Biochemistry desperation:

[woktheline]

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Hi y'all,

So I am repeatedly stymied by my undergraduate biochem class despite honestly adopting new techniques and using the most evidence-based approaches. It feels like I have done everything I can to succeed but my exam performance is poor at best (but still above the crude averages shown on our course site). I can confidently say I have great habits around studying as evidenced in my success in grad school courses while also working FT. Don't want to brag at all, just want to get all the usual first line advice out of the way such as don't keep your phone nearby, use spaced repetition and practice testing etc., which I have all already optimized.

I see tons of posts on r/premed on how I should just "memorize all the pathways" or "watch ninja nerd, AK lectures, etc." Tried all that. I can just never seem to log enough practice because we are given such a minuscule drip of questions via homework that are graded so late we don't know what to expect for the tests.

We get no feedback or answer key on the practice tests she posts. His/her exams are heavily problem based and memorizing does little to nothing.

I am a non-trad student, working FT and preparing for the MCAT in May so I have to be incredibly efficient with my focus and time. Feels like I am at the end of my rope and resigning to having to explain my only C or lower on my sGPA. I honestly found Orgo I and II far more clear in terms of what I could do to do better (and did).



Anyone been in a similar position and turned it around late?

 

[Goro]

Hi y'all,

So I am repeatedly stymied by my undergraduate biochem class despite honestly adopting new techniques and using the most evidence-based approaches. It feels like I have done everything I can to succeed but my exam performance is poor at best (but still above the crude averages shown on our course site). I can confidently say I have great habits around studying as evidenced in my success in grad school courses while also working FT. Don't want to brag at all, just want to get all the usual first line advice out of the way such as don't keep your phone nearby, use spaced repetition and practice testing etc., which I have all already optimized.

I see tons of posts on r/premed on how I should just "memorize all the pathways" or "watch ninja nerd, AK lectures, etc." Tried all that. I can just never seem to log enough practice because we are given such a minuscule drip of questions via homework that are graded so late we don't know what to expect for the tests.

We get no feedback or answer key on the practice tests she posts. His/her exams are heavily problem based and memorizing does little to nothing.

I am a non-trad student, working FT and preparing for the MCAT in May so I have to be incredibly efficient with my focus and time. Feels like I am at the end of my rope and resigning to having to explain my only C or lower on my sGPA. I honestly found Orgo I and II far more clear in terms of what I could do to do better (and did).



Anyone been in a similar position and turned it around late?

Have you tried asking other Biohem faculty at your university/college?

 

[TragicalDrFaust]

Majored in biochem. Got something like a 96 in biochem 1 then failed biochem 2. Retook biochem 2 for a C. Am currently OMS-2 at a middle of the road DO school.

This alone won’t ruin your chances of medical school but it may change your trajectory a bit.

My unsolicited advice is not to rush. I admittedly know very little about your situation so of course take w a grain of salt, but consider taking the MCAT next year, if it gives you more time now to fix your biochem grade and later to ace the MCAT. It’s not an easy pill to swallow but if either biochem or MCAT prep gets in the way of the other, your cycle will have a much lower chance of being successful and you could even end up having to redo both (ask me how I know this lol) which would put you back another cycle. ie tactically delay take off or risk a crash landing.