Are you a good student because you are really smart or hardworking

[aNewManEveryDay]

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I am now an excellent student ( not always the case ). I dont really know how smart I am but I am a really hard worker. I actually wish I was smarter. I study with a guy on occasion who scored in the 99th percentile on the LSAT. When we read something at the same time then discuss it I am amazed at his level of comprehension.

Do you get good grades because you study a lot or because you are really smart ? I know both kids of people exist !

 

[~~premed82~~]

Both, I am smart and I work my tail off!


=)

 

[rugirlie]

This is tough... I definitely don't work so hard.. I'm a veteran crammer and I do pretty well in school. This would suggest I have natural ability to understand things quickly and well. However, I only got a 30 on my MCATs so that doesn't suggest I'm naturally smart. And for that, I studied pretty regularly, I didn't cram, so I can't blame it on that. Who knows?

 

[tigress]

My problem is that I got through with better-than-average grades just on intelligence and never learned to be hardworking enough, which is why I now regret my undergrad GPA. If I had worked harder it could be a lot better. I'm just now learning to work hard in grad school!

 

[aNewManEveryDay]

maybe you are smart but not a great machine graded test taker........ i know taking standardized tests is quite different from a normal exam.

 

[tigress]

yeah, rugirlie, you say you "only" got a 30 on the MCAT, but my friend who I consider an incredibly smart person (and also quite hardworking) got a 29 and got into all the schools she wanted to; I don't think the 29 really reflected her intelligence, just that she doesn't do as well on standardized tests

 

[rugirlie]

yeah, rugirlie, you say you "only" got a 30 on the MCAT, but my friend who I consider an incredibly smart person (and also quite hardworking) got a 29 and got into all the schools she wanted to; I don't think the 29 really reflected her intelligence, just that she doesn't do as well on standardized tests

Well thats a comforting thought but whenever I think things like that I feel like people think that its an excuse. In high school, the same situation arose with gpa and RIC versus SAT scores... I hope that doesn't carry over to USMLEs... cuz unfortunately, these test scores matter.

 

[monstermatch]

Hard work always trumps intelligence. If you have both, with a dash of good memory, you're set. Those who've coasted through college and still done well get a rude awakening when they hit med school. 'Course, they usually turn out just fine too - just takes them a little longer to adapt.

 

[Dr.Cait]

Actually, I would have to say it's the motivation. If you're not motivated to learn things, you're not going to learn them. I used to be horrible in school, then I did well in a few classes, bumped up my GPA and I never looked back. You have to be motivated to learn, because if you are not, you won't grasp the concepts, and you will end up confused. If you are looking to be a better student, I would suggest challenging yourself. See if you can raise your GPA higher than its ever been. You would be surprised what a good challenge can do to your level of motivation!

 

[mshheaddoc]

I get good grades because I'm sexy and sleep with the faculty! 😉 😀

 

[funshine]

Hard work always trumps intelligence. If you have both, with a dash of good memory, you're set. Those who've coasted through college and still done well get a rude awakening when they hit med school. 'Course, they usually turn out just fine too - just takes them a little longer to adapt.

I think hard work will only take you so far. Same goes for motivation. Anyway, once you're at the top and realize you can't compete with all those super smart & hardwokring ppl, then you'll quickly lose your motivation. trust me, i know.

 

[doc05]

Hard work always trumps intelligence. If you have both, with a dash of good memory, you're set. Those who've coasted through college and still done well get a rude awakening when they hit med school...

that's because med school requires a minimum of true comprehension and nothing more than a good memory.

 

[ellia08]

Hard worker.

and I guess I was lucky too to find what I really like to do (That makes it easier) and to get a lot of opportunities to learn.

Sounds hokey but its true.

 

[Whisker Barrel Cortex]

I've managed to somehow coast through undergrad, medical school, and the first 2.5 years of residency. I should really start focusing soon. 😀

 

[drguy22]

hahahaha..i wish i were smart....

 

[45408]

Both. I'm pretty smart, but that doesn't mean I haven't worked pretty hard for everything I've gotten.

 

[Psycho Doctor]

neither, i just pray a lot 👍

 

[AznDoc]

For me, 90% of it hard work, the other 50% is brains. 👍

 

[jdovez]

For me, 90% of it hard work, the other 50% is brains. 👍

90 + 50.....that must be some of the new math....

Definitely a hard worker with a decent memory but I would not say I am all that smart....just good preparation and study skills

 

[sweatybrain]

i'm smart enough to know when I need to work hard and when I can coast.

 

[docjolly]

Well, I think it's different for many people:

One of my best friends from college hardly ever went to any of her classes and was hardly ever seen with a textbook inside of her room. Yet, she was able to pull off nothing less than an A in all of her science classes and labs. She's an extremely intelligent person who can spend a small amount of time studying and will understand concepts with little or no effort. She didn't study like I did, but she was still able to pull off stellar grades in all of her classes.

As for me, I am intelligent, But I also know that I need to put in qualitative time to study. If I followed the study/work habits of my friend, I wouldn't have done well in college at all.

So, as always, different strokes for different folks 😉

 

[cfdavid]

I'd say I'm an average Joe overall, with certain strengths, but of course weaknesses too. I work pretty hard, and when I get into something, I can be good at it. I don't consider myself super smart, but smart enough.

Also, is the super genius that get's 3 DUI's really that smart? It's all kind of subjective.