Are you med school material?

[Ebete]

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I was wondering if there is anyone feeling a little doubful as I have been feeling latelly. Not sure if its age related or its hormonal (had a baby not too long ago) but latelly I have been really questioning my abilities to actually get thru medical school. Not so much the last 2 years but the first. I'm very hands-on and don't mind working hard.
I've been out of the school scene for a little while (had a couple of kids) and just hoping I'm able to retain/regurgitate all that info in such short time. Even though the director of admin. at my medical state school told me I have a very competitive application a few years back, I now feel as if that confidence is not as 100% as it was then.
I took a few graduate classes and although the exams and professors couldn't be any more demanding with content and amount of material, I did exceptionally well in all classes (4.0),even a few great LOR (from well know prof. in the medical community)...I know the material is not difficult but is volumous... Just can't help but to wonder if I can really still do it. I'm not a genious but I am a really passionate and very hard working person, that has been more than enought to get me where I am today... but is it enough?

How about you? has anyone felt this way and was able to prove otherwise?

How did you find out you would be successful in med school, and are you doing well now?

Sorry for the long post, and thanks in advance.

E.

 

[MadEvans]

I'm not a genious but I am a really passionate and very hard working person, that has been more than enought to get me where I am today... but is it enough?

How about you? has anyone felt this way and was able to prove otherwise?

How did you find out you would be successful in med school, and are you doing well now?

Sorry for the long post, and thanks in advance.

E.

Pass = MD

To pass first/second year, you don't have to be smart. You have to be hard-working, so it sounds like you definitely have what it takes. If I could exchange some of my brains for some diligence & work ethic, I'm sure I would do exponentially better on my exams.

 

[njbmd]

I was wondering if there is anyone feeling a little doubful as I have been feeling latelly. Not sure if its age related or its hormonal (had a baby not too long ago) but latelly I have been really questioning my abilities to actually get thru medical school. Not so much the last 2 years but the first. I'm very hands-on and don't mind working hard.
I've been out of the school scene for a little while (had a couple of kids) and just hoping I'm able to retain/regurgitate all that info in such short time. Even though the director of admin. at my medical state school told me I have a very competitive application a few years back, I now feel as if that confidence is not as 100% as it was then.
I took a few graduate classes and although the exams and professors couldn't be any more demanding with content and amount of material, I did exceptionally well in all classes (4.0),even a few great LOR (from well know prof. in the medical community)...I know the material is not difficult but is volumous... Just can't help but to wonder if I can really still do it. I'm not a genious but I am a really passionate and very hard working person, that has been more than enought to get me where I am today... but is it enough?

How about you? has anyone felt this way and was able to prove otherwise?

How did you find out you would be successful in med school, and are you doing well now?

Sorry for the long post, and thanks in advance.

E.

Me IQ of 100, holding a Ph.D in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, attended medical school on full ride scholarship and now successful practicing academic physician and professor. Definitely being a good student trumps IQ of which I am totally normal. There are a ton of pre-med wannabes with high IQs who will never become physicians. There are a ton of solid students who day in and day out are good scholars who will become physicians and do get through medical school (and any other school for that matter) who are doing just fine.

Medical school doesn't take any special mental abilities other than being able to master the coursework which isn't particularly difficult. The best evidence to show that you can do that is a strong MCAT score and a good uGPA. Studying, whether for medicine or anything else is studying and doesn't take a high IQ but rather discipline to get the job done. Oh, by the way, I have some tenacity too.

 

[futureboy]

Pass = MD

To pass first/second year, you don't have to be smart. You have to be hard-working, so it sounds like you definitely have what it takes. If I could exchange some of my brains for some diligence & work ethic, I'm sure I would do exponentially better on my exams.

How important is the ability to memorize for success in medical school? I have done some memorization in past academic work (who hasn't?), but I wouldn't consider it a strength of mine. I am more of a big picture person. Is there a lot of rote memorization in med school, or is more of a myth?

