Failing tests.

[disheartened]

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So far, I've totally failed 2 tests, and I was wondering if there was anyone who could give me pointers on what to do to drag myself out of this (emotional and grade) hole I'm currently in. I don't mean run-of-the-mill gunner nonsense about "boo-hoo, I got a B", I mean F is for fail. I will admit that I could definitely spend more time studying and less time sleeping or being on facebook, but when I study, I feel like I'm not learning anything so it demotivates me. Failing 2 tests has definitely motivated me to put more effort in, but I could use some tips on what others do to keep focused and retain information, as well as reassurance that it isn't the end of the world 😳.

 

[MossPoh]

First, talk to the professor. I had a professor go through my exam with me and we covered every single question I missed or just happened to narrow down to a 50/50 and guessed right. The profs that have been doing it for a while are pretty good at spotting trends with the things you miss and at offering suggestions on how to improve yourself.

Second is to go to a school psychologist if you have one. Talk about the emotional stuff. Analyze study techniques. Actually implement the techniques. Have at it.

 

[naus]

So far, I've totally failed 2 tests, and I was wondering if there was anyone who could give me pointers on what to do to drag myself out of this (emotional and grade) hole I'm currently in. I don't mean run-of-the-mill gunner nonsense about "boo-hoo, I got a B", I mean F is for fail. I will admit that I could definitely spend more time studying and less time sleeping or being on facebook, but when I study, I feel like I'm not learning anything so it demotivates me. Failing 2 tests has definitely motivated me to put more effort in, but I could use some tips on what others do to keep focused and retain information, as well as reassurance that it isn't the end of the world 😳.

2 failed tests already is pretty scary. Most of the tests in med school are designed so that only maybe 5-10% of the class fail, so you're doing really poorly and need a lot more than just reassurance.

You need to change your study habits ASAP. Log off Facebook and don't go back until you have figured out how not to fail. The only way you're going to retain information is through repetition, you just got to put in the necessary effort. Everyone does.

Aiming for an A is not being a gunner, it's called doing your part to not become a mediocre doctor.

 

[disheartened]

First, talk to the professor. I had a professor go through my exam with me and we covered every single question I missed or just happened to narrow down to a 50/50 and guessed right. The profs that have been doing it for a while are pretty good at spotting trends with the things you miss and at offering suggestions on how to improve yourself.

Second is to go to a school psychologist if you have one. Talk about the emotional stuff. Analyze study techniques. Actually implement the techniques. Have at it.

I've met with the professor from one class already (appointment to meet the other one next week), and she gave me some suggestions on what I should do differently, but I thought I'd try and get input from here too. The more ideas, the better, I think. That way I can try more things and see what works. I've already tried implementing some of what my professor told me, and so far so good, I'm feeling better about retaining the information. The fear of getting my @$$ handed to me on another test is definitely also a huge motivator to keep me focused. Plus I find this next section tons more interesting than the previous one...

But I want to hear a bunch of suggestions just in case something else works out better for me. Good idea about the psychologist, I'll see if he can help me out, too. I have a lot of feelings 😳.

2 failed tests already is pretty scary. Most of the tests in med school are designed so that only maybe 5-10% of the class fail, so you're doing really poorly and need a lot more than just reassurance.

You need to change your study habits ASAP. Log off Facebook and don't go back until you have figured out how not to fail. The only way you're going to retain information is through repetition, you just got to put in the necessary effort. Everyone does.

Aiming for an A is not being a gunner, it's called doing your part to not become a mediocre doctor.

When I met with my professor, she told me it's necessary to take breaks (I had been reading for hours straight, only breaking for food/bathroom, and not retaining or really comprehending a word, then giving up after a few hours and living on fb and watching tv), so is it still ok to use those breaks for facebook? Or would you suggest using a break from one subject to focus on another subject, and just rotate through them?

And about my gunner comment, I just added that because I had seen other posts on here about people flipping out for making a B, when I would kill to be in their shoes!

 

[naus]

When I met with my professor, she told me it's necessary to take breaks (I had been reading for hours straight, only breaking for food/bathroom, and not retaining or really comprehending a word, then giving up after a few hours and living on fb and watching tv), so is it still ok to use those breaks for facebook? Or would you suggest using a break from one subject to focus on another subject, and just rotate through them?

And about my gunner comment, I just added that because I had seen other posts on here about people flipping out for making a B, when I would kill to be in their shoes!

I think any kind of a break on the Internet is a bad idea. A 5 minute break can easily turn into an hour, two hour, entire evening break.

If you want to take a break, hit the gym, shoot some hoops, run 3 miles with the TV on, eat out at a restaurant. Take REAL breaks, not energy sapping breaks like surfing the web.

And yes, switching subjects when you feel your attention fading generally helps.

 

[disheartened]

I think any kind of a break on the Internet is a bad idea. A 5 minute break can easily turn into an hour, two hour, entire evening break.

If you want to take a break, hit the gym, shoot some hoops, run 3 miles with the TV on, eat out at a restaurant. Take REAL breaks, not energy sapping breaks like surfing the web.

And yes, switching subjects when you feel your attention fading generally helps.

Ok thanks! I feel like it was an incredibly stupid question to ask, but after failing 2 tests I can't possibly feel any stupider than I already do... It's quite humbling, and I'll ask all the stupid questions in the world if it gets me the help I need 😀

 

[MedStudentWanna]

Ok first off, quit feeling stupid because you're not stupid. I'm still figuring out the studying thing myself so I'll be of no help. But I think maybe it would help you if you revealed the name of your school. Maybe the people who go to your school will offer useful tips or the second or third years there can give you advice specific to your professors/tests.

