Anyone else feel like they have poor memory?

[mitrieD]

Anyone else feel like they have poor memory abilities compared to your peers? I know this is SDN so most people are intelligent here, but all throughout college I've felt like my lack of ability to memorize adequately has seriously held me back compared to how strong my work ethic was.

I studied and worked more than most of my friends in high school and roommate/friends in university (I've confirmed by comparison) but when it came to subjects that required memorization (like all of biology/chemistry) they got better scores than I did. I would have to study 1 1/2 weeks before an exam while my roommate played video games all day, studied 2-3 days before an exam, and he would do better. My inadequacy has been my most concerning part at university. This has led me to believe that in order to get into dental/med/pharmacy school you have to have a certain IQ/memorization ability and of course work ethic.

Anyone else feel the same throughout college? It doesn't feel fair that work ethic doesn't get rewarded because of a lack of genetic benefit/adequacy. 🤔

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[hopefuldentistry]

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[beingaunicorn]

Don't be down on yourself! It takes me longer than my peers to grasp material. I still do well, but I have to put in more effort, and it IS draining. But it's who you are, what are you going to do about it? There's really not much you can do. But don't give up.

And I would actually say, sure, being in dental school might put you down since everyone around you might seem to be super smart and capable. But when you end up in school, guess what? You're there because you're smart and capable too! There will be people who are doing worse than you will be doing, and there will be people who will do better. Don't compare yourself. I know this is cliche, but C's get degrees! I'm not saying that you shouldn't try to do well or that you will be getting C's in dental school (I'm sure you'll do well!), but in the end, your academics won't necessarily affect your skill as a dentist.

 

[dienepredent]

If you ask anyone, they'll say I have the memory of a goldfish. It's key to know where your strengths and weaknesses lie and adapt according to what you need to accomplish. Yes, it's frustrating seeing my best friend pull an all nighter before an exam and ace it meanwhile I have to gradually study a bit every day to reinforce the material. But you can succeed it will just take a bit more effort than people that have photogenic memory.

 

[Thetoothhurts91]

I have a pretty bad memory. However, once I have something saved in the long-term memory bank, I usually don't have trouble recalling it. My friends used to say that I must be smart because of my good grades. I'm really not! I just put in the extra time to make sure I don't fall behind. Don't worry, if you've got the drive, you can do dental school. Being a good dentist is more than spitting out facts. The struggle bus is big enough for all of us.

 

[SXCoronado]

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[2THDDS]

dude, everyone has their blonde moment.
When I study for a class that requires pure memorization of just random, incoherent facts, I feel the same way as you do and just want to shoot myself in the head.

But it is what it is, if you don't have photographic memory like some savant does, you don't have it.
You can't change that.
Live with it, learn to reinforce the material in your head.

For a starter,
Try www.quizlet.com

LOL.

 

[Blake1e]

Anyone else feel like they have poor memory abilities compared to your peers? I know this is SDN so most people are intelligent here, but all throughout college I've felt like my lack of ability to memorize adequately has seriously held me back compared to how strong my work ethic was.

I studied and worked more than most of my friends in high school and roommate/friends in university (I've confirmed by comparison) but when it came to subjects that required memorization (like all of biology/chemistry) they got better scores than I did. I would have to study 1 1/2 weeks before an exam while my roommate played video games all day, studied 2-3 days before an exam, and he would do better. My inadequacy has been my most concerning part at university. This has led me to believe that in order to get into dental/med/pharmacy school you have to have a certain IQ/memorization ability and of course work ethic.

Anyone else feel the same throughout college? It doesn't feel fair that work ethic doesn't get rewarded because of a lack of genetic benefit/adequacy. 🤔

I felt the same my first 1.5yrs of undergrad. My high school was easy, I was rocking straight A's in all my classes (including AP) with almost no studying. Then in undergrad I thought I could do the same and goof off with all my free time, but I was wrong. I had to set my priorities straight, figure out what I want out of life, and use that motivation to teach myself the proper way to study. The proper way to study? Write your own practice exams and review them at least twice. Doing this I have consistently earned GPAs over 3.9.

dude, everyone has their blonde moment.
When I study for a class that requires pure memorization of just random, incoherent facts, I feel the same way as you do and just want to shoot myself in the head.

