Can we get a 3.5+ BCPM thread?

[cyclone92]

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MCAT has the 30+study habits thread so why not make the same type of thread over here...

1) Undergrad Major

2) BCPM GPA

3) Grades in:
Gen Chem I
Gen Chem II
Calc I
Calc II
Organic I
Organic II
Physics I
Physics II
Bio I
Bio II

3) Study methods for classes you did well in and methods for classes you didn't do well in (tell us why your strategy worked or did not work)

4) Any supplemental materials (online or otherwise) you used to do well in your classes

5) Advice for specific subjects

6) General Advice for those who are struggling in their pre-req courses

Let me know if there's anything that needs to be added

Also, preferably people that have taken the majority of these courses will respond.

Thanks

 

[StudyShy]

1) Undergrad Major: Nursing 🙄

2) BCPM GPA: 3.995 (damn you A+P that I had ten years ago and never went to class! You haunt me now dead cat!)

3) Grades in:
Gen Chem I: A
Gen Chem II: 3 weeks left probably A
Calc I: A
Calc II: probably won't take
Statistics: A
Organic I:
Organic II:
Physics I: A
Physics II: 3 weeks left A or B we'll see how I do on final exam
Bio I: A
Bio II: 3 weeks left probably A

3) Study methods for classes you did well in and methods for classes you didn't do well in (tell us why your strategy worked or did not work)

I rewrite my notes, tutor others (see one, do one, teach one), do all the HW problems, go through additional textbooks, do online exams (retired exams from professors at different universities), ask questions in class, attend a small college where class sizes are small (my chem II class has 7 students; biology class~15 students; physics~11 students).

4) Any supplemental materials (online or otherwise) you used to do well in your classes:

Cramster (homework is to our benefit and is not for points; if I become "stuck" on a problem, I will look up how to do it instead of wasting time to figure out). I like watching Khan Academy videos and Berkley's Lecture videos

6) General Advice for those who are struggling in their pre-req courses:

Go to class! Don't expect me to take notes for you! 😉 Form study groups. Learn to love the subject. Find a reason to love math, physics, biology, and chemistry. Mnemonics work tremendously for me, but they don't for all people.

 

[Lil Mick]

1) Psych, Biochem, Phil concentrations (equivalent of major in my honors program)

2) 3.9-4.0

3) Grades in:
Gen Chem I A (A lab)
Gen Chem II A (A- lab)
Calc I A
Calc II A
Organic I A (A- lab)
Organic II A (A- lab)
Physics I A
Physics II A
Bio I A- (A in both upper division labs)
Bio II B
1 B, rest of classes A in upper division chem, math, and bio courses

3) I needed to learn to show up for classes, do homework, and make it to exams my freshman year (bad truancy habits from high school). Learning that studying means something more than showing up really helped. I'd say flashcards are also good (started using them in med school).

4) I actually read quite a few bio/math/physics journals and enjoyed attending talks for the biology department. Learning how to think in each discipline was very helpful in narrowing down what material would be most important to know.

5) Flashcards are helpful in memorizing things quickly. I also would recommend doing problems (either during class or from the book) in more quantitative classes (more my style of learning than memorization, though). Reading through notes before exams were very important in my biology courses.

6) Don't give up. I've TAed and taught a few courses, and teachers like it when struggling students come to them for help. If you're doing poorly, we're expecting you to come to our office for help. We may even keep cookies in our office to share with students who come in for tutoring...

 

[cyclone92]

Awesome advice guys. I really appreciate the feedback.

 

[Narmerguy]

Is this thread really happening?

 

[hmockingbird]

1) Undergrad Major: English

2) BCPM GPA: 3.8 (I think)

3) Grades in:
Gen Chem I: A
Gen Chem II: B+
Calc I: AP credit
Calc II: n/a
Organic I: B+
Organic II: B+
Physics I: A
Physics II: taking now, probably getting an A if I do well on the last test/final
Bio I: A
Bio II: A

3) Study methods for classes you did well in and methods for classes you didn't do well in (tell us why your strategy worked or did not work)

Physics and orgo, gen chem to some extent: practice problems. For physics we get a set of practice problems (~30/ch) that could be on the test so I just do all of those.
Bio/gen chem: read notes
Orgo: flash cards

4) Any supplemental materials (online or otherwise) you used to do well in your classes
I used some review books for Orgo, one was I think "Pushing Electrons" but I don't remember the others. My roommate and I split them and PE was the one I bought.
Edit... Physics: physicsforums website. Google and Yahoo Answers are your best friend for online homework. I would be willing to be 75% of them are out there and most of the time people take the time to actually explain how they are solving it.