 

[Crelal]

How important is the ability to memorize for success in medical school? I have done some memorization in past academic work (who hasn't?), but I wouldn't consider it a strength of mine. I am more of a big picture person. Is there a lot of rote memorization in med school, or is more of a myth?

Speaking from my little exposure thus far as an M1, it is a combination.

You have to learn some pieces strictly from memorization, others are more reasoning. I find that I do better right now with connecting the dots, which helps me to memorize the things I just need to memorize.

Of course, we do not have anatomy until second semester. Which is A LOT of memorization, or at least that's what I have been told.

I would agree that study habits have a lot to do with success/failure. If you are not prepared to put in the work, you may not make it.

Ebete- I have three little ones, and I am not going to lie, it IS a struggle from time to time. But three months in, my little ones understand I need to go and study, and I heard my son tell my sister the other day "my momma's going to be a doctor". It was not what he said, but the pride in his little six-year-old voice. This is my goal, I will reach it, and as long as I work on maintaining school/home balance, my children ( and husband) will be proud of me for it.

 

[Scottish Chap]

I agree with the above. I have a PhD and I gained admission to medical school on my first attempt with very average credentials. I'm now an intern. In my case, I think the admissions committees saw the capacity for hard work and a track record of getting the job done. In some regards I was an outlier, for sure, but I never pretended to be something I'm not. Sometimes that's enough to get the chance you need (just make sure you don't let the person down who gives you the chance or you'll mess it up for people like you after you've gained admission!).

I, too, am really not that smart, but God gave me a double helping of tenacity! Medical school material is not intellectually challenging (neither is being an intern for that matter). Medical school is not so much hard as it is time-consuming; if you don't work hard every day, it will bury you. Sure, there were classmates of mine with MCATS of 39 who were pretty talented multiple choice test takers but slackers in MSI/MSII. They made it to the clinical years, but some of them were exceedingly unexceptional clinical medical students. In the end, we pretty much all got through - one way or another.

It all starts with the MCAT (which is not so much difficult as it is 'tricky'), and gaining admission to medical school is extremely difficult. All you have to do it try. Start playing the role of the person you want to become and, I assure you, practice will see to it that you become that person.

 

[Scottish Chap]

How important is the ability to memorize for success in medical school? I have done some memorization in past academic work (who hasn't?), but I wouldn't consider it a strength of mine. I am more of a big picture person. Is there a lot of rote memorization in med school, or is more of a myth?

It's important in MSI - not so much MSII where I felt you can reason through many of the exams. I am not a great memorizer and I was trained in a system that emphasized understanding before rote memorization, so I had to get over that quickly. My short term memory is just not that great. I have a very good long-term memory, though, and I usually don't forget something once I've 'got it'. Anatomy is usually the problem for people like you and I. You'll be amazed at what medical school shows you you can do when you have no choice: on my first anatomy exam (150 possible tags in a room full of cadavers) I just scraped a pass...one point less, and it would have been a failing test. On my last anatomy exam (>800 possible tags in a room full of cadavers), I dropped just three points. The human brain has the capacity to do what you think is impossible if you just try....but you also have to want to be there badly enough to do what needs to be done.

 

[Ebete]

