Failing Multiple Exams, Will Probably Fail a Course(s?). What do I do?

[hsk013]

A first-year med student here... So I have been getting Fs on almost every other exams... I am barely passing my classes, and I am afraid that I might fail even more as the first year ends (and next year too).

One of my classes has 8 exams. So far we had 5 exams, and I failed 3 of them already. And they were hard fails like 40-50% fail... I need to get C+ on remaining 3 exams to pass the course, but to be honest, I don't think I will get that. I got C and B+ on my passed exams, but I can't explain how I got B+. It was my second time getting B+ in an exam.

So far this is the only class that I know I won't pass, but I am sure more will follow, and I don't know what to do. I've already gone to learning specialists and my academic dean numerous times, but nothing seems to be working. I tried study groups, self-studying, but there wasn't anything that clicked with me. I would get the same grade all the time.

Pretty much I like school and what I am learning, but when it comes to exams, everything just jumbles together, and I can't seem to recall all the information. And I always feel like we don't have enough time to study for exams.

I recently decided to do research over the summer, but I am thinking perhaps I shouldn't even do it (if I am failing and have to remediate over the summer). I am also thinking about delaying my graduation by taking a lighter load, but I am not sure whether I should wait until I fail a course or not. They look equally bad when it comes to applying for residency, but would anyone prefer one over another?

I am just afraid for the second year (and the rest of the first year). I would appreciate everyone's advice, and I hope I overcome this soon.

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[zero0]

Do more reps on the material. If your results don't improve, do even more. There's no big secret to doing well in medical school. If the amount you're studying isn't cutting it, study more until desired results are achieved. Some people need to study more than others, that's just how it is. Maybe try supplementing with things like BRS and FA, those have been good for me. Don't stress too much about barely passing. You won't be top of your class but you'll still match just fine if you pass everything.

 

[Moose A Moose]

If you're putting in the time. it sounds like your study method is inefficient. Maybe you're using too many resources when all you need are the Powerpoint presentations; more is not better- you want to be streamlined. For some reason, most med students like to give the advice of adding more to your load when you ask them how to improve. I say do less- focus on the sauce.

Also, if your medical school accepted you with stats that are far below their average matriculant, you can blame them for your situation and treating you like a cash-cow. If your numbers were where they should have been, then there's no reason why you can't figure out how to start passing those exams. Rock those PPTs/direct lecture hand-out material, put in 60 or so hours and week and you'll be gravy.

 

[whatisthisstuff]

If you are failing that bad you need to go talk to your school's learning specialist. I would not really worry about anything else besides figuring out how to handle med school right now. Some of this depends on your school but if you outright fail a course you might have to remediate the year regardless. Its certainly not what you want to do, but you can recover well enough. Basically you need to talk to your school, they don't want you to fail either and will be able to lay out options for you.

Just a side note I think the key to being able to recall information is practice questions. Also staying up on your school work so you're not learning things for the first time right before an exam. The last couple days before an exam should be reviewing and practice.

 

[Stagg737]

Other than keep talking to a learning specialist and the admins, it's hard to give you too much advice without knowing how you study and how many hours you're actually putting in. Do you go to class? How many sources are you using and what are they? How many hours are you putting in and how many passes on the material are you making? Do you do any practice questions before exams? Do you use a consistent study method?

 

[AttendingAdvice]

make sure u understand the materials because it is difficult to remember stuff u do not really understand. students have had a full grade improvement by repeatedly listening to lectures such as the PASS program ir Kaplan lectures. PASS program may be better in this case because the speaker breaks the material to simple and understandable terms. med school is like drinking from a fire hose at times, so learn to dilter out materials u do not really need to know. for example, when u study lecture notes the first time, highlight stuff u think u might forget in a few days and stuff u think will likely be on the test. then go through the notes a second or third time rapidly before the exam, reading only the highlighted stuff. this may cut your study time and help u only concentrate on high yield stuff.

 

[y123]

How much time did you spend studying? Study more if you had been partying too much.
The most efficient way to pass an exam is usually going over the powerpoint slides multiple times, at least 3-4 times

 

[sholamd]

I agree with above posts that your study method is not working for you. It's hard to completely change your study method, but if you are failing you absolutely must completely overhaul your study methods. What worked for you in college is not going to work now; you've proven that. Don't keep making the same mistake. Also I'll post my "Study Strategy Troubleshooting Guide" which I think I've shared on SDN before - take a look at it and see what things on this list are not happening. You might identify some new areas to work on.

 

[68PGunner]

A first-year med student here... So I have been getting Fs on almost every other exams... I am barely passing my classes, and I am afraid that I might fail even more as the first year ends (and next year too).

One of my classes has 8 exams. So far we had 5 exams, and I failed 3 of them already. And they were hard fails like 40-50% fail... I need to get C+ on remaining 3 exams to pass the course, but to be honest, I don't think I will get that. I got C and B+ on my passed exams, but I can't explain how I got B+. It was my second time getting B+ in an exam.

