First Year Pre-Dental

[llaurenn]

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I just finished my first year at UCSB (quarter system).
Unfortuantely, it was a pretty tough transition for me from high school into this new environment, I really want to go to dental school but I got 3 B's and 2 C's in science classes this year. I am determined to get back on track in my sophomore year...but how badly will this hurt me?
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Thank you!

**Note: 2 B's and 1 C were in gen chem, 1 B and 1 C were in physics. (I have gotten all A's in labs)

 

[tbond5]

Get A's and A-'s for the rest of your science classes and you should be fine.

 

[robertmarino]

Keep your determination and focus harder on getting straight As and you'll be fine. It's only going to get harder so don't give up.

 

[paymaant]

Get A's and A-'s for the rest of your science classes and you should be fine.

Easier said than done, huh Bond?

 

[llaurenn]

Thank you all! This does seem difficult, but I am just going to work hard, and try to stay optimistic!! 🙂

 

[D.D.S.]

The transition was hard for me as well. My first year, my GPA dropped to 2.9. Graduated with a 3.7. Study hard, make use of office hours and ask questions. Make a schedule for yourself and distribute your time to study for only the important/hard classes and you will find yourself doing well overtime. The key is to develop a good study method. For me, it was to re-write all the powerpoint lectures in a way that I would understand and then studied that (might seem stupid, but worked for me). Good luck!

 

[Papasmurf1234]

The transition was hard for me as well. My first year, my GPA dropped to 2.9. Graduated with a 3.7. Study hard, make use of office hours and ask questions. Make a schedule for yourself and distribute your time to study for only the important/hard classes and you will find yourself doing well overtime. The key is to develop a good study method. For me, it was to re-write all the powerpoint lectures in a way that I would understand and then studied that (might seem stupid, but worked for me). Good luck!

I agree. It's difficult but very doable. I finished my first year with a 3.01 (spring quarter I received a 2.7) but graduated with a 3.63

 

[LaughingGas]

Take Bruice for ochem. Take advantage of CLAS and TAs' dicussion sections. It is definitely fast, but if I look back, I didn't get As b/c I didn't study as I should be. Check ratemyprofessor and avoid professors that are ridiculously hard. Ochem at UCSB will be the series of class which a lot of premeds change their major. You need to survive that with As. Start studying from day 1 as you have a midterm or final the following days.

 

[Bottle]

The transition was hard for me as well. My first year, my GPA dropped to 2.9. Graduated with a 3.7. Study hard, make use of office hours and ask questions. Make a schedule for yourself and distribute your time to study for only the important/hard classes and you will find yourself doing well overtime. The key is to develop a good study method. For me, it was to re-write all the powerpoint lectures in a way that I would understand and then studied that (might seem stupid, but worked for me). Good luck!

+1

do the writing method. I use it too and it helps me to memorize almost everything.

 

[tbond5]

Easier said than done, huh Bond?

Yeah thats true, but not impossible. It'll destroy your social life, but if you want to be a dentist bad enough then you'll make it work. I'm sure you'll be just fine. My first year was rough too, transitioning from high school to college. Chem 1 and trig were the bane of my existence. When I found out trig was on the DAT I swore on the inside.

Staying optimistic is one of the best things for any health profession applicant! Good Luck man!

 

[llaurenn]

Thanks to everyone again! I will definitely listen to your advice! I guess what scares me the most is that math (which i did well in) is not included in the BCP gpa, and I have already taken gen chem and most of physics in my first year -.- I will stay optimistic and try my best though! 🙂

 

[elemental951]

I just finished my first year at UCSB (quarter system).
Unfortuantely, it was a pretty tough transition for me from high school into this new environment, I really want to go to dental school but I got 3 B's and 2 C's in science classes this year. I am determined to get back on track in my sophomore year...but how badly will this hurt me?
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Thank you!

**Note: 2 B's and 1 C were in gen chem, 1 B and 1 C were in physics. (I have gotten all A's in labs)

I go to UCSB as well! Stay up and keep working hard.

 

[llaurenn]

@elemental951 awesome! 🙂 and thanks!

 

[sbdento]

Gauchos!!