Best way to keep a log of your activities?

[mjg713]

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I was wondering how or what kind of program everyone is using to keep track of their shadowing hours, ECs, and everything else. I am shadowing at three different offices so I would like to know the most efficient way to keep everything organized. Thanks

 

[jeffity]

I was wondering how or what kind of program everyone is using to keep track of their shadowing hours, ECs, and everything else. I am shadowing at three different offices so I would like to know the most efficient way to keep everything organized. Thanks

Plain old Excel.

 

[CedarZ4]

I just made a note in my dumb-phone (back when smartphones were only for business).

Then, that phone broke and I lost all my hours.

Yeah... Excel is best.

 

[TXistheReason]

Yeah I just made a couple of excel spreadsheets, one for dental/shadowing hours and one for volunteering/service hours. Just be sure to add in each activity right after you do it so you have a thorough and complete log. It makes filling out your applications alot easier.

 

[mjg713]

Do you need to have specific dates and hours or is it okay just to put the total amount of shadowing hours at a particular practice?

 

[jackalo34]

Do you need to have specific dates and hours or is it okay just to put the total amount of shadowing hours at a particular practice?

I would stay a start and end date are sufficient.

 

[wired202808]

Do you need to have specific dates and hours or is it okay just to put the total amount of shadowing hours at a particular practice?

job title
organization
start date, end date
total # of hours
supervisor name
supervisor phone number

that should be enough for any sort of medical application.

 

[TXistheReason]

Yeah they don't ask you for each specific date that you did things, just the range of dates (i.e. shadowed an orthodontist from January 2010 to June 2010 for a total of 32 hours).

 

[flyingforever]

Get a planner from Dollar store and start writing your activities and shadowing hours 😀

 

[seattlesun]

I keep a little journal. Numbers are important as you will be able to refer to them when you are filling up your AADSAS application, but keeping track of what new thing you did that day, what you learned, what memorable event or mind blowing revelation you had may help you when essay time comes around, or may prepare you for what mighty question: Why dentistry?

 

[balsam88]

Do you really need to indicate the exact number of hours? I did science and math tutoring at my college but don't know how many hours was that!

 

[CedarZ4]

You do not. Just estimate # of hours per week, then multiply the number of weeks.

Besides, even if you DID have the exact number, and say it was 58, I'd probably round it to 60 anyway.

I don't think you will be grilled for under/over representing 10 hours or so on an activity.

 

[mjg713]

How important is work experience unrelated to Dentistry? I have worked part-time all throughout undergrad and it definitely affects my study time. However, it is unrelated to Dentistry. Does this help me at all?

 

[CedarZ4]

How important is work experience unrelated to Dentistry? I have worked part-time all throughout undergrad and it definitely affects my study time. However, it is unrelated to Dentistry. Does this help me at all?

Yes. Definitely put it down. Any experience is experience, and is one up from the others who don't have that.
Also shows that you can juggle school, work, and get into DATs at the same time. Shows you aren't a bookworm, too.

 

[2th Doc]

I used AK Notepad on my android phone. It is fantastic for keeping track of things. Plus, you can export it into a text file really easily, or share it via e-mail, and bam, you've got everything right there. I always have my phone, as most of us do. I don't always have my planner.