Wow, SDN never ceases to amaze me, with all these wonderful people...thank you so much for the boost. I know I can do this, I guess newborn sleep deprivation is starting to mess with my brain (this is 8 months after she was born...still) I guess I can think of this as trainning for the future sleepless nights 😀 in which I will do with pleasure!
I have 4 kids now, ages ranging 7y/o to 8 mon/o and I can't tell you how much I have wanted to become a physician. Crelal thank you for your responce, its nice to hear your words. Teaching my kids perserverance and hard work not only pays off in the end but makes you a better person. I want them to be proud of their mom and to know they can do what ever they put their minds and heart to.
From working in a very busy city hospital ER I have learned a lot about people... so I know exactly what you mean njbmd😱 I can't tell you how many times I sat looking at some of the residents there, wondering how in the world they got there, and I would surely be able to do better. I found a lot of the residents to be not only very bitter about their position but just unhappy to be there, and so interfeering with their job. No offence to any residents here (especially Scottish Chap), I am only speaking about many i know. I have as well met some of the best residents/attendings who have given me inspiration, support and genuine words of wisdom. Heart and mind ,most definitely makes a better physician.
I also think logically and am not a fan of memorizing something just to regurgitate it and forget it after an exam. I am very visual and need to know how and why's about what I'm studying so I find that helps me memorize and retain in the long run. Hopefully I can do the same in med school.
I'm also with you Scottish chap, not super smart, but tenacity of steel! I am a very disciplined person, and have the need to know and do more, so Not affraid of heavy duty work, well any kinda work for that matter. So yes, if I want something bad enough I eventually get it. Tough but not impossible! just like my 8 month old that NEVER sleeps and cries allllll the time🙁
So thanks a bunch and keep the positive comments comin'🙂

 

[futureboy]

Thanks for the insight, C and SC. It is encouraging to hear that you can make it through med school without having a photographic memory.

 

[Ebete]

Thanks for the insight, C and SC. It is encouraging to hear that you can make it through med school without having a photographic memory.

I second that...there IS hope for us🙂

 

[jinx520]

Ebete: I think all the soul-searching you are going through is good for you in the long run. When times get tough mentally and emotionally, and you inevitably start to wonder why you started down this path, you will realize that you've already worked out the "whys" in advance and it will help you through. I've read a lot of posts from the "traditional" students who had their life mapped out since high school and then hit a brick wall when the reality of the dark side of medicine reared its ugly head. Having lived a life other than "get into medical school" and seriously questioning how much of it you are willing to sacrifice (or what you are definitely NOT willing to sacrifice) is a good thing.

Crelal: when I read your post about what your little one said, I was all "AWWWW!" and teared up a little. How sweet! Makes it all worth it, huh?

 

[Tekar]

Wow, SDN never ceases to amaze me, with all these wonderful people...thank you so much for the boost. I know I can do this, I guess newborn sleep deprivation is starting to mess with my brain (this is 8 months after she was born...still) I guess I can think of this as trainning for the future sleepless nights 😀 in which I will do with pleasure!
I have 4 kids now, ages ranging 7y/o to 8 mon/o and I can't tell you how much I have wanted to become a physician. Crelal thank you for your responce, its nice to hear your words. Teaching my kids perserverance and hard work not only pays off in the end but makes you a better person. I want them to be proud of their mom and to know they can do what ever they put their minds and heart to.
From working in a very busy city hospital ER I have learned a lot about people... so I know exactly what you mean njbmd😱 I can't tell you how many times I sat looking at some of the residents there, wondering how in the world they got there, and I would surely be able to do better. I found a lot of the residents to be not only very bitter about their position but just unhappy to be there, and so interfeering with their job. No offence to any residents here (especially Scottish Chap), I am only speaking about many i know. I have as well met some of the best residents/attendings who have given me inspiration, support and genuine words of wisdom. Heart and mind ,most definitely makes a better physician.
I also think logically and am not a fan of memorizing something just to regurgitate it and forget it after an exam. I am very visual and need to know how and why's about what I'm studying so I find that helps me memorize and retain in the long run. Hopefully I can do the same in med school.
I'm also with you Scottish chap, not super smart, but tenacity of steel! I am a very disciplined person, and have the need to know and do more, so Not affraid of heavy duty work, well any kinda work for that matter. So yes, if I want something bad enough I eventually get it. Tough but not impossible! just like my 8 month old that NEVER sleeps and cries allllll the time🙁
So thanks a bunch and keep the positive comments comin'🙂

You know what I do to remind me why I"m doing this.. I look at my peacefully sleeping child who is crashed on my peacefully sleeping wife and know that if I succeed at this, my sons (the other is 11 and is in his bed right now) will have opportunities in life that were never opened for me. I know my wife will be able to actually afford the clothes in those magazines she wishes she could wear while teaching high school and that we will be able to actually enjoy those dream historical travel locations that we love to watch on the travel channel together. I find strength in my family.

