Fall 2013 4.0 semester sprint

[yugo2113]

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[jessanddanny]

I'm hoping to keep my 4.0 up as well. Taking:
Physics 1
Genetics
Pre-calc
Biology seminar

This is my lightest semester I've had inn3 years! Keeping it light to prep for 2014 MCAT

 

[Hillo]

Hey, taking one similar class as you are 🙂

4 Histology
3 Biochem I
4 Medical Microbiology
3 Biology of Viruses
3 Molecular Cell Biology
1 Health & Fitness Activity

 

[Major]

So IN!

Genetics- 3 credits

Microbiology Lab- 2 Credits

History of Science - 3 Credits

Working 30-40hrs week so not sure if I'll add on another class or not yet

 

[freakingoutabit]

I love how positive the non-traditional forum is. Makes me proud to be a non-trad student. 🙂

 

[Sbaldw2]

I'm taking orgo 2 and genetics- 6 credits total since I'm applying for residency in my state and working part time. Looking forward to starting this semester!

 

[wholeheartedly]

Are you guys all non-trads? I see some unfamiliar names. Welcome!

Good luck.

So I'm a grad student and kinda feel like I'd be cheating to play along, but oh well what the heck. Schedule isn't quite finalized yet.


Epidemiology Methods 3 Lab
Environmental Health
Fundamentals of Social and Behavioral Science
&/or
Master's Project

Plus working just shy of full-time among other things.

 

[yugo2113]

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[Hillo]

I've been perusing the Nontrad forums... Just had nothing to post 😛 probably because I'm a pretty nontraditional nontrad.

yugo, smart choice by taking Weightlifting 🙂

Just wondering, do you guys prefer working or studying? I personally prefer working... which is why I'll most likely return to this thread with depressing news -.-

 

[wholeheartedly]

Just wondering, do you guys prefer working or studying? I personally prefer working... which is why I'll most likely return to this thread with depressing news -.-

Really depends. After I finished school and got my job, I loved working and coming home and not having anything to worry about. But then after two years I was getting bored at work and then started grad school and loved loved loved it. Don't get me wrong biostats sucked royally some days, but overall I enjoyed learning the material. I've always enjoyed learning new things.

So its pretty much that I enjoy/prefer whatever I'm not burned out on at the moment. If I could pick one or the other right now, I'd definitely do school full-time. But I think grad school is a bit different because it's easier to focus on what interests you most.

 

[Major]

I've been perusing the Nontrad forums... Just had nothing to post 😛 probably because I'm a pretty nontraditional nontrad.

yugo, smart choice by taking Weightlifting 🙂

Just wondering, do you guys prefer working or studying? I personally prefer working... which is why I'll most likely return to this thread with depressing news -.-

Studying, because I have to really work at it to get the A's. I need to tweak things to study smarter not harder

 

[NuttyEngDude]

Studying, because I have to really work at it to get the A's. I need to tweak things to study smarter not harder

+1 i'm wondering if my study habits will need a major overhaul in med school

 

[Major]

Hey, taking one similar class as you are 🙂

4 Histology
3 Biochem I
4 Medical Microbiology
3 Biology of Viruses
3 Molecular Cell Biology
1 Health & Fitness Activity

Pretty rigorous schedule. How do you spread out your studying?

 

[freakingoutabit]

Yep, non-trad here too! Thanks!

I started browsing these forums over a year ago, but I've only recently started commenting much. Now that the MCAT is over and I'm just waiting for my primary to be verified, I have time to kill.

Good luck to everyone this semester!

 

[Hillo]

Pretty rigorous schedule. How do you spread out your studying?

Thanks, this course load may be my most rigorous yet.

Could you be more specific in your question?

I don't schedule my studying time because I focus on getting through the material rather than studying when and how long.

Also, I've finally gotten a study method down, so it's only a matter of doing what I'm supposed to do at a fast pace or not.

A few of my hobbies involve ideas, so whenever something strikes me, I work at it and put off studying (probably a bad thing, but this is how my personality works).

Some people may find that I absorb information more quickly and waste less time than they do, so there are definitely other factors.

I try to remind myself that there exist applicants out there working so much more efficiently and that dental school will make undergrad seem like a vacation.

But I do agree that it's best to study the material right after the corresponding lecture.


Does anyone here actually schedule their studying?

 

[wholeheartedly]

?


Does anyone here actually schedule their studying?

Schedule? Yes


Actually follow said schedule? Not so much....

 

[Sbaldw2]

I'm a 27 year old married non trad. Got a degree in political science 5 years ago. This is my first time posting!

 

[Lavender Gooms]

Long time lurker, first time poster: 28 year old non-traditional here. I'm just taking 2 classes this semester since I work full time. Knocked out Chem 1 & 2 this summer with A's. Gotta get all A's in these pre-reqs to pull up my 3.0 undergrad GPA.

Classes I'm taking:
Biology 1
Physics 1

 

[ElleInfinite]

Going back to school after a 2 year break 😱 But want to kick ass like I used to by getting a 4.0

Anatomy & Physiology
Intro to Chem (wanted to brush up before gen chem)
Principles of Bio
Algebra


Working 40 hours a week but am considering adding another class.

