How much did you study?

[momoneythenu]

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Thought I would start a thread on something I find most peculiar. How do you study? Were you someone who went home after class each day and looked over your notes, did you just spend the week before a test studying, couple days before, god forbid only the night before?? I have always found this interesting.

 

[Passion4Sci]

Thought I would start a thread on something I find most peculiar. How do you study? Were you someone who went home after class each day and looked over your notes, did you just spend the week before a test studying, couple days before, god forbid only the night before?? I have always found this interesting.

For most classes, I studied every day after the class on the stuff we went over (including labs). I'd also do lab write-ups the same day. But, I also don't really care about a social life. The only exceptions were courses in the social sciences & humanities, in which case I really only studied a few days before exams.

 

[futureopt31]

Thought I would start a thread on something I find most peculiar. How do you study? Were you someone who went home after class each day and looked over your notes, did you just spend the week before a test studying, couple days before, god forbid only the night before?? I have always found this interesting.

I studied everyday for all of my science and math courses. Others didn't require my attention as much. Then, I would review everything starting the week before the exam. I rarely ever crammed the night before. That just doesn't work well for upper division science classes...

 

[crazybob]

Thought I would start a thread on something I find most peculiar. How do you study? Were you someone who went home after class each day and looked over your notes, did you just spend the week before a test studying, couple days before, god forbid only the night before?? I have always found this interesting.

In undergrad or in pharmacy school?

 

[Passion4Sci]

In undergrad or in pharmacy school?

Sounded like undergrad, since it's in the past tense and we're all still in pharmacy school or are about to start.

 

[sde780]

I studied the night before, 2 nights before for finals. Might explain why I have a 3.4 GPA haha

I've never studied more than 2-3 nights before, I just can't stand the material for that long

 

[momoneythenu]

In undergrad or in pharmacy school?

Referring to undergrad as I know its a whole new ball game in pharm school.

 

[armorking]

I personally studied 1-2 hours before class for each math and science course I took. I also prepared for science and math exams a week before to refresh on all of the material. I also did lab write-ups the same day I had lab. If the course was a social science or humanities course, I notoriously studied 1-2 days before the exam but I would review any material from the previous class the morning before class started (usually took 30 min-1 hour to review the material).

 

[Falokis]

First BS = none (literally) sometimes the night before if I was feeling crazy = GPA 2.01
Second BS = a night before (min) up to two days before = GPA 3.5
Pharmacy School = Everyday (including weekends) for 6 hours minimum = GPA 2.9

Anyone see a correlation?

 

[sde780]

Studying helps your.....grades? No way, I would never have believed you freshman year 😀

At the beginning of every semester I always tell myself I'll spend at least 1 hr studying everyday...that works for the first month then it's back to the usual watch movies until 1am and procrastinate everything

 

[Notecard]

First BS = none (literally) sometimes the night before if I was feeling crazy = GPA 2.01
Second BS = a night before (min) up to two days before = GPA 3.5
Pharmacy School = Everyday (including weekends) for 6 hours minimum = GPA 2.9

Anyone see a correlation?

What are your degrees in?

For me it depends on the subject. Math and physics I study hours and still have trouble. Chemistry, humanities, and biology classes I almost never studied and got better grades than math/physics. Hated those two subjects.

 

[Falokis]

What are your degrees in?

For me it depends on the subject. Math and physics I study hours and still have trouble. Chemistry, humanities, and biology classes I almost never studied and got better grades than math/physics. Hated those two subjects.

First was in laboratory science was the first.

http://www.auburn.edu/academic/cosa...gistration-and-planning/documents/10 LABT.pdf

Medical Technology was the second which I only needed to take the last two years. All the CLLS classes + state boards/certification

http://www.aum.edu/uploadedFiles/Sc...ory_Sciences/semester.tenta.schedule.2011.pdf

 

[confettiflyer]

Undergrad: 5 days before exam, relaxed overview; 12-18 hours before exam, cramming. Minimum 5-6 hours sleep before an exam unless I was cramming with a group.

Pharm school: Study group notes released 72 hours before the exam, so my studying would begin then. Intense cramming the 12-18 hours before an exam, minimum 6 hours of sleep before an exam unless it was at 8am. In that case, I'd just stay up all night.