5) Advice for specific subjects
I didn't do enough or the right practice problems for Orgo. I eventually figured out that I should have been trying the harder problems because they made me think about the reactions in a new context. (I would do the easy ones and think I got it.)

6) General Advice for those who are struggling in their pre-req courses
Talk to the TA/prof - often I won't get something but the lab TA has a different way of explaining it than the professor and that helps. Physics here has office hours with ALL the intro professors/TAs so I take advantage of that. Read over your notes after class; it makes it easier to study when the test comes around. Keep up on practice problems and don't forget to do the harder ones. Usually in my experience, if you can figure those out the ones on the test will be if not easier, at least using that same critical thinking skill set.

 

[cyclone92]

Is this thread really happening?

ummm...I hope so...?

 

[Narmerguy]

ummm...I hope so...?

Really?

 

[StudyShy]

Really?

Really, really?

 

[cyclone92]

Really?

I mean I have already found it helpful man. Why not?

 

[StudyShy]

I mean I have already found it helpful man. Why not?

Yeah, the MCAT has one. Getting >3.5 in science can be difficult.

 

[DAPI]

1) Biology w/ Chem & Math Minors

2) BCPM GPA: 3.83

3) Grades in: (all BCP classes have labs integrated)
Gen Chem I :B+
Gen Chem II : A
Calc I : B+
Calc II : A
Organic I : A-
Organic II : A
Physics I : A
Physics II : A
Bio I : B
Bio II : A-

All A's in subsequent upper div bio classes

Note: As you can see, freshman year, first semester was a little rough, but I figured it out after that.

3) Study methods for classes you did well in and methods for classes you didn't do well in (tell us why your strategy worked or did not work)

What works:
- I go to class, listen, and take minimal notes (profs do not provide slides or notes or anything at my college)
- I do the required homework only (math, physics & genetics homework is a must required or not IMO)
- I do old practice exams if the professors provides them
- I study about 2 nights worth before the exam
- Trying to predict what will be on the exam and learn that stuff inside out (based on what the prof emphasized in class)
- If allowed by professor (and ONLY if you actually check with them), purchase the solution manual (given its not super expensive) and check your answers if the prof is not actually grading them. That way you can see if you were right or wrong and see where you went wrong. If you still do not understand, take it to the professor and ask for help.

What did not work:
- Trying to take extensive notes in class (I learned nothing that way cause I was just trying to write everything down)
- Reading the book - it took a lot of time and I saw no difference when reading vs not reading (By reading, I mean sentence by sentence before or after lecture, but I do reference it when making notes to study)

4) Any supplemental materials (online or otherwise) you used to do well in your classes
- None

5) Advice for specific subjects
O-Chem
- Make two sets of "reaction sheets", one set that has every reaction you have ever learned (not SN1, SN2, E1, or E2 cause that's unlimited) without the mechanisms and arrange them by functional group you are either synthesizing and/or reacting (some people make 2 sets, one of each). The second set should have those same reactions w/ the mechanism. These are just general reactions w/o specific reactants. Make notes on the side how different conditions effect the reaction or how a "large base" vs a "small base" will change the reaction or w/e notes your think are important like solvent polarity or w/e. Also write down the name of the rxn and what chapter/page number its on.

All Math Classes
- Again, write out specific steps for doing special types of derivatives or integrals and keep them organized by chapter in your binder. Examples are super helpful too under those formulas, but can take up a lot of time/space

Physics I & II
- Write down every formula you learn and makes notes of when its used and whatnot - basic notes on the side again.

Bio I & II
- Just a lot of memorization. Not sure how to help as I obviously did not do a stelar job

Upper Div Bio
- Write out notes about key concepts out of the book basically summarizing those key concepts - here is where predicting whats going to be on the test comes into play as you do not want to rewriting the entire book.

