I have to be doing something wrong. Please help?

[Merisa15]

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Hi everyone.

So, this week is the first week of my DAT studying. Instead of making my own schedule, I decided to follow Ari's with a few changes. Instead of GC, I decided to do OC. And I have been doing a chapter from Cliffs every day, whereas Ari splits it between two days.

From what I have been reading from those following Ari's schedule is that they spend around 6 hours of their day studying. I spend double that. I really have to be doing something wrong?

Here is what I do and please, if you think I should do something differently, let me know!

I normally start my day with a chapter from Cliffs. I will read the chapter once thoroughly. I will then read it a second time and as I am reading, I make flashcards on Quizlet. I have made 70+ flashcards per chapter. I will then read Feralis Biology Notes and add to what I have made for flashcards. If I do not understand a concept and I need more information, I will Youtube or read an article on that specific subject. At the very end, I take the quizzes. I will then add this information to my flashcards. The biology section takes me the longest time.

As for OC and QR, I have been watching Chad's videos. As I am watching each video, I jot down notes of what he is writing/saying. I then take the quizzes at the end, which I do on paper. Once I complete the quizzes, I read the explanations for the right and wrong answers. I take notes on this information too, next to each problem and answer I have written down.

If I am not feeling tired, I will then go over what I have learned the other days.

My days are literally spent studying all day, which I think will be a recipe for disaster as I get closer to my exam date (which is the end of July).

 

[Michael_Scott]

Follow Ari's plan very strictly. I tried modifying it and ended up messing everything up but then on 2nd try followed it and did well.
the only thing you should change is hours of studying and days.
Keep the flow as it is mentioned in the guide. the first 5 weeks are so very important. I studied from morning 9 to 9 in evening. So 12 hours a day for 3 months. I was not consistent on all days but still deviated very little.

Chad's videos is a great tool, watch and rewatch till you get all the concepts. Do BC PAT generators everyday! Don't take math lightly, my AA messed up because of that.
Use feralis notes ONLY for reference, I can't stress enough the need for you to make your own BIO notes. Also when practice exam comes around, first do DAT genius then switch to Bootcamp for your final go.
Take frequent breaks every weekend for few hours. Don't do too much breaks or else you will get behind and have to extend which will lead to burnout and forgetting everything you studied in the beginning.

 

[Merisa15]

Follow Ari's plan very strictly. I tried modifying it and ended up messing everything up but then on 2nd try followed it and did well.
the only thing you should change is hours of studying and days.
Keep the flow as it is mentioned in the guide. the first 5 weeks are so very important. I studied from morning 9 to 9 in evening. So 12 hours a day for 3 months. I was not consistent on all days but still deviated very little.

Chad's videos is a great tool, watch and rewatch till you get all the concepts. Do BC PAT generators everyday! Don't take math lightly, my AA messed up because of that.
Use feralis notes ONLY for reference, I can't stress enough the need for you to make your own BIO notes. Also when practice exam comes around, first do DAT genius then switch to Bootcamp for your final go.
Take frequent breaks every weekend for few hours. Don't do too much breaks or else you will get behind and have to extend which will lead to burnout and forgetting everything you studied in the beginning.

In Ari's schedule, he suggests doing PAT starting the second week and every other day. So you suggest I start PAT now?

 

[Michael_Scott]

In Ari's schedule, he suggests doing PAT starting the second week and every other day. So you suggest I start PAT now?

Yea starting second week is fine but I was saying to do generators each day after you start PAT. Also, study feralis/cliffs every other day like Ari mentions and use the off day to review/memorize all the stuff you studied the previous day.
You are doing fine, keep it up but don't study too much or too less. keep a proper balance -sleep, exercise, hanging out etc, as well. All the best!

 

[asdf99]

No, that doesn't mean you are doing anything wrong! Everyone is different.

I also went slowly through Ari's Schedule, and consequently used 14 weeks (I think) instead of the 10 weeks, and I still didn't get through all of the schedule prior to taking the test.

I had some work and volunteer commitments that slowed me down. I'm also a slow learner for some things, and I just couldn't focus especially during those biology chapters lol. Wonder if I have some mild form of ADD. Basically, don't be discouraged if you are going slower than others. Just make sure your full length scores are ok before writing 🙂.