 

[babybull]

First three years of undergrad (UCSD): 3.95 GPA

Whenever I had free time, I would complete assigned readings to gain a deeper understanding of the class material. Concerning class notes, I would go over them multiple times to really try and memorize them word-for-word. For example, if a science class I was taking had class notes distributed throughout 100 lecture slides, by test time I could recall specific information from a specific slide, along with other information from that slide. Perhaps it helps to have some photographic memory. Others might rely more on audio memory, etc.

If you're trying to boost your GPA, memorizing class notes is actually probably more effective than understanding class material, despite what professors might actually tell you.

Also, don't try and memorize lists two weeks before a test -- just wait several days before the test to memorize them. It's more time efficient. Time is your worst enemy when it comes to going for a 4.0 GPA.

 

[momoneythenu]

First three years of undergrad (UCSD): 3.95 GPA

Whenever I had free time, I would complete assigned readings to gain a deeper understanding of the class material. Concerning class notes, I would go over them multiple times to really try and memorize them word-for-word. For example, if a science class I was taking had class notes distributed throughout 100 lecture slides, by test time I could recall specific information from a specific slide, along with other information from that slide. Perhaps it helps to have some photographic memory. Others might rely more on audio memory, etc.

If you're trying to boost your GPA, memorizing class notes is actually probably more effective than understanding class material, despite what professors might actually tell you.

Also, don't try and memorize lists two weeks before a test -- just wait several days before the test to memorize them. It's more time efficient. Time is your worst enemy when it comes to going for a 4.0 GPA.

Yeah. How did you balance friends? Or did you just give up on that and realize whats important? Thats what I did.

 

[babybull]

Yeah. How did you balance friends? Or did you just give up on that and realize whats important? Thats what I did.

Of course, it helps to have friends who have the same interest(s) as you, which was basically my case. My roommate was competitive and so I naturally tried to overachieve as well. I don't drink and I didn't go to any parties at all, so I still had time everyday to do the things I liked to do. I had time to work on my fitness, occasionally play some sports, but only once in a while, go for some random outings with close friends (midnight movies, grocery runs). It depends on the person -- some people need to be around friends otherwise they'll feel miserable, while others don't need much company. I personally didn't need all the extra college fun. I'm pretty disciplined and just want a stable family life in the future -- nothing more and nothing less.

 

[Swishers]

There were always one or two classes a semester that required much more effort than most (*cough* physical chem). For those, I studied 10-20 hours over the few days before the exam. Everything else was whatever. A lot of classes gave online quizzes weekly which was kinda like studying. My extra college fun didn't suffer; especially during senior year. 😀

 

[confettiflyer]

Of course, it helps to have friends who have the same interest(s) as you, which was basically my case. My roommate was competitive and so I naturally tried to overachieve as well. I don't drink and I didn't go to any parties at all, so I still had time everyday to do the things I liked to do. I had time to work on my fitness, occasionally play some sports, but only once in a while, go for some random outings with close friends (midnight movies, grocery runs). It depends on the person -- some people need to be around friends otherwise they'll feel miserable, while others don't need much company. I personally didn't need all the extra college fun. I'm pretty disciplined and just want a stable family life in the future -- nothing more and nothing less.

i got like a 3.0 but lots of tail, so i guess it's like i traded 1.0 for college girls. that's like the best value evarrrrr

 

[IrunDaily]

I study about 5 days before science exams and just memorize the slides and somewhat understand it if it's a lot of material. I review them until they are etched into my head. I also have a life. I run XC/Track and take every Fri or Sat off to enjoy the finer things in life. Non-science classes maybe study the night before. Never read the books, just repetition. 🙂

 

[R2pharmD2]

i got like a 3.0 but lots of tail, so i guess it's like i traded 1.0 for college girls. that's like the best value evarrrrr

🤣

 

[SparkleMotion]

Until I know the material well enough to teach it. Requires a lot of studying, but done in dozens of very small segments, so it doesn't feel like hard work.

Single most important thing is to utilize your actual class time to the fullest extent - if you can learn it sitting in class you don't don't have to study at all.

