failing at everything

[pharmmom]

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I am so frustrated with school!!!!! I am begining to have serious doubts about my place in pharm school. I study so hard and am only passing one of my classes. Allow me to give an example: I studied with a friend for a recent A&P test. She often sleeps through class and was in need of some explanation of the notes. I worked with her for 4 hours going over material (after I had already done my own studying) until we both felt prepared for the exam. We get grades back and she gets an 81 and I get a 68. Oh yeah a big fat D. How does that happen????? I understood the material!!!!! In undergrad I had reasonable grades (3.6 gpa pcat of 86 composite) but I can't seem to get anything above a C- in pharm school. Does anyone out there have any test taking tips? I think that might be part of the problem.

 

[pinkyrx]

Are you studying early enough for the exam? I've found that studying more days for less amount of hours each day really helps me.

If your A&P test is anything like our pharmacology tests were, the unpredictable grades will be a common thing. The problem for us was that there was way too much information on the exam, so you just had to guess what you thought would be important exam-wise. Those of us that guessed right at what material to study did well, the people that guessed wrong and studied different stuff did poorly. It was basically just a random guess as to what facts we'd be tested over since everything we'd been taught was important, they just couldn't fit it all on an exam.

If this really is a problem with all of your classes, I highly recommend going to talk to either a trusted professor or your dean. I'm sure your school has resources to help you get adjusted to pharmacy school. The biggest advice I think anyone can give you is don't be afraid to ask for help.

Good luck!

 

[RUN DMV]

I am so frustrated with school!!!!! I am begining to have serious doubts about my place in pharm school. I study so hard and am only passing one of my classes. Allow me to give an example: I studied with a friend for a recent A&P test. She often sleeps through class and was in need of some explanation of the notes. I worked with her for 4 hours going over material (after I had already done my own studying) until we both felt prepared for the exam. We get grades back and she gets an 81 and I get a 68. Oh yeah a big fat D. How does that happen????? I understood the material!!!!! In undergrad I had reasonable grades (3.6 gpa pcat of 86 composite) but I can't seem to get anything above a C- in pharm school. Does anyone out there have any test taking tips? I think that might be part of the problem.

I know what you mean. It's the toughest thing to adjust to pharmacy school because you want to do well but you don't want to become a total nerd. Sometimes you think you know it and the test shows otherwise.

 

[gablet]

I am so frustrated with school!!!!! I am begining to have serious doubts about my place in pharm school. I study so hard and am only passing one of my classes. Allow me to give an example: I studied with a friend for a recent A&P test. She often sleeps through class and was in need of some explanation of the notes. I worked with her for 4 hours going over material (after I had already done my own studying) until we both felt prepared for the exam. We get grades back and she gets an 81 and I get a 68. Oh yeah a big fat D. How does that happen????? I understood the material!!!!! In undergrad I had reasonable grades (3.6 gpa pcat of 86 composite) but I can't seem to get anything above a C- in pharm school. Does anyone out there have any test taking tips? I think that might be part of the problem.

Have you tried sitting down with your teachers and going over your tests to see where the problem is? On my first physiology test I earned a low B (I, too, am used to getting As when I study well). I went through my test with him and told him how I studied for the test. He guided me in my studies much better so that now if I get a high B on the final, I can earn an A in the class.

Also, going over the old test with your teacher and asking him/her questions, helps you know how they think and what they think is important. Your teacher is your best reference, use them!

 

[bananaface]

Most of pharm school is self taught, not learned in class. You friend who does well has to be putting in some study time when you aren't watching. I'm a crappy student and I know why. If you have kids at home this can be a distraction. I get distracted by everything under the sun. And until this year I didn't really care for alot of my classes. You just have to quit judging your self worth by your grades, and realize that grade out = time in. And, sometimes exams just randomly suck. If you straight up stunk at exams, you wouldn't have had a 3.6 in undergrad. So long as you are taking home from classes what you need for practice and you are doing well enough to stay in school, you are succeding, IMO.