So far this is the only class that I know I won't pass, but I am sure more will follow, and I don't know what to do. I've already gone to learning specialists and my academic dean numerous times, but nothing seems to be working. I tried study groups, self-studying, but there wasn't anything that clicked with me. I would get the same grade all the time.

Pretty much I like school and what I am learning, but when it comes to exams, everything just jumbles together, and I can't seem to recall all the information. And I always feel like we don't have enough time to study for exams.

I recently decided to do research over the summer, but I am thinking perhaps I shouldn't even do it (if I am failing and have to remediate over the summer). I am also thinking about delaying my graduation by taking a lighter load, but I am not sure whether I should wait until I fail a course or not. They look equally bad when it comes to applying for residency, but would anyone prefer one over another?

I am just afraid for the second year (and the rest of the first year). I would appreciate everyone's advice, and I hope I overcome this soon.

Which classes are you failing and how do you study?

 

[Goro]

In addition to this, how did you do in the Fall semester?
EDIT: having checked OP's history, s/he is an ESL and had trouble in the Fall semester. Thus I suspect that your language difficulties are more severe than I thought.

How about MCAT?

Do you have test taking anxiety issues?

Is something going on in your outside life that's distracting you?

Any mental health issues????

How is your physical health? Have a check up recently?

Something is broken and you may need to ask for a LOA to go fix things.

Which classes are you failing and how do you study?

 

[IlDestriero]

Seek a LOA before you get dismissed and figure out what your problems are. It's not theoretical physics or rocket science, its memorization and regurgitation.


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Il Destriero

 

[Affiche]

Please tell me this is like a biochemistry class or something. If this is a clinically relevant course do us all a favor and drop out.

Come on man, there's no need for that.

 

[Foot Fetish]

Seek a LOA before you get dismissed and figure out what your problems are. It's not theoretical physics or rocket science, its memorization and regurgitation.


--
Il Destriero

Exactly. Memorization is the key to medical education. That's how I stay at the top of my class. I may not have the highest IQ in the class, but I have a solid memory and, just as importantly, a willingness to put in the time to stretch my memory to its limits. So far, there has not been any block where I did not know 100% of the material cold going into the exam. That whole "it's like drinking from a fire-hose" thing is B.S. if you ask me. Sure, it's a ton of material at times, but it is totally possible to memorize it all. If you're picking and choosing topics to study with the hopes of focusing only on the "high-yield", then you're doing it wrong. Strive for COMPLETE mastery of the material presented. You don't think it's possible until you force yourself to keep making additional passes. My first year of medical school has really taught me how to push the limits of brain. Remember, it's a barrier of will-power / confidence, not mental capacity. That said, this requires DAILY studying. Personally, I study 8 hours a day on average. My record has been 16 consecutive hours in the library...on multiple occasions. You need to man up. Harness some inner mania. The pain is temporary, but the glory will be forever.

 

[68PGunner]

You don't need to study 8 hrs min a day to honor classes. If you truly find your true studying technique for your style of learning, I would say a solid 4-6 hrs of the weekday and 10+ hrs a day the weekend before the test should get you in the top quartile.

 

[68PGunner]

Exactly. Memorization is the key to medical education. That's how I stay at the top of my class. I may not have the highest IQ in the class, but I have a solid memory and, just as importantly, a willingness to put in the time to stretch my memory to its limits. So far, there has not been any block where I did not know 100% of the material cold going into the exam. That whole "it's like drinking from a fire-hose" thing is B.S. if you ask me. Sure, it's a ton of material at times, but it is totally possible to memorize it all. If you're picking and choosing topics to study with the hopes of focusing only on the "high-yield", then you're doing it wrong. Strive for COMPLETE mastery of the material presented. You don't think it's possible until you force yourself to keep making additional passes. My first year of medical school has really taught me how to push the limits of brain. Remember, it's a barrier of will-power / confidence, not mental capacity. That said, this requires DAILY studying. Personally, I study 8 hours a day on average. My record has been 16 consecutive hours in the library...on multiple occasions. You need to man up. Harness some inner mania. The pain is temporary, but the glory will be forever.

Brah, how do you study the drugs? That thing is dry... Sketchy doesn't cover everything.

 

[musingsofamedicalstudent]

Stop focusing on your schools material (assuming you arent in biochem, in which case no choice) and start doing only high yield stuff. Go over Brosencephalon anki deck on the current topic like 4 times (lots of cards, keep repeating them until you get them right, then do them again), do pathoma (anki that too), do uworld practice questions and kaplan questions multiple times. You should be studying from the second you start going to class for the next exam, its not fun but it works.

 

[Foot Fetish]

Foot Fetish, if you don't mind me asking, what are your grades? 100% on all tests? Just wondering what grade level is worth such effort

No, I'm not perfect, but I rarely get below a 90%. I almost always beat the class average by a standard deviation or more.

 

[deferment baby]

No, I'm not perfect, but I rarely get below a 90%. I almost always beat the class average by a standard deviation or more.

Footfetish, I PM'd you.