For once a success... (some advice)

[xlithiumx]

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So, I'm a newly minted second year, and I have a good story to tell for all of you first years.

Anyhow, throughout first year, I did pretty well, but never really did and outstanding job in my courses. My grades were usually pass or low honors, but never ever high honors. My studying was a bit sporadic and involved a fair bit of cramming.

So, this year started, and I've had a bit more free time and alone time now that my wife works long hours. So, I've been doing the whole slow and steady daily studying thing. Not more than 2 hours/day, though. Anyhow, I just had my first cardiovascular system test today, and I got the high score in the class. The amazing thing is that I feel like I put in less effort in studying for the test because it was so spread out.

At any rate, I'm happy, and I'd suggest that all you crammers try the more gradual method. My change in style dramatically improved my performance, and I'm very happy about it.

 

[bjackrian]

Thanks for posting that. As a second year, I also am doing *much* better this year than last year. I think part of it is that the material feels more relevant, so I'm more likely to spend some time each day with it. I had a hard time last year, especially first semester (which for us was gross, histo, and neuro) because I just couldn't see why I was learning a lot of the material. Now, I feel like what I learn matters so I have more incentive to learn it and I'm better able to self-motivate.

Moral of the story: hang in there first years!

 

[Dr. McDreamy]

you've got to be kidding....2 hours a day?

i study 7 or 8 hours every day and pass but am average or below average.

i think you may have discovered the magic of a photographic memory+putting actual effort into your schoolwork. congrats 🙄

 

[xlithiumx]

you've got to be kidding....2 hours a day?

i study 7 or 8 hours every day and pass but am average or below average.

i think you may have discovered the magic of a photographic memory+putting actual effort into your schoolwork. congrats 🙄

I can see your point that it doesn't seem like a ton of studying. But, my school does place a large focus on lecture and devotes more hours to it than other schools, I think. Thus, I get a bit more time with each concept in class, and I'm a pretty good "in class" learner I'd say. I definitely do not have a photographic memory though. I think I just need the every day coverage that I wasn't getting before.

Before I was actually plenty of time into my classwork, it was just closer to the exam. So where I used to put in perhaps 25-30 hours of study time in the weekend before the exam, now I put in 25-30 hours of study time over the 2 weeks before the exam and then maybe just 6-10 hours over the weekend before the exam.