Any D1s? How's your first year?

[armorshell]

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at stony brook, we do the inguinal ligament up, light on the arms and heavy on the head and neck.

Same at Pacific

 

[Lopyswine]

at stony brook, we do the inguinal ligament up, light on the arms and heavy on the head and neck.

same at UIC.

we started with back and then did the arm. Its funny how easy that stuff seems now that we are fully into head and neck.

 

[MONKEYBOY]

It is pretty dumbed down.

Disorganization, and the great efforts prof's go through just to have absolute control contributes to learning nearly nothing 8-6 M-F.

Hope this control issues tame down when the baby boomers get off the stage.

 

[microserf123]

Here at Case we are using prosected cadavers so far. Don't think we have to cut anything ourselves

 

[Theillestill]

Prosected as well at Melbourne. Thorax, back and neck this year.

We get to dissect heads next year.

 

[harrygt]

I remember one of my friends telling me that some nuts would cut off the hardly recognized nerves and arteries on the cadavers, so that they would not show up on the lab test.

 

[armorshell]

I remember one of my friends telling me that some nuts would cut off the hardly recognized nerves and arteries on the cadavers, so that they would not show up on the lab test.

I was joking with some first years about this last night. If you're good enough to identify the nerves/vessels to cut them off, you should be able to identify them on the test, so why bother?

 

[Lurchdubious]

I remember one of my friends telling me that some nuts would cut off the hardly recognized nerves and arteries on the cadavers, so that they would not show up on the lab test.

Wouldn't really change anything, except make it that much harder to identify~I've seen professors just superglue a vessel from another part of the body onto the spot where they want it.

 

[DRHOYA]

This is a great thread to learn from as a predent.👍 Thanks guys. Also, since we are talking anatomy, do any of your schools have you dissect the cadaver right from the primary skin layer, to learn muscles?? Or when the few of you who said it is already dissected, you're just spending time locating/learning?

 

[denticus]

First year is going great so far, for me. I just feel that as long as you manage your time well that you will do fine in your first year. I haven't forgotten to have fun and I think that keeps me sane through all of the exams and deadlines. Classmates and most faculty are very helpful and treat you with respect.

Unexpected surprises:

(1) A few faculty, and I emphasize few, have a tendency to treat you like a child but most all treat you with elevated respect and are very kind.

(2) The amount of time I get to study is greater then dental students told me originally when I was an applicant. I can't help but feel this is a result of dental students trying to make me feel like "I don't understand" how to study hard. I heard this from students at most schools I interviewed at last year...pssht, it's way manageable which in turn makes it enjoyable.

(3) How similar my medical microbiology 1 class that I took at BYU is to the microbiology class I'm taking now; way helpful!

 

[Imanee]

At my D-school, we take anatomy lecture first in the fall. Then in the spring, we do dissection lab at the med. school. I wish I had plenty of time to study like you Denticus. I feel like as soon as one exam is over I am preparing for the next. Dental school is hard, but well worth it. 😉

 

[Lurchdubious]

This is a great thread to learn from as a predent.👍 Thanks guys. Also, since we are talking anatomy, do any of your schools have you dissect the cadaver right from the primary skin layer, to learn muscles?? Or when the few of you who said it is already dissected, you're just spending time locating/learning?

Here we get to dissect right from the skin. It's a 6 week class so it's pretty intense, but it was fun. First couple weeks on the back muscles/spine/thorax, then the rest on the upper arms/neck/head.

 

[JamieMac]

We do all of our own dissections at UDM (from the skin). First semester, we do everything below the neck. Second semester we do head and neck (and again our own dissections).

 

[lotexigeus]

At UT, Memphis we do things a little differently. Every third Monday we have a "par test". It's a test that totals 100 questions, and each subject has a certain portion of these questions. As high as 30 for biochem, and as low as 4 for informatics.

For the first test i stayed on top of my lectures pretty much daily and got a decent amount of points above the class average. Test two I studied the week before only, no looking at material at all the two weeks after the test (unless we had a quiz or histo/tooth ID practical), similar grade.

So basically D-school is hell 1/3 weeks for me.

I can't pay attention in class anymore (unless it's clinical type stuff that we'll be doing in lab), i just play internet games and sleep. Waxing and drilling have come pretty easily for me too, so i find myself lucky in that category.

I do expect next semester to be much much harder when we begin gross and phys, so i'm just enjoying my time right now.

It makes things alot easier when you don't expect to be in the top 5% of your class. Just survival baby.

 

[USU24]

So basically D-school is hell 1/3 weeks for me.

I'd say 1/2 to 2/3 of the time for me.

 

[rkamsterdam]

It makes things alot easier when you don't expect to be in the top 5% of your class. Just survival baby.

haha, im with you, brotha. ranked 32 out of 62 in my dental morphology (anatomy).

Comfortably in the middle 1/3rd. damn it feels good to be a gansta.

 

[futuredds08]

Wouldn't really change anything, except make it that much harder to identify~I've seen professors just superglue a vessel from another part of the body onto the spot where they want it.

Wow. I find that a little disrespectful of the bodies that people have graciously given to science. Disturbing.