 

[freshbeatschris]

Most of pharm school is self taught, not learned in class. You friend who does well has to be putting in some study time when you aren't watching. I'm a crappy student and I know why. If you have kids at home this can be a distraction. I get distracted by everything under the sun. And until this year I didn't really care for alot of my classes. You just have to quit judging your self worth by your grades, and realize that grade out = time in. And, sometimes exams just randomly suck. If you straight up stunk at exams, you wouldn't have had a 3.6 in undergrad. So long as you are taking home from classes what you need for practice and you are doing well enough to stay in school, you are succeding, IMO.

What an awesome attitude. I should really print this post and keep it in a safe place for those low times during the semster.

Chris

 

[bananaface]

LOL. Thanks... I wish that my attitude could determine my grades.

 

[Crazy_Norwegian]

I am so frustrated with school!!!!! I am begining to have serious doubts about my place in pharm school. I study so hard and am only passing one of my classes. Allow me to give an example: I studied with a friend for a recent A&P test. She often sleeps through class and was in need of some explanation of the notes. I worked with her for 4 hours going over material (after I had already done my own studying) until we both felt prepared for the exam. We get grades back and she gets an 81 and I get a 68. Oh yeah a big fat D. How does that happen????? I understood the material!!!!! In undergrad I had reasonable grades (3.6 gpa pcat of 86 composite) but I can't seem to get anything above a C- in pharm school. Does anyone out there have any test taking tips? I think that might be part of the problem.

You go to Ferris, right? Look, that last test in A&P was *much* harder than the first one. Of all the topics that showed up multiple times on the old exams, very few were on this one. Consequently, I ended up studying some of the wrong things, too. I was sure we would have an action potential wave to dissect--that didn't happen. In addition, there were topics, such as all the cellular communication things, that were almost non-existent on the old tests. Plus, the second test covered almost twice as much material as the first test. My test grade dropped 16 points from the first test and I studied twice as much. As far as test tips, I agree completely with what some of the previous posters said (starting early and talking to the teachers).

You just need to do well enough to stay in school. From all the P2s I've spoken to (maybe a dozen) I was told that the first semester is the worst. Just try to survive--If you have to take a couple of remedial summer classes, it's not the end of the world. At least you have that option. Plus, I've heard that if we can survive the first two years, it gets much easier as P3s and P4s--at least as far as maintaining the grades neccessary to graduate. The first two years seem to be about asking us, "How bad do you want this?" In the end, having a 2.05 GPA is not going to keep you from getting a job.

Second, go to see the teachers. At least some of them...Fonner is a really nice guy--he's not trying to screw us over unlike some of the teachers (Dr. D, anyone?). I think that there's just so much material in A&P, you can get unlucky and study the wrong topics for the test. I would definitely talk to Fonner and Lafontaine (not Boncher, she'll take points off your exam...and talk to Dakkuri at your own risk). Get to know them, and maybe you'll have a better idea of how to study for their exams.

As far as whether you belong in pharmacy school--I'm sure that you do. I believe everyone they let in the door has the ability to succeed here. For some it may take more effort, but it can be done. I have friends here who are struggling mightily, but I have no doubt they can succeed. One of my friends is fond of saying, "I'll be here next summer, whether I'm accelerating or decelerating."

 

[sharktiger]

I am so frustrated with school!!!!! I am begining to have serious doubts about my place in pharm school. I study so hard and am only passing one of my classes. Allow me to give an example: I studied with a friend for a recent A&P test. She often sleeps through class and was in need of some explanation of the notes. I worked with her for 4 hours going over material (after I had already done my own studying) until we both felt prepared for the exam. We get grades back and she gets an 81 and I get a 68. Oh yeah a big fat D. How does that happen????? I understood the material!!!!! In undergrad I had reasonable grades (3.6 gpa pcat of 86 composite) but I can't seem to get anything above a C- in pharm school. Does anyone out there have any test taking tips? I think that might be part of the problem.

