Best way to study before prep course?

[premedgrl1]

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-Starting TPR course in early August. Plan to take MCAT at end of October.
-Plan is to review all content prior to starting course- gives me about 6 weeks to do this.
-Started with TPR Chem book last week - about halfway through so far - been reading each chapter while taking notes, doing textbook problems, and reviewing material daily.

I was pre-med in undergrad, but I need a heavy content review b/c it's been a few years since I've taken those courses - which is why I am starting my review now.

Any good study strategies one might suggest that would be helpful during my content review before the prep course starts? (So far I've been using flashcards, audio osmosis, Chad's videos, and re-reading notes.) I know MCAT prep should be heavily focused on practice exams and learning the strategies to answer questions, but I know boosting my confidence in the material is essential before doing all the prior in the prep course.

Also, should I start practicing verbal? Or wait to learn TPR strategies?

Any suggestions or success stories would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[lmn]

I'm not going to say you shouldn't prestudy, but you should be very wary of starting studying too early and potential burn out. I took a TPR class and didn't pre-study but reviewed and did practice problems/tests for like 4 weeks after the course ended, and I was getting really burnt out towards the end of it. Most of the people in my class also experienced burn out, quite a few even towards just the end of the course itself. One of the last things you want is to study so hard now that you aren't interested or able to pay good attention when you get to the class (since they will be recovering a lot of the material), or to burn out early and struggle with your studying right when it counts. You can decide on what level you want to prestudy, but just be aware and cautious of what you can sustain for 4.5 months.

 

[premedgrl1]

Also, does anyone feel an MCAT tutor is

I'm not going to say you shouldn't prestudy, but you should be very wary of starting studying too early and potential burn out. I took a TPR class and didn't pre-study but reviewed and did practice problems/tests for like 4 weeks after the course ended, and I was getting really burnt out towards the end of it. Most of the people in my class also experienced burn out, quite a few even towards just the end of the course itself. One of the last things you want is to study so hard now that you aren't interested or able to pay good attention when you get to the class (since they will be recovering a lot of the material), or to burn out early and struggle with your studying right when it counts. You can decide on what level you want to prestudy, but just be aware and cautious of what you can sustain for 4.5 months.

well, I should probably also mention that I will be working full-time soon, but considering working part-time until I take the mcat. And, if accepted, I'll be starting a smp in September. So I'm just trying to balance each of these equally important endeavors. Either way, you make a valid point. Thank you.