the care of a patient. Other times, i.e. trauma surgery and the patient is bleeding to death, that's all skill. There are lots of radiologist that don't even interact with patients.
Don't get me wrong, I'm for compassion as a virtue. Yet to come and make the argument that a doctor "should" or "must" have some sort of idealistic level of compassion is nonsense (or just narrow-sighted/inexperienced).
Plus it is a weird argument to think there are "compassionate" and "non-compassionate" people. There are all different shades of compassion, not just on or off.
- Joined
- May 19, 2010
- Messages
- 578
- Reaction score
- 3
For those struggling with chemistry:
I find when people aren't doing well they are only "taking notes and doing assigned problems". Well, that may work most of the time but some profs suck and you need to figure out how to master the subject on your own.
Chemistry is not hard. It is one of the easiest pre-reqs out there. (physics/ochem are much harder). Plus when you get to higher chemistry like physical chemistry or do genetics, more difficult classes, there won't be tons of videos and help for you, then you have to figure things out by yourself. You won't have tons of genetic tutors or cell biology tutors to chose from because these are higher level classes and therefore sparse resources.
This is "tough love".
If you can't use all the copious resources available to you (internet and everything listed above) in easier courses, then you will really struggle in medical school or upper division sciences where your prof sucks and your book sucks. Subjects like chemistry have a plethora of resources.
- Did you read the chapter step by step and understand everything while doing the in chapter problems?
- Did you do all the end of chapter problems?
- Did you post on SDN or other sites when a topic confused you?
- Did you watch the tons of free videos on the topic (khanacademy.org or course saver dot com)?
- Did you join a website that has worked out solutions to all your problems in your text for a few dollars a month?
- Did you go to free tutoring at your school?
- Do you practice stuff after you already knew it (for speed)?
- Did you have all the pre-requisites mastered before entering the class?
- Did you ask the professor for help or find what to focus on?
- Did you network with people scoring high A's and see what they are doing?
- Did you buy other resources or a better text book if yours sucked?
I find when people aren't doing well they are only "taking notes and doing assigned problems". Well, that may work most of the time but some profs suck and you need to figure out how to master the subject on your own.
Chemistry is not hard. It is one of the easiest pre-reqs out there. (physics/ochem are much harder). Plus when you get to higher chemistry like physical chemistry or do genetics, more difficult classes, there won't be tons of videos and help for you, then you have to figure things out by yourself. You won't have tons of genetic tutors or cell biology tutors to chose from because these are higher level classes and therefore sparse resources.
This is "tough love".
If you can't use all the copious resources available to you (internet and everything listed above) in easier courses, then you will really struggle in medical school or upper division sciences where your prof sucks and your book sucks. Subjects like chemistry have a plethora of resources.
- Joined
- Oct 24, 2009
- Messages
- 3,848
- Reaction score
- 1,285
You need to. It's on the MCAT, and while not entirely important for Organic Chemistry, it helps to have a good background in gen chem going into it. If I were in your shoes, I'd fix the math, because gen chem is basic concepts surrounded by a thin layer of high school math. Then take gen chem with the most agreeable prof you can find. Use ratemyprofessor.com. Do problems like your life depended on it, and do your best not to look at the answers, because that's how you learn chemistry. I havent looked up the statistics, but probably a gazillion people have taken the general chemistry series and did okay in it. Set a deadline for yourself, and stop with the self defeating attitude. I was in your shoes once, with a ****ty undergrad gpa and no science background to speak of, and pulled through with a 3.7 over a course of 2.5 years. It was ****ing painful because I am inherently lazy and had to study almost 5 hours a day for those ****ing classes, but it happened and I received my acceptance Nov 2008 and matriculated Aug 2009. If it didn't happen, then I would've gone on to other things because medicine isn't everything, but first you have to try like hell.
- Joined
- Oct 24, 2009
- Messages
- 3,848
- Reaction score
- 1,285
Btw, I was fortunate enough to find a good chemistry professor who had his door open practically the entire school day. That bastard answered all my questions while I studied in the tutoring lab next door and I don't think I would've done as well as I did in subsequent chemistry courses had he not. There are definitely poor professors around, but if you need to learn your **** in the beginning then you need to find a good teacher or tutor to jump start you.
HOWEVER
Is not a convincing argument that the teacher sucks. Have you engaged in that difficult banter in which he asks "What are you not getting here?" and you answer with "I don't know how to..." even though it embarrasses you greatly that you don't get it. Now he might actually suck, but you'd have to know chemistry to know that it isn't taught well, or recognize that he cannot find different ways of explaining a concept. Maybe next time you need to stick with it and learn how to see something through without bailing at the first sign of trouble. In my unscientific opinion, the people of average intelligence (99% of premed turned med students) who make it through the premed years are extremely tenacious in their study habits AND know how to game the system to their advantage. You have to mold yourself into that type of person to make it through.
