How was your first year dental school?

[missssyasi]

Hi everyone!

Congrats to you all who are either done or about to finish your first year of dental school! I was just wondering if you could share some pointers on how everything was from didactics to sim lab? Was it all manageable? How hard did you feel it all was? Also, how was it adjusting to everything if you moved away for the first time?

Thanks!

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[bracketbuster68]

Just try your best. Do not talk about grades. Find mentors in the classes above you. They will also have good study materials and oldies. You'll get through it. Don't worry about things out of your control.

 

[MLC45]

The hardest challenge I had with my first year of dental school, wasn't how hard the material was to learn, but the volume of material that was presented. I was expected to be tested over 800-1000 powerPoint slides per class in a 2-4 week time period. When you times that by 8-10 classes it can be really stressful to remember it all. The advise I would give is figure out how you study the best. For some, they read the PowerPoints, others listen to the lectures. Figure out what works best for you and do your best.
Like bracketbuster68 said, don't discuss your grades. Remember everyone there is the best of the applicants. You might be at the bottom of your class and feel like a complete loser, but remember compared to the general public you're most likely in the 95 percentile. Good Luck

 

[macsak]

The hardest challenge I had with my first year of dental school, wasn't how hard the material was to learn, but the volume of material that was presented. I was expected to be tested over 800-1000 powerPoint slides per class in a 2-4 week time period. When you times that by 8-10 classes it can be really stressful to remember it all. The advise I would give is figure out how you study the best. For some, they read the PowerPoints, others listen to the lectures. Figure out what works best for you and do your best.
Like bracketbuster68 said, don't discuss your grades. Remember everyone there is the best of the applicants. You might be at the bottom of your class and feel like a complete loser, but remember compared to the general public you're most likely in the 95 percentile. Good Luck

i compare the amount of material that you need to learn to "drinking from a firehose"...

 

[missssyasi]

i compare the amount of material that you need to learn to "drinking from a firehose"...

Jesus that’s terrifying looool

 

[deleted1106330]

I really wanted to answer this question because this was my biggest concern when I started dental school, I was worried about how difficult first year was going to be. Not going to lie, it was very difficult mentally and physically. Just accept that reality now and be prepared to fight like hell in the upcoming year. Some advice on the things that helped me...

Invest in an iPad and get either OneNote (my favorite and all I use for notes) or Notability, these apps allow you to stay very organized and make note taking so easy.

Stay as positive throughout the school year as you can, it's really key.

Also ALWAYS show up to scheduled SimLab, do not miss SimLab. Plus ask for help from professors or classmates who do well, this helped me a lot.

Like others have said before me, mind your own business and don't compare yourself. Some people will need to study less than you, and others more, but you just focus on yourself. Take time learning the material, I don't believe in that speeding up lectures crap especially the first time you watch them, people who did this didn't understand the material and failed exams. Learning takes time, you can't rush it.

Stay out of drama..seriously. Don't get involved with people in your class romantically unless you've know them for at least a year. So many yikes situations in my class. I repeat, stay away from drama and don't say negative things about your classmates even to people you trust. Your mental health is sacred in dental school, maintain it healthy and avoid the BS.

Good luck!

 

[PerioDont]

It was the worst of times...it was the best of times...

for me personally the toughest academic year of my entire life. the other years didn't get that much easier but you got a lot tougher.

Just know if you got accepted you can make it through! strong friendships are developed, stay out of drama and under the radar.

bribe upperclassmen and ask for their help, old exams etc and any resources.

 

[ESPN907]

Let’s just say compared to second year, it felt like a walk in the park...

 

[Dr Dimbsa]

Like others have said, it’s not necessarily the difficulty of the material, but how much material you need to know. It’s definitely doable and you’ll struggle at first but will eventually get the hang of it. Talk to upperclassmen cause they’ll know the specifics at your school, all schools curriculums are different.

Can’t stress this enough but just remember to take care of your mental health, many students struggle with the fact that they aren’t getting straight As on tests anymore. If you fail a test it isn’t the end of the world just take it one step at a time. And don’t forgot to have some fun and make friends along the way!

 

[AONLINE]

First year was the only year I was gunning really hard, I got exhausted very soon and stopped trying lol. I remembered spending a lot of time in lab to practice waxing and drilling on plastic teeth. I sucked at waxing. It's important to find a good upperclassman to mentor you.

 

[missssyasi]

Thank you all for the advice! Would you say the students who are only going for general dentistry feel like they have a more relaxed time compared to students who are gunning for a specialty?

 

[ESPN907]

Thank you all for the advice! Would you say the students who are only going for general dentistry feel like they have a more relaxed time compared to students who are gunning for a specialty?

Yes, the bottom 10% of a class isn’t there because they’re idiots...quite often they’re living a more balanced life than those at the top 🤷🏼‍♂️

 

[macsak]

Yes, the bottom 10% of a class isn’t there because they’re idiots...quite often they’re living a more balanced life than those at the top 🤷🏼‍♂️

Q- what's the last name of the person who finished last in their dental school class?

















A- DDS

 

[Ivy.ch]

First year is rough, and you think to yourself, "this can't get much worse", yet every year, it gets much worse.

Make good friends, be social, take breaks, study hard, stay healthy, don't get into trouble. You'll make it just like 95% of everyone else who starts dental school.

To answer your question, NO, it does not feel manageable at all. That's going to be your biggest hurdle. Compared to high school and university, you will not have complete control - over your schedule, your grades, your professors, your routine, your patients, etc. - it will constantly feel like school is out of control and you're just barely treading water. That feeling is completely normal. It usually takes people a year to get accustomed to that feeling. Don't expect things to be easy, fair, or under control, and you'll do fine. It's like surfing - you are just this tiny little thing swimming around in this big powerful ocean with waves, currents, wind - you can't control any of it - you just manage to surf around the best you can to have a good time.

 

[axiumgod]

It sucks but it also isn’t terrible at the same time. Be one with the spacebar

 

[PerioDont]

It sucks but it also isn’t terrible at the same time. Be one with the spacebar

#Anki4Life

 

[JLT223]

This experience is going to vary based on the school you attend (graded vs. P/F, etc). Aside from meeting new people, first year sucks- it’s that simple. There’s nothing fun about it. My best piece of advice is to not compare yourself to other people, especially in pre-clinic. Focus on improving your own skills and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

 

[NewtonStar]

Just try your best. Do not talk about grades. Find mentors in the classes above you. They will also have good study materials and oldies. You'll get through it. Don't worry about things out of your control.

Just curious do all schools have oldies?

 

[PerioDont]

Just curious do all schools have oldies?

pretty much. maybe less so for newer schools like Touro I would think.

 

[kobe4554]

pretty much. maybe less so for newer schools like Touro I would think.

whats an oldie

 

[PerioDont]

whats an oldie

previous exam/quizzes to use as gentle 'guiding' resources for your studying

 

[Alpha Centauri]

One of the best years of my life in terms of socializing and meeting new people.
Sim lab sucks because my hand skills (were) trash. Most things you will be taught you'll think are dumb but in reality are incredibly important, such as dental materials and "hands off" operative dentistry lectures.

What I would give to be in the library and in between classes again, even for just a month. Enjoy it while it lasts