Forgetting Material

[YoungProdigy]

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Just got done with my Bio 2 class, but I'm noticing that I've forgotten A LOT of material from both Bio 1 and Bio 2. I'm tempted to go back and review during this time off, but ordinarily what do you guys suggest students do? Is the 3-4 month MCAT binge studying method really what works? Of course, I'd like to score as high as I can, and starting now seems like the best idea personally. However, I've heard some voice differing opinions, and say that it's a waste of stime to be studying this early in the game.? What is your guys' opinion on this? And if I do want to study now, what's the best way of going about it?

TIA, and sorry if this has already been asked.

 

[IncognitoGuy]

It'll come back. If you're a bio major or some other kind of related science, you will also see fairly strong overlap in higher-level classes as time goes on. There simply isn't enough time or effort to continually review content - for the MCAT, it is just that - you binge, find where you peak in knowledge and test-taking ability, harness that into a test date and promptly forget most of it. Step I in medical school is similar.

So don't worry, just study and do well in classes and that should be all you need to retain a foundation for the eventual MCAT studying.

 

[Glandzburg]

Honestly, if you actually learned it well the first time, it will come back fairly easily. Don't worry too much about temporarily dumping some info you don't need at the moment.

 

[ProudMD]

Sometimes, you just got to rely on brute-force repetition. Read your textbook/notes/lecture slides over and over again, and things will sink in.

 

[Beagleholly]

Sort of on topic, but I have this problem with some of my classes, and was wondering if anyone has any advice about how to remember more from your classes long-term? How do you really memorize everything in med school?

 

[optimistic3]

I would not go back and study it again if your goal is to remember it for the MCAT. Once MCAT studying time comes around for you, you'll get some prep books or take a class and tailor your studying to what is going to be on the exam. It'll all come back to you!

 

[Holmwood]

While binge/vomit tactics can work extremely well for for test days, it obviously won't lead to long term retention for most people (unless you have photographic memory). Your brain is likely to omit it from memory with chronic disuse as well...

Luckily, reviewing through prep books lets you speed through the subjects quickly. So you're not going to run into much trouble. . .