 

[ElleInfinite]

27 here 🙂 Good luck!!! Let's do this!

 

[yugo2113]

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[Wagz]

Organic 1 with lab 4cr
Gen Physics 2 3cr
Biostat 3cr
Bio Informatics 3cr
Biological anthropology 3cr

Scribe at local Er 27-36 hours a week

 

[teambert]

I'm taking biochem, without lab. Getting an A would be nice. A-, at least, or I'll grumble. Serious grumbling.

Also working full time, studying for the MCAT, and starting up my clinical at the end of the month. Hopefully this all works out. It seems like a lot, especially with my wife/son, but some people have scarier schedules than I do on here, for sure.

Good luck to all.

 

[aamrys]

I'll join in! I'm mostly a lurker, but the non-trad forum is so motivating and friendly lol. I'm 23 and a sophomore, single mom, nurse - so technically non-trad. 🙂
I have:
Physics I (4 credits)
Ochem I (4 credits)
Personality Theory (cool psych class - 3 credits)
Philosophy (3 credits)
Internship - Peer Health Educator (3 credits)

I'm also doing a work-study thing as the uni's photographer, so that should be a good break!
Also working part time as a wedding photographer, doing some volunteer work as a nurse on a medical mobile clinic.

It's going to be a PACKED semester, but I'm excited!

 

[jemill]

I've also been lurking for a bit, and everything I've read so far has just made me more and more excited to be on this journey! I am weeks away from 25 years old, and this will be my first full semester at what I call my first "real" college. I took bio 1 & 2 over the summer (B+ and B-), along with Chem 1 at a community college (barely scraped by with a C). Plus worked 24-32 hrs a week made for a crazy summer!

Poisoning of a Planet 3cr
World Civ. 3cr
Intro to Stats II 3cr
Religious Perspectives 3cr

May add Cognitive Psych for 3cr

I'm hoping to get into the transfer honor society which requires a 3.5, which will be no problem if I get all (or mostly) A's. Thankfully they don't factor in grades from transfer credits or it would probably take me the rest of my 3 years at college with all A's to pull a 3.5! I will be working 24-30 hrs a week and will start volunteering in the surgical unit once a week as soon as my paperwork and training is all set.

 

[Major]

1st week half way done for me. How is it going for everyone else?

 

[jemill]

1st week half way done for me. How is it going for everyone else?

I start classes on Monday.

 

[yugo2113]

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[brownbaglunch]

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[aamrys]

Man!
I don't start the semester until after labor day!

 

[yugo2113]

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[Member 102358]

I've definitely found motivation in this thread and thank you for starting it.

Shooting for a 4.0 in...

Organic 1 + lab (5 credits)
Algebra and Trig. (5 credits)
Research (2 credits)

I originally planned on taking Physics 1 along with the above courses but recently decided otherwise. I'll be working (as a teacher) about 30 hours a week this semester and trying to keep up some ECs. I also have 4 young children.

 

[Major]

I've definitely found motivation in this thread and thank you for starting it.

Shooting for a 4.0 in...

Organic 1 + lab (5 credits)
Algebra and Trig. (5 credits)
Research (2 credits)

I originally planned on taking Physics 1 along with the above courses but recently decided otherwise. I'll be working (as a teacher) about 30 hours a week this semester and trying to keep up some ECs. I also have 4 young children.

Good choice on dropping the physics

 

[SpursNut]

Glad to see this thread!

I'll be taking Virology (4 credits), Biochemistry (3 credits), and a Organic Chem Lab (1 credit).

Working 40 hours a week, taking 8 credits, and hoping to prepare for the MCAT in Jan....my wife thinks I'm nuts. Glad to see I'm not the only one working full-time while trying to take classes.

 

[Courtjester8]

In terms of scheduling studying, you would be surprised how far treating school like a 9 to 5 will go. PS- for all you taking virology.... if something weird is going on, its probably a herpes virus.

-cj8

 

[ConsultantMD]

Coming back to school after 3 years, and hoping that these classes can help bring my science GPA up to a competitive level!

*Biochemistry
*Anatomy and Physiology I
*Survey of Astrology
*Cell Biology
*Cognitive Neuroscience
*Immunology

Let's see how it goes! Quit my job, and trying to focus 100% on this to make it happen.

 

[Major]

Coming back to school after 3 years, and hoping that these classes can help bring my science GPA up to a competitive level!

*Biochemistry
*Anatomy and Physiology I
*Survey of Astrology
*Cell Biology
*Cognitive Neuroscience
*Immunology

Let's see how it goes! Quit my job, and trying to focus 100% on this to make it happen.

Challenging schedule! Study hard!

 

[ConsultantMD]

Thank you!

I know it's a big load, but I'm hoping to make this count as my DIY post-bacc. I took 75 classes as an undergrad, so my GPA is pretty stuck. I, like other posters, was too unfocused as an undergrad, but I don't regret that, so I'm hoping that this fall can be my chance to shine.