But it is what it is, if you don't have photographic memory like some savant does, you don't have it.
You can't change that.
Live with it, learn to reinforce the material in your head.

For a starter,
Try www.quizlet.com

LOL.

While your dumb blonde comment is a bit racist (unfounded stereotype), that website you gave is a good tool for creating your own practice questions like I mentioned above.

 

[Gregor Wiesmann]

I wouldn't be so quick to blame genetics.......how much do you know about your classmate's prior academic histories? They might be more familiar with the course material from past experiences. Anyways, it will be extremely hard for any of us to give you advice unless you give us some more information about your study habits. Do you go to lecture? Write down everything the professor puts on the board? Do you read the relevant material in your textbook? Also, which class in particular are you having trouble with? As someone who got A's in both General Chemistry and Biology, I can tell you that my study methods for the two classes were COMPLETELY different. Tell me which class you're having trouble with and I can try to help out!

 

[Gregor Wiesmann]

While your dumb blonde comment is a bit racist (unfounded stereotype), that website you gave is a good tool for creating your own practice questions like I mentioned above.

I didn't know "blonde" was a race?

 

[ddsclass2016]

Hi mitrieD. I totally understand that feeling you have that your memory isn't as good as others.I was thought like that too before I applied to dental school. I have an awful memory I'll be totally honest but I have worked hard to get where I am today. I'm in my 3rd year of dental school now. After I got in, I realized that I was similar to many of my peers. It takes a lot of repetition for things to "stick". Yes there's 5% of those people who are just gifted, but, the rest are ALL the same. Trust me everyone just works extremely hard, that's it. So keep on working hard, focus on your studies and you'll be fine. Good luck with your application!!

Joe

 

[shaidester]

I feel like I do. I think it's the college effect though. I tend to cram stuff a weekend before an exam and then dump the content out of my brain shortly after it 🙂.

 

[yankpak786]

Not sure if anyone else has had this issue, but after taking the DAT, I felt like my competency to retain information dramatically decreased for a few weeks. I almost had a brain-crash, if you will... has anyone else experienced this after taking the DAT?

 

[yankpak786]

or am I being a lazy piece of shat

 

[FOX_ONE]

people are quick to blame genetics instead of their own lack of self-faith

 

[gatsby121]

I feel like I do. I think it's the college effect though. I tend to cram stuff a weekend before an exam and then dump the content out of my brain shortly after it 🙂.

this.

 

[SXCoronado]

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[THS]

I have great long-term memory. I can remember everyone that was in my homeroom class in kindergarten. I remember that the teacher asked us to "bet" (with candy) on who was going to win Superbowl 32 ('98). Everyone in the class voted Green Bay except for one kid, who voted for Denver. And of course Denver won. So he won everyone's candy.

My short term memory is awful. I forget to turn off my op light every day.

 

[dbd]

Maybe your friends understood the concepts instead of just trying to remember every single detail.

 

[beanie5]

Agree with previous comments here about how everyone has different strengths and weaknesses and we each just need to know ourselves and learn how to compensate for/strengthen our weaknesses. Don't let it get you down!

Re: feeling like you're not rewarded for your work ethic....Having to work harder/put in extra effort to accomplish something that comes easier/more naturally to others is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it can actually develop valuable skills that equip you even better for success in life - Someone with natural ability in one area may not be able to transfer that ability to a new challenge or experience because they're used to coasting, whereas someone who has developed persistence, work ethic, problem-solving skills, etc. can always apply those skills to tackle new challenges successfully. I went through a career change and a non-science master's degree before dental school (so I've had varied experience and know what it's like to have more natural ability in some circumstances than others), and one thing I've learned from my own experiences and observing others around me is that success is, more often than not, a lot of hard work that is enhanced by some natural ability and some luck.

Keep working hard and don't give up! You may feel like you can't see immediate results now, but your effort will bear fruit later.