Dropping out FIRST WEEK of Medical School!!!!

[GonnaBeAnMD]

Well - the worst has come as far as my fate to become a physician. My class is full of gunners but that's okay. I just wanted to at least pass my classes. Well, I got my first anatomy exam results back - I got a friggun 55% and the class average is 76%. This seems like I AM WRONG. It's not the schools fault obviously but I did something wrong.

A lot of people had Anatomy before at a post-grad program. I still know I did something wrong to fail this exam.

Is it worth sticking around? I want to take the next exam (next week) and see how well I do but it's not looking good considering I need a 85% on the next exam to have a 70% average (not likely at all).

Give up the dream ?

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[Agent Splat]

I was feeling the same way this morning. I called my mom and talked for an hour and felt better. Just reevaulate your study habits and give it a little more time. The first few weeks are the hardest, I think. You'll get in the groove eventually.

You can do it!

 

[Psycho Doctor]

Well - the worst has come as far as my fate to become a physician. My class is full of gunners but that's okay. I just wanted to at least pass my classes. Well, I got my first anatomy exam results back - I got a friggun 55% and the class average is 76%. This seems like I AM WRONG. It's not the schools fault obviously but I did something wrong.

A lot of people had Anatomy before at a post-grad program. I still know I did something wrong to fail this exam.

Is it worth sticking around? I want to take the next exam (next week) and see how well I do but it's not looking good considering I need a 85% on the next exam to have a 70% average (not likely at all).

Give up the dream ?

No, don't give up your dream. Some people fail and first test and get the highest mark on the next one, others ace the first one and fail the next. It takes different people to establish a routine and good study habits. med school is very different from undergrad. Talk to your prof. Stick with it; you'll do ok, just work at it. All the best...

 

[DrMom]

Look over your exam to see if there are any patterns to the types of questions you missed. Meet with your professor, tutor, whatever you can.

The key is to adjust. Change how you study...what has worked well for you in the past may not be ideal now. Make those changes now. You're certainly not the first person to bomb the first exam of MS1. It isn't the end of the world as long as you pick yourself up and figure out how to make adjustments to do better.

 

[Arsenic]

Well - the worst has come as far as my fate to become a physician. My class is full of gunners but that's okay. I just wanted to at least pass my classes. Well, I got my first anatomy exam results back - I got a friggun 55% and the class average is 76%. This seems like I AM WRONG. It's not the schools fault obviously but I did something wrong.

A lot of people had Anatomy before at a post-grad program. I still know I did something wrong to fail this exam.

Is it worth sticking around? I want to take the next exam (next week) and see how well I do but it's not looking good considering I need a 85% on the next exam to have a 70% average (not likely at all).

Give up the dream ?

you've put in a hell of a lot of work to get to this point, dont just walk away because of one course. work your ass off studying the rest of anatomy. WORST CASE, you remediate Anatomy this summer or something. Its not the end of the world and if you are going to have to remediate a course in med school, one of the first ones in your first year is the one to do it on.

good luck, remember that you are there for a reason and that you can do this.

 

[erin682]

I got a 50 something on my first anatomy exam and didn't do so hot on the second exam either. I studied extremely hard though all semester and managed to pull out a pass. I even did really well on my later exams. Don't quit, you can do it. Sometimes it just takes a bit to learn how to study the right way and to train your brain to memorize huge amounts of information.

 

[getunconcsious]

Well - the worst has come as far as my fate to become a physician. My class is full of gunners but that's okay. I just wanted to at least pass my classes. Well, I got my first anatomy exam results back - I got a friggun 55% and the class average is 76%. This seems like I AM WRONG. It's not the schools fault obviously but I did something wrong.

A lot of people had Anatomy before at a post-grad program. I still know I did something wrong to fail this exam.

Is it worth sticking around? I want to take the next exam (next week) and see how well I do but it's not looking good considering I need a 85% on the next exam to have a 70% average (not likely at all).