 

[Tekar]

Thanks for the insight, C and SC. It is encouraging to hear that you can make it through med school without having a photographic memory.

Talk about a relief...PHEW!!!!

 

[QofQuimica]

How important is the ability to memorize for success in medical school? I have done some memorization in past academic work (who hasn't?), but I wouldn't consider it a strength of mine. I am more of a big picture person. Is there a lot of rote memorization in med school, or is more of a myth?

Rote memorization was not a strength of mine either when I started med school. I think having less of a focus on memorization is a fairly common phenomenon among nontrads in general, and especially for those of us coming from the grad school background. But, you adapt to the circumstances in which you find yourself. When I got back my Step 1 score, I was shocked to see that I had been able to memorize so much microbio that it was my top subsection, even though my best subjects in med school were pharm (because of my background) and physio/path (things that require less memorization and more conceptual understanding). I found that the most helpful way for me to memorize tons of pointless minutiae was to use mnemonics. There are dozens, maybe hundreds, of medical mnemonics that get passed down by previous med students (some of which are not fit to be posted publically on SDN!). But the mnemonics that helped me the most are the ones I made up myself.

Maybe mnemonics will be how you get through as well, and maybe it will be some other way that didn't work for me or that I never even thought of trying. Regardless, I would advise you to not be self-defeating, which starts by not pigeon-holing yourself as someone who is not a good memorizer. Think about it this way: even if you come into med school not being a very good memorizer, you will certainly be one heck of a decent memorizer by the time you graduate. 😛

OP, as others have already said, you do not have to be a genius to get through med school, but you do have to have much diligence and be willing to start from the bottom and work your way up from scratch. Keep in mind that 1) almost no one who is putting in the time and effort to learn the material fails out of med school, and 2) if you do find yourself in danger of failing, your med school will make a considerable effort to help you get through. They have too much invested in you graduating to not do what they can to help make that happen. Just take things one day, one test, one subject at a time. Most importantly, don't be afraid of asking for help when you find yourself in danger of drowning. I mean that both academically and spiritually. Best of luck to you. 🙂

 

[Excelsius]

Me IQ of 100, ...

NJ, you have to show some serious evidence to back that up. I probably wouldn't believe it even if I see it! Well, maybe I will.

Einstein, Edison, and many other scientists have always mentioned how imagination and perspiration are much more important than intelligence. And if we're talking about physics here, imagine how much easier it is in medicine.

And oh yeah, your IQ is NOT static. Even if you have a 100 now, it won't be 100 by the time you're through your studies.

Good luck. Actually I shouldn't say that. Good perspiration. (Be sure to use aluminum free deodorants to enjoy your degree as long as possible).

 

[Tekar]

And oh yeah, your IQ is NOT static. Even if you have a 100 now, it won't be 100 by the time you're through your studies.

This statement is actually completely false. Intelligence as a measure of capacity is not supposed to change in the standardized, normed sense of the word. It is to say that a child with an intelligence measured on a WISC-II measured at a 70 is two standard deviations below the mean and is diagnoseable as mildly mentally ******ed. They will not improve their intelligence with age and suddenly move out of the two standard deviations range. If intelligence does change as measured on a standardized test, then the validity, repeatability, and reliability of the assessment is seriously in question. This does not mean they will not learn, but knowledge is not a measure of intelligence, it's a measure of how much was learned.

