How intense is the first month of DO school?

[Bubba25]

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This is a question for those current or graduated students,

I'm starting school the first week of August 2016. Also, my wife is pregnant with our first child and she is due August 2nd. I know this is going to be crazy, but we're excited and determined to handle it all.

Just curious, are the first few months of med school extremely intense? From what I understand we start off with some fundamental science refreshers, but I'm hoping that I'm not so swamped and overwhelmed that I can't enjoy this major life event with my family... How were the first few weeks/months for you all?

Thanks!

 

[cliquesh]

Every school is probably different. My school started off with anatomy and OMM. I don't remember the first exam being particularly intense. I think around November/December is when things started getting more serious.

 

[costales]

Yes, the intensity catches many people off guard at my school. They turn on the fire hose the first day. Are you going to have help after the baby is born?

 

[Bubba25]

Yes, the intensity catches many people off guard at my school. They turn on the fire hose the first day. Are you going to have help after the baby is born?

Yes, grandparents will be available to share the load. I'm more worried about just missing those important moments myself...

 

[AlteredScale]

This is a question for those current or graduated students,

I'm starting school the first week of August 2016. Also, my wife is pregnant with our first child and she is due August 2nd. I know this is going to be crazy, but we're excited and determined to handle it all.

Just curious, are the first few months of med school extremely intense? From what I understand we start off with some fundamental science refreshers, but I'm hoping that I'm not so swamped and overwhelmed that I can't enjoy this major life event with my family... How were the first few weeks/months for you all?

Thanks!

You can do it. For the most part the material in the beginning for most bio majors is a review of stuff you should know (molecular and cell bio, some simple genetics, biochem). The only odd thing that happens is that the speed of the material given is ramped up from the get go so that's usually what gets to you. Example: instead of a semester of biochem it's about 1 week of material, the exam is the following monday..so the weekend is burned to essentially catch up, review, review some more, do some questions, and pray.

First few weeks can be hard because you do need to adjust to essentially sitting down and studying. But I always found time to just be with my wife.

A good majority of my classmates are married with kids and they seem to being just fine with it so I think you'll be okay as well!

At the end of the day it's gunna suck. But you won't be studying from 4am to 12am. Usually class is either from 8-12pm or 8-4pm. Go home, do your readings and study a bit. Can spend a few hours with the fam after.

 

[Mad Jack]

We thought the first block was insane. Our professors insisted they were going easy on us, and that things just get more difficult from there. They weren't kidding- despite first block feeling like an absolutely mind melting mess, it was the easiest one we had by far in hindsight.

Most schools do the majority of their wedding in the first semester though, to minimize wasted investment on both the part of schools and stufents, or so the experience seemed to be at my school and that of a few of my friends'. So keep your performance strong early on, then ease back and enjoy the little one more when you've got the hang of things.

 

[costales]

Yes, grandparents will be available to share the load. I'm more worried about just missing those important moments myself...

Timewise it's not different from an 8-to-5 job, or less if you skip lectures.

 

[Gandyy]

I've heard from many students the lectures are essentially a waste of time. For some, going to class really helps them. I guess this would be a personal preference? Unless of course mandatory attendance is a thing at that school.

I am someone who learns very little with a teacher droning on about new material on a powerpoint. I am kind of a self learner who learns best with guidance from the teacher.

 

[costales]

I've heard from many students the lectures are essentially a waste of time. For some, going to class really helps them. I guess this would be a personal preference? Unless of course mandatory attendance is a thing at that school.

People who skip lectures still listen to the recordings - for a couple of reasons: (1) Not all professors are useless and they may have insight to understanding that is not in textbooks - that stuff is gold - and (2) Professors are paid to torture med students on exams, so it's best to pay them some attention and see what they like.

 

[AlteredScale]

I've heard from many students the lectures are essentially a waste of time. For some, going to class really helps them. I guess this would be a personal preference? Unless of course mandatory attendance is a thing at that school.

I am someone who learns very little with a teacher droning on about new material on a powerpoint. I am kind of a self learner who learns best with guidance from the teacher.

I've found that skipping lectures is a but of a hindrance because either the recording does not come up until a few hours later, making me feel behind or I skip listening to the lecture entirely and miss something important (them telling you NOT to study something). For the most part, my technique has now evolved into just reading and studying the power points and then listening to the lectures on double speed to pick up on anything they say not to study for the exam.

 

[yanks26dmb]

This is a question for those current or graduated students,

I'm starting school the first week of August 2016. Also, my wife is pregnant with our first child and she is due August 2nd. I know this is going to be crazy, but we're excited and determined to handle it all.

Just curious, are the first few months of med school extremely intense? From what I understand we start off with some fundamental science refreshers, but I'm hoping that I'm not so swamped and overwhelmed that I can't enjoy this major life event with my family... How were the first few weeks/months for you all?

Thanks!

I just finished first semester...first month was as intense as last month. I remember having friends in town the first weekend after school started, thinking I could hang out with them. No way, no how. The firehose is turned on day 1.