Give up the dream ?

I don't think one exam is worth quitting over. Just redouble your efforts and get help! Most schools have tutors, learning specialists, etc. that are yours to use for free if you just ask. A lot of times it's not that you're not studying enough, you're just studying the wrong way. These people can help you understand how to study the right way. After I bombed my practice practical I went for this kind of help and understood that I was going about my studying all wrong, and it' really helped. It's definitely worth a shot. They wouldn't have let you in if you were stupid or incapable. Good luck!

 

[King Arthur]

don't give up. study hard, talk to someone about study methods. keep at it!

 

[Lotsof77]

You know who I'd k*ll to get a spot in a US/Canadian med school. Omg, can I plz switch my Caribbean spot with yours?

Lol, there is nothing wrong with you. Over here at the Caribb, the passing mark is 75% anyways. You got what you got, not b/c of you! You don't have to care about the people who have masters/PhD in anatomy. Those people probably think that they're so hot, but I'm willing to betcha they'll end up with mid B's to high B's anways. The people who are gonna rock anatomy will be the people who never took anatomy (human anatomy) anyways.

It all lies in how you approach anatomy. In med school, there is only one formula for, pardon my expression, "drinking water from a fire hydant!" That is, you must repeat what you learn. Today, go home and review the lecture (so you've seen the material once). Tomorrow, take 1/2 hour-1 hour to review yesterday's lecture (you've seen the material twice). On the week-end review the whole week's lecture (you've seen the material 3x). Before the test, do a master revision (you've seen the material 4x).

People who do well in anatomy don't necessarily have higher IQ's, they just repeat a heck lot more. Follow this formula, and I'm sure you'll pull anatomy off with a smile. Good luck dude/dudette.

 

[GonnaBeAnMD]

thank you all for your very kind responses. They really made a big difference. I will try my best on this next test coming up next Monday and see how it goes. It will be 2nd / 3 tests.

My study habits first test: read and categorize everything (muscles for depressing scapula, etc.)

This time - I am summarizing (actually expanding) all notes that I got from the professor. I am already 2 days behind but will catch up this weekend. Hopefully writing this info down and reviewing it / repeating will help.

Another problem is that for example when we're reviewing the heart in lab, everybody knows everything about the parts and functions from previous courses that I never had ( I am a non-sci major) which freaks me out completely. Whatever - I will do my best

Thanks again for all of your help you very friendly people of SDN.

 

[skypilot]

Practice exams might help you to figure out where your weak areas are before the real exam. I usually try to take at least 2.

Good luck. Lots of people fail an few exam the first year!

 

[DoctorFunk]

Trust me when I say that your medical school does not want you to fail. At this point they have a lot of money, time, and perhaps most importantly school credibility, invested in your completing their program successfully. This being the case, you really just need to be open about your current struggles with them and take advantage of any institutional help in the form of tutors that they have available. Also, take the time to speak with your anatomy professor and discuss your approach to learning the material with them. Perhaps they have a more high-yield suggestion for you.

In the end, if you approach the situation as a challenge that you will overcome rather than the endpoint of your aspirations to become a physician (remember 99% of the time the only way for that dream to get derailed is to not be accepted into a med school in the first place), then you'll surely make it through.

 

[YouDontKnowJack]

quit med school over such a low yield class? ha!!


If you like quick and dirty facts that are 98% correct, get the BRS Gross anatomy review book. and have an atlas alongside. Anatomy isn't just about memorizing the names of bones and muscles, etc. ("ooo0o0. that's a femur. that's the humerous. that's teh ......") I wonder how many students go into anatomy thinking that's all they need to know.... You need to know the function and some pathologies of every structure you study. which muscles does the nerve supply, which bone does the muscle pull, which direction does it rotate, what happens if you knock out this nerve, etc.
It's a lot of work. Hopefully you aren't spending your time just identifying names.