 

[Lurchdubious]

Wow. I find that a little disrespectful of the bodies that people have graciously given to science. Disturbing.

Well, it's still for education. Have you ever taken anatomy? I mean it's not like they're making arts & crafts. If you think that's disturbing, what is your opinion of sawing a face in half?
Not with some hi-tech saw either.

This is what I got to use! Crazy, but freakin' cool.

 

[Eledental]

Things have been alright so far at LLU. We got done with midterms a week, or so, ago. Some were tough, but biochemistry is outrageously obtuse.

Anatomy is pretty good actually. Unfortunately, the dental students use cadavers that Physical Therapy students first worked on. Thus, skin has been completely removed (minus head-region, hands, and genitals). Also, the PT students ripped out several nerves and vessels.

Other than that, school is going fine. Passing all my classes, and just taking each day at a time.

 

[denticus]

Wow. I find that a little disrespectful of the bodies that people have graciously given to science. Disturbing.

"Disrespectful of the bodies" you say? Pssht, you obviously haven't taken gross before. Have you seen what students do to those bodies? We're not exactly professional head decapitators/bisectors or skinners. Trust me when I say that all of the bodies in anatomy are near unrecognizable by the time we're done with them. The point of the cadaver lab is for the students gain a higher education and an appreciation of the human body. I find it hard to believe that tacking or pinning nav's with the intent to help us with said education or appreciation would be considered disrespectful, ha.

 

[futuredds08]

"Disrespectful of the bodies" you say? Pssht, you obviously haven't taken gross before. Have you seen what students do to those bodies? We're not exactly professional head decapitators/bisectors or skinners. Trust me when I say that all of the bodies in anatomy are near unrecognizable by the time we're done with them. The point of the cadaver lab is for the students gain a higher education and an appreciation of the human body. I find it hard to believe that tacking or pinning nav's with the intent to help us with said education or appreciation would be considered disrespectful, ha.

You're right, dissection is important. And yes, I have taken Gross. However, we were given quite a bit of instruction on how to respectfully dissect and there were quite a few rules aimed simply for the respect of the bodies as well as the families who were left behind (such as not uncovering the head unless it was needed for dissection, bodily tissue to be disposed of in particular manners, not discussing the cadavers outside of class, etc). I do feel that dissection is an important part of the learning process, but I don't feel that blatantly moving a part of a person's body around so that it looks closer to "textbook" is a necessary part of the learning process. Instead, use it to show normal variation. Especially when it is the professor doing it, as discussed above, and they presumably do a lot of dissection during their careers. No reason that they should not be able to dissect in a respectful fashion.

 

[lotexigeus]

anyone watch grey's this past week. They were like eating on the bodies and stuff.

 

[denticus]

You're right, dissection is important. And yes, I have taken Gross. However, we were given quite a bit of instruction on how to respectfully dissect and there were quite a few rules aimed simply for the respect of the bodies as well as the families who were left behind (such as not uncovering the head unless it was needed for dissection, bodily tissue to be disposed of in particular manners, not discussing the cadavers outside of class, etc). I do feel that dissection is an important part of the learning process, but I don't feel that blatantly moving a part of a person's body around so that it looks closer to "textbook" is a necessary part of the learning process. Instead, use it to show normal variation. Especially when it is the professor doing it, as discussed above, and they presumably do a lot of dissection during their careers. No reason that they should not be able to dissect in a respectful fashion.

🙄

 

[dentstd]

It's hard to disrespect something dead and totally incapable of cognition. It doesn't have the capacity to interpret disrespect.

 

[Lurchdubious]

You're right, dissection is important. And yes, I have taken Gross. However, we were given quite a bit of instruction on how to respectfully dissect and there were quite a few rules aimed simply for the respect of the bodies as well as the families who were left behind (such as not uncovering the head unless it was needed for dissection, bodily tissue to be disposed of in particular manners, not discussing the cadavers outside of class, etc). I do feel that dissection is an important part of the learning process, but I don't feel that blatantly moving a part of a person's body around so that it looks closer to "textbook" is a necessary part of the learning process. Instead, use it to show normal variation. Especially when it is the professor doing it, as discussed above, and they presumably do a lot of dissection during their careers. No reason that they should not be able to dissect in a respectful fashion.

I get your point and yes, it's somewhat valid, but I think you missed the point. What I was saying is that in certain instances for purposes of testing it is not uncommon for professors to make sure that students are tested over the pertinent material. If a tiny, (yet very important) nerve has been removed by a student who is either careless or simply not experienced in dissection, why shouldn't the professor be allowed to "restore" the anatomy? It's true that superglue is pretty unsophisticated, but it is effective.

 

[letsgfuad]

we just had our first practical wax up on tooth #6 (thursday).

next week we have 3 quizzes and one exam. the exam is on restorative dentistry (dental anatomy). i suggest during the summer (if you get accepted into dental school) to start learning teeth anatomy and terminology. it will save you a lot of time!!

Who is this... i may sit by you in class. Give me some hints.