 

[Excelsius]

This statement is actually completely false. Intelligence as a measure of capacity is not supposed to change in the standardized, normed sense of the word. It is to say that a child with an intelligence measured on a WISC-II measured at a 70 is two standard deviations below the mean and is diagnoseable as mildly mentally ******ed. They will not improve their intelligence with age and suddenly move out of the two standard deviations range. If intelligence does change as measured on a standardized test, then the validity, repeatability, and reliability of the assessment is seriously in question. This does not mean they will not learn, but knowledge is not a measure of intelligence, it's a measure of how much was learned.

Thanks for your assessment. Now go and read something about the IQ test. Or even better - take one and see whether your "knowledge" cannot affect the outcome. I did not say anything about standard deviations or about the mentally "******ed." Whether you believe it or not, the change in IQ - increase or decrease - is a documented fact.

Also, reconsider your last sentence. A tip: simply look here and you might grasp the error.

 

[Tekar]

Thanks for your assessment. Now go and read something about the IQ test. Or even better - take one and see whether your "knowledge" cannot affect the outcome. I did not say anything about standard deviations or about the mentally "******ed." Whether you believe it or not, the change in IQ - increase or decrease - is a documented fact.

Also, reconsider your last sentence. A tip: simply look here and you might grasp the error.

So much boldness in your response. Was that for added effect? Or is it you trying to yell your point. Care to cite your documented fact? Also, which IQ test are you speaking of, since you are saying "the" test as though there is only one. The one on the internet doesn't count. I've had a bit of professional experience with the IQ tests used in educational settings.

 

[Excelsius]

So much boldness in your response. Was that for added effect? Or is it you trying to yell your point. Care to cite your documented fact? Also, which IQ test are you speaking of, since you are saying "the" test as though there is only one. The one on the internet doesn't count. I've had a bit of professional experience with the IQ tests used in educational settings.

Re: Boldness

Bold - a.upon reading an article, it provides a speed bump, whereupon an astute reader will stop for split second, ponder the written word, and only then continue. b. I am bold.

If you have professional experience, you probably don't even need to use Google. I am pretty sure (or not) that you know at least about the more famous experiment in England where IQ tests were administered in the early 1900s when the subjects were children, and then again in the last few decades. And I assure you, there was no internet in the early 1900s.

Anyway, good luck with whatever you uncover yourself.

 

[Rickybobby]

I absolutely love seeing percentages and standard deviations without data. It makes me giddy...

RB

 

[icalz]

I was wondering if there is anyone feeling a little doubful as I have been feeling latelly. Not sure if its age related or its hormonal (had a baby not too long ago) but latelly I have been really questioning my abilities to actually get thru medical school. Not so much the last 2 years but the first. I'm very hands-on and don't mind working hard.
I've been out of the school scene for a little while (had a couple of kids) and just hoping I'm able to retain/regurgitate all that info in such short time. Even though the director of admin. at my medical state school told me I have a very competitive application a few years back, I now feel as if that confidence is not as 100% as it was then.
I took a few graduate classes and although the exams and professors couldn't be any more demanding with content and amount of material, I did exceptionally well in all classes (4.0),even a few great LOR (from well know prof. in the medical community)...I know the material is not difficult but is volumous... Just can't help but to wonder if I can really still do it. I'm not a genious but I am a really passionate and very hard working person, that has been more than enought to get me where I am today... but is it enough?

How about you? has anyone felt this way and was able to prove otherwise?

How did you find out you would be successful in med school, and are you doing well now?

Sorry for the long post, and thanks in advance.

E.

Always remember this: that self-doubt will always be with you in the back of your mind. Of all the things I've heard, it stays with you all through med school, all through residency, and even in your first couple of years as a doctor. The sense that you're a fraud pretending to be someone you're not, or smarter than you really are, or even that you somehow fooled the admissions committee and don't really belong in a med school is a very, very common thought process.

Whatever you do, don't let it stop you...use it, cultivate it, and let it drive you. For me, I always do better on an exam when I underestimate myself...I try harder and am more focused.