 

[skypilot]

quit med school over such a low yield class? ha!!


If you like quick and dirty facts that are 98% correct, get the BRS Gross anatomy review book. and have an atlas alongside. Anatomy isn't just about memorizing the names of bones and muscles, etc. ("ooo0o0. that's a femur. that's the humerous. that's teh ......") I wonder how many students go into anatomy thinking that's all they need to know.... You need to know the function and some pathologies of every structure you study. which muscles does the nerve supply, which bone does the muscle pull, which direction does it rotate, what happens if you knock out this nerve, etc.
It's a lot of work. Hopefully you aren't spending your time just identifying names.

BRS Anatomy is an effective book. Much higher yield than Moore and Agur.

 

[nerfherder]

In undergrad, I used to summarize and rewrite notes, etc. It worked well then. When I got to med school, I was totally overwhelmed with the material and tried using my old study methods anyway. That didn't work. I failed my first exam and didn't do so hot in the beginning.
After a while I changed my study habits to incorporate as many practice questions from old exams and trying to read/go over all the class notes at least 3-4 times. The first time through I'd skim and highlight, second time underline, third time write very short notes/buzz words in the margins to make it much quicker to go all the notes a few times afterwards. When I started this method I honored and high passed exams.
Also, is attendance mandatory at your school and do you get alot out of going to lecture? That could free alot more time for studying.
Don't quit over one bad exams or a couple bad exams. Med school is a totally different animal than undergrad, it takes some time to used to it.

 

[GonnaBeAnMD]

In undergrad, I used to summarize and rewrite notes, etc. It worked well then. When I got to med school, I was totally overwhelmed with the material and tried using my old study methods anyway. That didn't work. I failed my first exam and didn't do so hot in the beginning.
After a while I changed my study habits to incorporate as many practice questions from old exams and trying to read/go over all the class notes at least 3-4 times. The first time through I'd skim and highlight, second time underline, third time write very short notes/buzz words in the margins to make it much quicker to go all the notes a few times afterwards. When I started this method I honored and high passed exams.
Also, is attendance mandatory at your school and do you get alot out of going to lecture? That could free alot more time for studying.
Don't quit over one bad exams or a couple bad exams. Med school is a totally different animal than undergrad, it takes some time to used to it.

Rewriting notes is what I used to do in undergrad but skipped doing for the first month of med school due to the massive amount of information (and failed). I look at powerpoints and notes given to us passively. I can't get into it unless I write it. So I am rewriting the notes given to us slowly and understanding everything before I write it. This seems to be working as far as understanding - but it's going by slow. I don't get anything out of lecture - NOTHING - so I may stop going to those and use the time to use this technique. Do you think it is a bad idea to try this method due to the massive information / lack of time?

 

[Blade28]

Stick it out. It'll get better.

 

[YouDontKnowJack]

I look at powerpoints and notes given to us passively.

that is your flaw. Use electronic flashcards on your laptop. much less cumbersome than paper flashcards. and write your own questions to quiz yourself. spend less time reading powerpoints, and spend more time quizzing yourself.

get "Academic Flashcards" and find a serial number by searching google.
or use any other e-flashcards you can find.

http://www.rosecitysoftware.com/acadflashcards/

 

[Paws]

I felt the same way last year, and I was really shocked at the shift from ugrad (or postbacc) to med school. I also really struggled in anatomy plus our professor really was terrible so that did not help. Also, we had alot of students who had already taken anatomy at least once, and so they came off as the smarty pants of the class.

Yeh! anyway, it is really hard to stop and pull yourself back together and figure out how to adjust to the flood of info coming at you. It's sort of like learning how to waterski, but maybe without the ski's or any training. Just you and the boat really, and you're being whipped along really fast. So, how can you pull yourself back up to your feet and somehow hang on and just skip over the surface. Learn what you need to to pass, save the saturation of the material for another time. This material all repeats itself many times over the next few years.