That being said, I have been procrastinating and need to get my beauty sleep
HOWEVER
Is not a convincing argument that the teacher sucks. Have you engaged in that difficult banter in which he asks "What are you not getting here?" and you answer with "I don't know how to..." even though it embarrasses you greatly that you don't get it. Now he might actually suck, but you'd have to know chemistry to know that it isn't taught well, or recognize that he cannot find different ways of explaining a concept. Maybe next time you need to stick with it and learn how to see something through without bailing at the first sign of trouble. In my unscientific opinion, the people of average intelligence (99% of premed turned med students) who make it through the premed years are extremely tenacious in their study habits AND know how to game the system to their advantage. You have to mold yourself into that type of person to make it through.
That being said, I have been procrastinating and need to get my beauty sleep
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2010
- Messages
- 6,208
- Reaction score
- 36
How they "ought" to act. Very reflective of a personality that's encased itself in rigid boundaries of right and wrong. It's not surprising that you believe my ideals lie within rigid boundaries as well, but I'll spell it out for you: I don't have an "ought" about behavior or acting. I'm open-minded to diversity in personality, instead of forcing people into a moral factory, which hands out hypocrisy as its pollution.
As for your "manners," I applaud how much better you think you are than the rest.
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2009
- Messages
- 1,812
- Reaction score
- 14
When someone asks for help it is wrong to mock him and insult him for his request (that is how this started). If you think that this is too 'rigid' of a moral standard for you, then good luck.
As for your accusation of thinking that I am "better than the rest" that's a straw man argument. It's the typical toss-off line that is thrown at anyone who upholds for good behavior.
I'm done. Since you think that you can treat people with any level of rudeness, we have nothing to say to each other. It's too great a temptation for me to again violate the manners that Mama taught me.
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2009
- Messages
- 396
- Reaction score
- 52
Man, good luck in residency... Try telling the attending who just chewed your ass out in front of everyone in rounds because you didn't write orders the way he likes that he's not acting how a doctor should, and not being compassionate enough. Compassion is fine, but that's not what makes a doctor.
- Joined
- May 13, 2010
- Messages
- 96
- Reaction score
- 0
Mr. Ranger and or Gunito,
I would suggest that you do your homework on your potential professors. The best way to do this is to talk to students who have already had the professors or talk to other science faculty or pre-med advisers to get a sense of what professors you should aim for, it does make a difference. (or check out ratemyprofessor to get a sense of student sentiment)
Secondly I totally accept that you did work your butt off and that you may not have done well. I just finished up my two chem classes and I smoked them, but many of my fellow post-bac premeds did not do so hot (it was a difficult class completed in 4weeks). It was tough seeing my classmates study every hour of the day and still pull mediocre grades.
Speaking from personal experience I would say there is just a switch that needs to be flicked in your head that will suddenly make you understand how each problem should be worked mathematically. I truly believe everyone is capable of doing well in math and therefore physics/chem if they learn how to think about the math correctly.
As the other posters have said, I would recommend taking something along the lines of pre-calc to hone your chops and I would bust my butt in that class because it will enable you to be successful. Secondly remember all is not lost if you do not pull straight A's, my understanding is that PA schools are more forgiving of lower grades and look for people with "life experience".
Good luck, keep your head up and just know if medicine is what you truly want then you can find your niche.
I would suggest that you do your homework on your potential professors. The best way to do this is to talk to students who have already had the professors or talk to other science faculty or pre-med advisers to get a sense of what professors you should aim for, it does make a difference. (or check out ratemyprofessor to get a sense of student sentiment)
Secondly I totally accept that you did work your butt off and that you may not have done well. I just finished up my two chem classes and I smoked them, but many of my fellow post-bac premeds did not do so hot (it was a difficult class completed in 4weeks). It was tough seeing my classmates study every hour of the day and still pull mediocre grades.
Speaking from personal experience I would say there is just a switch that needs to be flicked in your head that will suddenly make you understand how each problem should be worked mathematically. I truly believe everyone is capable of doing well in math and therefore physics/chem if they learn how to think about the math correctly.
As the other posters have said, I would recommend taking something along the lines of pre-calc to hone your chops and I would bust my butt in that class because it will enable you to be successful. Secondly remember all is not lost if you do not pull straight A's, my understanding is that PA schools are more forgiving of lower grades and look for people with "life experience".
Good luck, keep your head up and just know if medicine is what you truly want then you can find your niche.
- Joined
- May 19, 2010
- Messages
- 578
- Reaction score
- 3
Ed sure likes to argue.
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2009
- Messages
- 1,812
- Reaction score
- 14
Yeah, that's what I meant. I'm going to go around correcting my superiors.
Of course, since doctor's chew out the people that they are teaching, that means we should mock and make fun of one another here on SDN.
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2010
- Messages
- 6,208
- Reaction score
- 36
Etiquette at the dinner table: if you eat properly and see someone eat like a best, it is against "manners" to point it out. The only thing that it accomplishes is embarrassing the other person and forfeiting your modesty. Proper modesty in etiquette doesn't just apply at the dinner table. If you're so concerned about other's "manners," you should at least do it privately. Moral police like you should know.
Seems your mama didn't teach you well. And yes, I realize the surface irony of my statement, but it's intended for argument purposes.
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2009
- Messages
- 396
- Reaction score
- 52
My point exactly...
- Joined
- May 7, 2010
- Messages
- 226
- Reaction score
- 4
dude, are you ok? haven't seen you on the forums in a while.