 

[myhandsarecold]

you have to read the prof's notes 3x.

 

[sylvanthus]

2 failed tests already is pretty scary. Most of the tests in med school are designed so that only maybe 5-10% of the class fail, so you're doing really poorly and need a lot more than just reassurance.

You need to change your study habits ASAP. Log off Facebook and don't go back until you have figured out how not to fail. The only way you're going to retain information is through repetition, you just got to put in the necessary effort. Everyone does.

Aiming for an A is not being a gunner, it's called doing your part to not become a mediocre doctor.

5-10% huh, my last test 55/75 failed the exam. So, I guess it depends on the school.

 

[disheartened]

Ok first off, quit feeling stupid because you're not stupid. I'm still figuring out the studying thing myself so I'll be of no help. But I think maybe it would help you if you revealed the name of your school. Maybe the people who go to your school will offer useful tips or the second or third years there can give you advice specific to your professors/tests.

I'll try to not feel stupid, because I know I'm a fairly intelligent person (...I think) and I'm just a little frustrated with myself for my school performance thus far. I'd also like to retain my anonymity and not reveal my school. I even created this account because some of my classmates know who I am on SDN, and I don't want them to be able to identify me.

I just found out that the learning center at my school has some sort of test they can give you that will identify in which ways you learn and retain material best. You should check to see if your school has something like this. Hang in there and remember, first and second year grades aren't all that important in the scheme of things. Rock the boards and 3rd/4th year and you'll be just fine. Good luck! 🙂

We took such a test, but for whatever reason that didn't help much, I think because my problem was a lack of repetition, which the learning styles test doesn't really address, if that makes any sense. Good suggestion, though. I'm genuinely hoping I can get my act together to rock those boards! 😀 I'm already retaining much more than I ever was before, due to the changes I've implemented.

you have to read the prof's notes 3x.

There is that repetition thing I was avoiding like the plague! I've figured out a system that I think should work for me, with repetition of the same information in different ways to help it stick.

5-10% huh, my last test 55/75 failed the exam. So, I guess it depends on the school.

Ours were like 20% I think. Does depend on the school. I doubt any school really wants anyone to fail, because that defeats the purpose of trying to get qualified doctors out into the world. I would imagine such a high fail rate means the professor isn't doing something right.

Well, thanks everyone for your encouraging words and helpful suggestions.

 

[Luv2Cut]

Your not stupid. If you were then you wouldn't be in med school, right? The thing you have to separate is who you are as a person and your performance at a particular time. You FAILED two exams. That doesn't mean your a FAILURE, its only a reflection of your performance at those particular times.

It sounds like your making some headway. Some people are visual learners. Some people are auditory learners. Both require repetition. Myself, I am a visual learner. I remember by what I see on a page or imagery I associate with a subject. Its alot more in depth than what I'm representing.

You can do it, just plow through the negative feelings and do what you need to do.

 

[disheartened]

Your not stupid. If you were then you wouldn't be in med school, right? The thing you have to separate is who you are as a person and your performance at a particular time. You FAILED two exams. That doesn't mean your a FAILURE, its only a reflection of your performance at those particular times.

It sounds like your making some headway. Some people are visual learners. Some people are auditory learners. Both require repetition. Myself, I am a visual learner. I remember by what I see on a page or imagery I associate with a subject. Its alot more in depth than what I'm representing.

You can do it, just plow through the negative feelings and do what you need to do.

Thanks! I found out I was a few points from passing the second test, so I didn't do as poorly as I previously thought. I think with the changes I'm implementing, I'll be able to get Bs in these classes, or at the very least just pass with Cs (As are numerically impossible for final grades due to how badly I've done thus far). So I'll just chalk it up to a learning experience and when next semester comes with new classes, I'll be prepared to get As from the get-go (instead of playing catch up and getting As after doing horribly on the first tests!).

 

[disheartened]

If anyone still cares, I survived and will continue to survive med school without failing any classes 🙂. Thanks for all the positivity!

 

[newbie04]

If anyone still cares, I survived and will continue to survive med school without failing any classes 🙂. Thanks for all the positivity!

A big congratulations to you, disheartened!

 

[Terpskins99]

If anyone still cares, I survived and will continue to survive med school without failing any classes 🙂. Thanks for all the positivity!

Congratulations 😎

Just another recommendation, either for you or someone else that might benefit from this thread. I also struggled with medical school during my first semester. My cures were: small groups, small groups and even more small groups (that, and canceling the internet connection in my room 😉).

Reviewing lectures/topics with a friend and firing questions back and forth were really helpful for me. And its a much more entertaining way to make that 2nd/3rd pass through your material when you get to tweak the way you re-learn it each time. My method: go to lecture (first pass), re-review the lecture on my own (second pass), get together with a buddy and quiz each other (third pass). I would try to have as many study groups going as possible, literally meeting with different people at different times in a single day.

 

[kopitar]

you have to read the prof's notes 3x.

definitely.

skim over the notes the first time- dont try to memorize anything, just get the big picture
second time highlight important points- begin digesting the material
third time go through the notes and write down on a separate piece of paper material you think you might forget
then the day/night before the exam go over the paper (critical)
this seems to work well for me
hope that helps