You can do it !

 

[YouDontKnowJack]

you guys are such cheerleaders.

 

[getunconcsious]

you guys are such cheerleaders.

Ahahaha, I am so far from a cheerleader, trust me. I hate my school and such. But it's just that you have to do something with your life, right? So you've worked so hard for this, you might as well try to stick it out to the bitter end, right? Just embrace the suffering and depression. That's what I do, and it works ok. Just try not to start smoking a pack a day like I do

 

[Soup]

you guys are such cheerleaders.

Cheerleaders are good, especially when med. school shakes someone's confidence for the first time in their academic careers. Self-doubt can be a huge distraction at time when one really needs to focus on techniques for success.

 

[Psycho Doctor]

Cheerleaders are good, especially when med. school shakes someone's confidence for the first time in their academic careers. Self-doubt can be a huge distraction at time when one really needs to focus on techniques for success.

I agree, especially since I'm in the self-doubt stage and will do anything to get past it.

 

[YouDontKnowJack]

See, what first semester med students need to do is to get real and face the truth. They don't need cheers. Dr. Phil said so.

 

[Soup]

See, what first semester med students need to do is to get real and face the truth. They don't need cheers. Dr. Phil said so.



Dr Phil never went to medical school.

 

[YouDontKnowJack]

Dr Phil never went to medical school.

come on. everyone knows that.

 

[thackl]

quit med school over such a low yield class? ha!!

I agree. Just find a way to pass 1st yr. They can only fail about 10% of the class..... the rest will be curved. Just fight your way out of the bottom 10%

 

[GonnaBeAnMD]

you guys are such cheerleaders.

If I pass - a large part will be due to the people who responded here. Trust me, I was about given up and the distraction that "I'm just not cut out for this" was a thought constantly in my head. Time to go study

 

[Darth Asclepius]

I don't get anything out of lecture - NOTHING - so I may stop going to those

If they give you the notes and lecture isn't mandatory, don't go. Why do something that is a waste of time?

 

[Soup]

come on. everyone knows that.

My point was that medical school is a whole new level of discipline for most people and that Dr Phil's trite wittisms don't apply everywhere, especially somewhere he hasn't been. I think that most med students, including the OP want to "get real" but for them getting real means realizing that you're struggling for the first time in your life. The realization is then followed by an evaluation of choices -- quit or plow through. A little bit of cheerleading can provide enough extra confidence to proceed when you're doubting yourself and contemplating option #1. Of course, med students can't go on operating they way they always have. They have to adjust and figure out what it takes to be successful on this level. I like to think of the beginning of med school as a call up to the major leagues from the minors. Most players struggle at first, some even get sent back down, but those who figure out how to adjust become big leaguers. Those that quit just have a lifetime of regrets.

 

[71263]

Let me tell you a story I heard a few days ago. A guy I was talking to was interviewed by an M4. That M4 had screwed up big time his first year and gotten Bs and alot of Cs. Second year, he got mainly Bs. At the time of the interview, he had matched at Johns Hopkins University for Anesthesiology. While grades matter, Step 1 scores are the main factor. Doing well in your first year of rotations also helps alot. Hang in there!

 

[thackl]

I agree. Just find a way to pass 1st yr. They can only fail about 10% of the class..... the rest will be curved. Just fight your way out of the bottom 10%

One of our Bichem prof's (who lectures around the county on Meyer's Briggs's typing and med school) loves to tell a story of one of his students a few yrs back. She literally passed 1st yr by one question on one test (worked very hard too), then turned it around and finished 11/130. Just get through. You'll have 3rd yr rotations worth more than the entire 1st yr.

 

[Pembleton]

quit med school over such a low yield class? ha!!

What do you mean by low yield?

 

[Psycho Doctor]

I agree. Just find a way to pass 1st yr. They can only fail about 10% of the class..... the rest will be curved. Just fight your way out of the bottom 10%

What?? 10% of the class actually fails??? You mean fails in gets kicked out of med school??