6) General Advice for those who are struggling in their pre-req courses
- Try to avoid as many "time sink" classes as possible like philosophy or religions class cause you have to read for those class and they take a large amount of time every night. If you have a science heavy course w/o time sink classes they are much easier to manage. Yes, I realize they make you more rounded and you have to take them sometimes, but if your sGPA is slipping, it may be worth putting them off to do better in your science classes.
- Go to class, go to office hours, see what other students in your class are doing to keep up, and most importantly ask older students what professor to take the class from because professors often make or break a class.

Good luck

 

[Narmerguy]

I mean I have already found it helpful man. Why not?

The MCAT is absurdly different than BCPM. The MCAT is a standardized exam that is given by the same people every time. College courses are very inconsistent. Different textbooks, different professors, different testing styles, different grading schemes.

I'm willing to bet near the majority of SDN users have 3.5+ BCPM. Half the threads are complaining about getting their first B in a class. The last thing I'm interested in is watching a flood of users come in and brag about their grades and how they managed to achieve such lofty accomplishments.

I can see how getting study advice may be helpful, but how is this any different than all the other study help threads out there? Watching everyone list out their grades in every single class plus their BCPM is pretty obnoxious.

 

[cyclone92]

I realize the two are different, but these courses cover almost exactly the same material. I don't think it is safe to assume that nearly all users have over a 3.5 BCPM, but if those who do are willing to reveal what they did to help those in need, then is it not following the mantra of this site? To help those in need achieve their goals and become medical professionals.

I don't see how it is obnoxious in any way. If someone has worked hard for what they have, then who cares if they state they got straight a's on a thread like this? I agree it has no place on other kinds of threads where no academic advice is being given, but here it is absolutely relevant.

I'm not trying to be pretentious in anyway, I just want to do better in my classes so I apologize if you don't agree with what this thread is about.

 

[iniquus]

The MCAT is absurdly different than BCPM. The MCAT is a standardized exam that is given by the same people every time. College courses are very inconsistent. Different textbooks, different professors, different testing styles, different grading schemes.

I'm willing to bet near the majority of SDN users have 3.5+ BCPM. Half the threads are complaining about getting their first B in a class. The last thing I'm interested in is watching a flood of users come in and brag about their grades and how they managed to achieve such lofty accomplishments.

I can see how getting study advice may be helpful, but how is this any different than all the other study help threads out there? Watching everyone list out their grades in every single class plus their BCPM is pretty obnoxious.

Beat me to it.

No one's going to read an SDN post and have a study ephiphany. Studying is a complex process and just like classes are different, people are different. Some like to rewrite their notes after class, some choose not to write notes at all and just listen. Some don't even go to class and learn from the book-- it's completely class/institution dependent.

It's a useful skill to be able to stand back, examine what you're doing wrong, and fix it. Being self-critical is more valuable than following a study scheme/advice that works for someone else. If you can't pinpoint the reason for poor performance in a class, you will have problems on the interview trail at some schools. You will also have problems in medical school because most people revise their studying techniques, and you have to really figure out what's most effective for you.

 

[orthomyxo]

The MCAT is absurdly different than BCPM. The MCAT is a standardized exam that is given by the same people every time. College courses are very inconsistent. Different textbooks, different professors, different testing styles, different grading schemes.

I'm willing to bet near the majority of SDN users have 3.5+ BCPM. Half the threads are complaining about getting their first B in a class. The last thing I'm interested in is watching a flood of users come in and brag about their grades and how they managed to achieve such lofty accomplishments.

I can see how getting study advice may be helpful, but how is this any different than all the other study help threads out there? Watching everyone list out their grades in every single class plus their BCPM is pretty obnoxious.

 

[Hoody]

Watching everyone list out their grades in every single class plus their BCPM is pretty obnoxious.

then stay out of this thread.

 

[Danlee07]

so people putting their MCAT scores isnt?