I've had over a dozen pre-med friends completely drop their attempts at med school because they didn't feel they were capable of it, and while some of them may have been correct, for the most part many of them were more capable than myself! Self-doubt is a killer.

 

[Ebete]

Always remember this: that self-doubt will always be with you in the back of your mind. Of all the things I've heard, it stays with you all through med school, all through residency, and even in your first couple of years as a doctor. The sense that you're a fraud pretending to be someone you're not, or smarter than you really are, or even that you somehow fooled the admissions committee and don't really belong in a med school is a very, very common thought process.
Whatever you do, don't let it stop you...use it, cultivate it, and let it drive you. For me, I always do better on an exam when I underestimate myself...I try harder and am more focused.

I've had over a dozen pre-med friends completely drop their attempts at med school because they didn't feel they were capable of it, and while some of them may have been correct, for the most part many of them were more capable than myself! Self-doubt is a killer.

Really! wow, I guess in a way that makes sence, I see myself doing just that throughout the years I've actually have already done that to myself come thinking of it! I absolutelly underestimate myself sometimes, I think it keeps me grounded and more alert to anything that is thrown at me weather its on an exam or just living life. I want to thinkk I know something well enough to be able to spell it backwards and so it also pushes me to keep on trying even harder for the next curve ball.

Hi Q, and thanks for your response, I have been following you for so long now, you are truly an inspiration to all, I am so happy how well you are doing. I also don't think I'll be having problems memorizing, we do what we have to, especially under pressure (when I work my best) but it can be a little scarry considering the amount of info. Maybe I should ask my mom for her "improove your memory " DS game.
I actually have another question about the amount one has to read and if you think you need to be a speed reader. I personally love to read and if it contains material that will enhance my knowledge about anything even better. but how fast do you think a medical student should be able to read? Maybe I should post that!
Thanks... and enjoy😍


Tekar: I know exacly what you are saying, we are looking to fund a small business (home baking) so that my husband can then take over and not have to worry about the loans. And sometimes I can't help but to wonder if its worth this much trouble just to put me thru school...but then as I walk into my girls rooms and kiss them goodnight, I know I need to do this not only for me but for them to show them that the sky is the limit and to be able to offer so many opportunities (not to mention paying for college times 4😱). I know that sacrifices need to be made, trust me I am not new to those, but I also know the rewards that come with those sacrifices are just too amazing!
My husband and 4 amazing little kids are also my strenght!

jinx520: Soul searching! yeah lots and lots of soul searching, we (non-trad) are such soul-searching peolple ! Even when I don't have time, which I don't I really do lots and lots of soul searching. I am a much better person today, than I ever was. And would probably not do well in med school 10 years ago. I guess my life has taught me imensely, even the really bad moments, and I had lots of those. Today, my life is full of life and wants and wishes for more especially more time), I know what I am here for...I am a mother already, now I need to fullfill the other half. I know I will be a great physician, I know how dedicated and capable I am...I just know. I look to become a better person, to make the person next to me a better person...one person at a time...positive energy=positive energy. Yes we all have our doubts and negative thoughts, but if it weren't for those we couldn't learn from our mistakes and be able to push ourselves to do more and better. So bad everynow and then just has to happen, so some good can also occur. OK I'm going waaayyyyy too deep here, sorry I guess I thoughr I was having a meditation moment on line. Anyway thank you all for the positive responses...keep them coming ,because I'm sure there is always someone else having their doubts that could use a little pick me upper!

Thanks again, E

 

[QofQuimica]

I actually have another question about the amount one has to read and if you think you need to be a speed reader. I personally love to read and if it contains material that will enhance my knowledge about anything even better. but how fast do you think a medical student should be able to read?