 

[YouDontKnowJack]

Let me tell you a story I heard a few days ago. A guy I was talking to was interviewed by an M4. That M4 had screwed up big time his first year and gotten Bs and alot of Cs. Second year, he got mainly Bs. At the time of the interview, he had matched at Johns Hopkins University for Anesthesiology. While grades matter, Step 1 scores are the main factor. Doing well in your first year of rotations also helps alot. Hang in there!

This C student is my role model. haha. man. JHU. impressive

 

[thackl]

What do you mean by low yield?

Exactly that! Gross anatomy is a low yield class. There will be very little of it on the USMLE's. Bt the time you get around to figuring out you want to be a surgon, it will all be forgotten.

 

[thackl]

What?? 10% of the class actually fails??? You mean fails in gets kicked out of med school??

Generally, it will be less than 10% that repeat (and that is by no way the end of the world). Very few get 'kicked out'. The very few who don't make it leave by their own will.

 

[Amxcvbcv]

BRS Anatomy is an effective book. Much higher yield than Moore and Agur.

I love the BRS anatomy book! It's also incredibly cool to be learning anatomy from the man that wrote it.

Anyway...

Do not quit now. Studying in medical school is a completely different deal than your undergraduate career, and it's even more difficult since you're a non-science major. As some of the MS2+ students here told us, it will take some people extra time to figure out how they study the most effectively. To make matters worse, though, it'll take you a few days to a week or so before you realize the way you have been working isn't productive. Persevere! You will eventually get it figured out!

As a further encouragement, I talked to one of our other anatomy professors (he's a PhD. as well as PA-C), and he told us that he failed his first anatomy exam in PA school, yet now he's one of the gurus in our anatomy department.

Finally, some specific advice about anatomy. Anatomy is not something that you can cram for before the exam. To learn it well it is something you need to reinforce every day. Whether it's by studying your atlas, reading a clinical anatomy book, reviewing notes, or reading a book like Chung's BRS do something anatomy related everyday and you'll be amazed with how much you start to retain and will eventually be able to apply to clinical problem solving.

 

[OSUdoc08]

Well - the worst has come as far as my fate to become a physician. My class is full of gunners but that's okay. I just wanted to at least pass my classes. Well, I got my first anatomy exam results back - I got a friggun 55% and the class average is 76%. This seems like I AM WRONG. It's not the schools fault obviously but I did something wrong.

A lot of people had Anatomy before at a post-grad program. I still know I did something wrong to fail this exam.

Is it worth sticking around? I want to take the next exam (next week) and see how well I do but it's not looking good considering I need a 85% on the next exam to have a 70% average (not likely at all).

Give up the dream ?

Many of my classmates got in the 40's and 50's in the first anatomy and histology exams. The first exams are extremely hard on purpose.

These classmates are all with me in the second year.

Grow some balls and move on.

 

[GonnaBeAnMD]

Well I got the multiple guess portion of my exam back and scored a 70%. A good improvement and I think I did better on the lab practical. I will keep you posted on practical results next week and 3rd exam (final) coming up in 2 weeks. Thank you all for all of the help and encouragement. Believe me, I was ready to give up and spoke about it and then I would read this thread when I was stressed and feeling I won't make it. I know that sounds crazy, but in the end, I thank you guys for being here right now. Nice thing is, if I get a 70 on the next exam, I pass the course (due to other factors in our grade) thank you again... studying on this fine Saturday night to make sure I can pull of a 70% on the beautiful lower extremities (I hope it's not like upper extremities!!)

 

[Philo Beddo]

Grow some balls and move on.

Solid advice. Great to see some fellow Okies posting.

hippocritis.com <--- medical satire for students and residents (run by two okies!).