I've eventually molded my study ways from those that have found their way in the past...you learn by those that learned..just the way it goes. common denominator between both MCAT and classes? gotta learn...

i pretty do everything revolving around mnemonic lists + flashcards. I'll put just a couple words that I remember if it's long, or i'll just take a piece of paper and write a list on one part...fold it in 1/4 and just write the picture/definition/explanation/whatever on the other side. this is while class goes on, so when exam time rolls around, you already have your comprehensive review. just make sure you don't skimp out on ANYTHING.

i also found that predicting what your teacher's gonna put on the test is not really that great.. many times, they put what i thought was useless/minute detail/dumb on the test only for me to get stumped... so I just study everything. the only thing you should garner from talking with them/seeing their old tests is how they ask i.e. to what level of detail, to what broad sense, etc.

 

[cyclone92]

Thanks to those of you that think this is a worthwhile tthread. I definitely agree with DanLee, in that, learning from others who have found success is the best way to mold your study habits and then you can see what works for you and what doesn't.

 

[GooseWing]

1) Undergrad Major
Biochemistry

2) BCPM GPA
3.77

3) Grades in:
Gen Chem I A
Gen Chem II A
Calc I A-
Calc II B
Organic I A
Organic II 1 month til completion
Physics I A
Physics II 1 month til completion
Bio I A
Bio II A

4) Study methods for classes you did well in and methods for classes you didn't do well in (tell us why your strategy worked or did not work)
GChem - Go to class. Take clear, thorough notes. Reading the text is not necessary. Most importantly, do lots of practice problems.
Calc - Go to class. Take clear, thorough notes. All about repetition of problems. I wish I'd done more, clearly.
OChem - Go to class. Take clear, thorough notes. Read the text to nail down the concepts. Do lots and lots of practice problems. Buy your textbook's solutions manual!
Physics - Go to class. Take clear, thorough notes. Do tons of problems.

5) Any supplemental materials (online or otherwise) you used to do well in your classes
Definitely get the solutions manual for your OChem textbook. Lots of videos on youtube for help with any of these topics.

6) General Advice for those who are struggling in their pre-req courses
The key to success is hard work. Make it happen for yourself. You're capable of far more than you first expect.

 

[music2doc]

Not quite sure how I feel about this thread, but why not.... If I can do well in my classes, so can you. It's all about learning to learn!

1) Undergrad Major

Psych

2) BCPM GPA

3.84

(3.82 cGPA)

3) Grades in:
Gen Chem I A
Gen Chem II A+
Calc I B- (taken in HS and I screwed around)
Calc II N/A
Organic I A+
Organic II A
Physics I A+
Physics II A+
Bio I A+
Bio II A+
Biochem A+ (in progress w/ a ridiculously high grade)
Adv Physio A
Cell Bio A
Neurophys A


3) Study methods for classes you did well in and methods for classes you didn't do well in (tell us why your strategy worked or did not work)

Pretty much just went to class and did all the assignments and exams. Did a few problems the week before each test. Made sure to go to instructor review sessions and office hrs if/when they were available/needed. Also spent time tutoring other students and worked as a lab instructor and tutor.

4) Any supplemental materials (online or otherwise) you used to do well in your classes

Nope.

5) Advice for specific subjects

Learn concepts. Don't memorize. Have fun. If you're not enjoying a class, you're not going to do well. Engage the material. Engage the professor. Engage the other students.

6) General Advice for those who are struggling in their pre-req courses

Stop memorizing. Get to know the concepts behind the material. I had a student come in for tutoring the other day struggling w/ the relationship between electron relaxation and photon emission. He couldn't match lab results (spectroscopy lab -- color bands) to the relevant N levels of an H atom. He was so lost in plug-n-chug, it was ridiculous. I made him put down his book and calculator and think about energy. We worked our way backwards to how frequency relates to energy by thinking about sound. (High pitched sounds of a given amplitude hurt more, right?) Then we thought about wavelengths of sound (and their relationship to frequency) and crossed that intuitive approach over to light. Now he understands why high frequency light is also more energetic (as well as why he needs to wear sunscreen this summer). From there, it was just a matter of looking at his lab manual and results to identify which N values fit which results. There was suddenly no need to do long calculations because the whole exercise was conceptual!

