Are summer classes easier?

[Bowchickawowwow]

My parents advised me to take Calculus and Ochem (Harder pre-req's for med school) during summer sessions because they believe the curriculum will be easier to get through, but I'm not sure if that's true.

My general rationality tells me that trying to get through a subject usually uncomfortably crammed into a regular semester will be even more impossible to accomplish during a few weeks.

Anyone had experiences with summer classes?

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[LeoGer]

My parents advised me to take Calculus and Ochem (Harder pre-req's for med school) during summer sessions because they believe the curriculum will be easier to get through, but I'm not sure if that's true.

My general rationality tells me that trying to get through a subject usually uncomfortably crammed into a regular semester will be even more impossible to accomplish during a few weeks.

Anyone had experiences with summer classes?

The bolded should never be your attitude, especially when taking material that will be on the MCAT. On top of that, a condensed summer course will not be easier.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Curriculum-wise, you'll be taking the same class, just at an extremely fast pace. The only advantage is you'll be able to dedicate all of your time to one class specifically as opposed to 4-5.

 

[235788]

Depends. I like summer class because i can muscle through em.

 

[blizzah]

Some people find focusing on one course to be easier, as well having generally less motivated classmates to make testing easier.

Some people find studying in the summer to be impossible.

Not to mention, summer should/could be used for other endeavors (research, more significant/involved volunteering, working etc.)

 

[MedMan25]

Most the summer classes I took the profs gave the same exams they gave during the regular semester so the volume of curriculum covered was no different. You just get through it in less time with fewer classes to worry about.

 

[Person0715]

If you can grasp new material quickly, summer will probably be easier than a regular semester since it's just one class in less time so there won't be as much loss of knowledge between the first day and the final.

However, you have to be more careful not to get left behind because two days in the summer session equates to approximately 1 week in the regular semester.

In any case, I don't think you should take courses in the summer because you believe they might be easier. This attitude will only be detrimental when it comes to MCAt time. Only take courses in the summer out of necessity.

 

[CodeBlu]

I love summer classes.

Don't take a class though because it will be "easier"

Your pre-med advisor is a dork. Take the class to free up space to take more upper level biology classes during the regular school year.

 

[Camy99]

If you can grasp new material quickly, summer will probably be easier than a regular semester since it's just one class in less time so there won't be as much loss of knowledge between the first day and the final.

However, you have to be more careful not to get left behind because two days in the summer session equates to approximately 1 week in the regular semester.

In any case, I don't think you should take courses in the summer because you believe they might be easier. This attitude will only be detrimental when it comes to MCAt time. Only take courses in the summer out of necessity.

+1

Having less time to forget means having less to re-study. Also, there's usually less people in the class which works well for the curve (if there is one). And you're focusing on less classes, and (to me) summer feels less stressful.
But yeah make sure you don't miss any class because then you're missing two classes technically and it's just a mess.

So, no, summer classes themselves are no easier but yes they do feel that way.

 

[two thirty]

I'm pulling an all nighter for biochem right now and I find it way harder to motivate myself during the summer.

 

[UnclePhil]

Prob depends on the class. Some classes are awful for the summer. I took immunology over the summer, for such an awesome course and interesting subject, it was a miserable experience.

 

[CodeBlu]

I'm pulling an all nighter for biochem right now and I find it way harder to motivate myself during the summer.

Biochem love.

http://spdbv.vital-it.ch/TheMolecularLevel/Biochem/index.html

try this if you need help on something.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

I loved summer o-chem. I didn't have to worry about any other classes. It was fabulous. It didn't hurt that I really liked the material, though. And my professor was awesome.

 

[CodeBlu]

I loved summer o-chem. I didn't have to worry about any other classes. It was fabulous. It didn't hurt that I really liked the material, though. And my professor was awesome.

I sort of want to teach medical school pathophys when I get through it all.

I love teaching. The prof makes all the difference, being enthusiastic is important.

 

[ktran17]

I take classes I think I would find very boring during the summer. E.G, philosophy, history, and advance english =)! I love summer school though.

 

[HH Holmes]

Would two or three summer classes, some research and a part time job on campus be unreasonable? I really want to do that for summer 2012 so I can free up space for my sophomore year (3 year undergrad track) where I will be taking organic and physics while studying for the MCAT.

I would theoretically be taking Human A&P (5 cr), Essentials of Organic Chem (4 cr, if they offer it), and/or Genetics (4 cr).

 

[Chip N Sawbones]

I'm taking chem 1 now, and I'm not really impressed. I don't think the professor wants to be teaching the class, and I know the TAs don't like it either. Maybe this will result in easier grading, but so far it just means that the lectures are a total waste of time. On the other hand, I can fit an entire year of chemistry into a summer, and if I couldn't take the classes now it would mean postponing med school for an extra year, so I think no matter how bad the class is, it will still be worth it.