 

[Blade28]

Exactly that! Gross anatomy is a low yield class. There will be very little of it on the USMLE's. Bt the time you get around to figuring out you want to be a surgon, it will all be forgotten.

But if you want to go into surgery, you gotta start remembering all of it real quick.

 

[velo]

Well - the worst has come as far as my fate to become a physician. My class is full of gunners but that's okay. I just wanted to at least pass my classes. Well, I got my first anatomy exam results back - I got a friggun 55% and the class average is 76%. This seems like I AM WRONG. It's not the schools fault obviously but I did something wrong.

A lot of people had Anatomy before at a post-grad program. I still know I did something wrong to fail this exam.

Is it worth sticking around? I want to take the next exam (next week) and see how well I do but it's not looking good considering I need a 85% on the next exam to have a 70% average (not likely at all).

Give up the dream ?

I think you should cry about it.

Come on, its very hard to fail out of med school, dust yourself off and recover. Talk to the coursemaster, take a good hard look at your study habits, and do better on the next exam. Life is too hard to go around giving up everytime you hit a bump in the road.

 

[megkudos1]

Hey there
I am a fourth year. Trust me, you will be fine. Anatomy sucks. You don't need to know it in the detail they teach it. You will learn the important/practical anatomy info as you move along in med school. For now just stick to it and pass so you can move on to more important and things that are much easier to remember because they are clinical and pertain to patients.

 

[bulletproof]

Dr Phil never went to medical school.

But Dr. Phil is the reason I went into medicine!!!!!! oh my squandered youth. Next you'll be telling me that Drs. Zhivago and Evil aren't real doctors. Say it ain't so!

 

[OSUdoc08]

But Dr. Phil is the reason I went into medicine!!!!!! oh my squandered youth. Next you'll be telling me that Drs. Zhivago and Evil aren't real doctors. Say it ain't so!

Dr. Evil went to Evil Medical School.

 

[njbmd]

thank you all for your very kind responses. They really made a big difference. I will try my best on this next test coming up next Monday and see how it goes. It will be 2nd / 3 tests.

My study habits first test: read and categorize everything (muscles for depressing scapula, etc.)

This time - I am summarizing (actually expanding) all notes that I got from the professor. I am already 2 days behind but will catch up this weekend. Hopefully writing this info down and reviewing it / repeating will help.

Another problem is that for example when we're reviewing the heart in lab, everybody knows everything about the parts and functions from previous courses that I never had ( I am a non-sci major) which freaks me out completely. Whatever - I will do my best

Thanks again for all of your help you very friendly people of SDN.

Hi there,
It does not matter that you were a non-science major, you are an intelligent human being with a huge capacity to learn. Don't sell yourself short especially since you had a bit of trouble making the adjustment from undergraduate to medical school. If you got into medical school, you have as much a chance as anyone to do well. Hang in there!

In addition to the great advice that you got above, try to work with someone who did well in your weak areas. Find out how they organized the material and see if their techniques work for you. Get help from anyone and everyone because your future patients need you.

Good luck!
njbmd

 

[davvid2700]

I remember during anatomy i was in serious danger of failing anatomy. It boiled down to this.. I had to pass the embryology final to pass anatomy with a 85 or something.. My anatomy professor was such a dick... I actually got a 83 or something but they threw some questions out and i got through.... Sometimes i wish i had failed the class. because iw ould have bailed right there.. would have been a blessing in disguise.. would have been a blessing in disguise

 

[PhatGtDmB]

Hey keep your head up...no big deal failing your first anatomy test just change your study habits and adjust....32 people out 180 people failed our first anatomy exam so dont be discouraged! good luck!

 

[GonnaBeAnMD]

Well I got my final exam back and I got an A on it.... and ultimately passed Anatomy. You people were a big part of my success. Many, many thanks. I hope this thread helps out other people who feel like a useless, stupid, admitted by accident, discouraged med student.

Thank you all. Time to study head and neck!