 

[kraskadva]

Came back last year, 6 years out of under grad. Though I was going to flip out a couple times along the way as I transitioned back in to study mode, but managed to pull a 4.0 last year. Took 28 credits:
Chem 1&2
Bio1&2
Genetics + lab
Molecular genetics lab
RNA biology
Stats for scientists
Microbio +lab
& TA'd Chem 1

Going for another 4.0 year... This semester will be 16 credits:
Physics 1
Orgo 1 + lab
Biochem 1 + lab
Cancer Bio
Research (a continuation of my summer project, which I may get a 1st author pub out of 😱😀)
& TAing Genetics Lab

A 4.0 for both years will pull my cGPA up to a whopping 3.01, but I'm banking on that lovely upward trend of all science cources to pull more weight that the 2.67 of my Philosophy degree.
Class starts for me on Monday. Good luck to everybody! Now get those textbooks crackin' 😉

 

[Lavender Gooms]

Figured this thread needed an update.

My physics class got cancelled the weekend before classes were scheduled to start. I lucked out and was able to get into O-Chem 1 (lecture only, was #548 on the wait list for lab!!!) at the local university here. And I had to add an online Medical Terminology class in order to keep enough credits at one school to make sure I get my financial aid.

Currently enrolled in:
Bio 1 - 4cr
O-Chem 1 - 3cr
Med. Term - 3cr

Had my first biology test last night. This is #1 of 8! Very happy with my grade (48/50) but 4 of those came from bonus questions. I stupidly didn't read one of the questions correctly and forgot to go back and answer one I was debating on! Can't afford to throw away points like that. That might work in this class, but doubt I can do that in O-Chem!

Hope everyone's semester is going well so far.

 

[BurberryDoc]

Hey guys, I'm a graduate student doing MS in Physiology. Current classes:

Histology Lab
Histology Lecture
Bioinformatics & Functional Genomics
Cardiovascular Development.


I have a 3.85 GPA, but a number of medical schools have my application on hold and want to see my fall grades before making any decisions, so I'm really vying for a 4.0 this semester to remove any doubt these schools may have cast on my application (also trying to come back from a 3.3 undergrad GPA)

 

[perfectpursuits]

English
Psychology and Law
Psychology of Addictions
Psychological disorders
Stress and Coping
Biology lecture
Biology lab

Goal: 4.0 gpa ☺

EC's
Volunteering at clinic and/or hospital (5 hours)
First aid team on campus (7-8 hours)
Exercise daily and fundraise for race

Love this thread!!! I need to find a new volunteering post, which is why my volunteering EC seems so ambiguous.

 

[berries1121]

First time posting: turning 27 in two months. Overall UGPA:3.58 non science major.

Fall 2013:
Chemistry 1 with lab
Biology 1 with lab
Physics 1 with lab

EC: 6 hours of volunteering at hospital

Does anyone think my course load is too light? A lot of people here seem to be either taking a lot more classes or working...

 

[perfectpursuits]

First time posting: turning 27 in two months. Overall UGPA:3.58 non science major.

Fall 2013:
Chemistry 1 with lab
Biology 1 with lab
Physics 1 with lab

EC: 6 hours of volunteering at hospital

Does anyone think my course load is too light? A lot of people here seem to be either taking a lot more classes or working...

Hello! I'm a non science major, too. I don't think your course load is too light, considering you are not a science major and those subjects might all be new to you. Good luck!

 

[scarecrow90]

4.0 Goal:

4 - Organic Chem I
1 - Organic Chem Lab I
4 - College Physics I


Eeeeeeeeeek!!!

 

[futuremddo]

Working full-time and taking Bio and Chem at a challenging school. I thought it would be good to take them at a difficult school but now I kind of wish I had taken at least one at an easier school! Still shooting for the magic 4.0 though.

I'm also working on learning how to study. Although I already have my Bachelor's degree, let's just say that wasn't a skill I practiced back then 🙂 I learned a lot about studying during the first course of my post-bacc but this semester is really intense so I need to up my game!

 

[Vorspiel]

Organic Chemistry 1 + Lab
Microbiology + Lab
General Biology 2 + Lab
General Physics 2
Calculus

18 credits total. I'm kicking myself for only taking 12 credits last semester, but I keep finding more and more classes that I want to take because individual schools require them. Anyone else running into the same issue?

 

[yugo2113]

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[teambert]

Well, guess I'll brag a bit. Got an A on the first Biochem test, high grade. I don't think I'll keep that up, but an A in the class seems feasible.

I really need to get started on clinical hours.

 

[futuremddo]

First two exams coming up next week! I'm really struggling to balance working full-time (and in my job this means 60ish hours a week) and taking two courses. I know this doesn't sound like a lot, but with my commute I typically only get a few hours of studying a day, and that's only on the days I don't have classes. Weekends are great, but they can't make up for the week days.

A balance I'm working on finding right now is a sleep/study balance. I know that I need sleep if I'm going to actually learn what I study, but if I don't study, I'll never learn it!