Education Structure!

[Algophiliac]

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So college is very structurally different from high school, in terms of the hours of available free time and etc. However, is this really the ideal for some of us? I'm just wondering how everyone prefers to have their schedules broken up.

While I find that college life does offer more free time, I hate those odd 1-2 hour free periods that there's nothing to really do with! But in my view, it's still better than the straight-up 8 hour-long days, because those are just exhausting for me. Breaking the lectures up gets rid of the monotony...and sometimes having late classes/labs/tests at like 10 PM isn't THAT bad...I mean, at least I get more time during the day to study, lol!

I also included medical schools in this (obviously pre-clinical years only), but I know they vary in terms of how the days are broken up. Still, vote based on your personal medical school schedule (or if you're not in medical school yet, on your ideal medical school schedule) and post a comment about it! Thanks.

 

[JJMrK]

So college is very structurally different from high school, in terms of the hours of available free time and etc. However, is this really the ideal for some of us? I'm just wondering how everyone prefers to have their schedules broken up.

While I find that college life does offer more free time, I hate those odd 1-2 hour free periods that there's nothing to really do with! But in my view, it's still better than the straight-up 8 hour-long days, because those are just exhausting for me. Breaking the lectures up gets rid of the monotony...and sometimes having late classes/labs/tests at like 10 PM isn't THAT bad...I mean, at least I get more time during the day to study, lol!

I also included medical schools in this (obviously pre-clinical years only), but I know they vary in terms of how the days are broken up. Still, vote based on your personal medical school schedule (or if you're not in medical school yet, on your ideal medical school schedule) and post a comment about it! Thanks.

Gotta plan your schedule a little better. Or use the time to eat lunch, etc.

 

[Algophiliac]

Gotta plan your schedule a little better. Or use the time to eat lunch, etc.

Scheduling is a pain in the ass at my school...you're lucky if you get the classes you want at all, so being picky about when they are and who teaches them doesn't really work!

 

[Narmerguy]

Gotta plan your schedule a little better. Or use the time to eat lunch, etc.

Or just do the work that's due in the next class. Or get ahead.

 

[Algophiliac]

Or just do the work that's due in the next class. Or get ahead.

True, but transition times get in the way! I wouldn't mind if I had just one or two of these breaks, but between every class gets annoying! An hour is not really enough time for me to get anything substantial (like an online homework assignment) completed, but it's too much time to just sit around and do nothing...and I absolutely hate starting something without finishing it, but ah well.

I guess this is ideal for people who like to break their work up into chunks, but I like having the security of knowing that I have enough time to complete something when I start it. I do, however, flip through flash cards or do some light studying in between classes when I can. Or run quick errands.

 

[orthomyxo]

I have a ton of random breaks and they suck. I'd rather just go straight through all my classes. Much easier that way.

 

[Algophiliac]

I have a ton of random breaks and they suck. I'd rather just go straight through all my classes. Much easier that way.

Totally agreed. Then you have the whole rest of the day to yourself to study/exercise/work/chillax/etc. It was soo nice.

I'm actually surprised the class-attending medical school poll option is getting more votes than the class-skipping option. Anyone want to comment on this? For those of you choosing that option, why is your class schedule in medical school so convenient?

 

[DrYoda]

You can skip class in college too...

 

[Algophiliac]

You can skip class in college too...

Unfortunately all of my classes except one take roll via an iclicker system. But that one class that doesn't take roll is actually extremely useful. Hopefully in the future (when I have more credits and thus higher priority in scheduling options) I can just stack my classes one after the other.

EDIT: And, I also want to add that while you can skip classes in college, you most likely will end up missing out on the information covered in that class. In medical school, however, you can just stream the lectures online and not miss out on a single thing! Ugh, lucky.

 

[locus000]

True, but transition times get in the way! I wouldn't mind if I had just one or two of these breaks, but between every class gets annoying! An hour is not really enough time for me to get anything substantial (like an online homework assignment) completed, but it's too much time to just sit around and do nothing...and I absolutely hate starting something without finishing it, but ah well.

I guess this is ideal for people who like to break their work up into chunks, but I like having the security of knowing that I have enough time to complete something when I start it. I do, however, flip through flash cards or do some light studying in between classes when I can. Or run quick errands.

Welcome to college!!! you can't never get what you want. You will get use to it. HS was a joke, no more hold hands here, its sink-or-swim.

Wait until you take high-level classes, they are offered at random time and you have to take them. For example Microbiology at 8AM, Immunology at 6PM.

 

[b-real]

Med school schedules vary with the school, but they are a lot more structured than college. The amount of random breaks is greatly reduced. A lot of schools have classes from 8 or 9 until noon, with some activity (small group, lab) once or twice a week. First semester of first year usually includes gross anatomy, which is time intensive. I prefer the class skipping option, because at this point, you're responsible enough to be in charge of your education. You may be gung-ho about attending all med school classes when you start, but as many go through first and especially second year, they'll realize whether or not they get anything out of attending lecture and adjust accordingly.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

When I was in undergrad (I'm a postbac) I used to choose my classes almost solely by the time they were offered. I also looked for good professors. I figured I'd enjoy just about any subject if it was taught well. And I was right. Now I mostly just have to take classes when they're offered, but since I'm classified as a fifth-year senior I get to choose them before anyone else, even the regular seniors.

I love the college schedule. Right now I am sitting in my PJs doing nothing because I don't have class on Tuesdays at all. Guess I should start studying Chem, though.