 

[JADpharm28]

Requires a lot of studying, but done in dozens of very small segments, so it doesn't feel like hard work.

I need to try this! ^


Anyways, I try my best to start preparing for tests about 5 days before, but usually other things get in the way so it ends up being only 2-3 days for science classes. Non-science depends on how much work is required of the class. Usually I'll just spend 4 hours the night before cramming.

 

[SaraPharm]

In undergrad, I was notorious for procrastinating and ending up having to cram the night or two nights before and even obtaining doc notes on medical occasions😳 when i wasnt ready to take the test and/or exams.

This wont fly in professional school though, so i plan on studying every day after my lectures...after all patients will depend on my knowledge.

 

[confettiflyer]

This wont fly in professional school though, so i plan on studying every day after my lectures...after all patients will depend on my knowledge.

lol

 

[armorking]

i got like a 3.0 but lots of tail, so i guess it's like i traded 1.0 for college girls. that's like the best value evarrrrr

I haven't laughed so hard in a while! Oh man this was too hilarious!

 

[Falokis]

i got like a 3.0 but lots of tail, so i guess it's like i traded 1.0 for college girls. that's like the best value evarrrrr

I subtracted another 1.0 for the alcohol plus women combo 🙁

 

[PygmalionEffect]

Sounds like most of you guys probably sacrifice your social lives to get things done.

Do you ever feel like your social skills go to **** after a while?

 

[hillwilliam]

I'm more of a visual learner, so I need to look at my notes and study materials on a regular basis.

Also, I have 2 kids. I need to keep ahead of the studying. My family situation does not allow me time to "cram" the day before an exam.

 

[joetrisman]

Sounds like most of you guys probably sacrifice your social lives to get things done.

Do you ever feel like your social skills go to **** after a while?

Yes. When all you think, eat, breath, sleep is school, interacting with normal people is quite tedious. I have no concept of current events and can only make commentary if it relates to disease states, pharmacology, or the like. Even when doing things not related to school, I'm in a perpetual state of distraction with my to do list for school. I'm in year 2 of a 3 year accelerated program so YMMV.

 

[crazybob]

Sounds like most of you guys probably sacrifice your social lives to get things done.

Do you ever feel like your social skills go to **** after a while?

I agree. Hopefully FB and Twitter will keep me updated every once in a while on what people are saying these days.

I watch YouTube and Hulu every now and then so I keep up with some of the trends.

If I didn't, and someone talked about Epic Meal Time, I'd be like "what???" 😕

 

[rxlea]

In undergrad, I was notorious for procrastinating and ending up having to cram the night or two nights before and even obtaining doc notes on medical occasions😳 when i wasnt ready to take the test and/or exams.

This wont fly in professional school though, so i plan on studying every day after my lectures...after all patients will depend on my knowledge.

Easier said than done... especially when you have projects, IPPE, health fairs, research, internship, etc etc etc... It's great to be optimistic though 😀

I learned a great deal in my first year of pharmacy school and I am not just talking about what I learned in class...

There are not enough hours in the day and opportunity cost is everything.

 

[hye345]

I try to study in short 30 minute-or-so intervals, for maybe 3 cycles a day, a couple of days a week. This way, its not overwhelming, and the material doesn't creep up on me.

As far as how I study, I read my notes ( rarely the book) readily, trying to let it slowly soak in, and forming mnemonics.

 

[jvinny]

Sounds like most of you guys probably sacrifice your social lives to get things done.

Do you ever feel like your social skills go to **** after a while?

Say I have a midterm (Biology or Chemistry related) Monday. I usually study Tuesday - Thursday midday, probably only sleeping for five hours total. Then I do whatever i want Thursday night - Friday. And if I know the material well, I'm usually willing to review on Sunday with a hangover. If I don't know the material well, I'll study Saturday - Sunday.

I like to study everything at once because I can make connections between topics easily. Then i stop studying because I get sick of looking at it. Review everything before the midterm and I make sure I sleep normally the night before.

For everything else (Math, Physics, Social Sciences), I study 36-48 hours before but not as intensely because I usually get bored and irritated.

Really just time management and knowing what works for me.