In med school, reading smart is more important than reading fast. In other words, you need to adapt your study habits to succeed in the academic system at your school. The best advice I can give you is to find an upperclassman who can give you info about what the best resources are for your classes or blocks. When I was applying, I was introduced to a girl at my school who also was PhD-to-MD. She was a second year at the time and a third year when I started as a first year, and she helped me tremendously with what books to buy (very few in many cases), other study aids to use, websites that are helpful, etc. You can find someone on your own like I did, or your school may have a formal buddy system where you are paired with an upperclassman who can guide you.

The other caution I would make is that the focus in med school is very different from grad school or college. You often won't have the luxury of learning for the sheer enjoyment of it. Don't get caught in the trap of reading for fun at the expense of learning what will be on your next test. I'm not saying that you shouldn't do any learning for the sake of learning. Just understand that what you want to learn may be different than what the school wants you to learn, to the point that you may be spending your spare time reading what you want to learn about.

 

[ArkansasRanger]

In med school, reading smart is more important than reading fast. In other words, you need to adapt your study habits to succeed in the academic system at your school. The best advice I can give you is to find an upperclassman who can give you info about what the best resources are for your classes or blocks. When I was applying, I was introduced to a girl at my school who also was PhD-to-MD. She was a second year at the time and a third year when I started as a first year, and she helped me tremendously with what books to buy (very few in many cases), other study aids to use, websites that are helpful, etc. You can find someone on your own like I did, or your school may have a formal buddy system where you are paired with an upperclassman who can guide you.

The other caution I would make is that the focus in med school is very different from grad school or college. You often won't have the luxury of learning for the sheer enjoyment of it. Don't get caught in the trap of reading for fun at the expense of learning what will be on your next test. I'm not saying that you shouldn't do any learning for the sake of learning. Just understand that what you want to learn may be different than what the school wants you to learn, to the point that you may be spending your spare time reading what you want to learn about.

I often see people asking for supplements to the books used in their medical classes which makes me wonder if the books prescribed aren't adequate.

 

[QofQuimica]

I often see people asking for supplements to the books used in their medical classes which makes me wonder if the books prescribed aren't adequate.

This will be highly school-specific. Again, the best advice I can give you folks is to get the input of upperclassmen at your school. There is so much material covered in medical school that efficiency is paramount if you want to pass your exams/classes/organ blocks.

 

[Crelal]

Crelal: when I read your post about what your little one said, I was all "AWWWW!" and teared up a little. How sweet! Makes it all worth it, huh?

So true, so true. I have been having lots of those moments lately- kids are doing great, we have not been sick for about 1 whole day (first year of daycare, need I say more? 😉), and my oldest is learning to read.

I feel as if I have the best of both worlds, a supportive family who gives me balance, and a challenging career I am working towards slowly but surely. I truly think I am a very lucky woman!

Ebete- as hard as the reading, it is totally school and person specific. I skim all readings the night b/f lecture and then type up our objectives/main points after lecture. That is what works for me. Some of my classmates do not attend lecture, watch it later and create flashcards. Some, like me, are at school a good chunk of everyday, including at least one weekend day. Others, I haven't seen since our last exam. Only you can figure out what works best, and what works in undergrad may or may not work in med school.

Good night all- off to bed, as I have to work early tomorrow! 🙂

 

[FrkyBgStok]

to the original poster, i understand exactly how you feel. i am a father of 3. I went to a community college for an associate degree in automotive science. i worked at a car dealership prior to this and i got all As for the degree and barely opened a book. I went to a university thinking i must be a super genius because I got As and never studied. I got mostly Cs. So I questioned what I wanted to do and focused on working.

Looking back I know that it wasn't because I couldn't do it, it was because I didn't do it. But the fear always creeps back every once in awhile. What if I fail again? What if I can't handle med school? Right now I drive a semi, so the support for higher education from coworkers isn't there. It is easy to sit back and say I make decent money and I don't have to worry about school or studying, but it isn't what I want. I have to go for it. But that fear will probably always be there. Just gotta keep pushing forward.

I wish you the best in your studies. We can do it.