One thing I'd suggest is teaching/tutoring others. This will force you to understand things intuitively. You can't plug-n-chug when someone else brings you their work and asks you if it's right! (Well... you could, but you'd be there all day doing their homework!) Instead, you've got to have an intuitive feel for what the right answer ought to look like. As you do this, you'll learn to check yourself as well.

 

[sc4s2cg]

1) Undergrad Major: Nursing for the past 3.5 years, switched to Exercise Science + considering Psych

2) BCPM GPA: 3.49 (I hope that .01 is ok!)

3) Grades in:
Gen Chem I - A
Gen Chem II - A
Calc I - A-
Calc II - Never took it
Organic I - B
Organic II - A-
Physics I - A-
Physics II - Taking it now, 50-50 that it's going to be an A-
Bio I - A? My Nursing major required bio, but it was "Structure and Function"
Bio II - A-? Same as above, except I'm using Human Physiology for this one

3) Study methods for classes you did well in and methods for classes you didn't do well in (tell us why your strategy worked or did not work)

Gen Chem, Ochem I just used what the professors gave us. Gen Chem was a breeze. Ochem I had a fantastic professor who posted *all* her previous years exams and solutions.

Calc I, I read and read the book. Tutoring was a lifesaver. I think I also used some online stuff, to remind myself of trig functions, look up homeworks, and so on.

Physics I...what a pain, had a horrendous professor that everyone is still talking about. Went to tutoring every week (free at our uni). The last three exams I started looking over the old exams the proff made public, and that's when I went from a D to an A.

Bio I + II, as I mentioned these weren't your standard bio-major bio classes. But I read the book cover to cover, rewrote and redrew diagrams, taught my friends the material, and made beautiful artwork of concepts I didn't understand. For bio I (prenursing, we had to take sophomore level bio during freshman year) I had to retake it. First time around I was a freshman and didn't take it seriously. Second time I did the above and I went to the professor's office hours every week, especially before exams.

For all my classes I emailed my professors anytime I had a conceptual question that I thought could be explained via email. Office hours are golden, professors are just itching to help you learn the material. Especially if they see you actually *want* to learn it (remember, this is stuff on the MCAT and in med school!)

4) Any supplemental materials (online or otherwise) you used to do well in your classes

KhanAcademy, YouTube, Cramster, Yahoo Answers (don't laugh, some people actually answer the questions), lots and lots of tutoring at the library for physics, Google.

5) Advice for specific subjects

Don't blow off Ochem, it really comes to bite you in the butt if you just cram for it. Turns out all that ochem stuff is really useful in physics II and cell bio.

6) General Advice for those who are struggling in their pre-req courses

Don't give up! Go see your professor, they are wonderful human beings with PhD's (usually) in their subjects. As long as they see that you're there to learn, not to shed crocodile tears to have your grade go from B+ to A-, they are very willing to help. Email them, go to their office hours. I even had a (Nursing) professor give me her cell number to call her anytime "before 11pm, that's when my grandbaby and I go dreamdream". And check out your university tutoring services, those people are super smart. My physics tutor is a physics major, he is a genius who is going to a well known uni to research. They may not explain as well as a professor would, but if you persist with questions the answer will come.

 

[Cinclus]

1) Undergrad Major: Biological Sciences (focus: Molecular Biology)

2) BCPM GPA: 4.0

3) Grades in:
Gen Chem I: A
Gen Chem II: A
Calc I: A
Calc II: Didn't take it.
Organic I: A
Organic II: A
Physics I: A
Physics II: A
Bio I: AP (5 on exam)
Bio II: AP (5 on exam)

3) Study methods for classes you did well in and methods for classes you didn't do well in (tell us why your strategy worked or did not work)

Read the info before going to class, and then go over stuff until you cannot stand to look at it anymore. I found that reading over notes or textbook chapters a total of 3 times tended to do the trick. For math/physics, just do tons of problems until the most difficult types of problems fail to thwart you. If you're having trouble understanding a particular topic, NEVER procrastinate when it comes to figuring it out. Go get help right away if you can't get it on your own.
If there are study/tutor sessions held by TA's, supplemental instructors, etc., attend these if you are having a hard time with the class.

