Full science load - Good idea???

[nikkie]

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Hi! Starting Septempter, I'm taking O-Chem 1, Phys 1, Calculus 1, and Bio 1. My post-bac program requires that I take a full science load. I will be commuting one 1/2 hour each way daily to school.

I have been offered a research assistantship that covers tuition plus some pocket money. It is 10 hours per week and I can work around my schedule including weekends. Financially, it will be great.

I am used to having a time-consuming schedule, but I have never taken such an intensive science load before. I am currently reviewing Gen Chem (one chapter per week) and about to start reviewing Trigonometry as a way to "ease" myself into school/science mode. I know it is going to be very intense. I just want to make sure that if I work hard and forget about a social life that it will be fine.

I was wondering if anyone is going to be or has been in my situation. Any advice on staying in control and keeping my sanity?

 

[nina512]

Sounds just as intense as your first year in medical school. Taking a full course load will really prepare you for the sheer volume of material thrown at you during med school.

However, the difficulty depends. Not having developed good study habits prior to taking all those classes can make things very difficult.

My advice it to ask for help from professors/tutors when you need it and to keep up with your coursework.

Good luck!

 

[LoneCoyote]

Find a study method that works for you early on and stick to it. If it's working alone do that, even if all your classmates study in groups. If it's going to the library with someone and helping each other out, do that. I know I wasted time my first semester of post-bac with the full load trying out different study techniques that wasted my time and were not helpful. Try to stay on top of everything so you don't get behind. And as the other poster said definitely make use of tutors, office hours, etc., if you need help. Overall, just try to have good timne management and you should be fine. I found being really busy made me more efficient 🙂

 

[Superflyjsc]

hey nikkie,

ur situation is very similar to mine. Im in postbacc now after being out of academics for 6 years and im taking a full science course similar to urs wit the exception of calculus. Im taking Orgo chem, physics and bio this fall and im also commuting 3 hours a day, 1.5 hours back and forth. Im also gonna be working like around 10-15 hours a week.
Its gonna be tough but u just cant quit. If u really wanna do this u gotta make sacrifices and do the assigment even if they didnt require u to do it. ALso, make as many friends u can from class cuase u never know when u might need to crash over their place for the night.
I was aprehensive about jumping back into a full academic schedule just like you but its really not as bad as you might think. Just dont settle with being "average" and getting average grades.

 

[Superflyjsc]

nikkie where u going for post bacc by the way?

 

[sanford_w/o_son]

four classes, including labs? isn't that more than a "full load"? having just done the basic science pre-reqs, your load sounds very, very difficult to me(unless you've had some of those classes before, or are not doing labs). i'd start on o-chem ahead of time. good luck.

 

[DRTOBE1]

I will have a full course load of bio, chem, calc and physics. Ill also be working 20hrs a week as a Exercise Physiologist and I am a professional cheerleader/dancer for a NBA team. How about them apples?

 

[nikkie]

I'm going to UConn. Superflyjsc, you commute sounds tough. I'm thinking of getting some books on tape for my 1/2 hour ride.

I love your words of encouragement and positive attitude. Have you taken any pre-reqs yet? Both my Phys and Bio have labs, but O-Chem doesn't.