How would you prefer to be taught?

[BKLYN DOC]

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I am starting at NYCOM soon and have been accepted to the Problem Based Learning program (DPC) and I am having second thoughts about it 😕.

In undergrad, I basically never went to class 😴 and always taught myself through textbooks. I like to learn at my own pace and at my own time. I like to believe that I am fairly self motivated enough to do well in the PBL program but that is not my concern.

My issue is with this; am I going to be paying A LOT of money to go to medical school to learn on my own from textbooks? PBL comes down to you and your textbooks (or whatever resource speaks to you).

Also, I have a feeling after a while of studying on your own that it must get repetitive and dull. At least when you go to class, even if your dozing off and daydreaming, you meet new professors, a lot of new people and things are constantly changing. I would assume most of the money I pay to attend medical school goes to the professors and doctors that teach me . That would not be the case if I went into the PBL track however.

I have done a lot of research and know the positives and negatives of PBL and feel that it may be the best route for me. Still, I have my doubts and hope that I do not get sick of it too fast, too quick. If anybody has any experience with PBL (DPC) or any advice, what do you think about this dilemma? This affects the next two years of my life so its a fairly big decision I need to make.

 

[slim78]

My school wasn't PBL, but I did skip class a lot to study on my own. I didn't feel like I was waisting my tuition by not going to class or anything like that.

For a lot of people, the only way to learn is by repeating the material a number of times on their own outside of class. If you are good at studying on your own then you will be fine. Everyone learns differently and I'm sure even among PBL students everyone adapts to a study style that fits them best.

 

[Rollo]

I'm in the camp of medical students that "do not attend lectures ever and study on their own"...so in that case, am I spending way too much money for somebody to give me 2-3 exams in a block that consists of about 98% material that I taught myself?

Yes, I'm spending way too much money in that scenario.

So you see, your case is not much different from people like me who are enrolled in traditional lecture format curriculum.

As far as what to do if your routine of studying gets too boring? Believe it or not, just a simple change of your study location in your apartment or library can do the trick. Moving from studying in my bedroom desk to living room couch makes a HUGE difference for me. So no, getting bored with a study routine won't be a problem as long as you make little changes to your routine/environment often.

 

[NYDOC112]

I am starting at NYCOM soon and have been accepted to the Problem Based Learning program (DPC) and I am having second thoughts about it 😕.

In undergrad, I basically never went to class 😴 and always taught myself through textbooks. I like to learn at my own pace and at my own time. I like to believe that I am fairly self motivated enough to do well in the PBL program but that is not my concern.

My issue is with this; am I going to be paying A LOT of money to go to medical school to learn on my own from textbooks? PBL comes down to you and your textbooks (or whatever resource speaks to you).

Also, I have a feeling after a while of studying on your own that it must get repetitive and dull. At least when you go to class, even if your dozing off and daydreaming, you meet new professors, a lot of new people and things are constantly changing. I would assume most of the money I pay to attend medical school goes to the professors and doctors that teach me . That would not be the case if I went into the PBL track however.

I have done a lot of research and know the positives and negatives of PBL and feel that it may be the best route for me. Still, I have my doubts and hope that I do not get sick of it too fast, too quick. If anybody has any experience with PBL (DPC) or any advice, what do you think about this dilemma? This affects the next two years of my life so its a fairly big decision I need to make.

At NYCOM both tracks are very good, It comes down to which one fits your lifestyle better. Many DPC students have said its hard at first pushing yourself to study, but eventually it becomes routine and they wouldn't change it for anything... Remember you will have to do about a month in Lecture based anyway even though you are DPC, at that point if you like the lecture based you can switch into that track before that 1 month trial period is up... Good Luck at NYCOM!

 

[BKLYN DOC]

Thanks everyone. I feel more at ease hearing the same advice from different people.

I have heard that changing your setting every once in a while does help and I'll be sure to keep that in mind. Can't wait to start. Good luck to everyone!