 

[MONKEYBOY]

I am bored out of my mind. Yes we have a lot of powerpoints read to us, but it is very dumbed-down. It has been either, "one question per powerpoint slide," or easier.

The only challenge has been waxing, which is an art and doesn't always come easily.

The boredom is getting old. I hope they challenge us, or keep us busy. If a person is married with kids it would be great, but I have way too much time on my hands and want to be doing things related to school ... which just isn't there.

This is wierd and I didn't expect it. Also don't want to go big with some hobby since school may flare up, and I want to be ready. Thus, the waiting continues.

 

[Hysteria24]

^ Monkeyboy, what school do you attend?

 

[UCSF2012]

I am bored out of my mind. Yes we have a lot of powerpoints read to us, but it is very dumbed-down. It has been either, "one question per powerpoint slide," or easier.

The only challenge has been waxing, which is an art and doesn't always come easily.

The boredom is getting old. I hope they challenge us, or keep us busy. If a person is married with kids it would be great, but I have way too much time on my hands and want to be doing things related to school ... which just isn't there.

This is wierd and I didn't expect it. Also don't want to go big with some hobby since school may flare up, and I want to be ready. Thus, the waiting continues.

I share your sentiments. Thing is, class is a dumbed down version of what we have to know. I agree with you that academics in dental school feel a bit on the easy side. I keep myself entertained by learning other stuff. Meaning...I learn stuff I KNOW won't be on the exam, and I do it because there're lots on interesting information out there. 2-3 days before the exam, I begin going thru the lecture notes and learn that material. That's more than enough time to learn the material and do well on the exam. Occasionally, I'd go into the lab, mount teeth, and drill shapes for fun. Dental school being easy is a good thing. I'd rather complain that it's too easy than that it's too hard.

There are things you can try. Aim to take the boards after first year. This means that there'll be lots of information you won't have learned by that time, so learn that now. Otherwise, take a look at some med school textbooks and try their problems. They learn the same material, but their problems are much, much higher in difficulty level. This keeps it entertaining.

Of course, all this'd be rather different had I gone to a school like Columbia or Harvard where the curriculum's med school. There, you're learning about the hands, back, pelvis, and a bunch of other stuff you don't need to know for dental school and the dental boards. Lots of learning for the sake of learning. Not learning because it'll affect how you practice.

 

[Imanee]

I can't wait for Christmas break. I'm starting to feel burned out. I have 3 more tests before X-mas break. Then 2 weeks off. Yay!!!!!!!😆

 

[ElectraOnAzalea]

5 more finals this week then freedom for A WHOLE MONTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhh!😍

 

[Lopyswine]

5 more finals this week then freedom for A WHOLE MONTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhh!😍

good luck!! I had 4 last week. 3 this week. Then 3 more next week. THEN FREEDOM!!! VIDEO GAMES!!! TV!!! PORN!!! BEER!!!!!

From Dec 19th to Jan 5th its going to be like ancient Rome in my apartment. Decadence to the extreme.

 

[Imanee]

5 more finals this week then freedom for A WHOLE MONTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhh!😍

Wow, you are so lucky! You get 1 month. I only get 2 weeks, but I'm still looking forward to any free time from the grind. 😛

 

[lotexigeus]

Tomorrow at noon, til 8am on Jan 5th.

so close....

 

[Imanee]

Tomorrow at noon, til 8am on Jan 5th.

so close....

I am jealous. LOL!!!

 

[AlcoHulk]

Hey guys, from NYU here.
We got our final in Anatomy, Biochem, and Cell Bio on Friday. I can't wait to spend some time actually looking around NYC instead of pounding down energy drinks at the library for 14 hours a day for the past week.

So far, dschool has been manageable.

 

[lemoncurry]

just finished my last exam of the quarter! Tooth morph exam was easier than I expected, plus I aced the waxing final (which was a shock). Anatomy was tough tough tough and I think I barely squeaked by, especially on the lab practical. Biochem was not too bad. At least I got all the bonus questions right!

Soooo glad to be on break now, except that I have to get busy with christmas stuff for the wife and kids. I was totally burned out after the first exam.

 

[Imanee]

Finishing up tomorrow...I can't wait. I'm currently at the library squeezing in those last few hours of studying.😎

 

[DrReo]

D1s, do you care to comment on how things are going now... and your final exam experience?

 

[TempleDMDKrazd]

finals for us isn't until mid april, but then we have mandatory summer school until end of june. we have one more week left before spring break (woohoo!), but a huge head/neck gross anatomy exam this friday (written + practical).

 

[lotexigeus]

finals for us isn't until mid april, but then we have mandatory summer school until end of june. we have one more week left before spring break (woohoo!), but a huge head/neck gross anatomy exam this friday (written + practical).

have abdomen and neck tomorrow (written and pract.)

can't wait until spring break

 

[jrf271psu]

this semester is horrendous. just a $hitstorm of exams, quizzes, practicals. hopefully it will calm down in march, because I dont know if I can take another february 👎

 

[DMDreaming]

I can feel your pain. We have 7 exams the week before Spring Break. The last one is worth 50% of our grade. Stinks big time!!