 

[Chip N Sawbones]

Would two or three summer classes, some research and a part time job on campus be unreasonable? I really want to do that for summer 2012 so I can free up space for my sophomore year (3 year undergrad track) where I will be taking organic and physics while studying for the MCAT.

I would theoretically be taking Human A&P (5 cr), Essentials of Organic Chem (4 cr, if they offer it), and/or Genetics (4 cr).

Only take one summer class at a time, or maybe one tough class and an easy one credit art class or something. The classroom hours may not be so bad, but you have to remember that there will be three times the homework and studying per day, compared to a class during the regular year. I'd say one tough class and 15 hours or so of either work or research would be reasonable. If your school divides their summers up into different sessions, take an easier schedule for the first session and then add activities from there if you feel like it won't hurt your grades.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

I sort of want to teach medical school pathophys when I get through it all.

I love teaching. The prof makes all the difference, being enthusiastic is important.

Absolutely. A good prof not only finds the material interesting and enjoys teaching it, but legitimately cares that the students learn.

Would two or three summer classes, some research and a part time job on campus be unreasonable? I really want to do that for summer 2012 so I can free up space for my sophomore year (3 year undergrad track) where I will be taking organic and physics while studying for the MCAT.

I would theoretically be taking Human A&P (5 cr), Essentials of Organic Chem (4 cr, if they offer it), and/or Genetics (4 cr).

Would you be taking the classes all at the same time? Or would they be split up, so you'd take one class in first session and one in second session? If the former, don't do it. You'll be miserable. If the latter, go ahead.

 

[Whatyousay]

Would two or three summer classes, some research and a part time job on campus be unreasonable? I really want to do that for summer 2012 so I can free up space for my sophomore year (3 year undergrad track) where I will be taking organic and physics while studying for the MCAT.

I would theoretically be taking Human A&P (5 cr), Essentials of Organic Chem (4 cr, if they offer it), and/or Genetics (4 cr).

You are going to be burned out.

Why are you doing a three year track?

 

[CodeBlu]

You are going to be burned out.

Why are you doing a three year track?

Gunners.

 

[Whatyousay]

Gunners.

Gunna gun.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

I graduated in three years. It didn't make sense to pay for another year of undergrad when I had enough credits to graduate a year early. But, I wasn't pre-med in undergrad. I think if you do graduate in three years, it's a good idea to take a gap year between UG and med school. For your sanity. Also, it's a lot harder to prove your maturity to med schools when you apply at the age of 19 or so. Not impossible, but be prepared to face some doubts.

 

[CodeBlu]

I wouldn't give 19 year old me a scalpel... let alone an MD/DO/DDS

I just wasn't ready. I'm much better for it now.

 

[HH Holmes]

Would you be taking the classes all at the same time? Or would they be split up, so you'd take one class in first session and one in second session? If the former, don't do it. You'll be miserable. If the latter, go ahead.

There aren't separate 'sessions', but there are half semester courses (but are full length courses like A&P, Genetics etc...). I'll probably talk to my academic advisor about it and figure out who I'd do research for before I set anything in stone. If I can polish off around 8 credits in the summer, it's give me a lot more study time during my second year.

You are going to be burned out.

Why are you doing a three year track?

7 year program.

Gunners.

Far from it.

 

[Wolfman89]

Depends. I like summer class because i can muscle through em.

That's my take on summer classes. At my school they only last 4-8 weeks, so it they are easy to get through.

 

[deleted357625]

My parents advised me to take Calculus and Ochem (Harder pre-req's for med school) during summer sessions because they believe the curriculum will be easier to get through, but I'm not sure if that's true.

My general rationality tells me that trying to get through a subject usually uncomfortably crammed into a regular semester will be even more impossible to accomplish during a few weeks.

Anyone had experiences with summer classes?

It is good to take hard courses during short sessions but calc and o chem is pretty tough courses and do it only if you believe you can handle it. This summer I'm taking college algebra, anatomy/physiology, physics 1, and chemistry 2. It can be done.

 

[camierz]

I just recently took calculus over the summer. My experience wasn't too bad. It was a difficult course that was hard to study for since it moved so fast and I work every day of the week. However, half of my class had no motivation at all and never showed up to the class so the average on the tests were very low. In the end I didn't do too bad in the class because of that.

 

[LegendaryPunk]

If you've never taken a class during the summer before, start with 1 to make sure you can handle the accelerated pace. Yes, we are all aspiring med school students which means we should be able to, but why gamble your GPA?

 

[Swiss Medical]

Thanks for notifying me about this beforehand. My paremts were trying to make me take calc 1 during the summer.

 

[UnclePhil]

I love math courses over the summer, I'm pretty good at math though, so to me it was basically the same as a semester course with the fat trimmed off.