It's cool that you have GPA...etc...but here's the problem solve: US pharmacy school and admissions. Let's say a school receives 1,000 applicant each years. Here's probably how they look at each applicant...why the system is screw up.....If you go through the PharmCAS list or the application criteria:

1. Completed Application & fee Thank you, continue to two
2. GPA Low GPA - trash your application
3. PCAT score Low PCAT - trash your application
4. Work experience Exception
5. Extracurricular Exception
6. Honors Exception
7. Essays After 1-6, your essay is read b/c of 1,2,3
8. Interview After 1-7, you get interview*(depends)
etc

Money is the root of all evil and time is the game! A lot of these schools which based their admission criteria on NUMBERS GPA/PCAT score end up getting a lot of screw up students...not to mention race as a factor...most private east coast schools have a high percentage of ___...just look at the statistics! and you can't do anything about it

well -?good-luck

 

[b*rizzle]

It's cool that you have GPA...etc...but here's the problem solve: US pharmacy school and admissions. Let's say a school receives 1,000 applicant each years. Here's probably how they look at each applicant...why the system is screw up.....If you go through the PharmCAS list or the application criteria:

1. Completed Application & fee Thank you, continue to two
2. GPA Low GPA - trash your application
3. PCAT score Low PCAT - trash your application
4. Work experience Exception
5. Extracurricular Exception
6. Honors Exception
7. Essays After 1-6, your essay is read b/c of 1,2,3
8. Interview After 1-7, you get interview*(depends)
etc

Money is the root of all evil and time is the game! A lot of these schools which based their admission criteria on NUMBERS GPA/PCAT score end up getting a lot of screw up students...not to mention race as a factor...most private east coast schools have a high percentage of ___...just look at the statistics! and you can't do anything about it

well -?good-luck

This post makes no sense in context of the discussion and has absolutely nothing to do with the OP. Save the money/race in admissions rants for someone who cares.

 

[pharmmom]

well thank you (to most of you) who replied with positive messages. I was revived by them (your messages that is). I made some changes in my studying habits and I think that they are already begining to pay off. had a biochem test today that went very well and I am again feeling confident in my abilites to become a pharmacist.
thanks again!

 

[pinkyrx]

well thank you (to most of you) who replied with positive messages. I was revived by them (your messages that is). I made some changes in my studying habits and I think that they are already begining to pay off. had a biochem test today that went very well and I am again feeling confident in my abilites to become a pharmacist.
thanks again!

Glad to hear you're feeling better about things! Its amazing what one good test can do for our spirits.

Just hang in there... you'll make it! Just don't be afraid to ask for help! I think its really important. 🙂

 

[SouthGeorgia03]

I'm sure some of you may study this way, but it has always helped me.

After class, and the day is done, go home and study all the material you learned that day. Then for that class, go back and review all the other material you have learned up to that point. You should be able to review past material quickly, and just stay caught up. Try to do that for every class. If you are weak in something, spend more time on it. Try not to abandon one class for another when test time comes up, or you get behind. Don't get behind, and try to study for several hours on something that should have been learned earlier. Once you get behind, it's hard to catch up. If you can read ahead, thats great. Remember, pharmacy school is about learning the material, and comprehending. I know passing tests is a must to continue, as some people like to say C=pharm D. Try to comprehend and understand so you can help your patients. You may come out with a C, B, or an A, but if you just studied the material to learn for the test, and then later forget, it won't help in the long run.

Your friend may come out with an A, but who retains information longer. Who can apply it when it comes down to it. Who can break it down, and explain and fully understand it. Sometimes test aren't fair, and may be written unfairly, but keep working hard and you will succeed. They wouldn't have given you the opportunity to begin pharmacy school if they didn't think that in the first place. That is something you have to keep in mind. 🙂