4) Any supplemental materials (online or otherwise) you used to do well in your classes:

I would go to the math lab and pick the grad student TAs' brains. I knew I needed a lot of math help, and I made sure I got it.

Also, Wikipedia can be awesome.

5) Advice for specific subjects: For math, physics, and gen. chem: work problems every day.

6) General Advice for those who are struggling in their pre-req courses:

If you want A's, the classes have to be your priority. You need to put study time before playtime...all the time.

 

[Richard Hammer]

1) Undergrad Major : Double in Mathematics & Physics

2) BCPM GPA: 4.0

3) Grades in:
Gen Chem I - A
Gen Chem II - A
Calc I - A
Calc II - A
Organic I - Not taken
Organic II - Not taken
Physics I - A
Physics II - A
Bio I - A
Bio II - Not taken

3) Study methods for classes you did well in and methods for classes you didn't do well in (tell us why your strategy worked or did not work): I like to do a daily review for each class to help really learn the knowledge then cram as well starting 48 hours before every test to really know the material. You'll forget most of what you crammed after the test, but what you learned in daily review will mostly stick with you. By studying both ways I rarely got less than a perfect score on a test.

4) Any supplemental materials (online or otherwise) you used to do well in your classes: Nuts & Bolts of Organic Chemistry is great. I feel like I'll be ready for the final by the time I start the class. It teaches you how to get through OChem without memorization. I love it.

5) Advice for specific subjects:
Physics: Take the labs seriously.
Chemistry: Don't worry too much about the labs.

6) General Advice for those who are struggling in their pre-req courses:
Do not get behind. Lectures are one of the least efficient methods of learning for most people. Study ahead and use the lectures for review and asking questions. Review a little bit each day, minimum of 20-30minutes for each class. Try to find applications for every class in your day to day life. Do not let yourself get so devoted to classes you don't have a life. College is about learning and having fun so relax sometimes.

 

[Tappinfool66]

1) Declared as Bio. Considering switching to Spanish.

2) ~3.9

3) Grades in:
Gen Chem I: A- (honors), A in lab
Gen Chem II: A, A in lab
Calc I: AP Credit
Calc II: A (A in Calc III also)
Organic I: A, B in lab >:[
Organic II: Over in about four weeks, probably A
Physics I: AP Credit, but I'll probably take it anyway
Physics II: ^Same
Bio I: A- (honors)
Bio II: A (honors)

3) Study methods for classes you did well in and methods for classes you didn't do well in (tell us why your strategy worked or did not work).

For classes I did well in, I did a lot of practice problems. And if it wasn't that type of class (i.e. Bio), then I would go to class and take notes (never sleep), read the chapters after and highlight important material, and then go back to the reading a day or two later and write down the material that I highlighted into a notebook. I've found that reading and then actually writing helps get it into your head.

For classes I didn't do well in, I don't think my study methods really made me do worse. I think I was just unprepared. I wasn't really taking the classes as seriously as I could have (Bio I, Gen Chem I, Orgo I Lab).

4) Any supplemental materials (online or otherwise) you used to do well in your classes.

Not really. I pretty much just used the book and glanced at the notes I took in class. I would definitely suggest talking to professors during office hours if there is something you don't get, though. They can help shed light on it by explaining it in a different way or giving you access to supplemental material if they have it.

5) Advice for specific subjects.

Orgo, Physics, Calc, Gen Chem: Do practice problems. Do plenty of practice problems. I feel like if you practice enough, you shouldn't really be surprised by anything on the exam (a generalization, but usually true).

Bio: I'd do what I stated above (take notes, read & highlight, rewrite highlighted notes, study).

6) General Advice for those who are struggling in their pre-req courses:

Keep your head up. No one said this was going to be easy, but if you're going to make the commitment to medicine, this is just one of the necessary steps you'll have to take. Also, if you aren't necessarily happy in your pre-req courses, maybe you should consider majoring in something outside of the sciences. I know that's helped a lot of people because you can take courses that you enjoy, and be generally happier, and then your science classes won't seem so unbearable.

And tell yourself you can do as well as you want to do. I'm not complaining, but my BCPM could definitely be higher if I had tried harder. Tell yourself that straight A's are definitely doable, and that all you have to do it put in enough work.