I'm scared.

[iamnothere]

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Hi,

I'm new posting to this forum, but have been a lurker for a while.

I just started my first year of pre-med at the University of Alberta and quite frankly..I'm scared! There are people in my lectures who ask questions that make them sound like they should be in GRADUATE studies! I'd appreciate any tips on how to survive, study, and get those A's (more like get ahead of the curve!).

Anyway, thanks, and good luck to all who are applying this year.

 

[Fermata]

It's not that hard:

Pay attention in class.
Read the book.
Work out problems.
Attend help sessions/go to office hours.
Do not be afraid to ask for help.

Getting good grades is all about putting in the time.

 

[benelswick]

Hey don't worry I think most of us feel that way. Just work hard and hang out with nerds. Dress like a nerd. I just got this hip belt thing that holds my pencils my cell phone and my notepad--and I feel smarter already....and ridiculous. But its like woody allen said: most of it is just showing up and the rest is wearing the right gear.

 

[Haybrant]

its actually not so bad if you do the work; the majority of premeds dont seem to do the work surprisingly enough...

if that doesnt work out, take solace in the fact that Miss America goes to med school there at Alabama; it might be worth going to seek her out and ask for 'help'...

 

[calstudent]

above posters got it right:
How BAD do you want it? If you want it bad enough, and I hope you do, you will work hard, taking classes that you love and putting full effort in them. It's not cliche--it's how stuff works. Take the time to find what study strategies work best for you.

Of course, I am not into medical school so I don't know how well it worked for me, but good luck to you.

 

[45408]

Find a way to plug yourself in - whether it be in a research lab (the people in my lab are a tightly-knit group), a pre-med club/association (I've been an officer in ours since I started college), volunteering, etc., it's crucial to get yourself a support base and start building your med school application.

Second, put school first. Friends, parties, etc., are going to have to wait. They don't need to be forgotten, but if you have a big chemistry exam on Monday, and you need to study, you need to be willing to tell your friends, "Nope, can't, gotta study." But don't become a recluse either - budget your time so that you're free for weekends or something like that.

Third, stay away from the Internet. Biggest time-management destroyer around! 😉

As for everyone else's suggestions, you'll have to see what works for you. I rarely go to office hours, I almost always sit in the back of the classroom, I've been known to fall asleep in class, etc., but I do study a lot, I do surround myself with people who are smarter than me and can help me learn stuff I don't know, and I am motivated. Motivation is key. If you want to do it, you probably can.

Don't be discouraged by all the pre-med drop-outs either - because there will be many, but you don't have to be one.

 

[vikaskoth]

you go to school in canada, and i go to school in the US so i really dont think i'm qualified to give you advice. I dont know exactly how they teach up there, maybe you should check out the international threads

 

[Fermata]

you go to school in canada, and i go to school in the US so i really dont think i'm qualified to give you advice. I dont know exactly how they teach up there, maybe you should check out the international threads

Organic chemistry is organic chemistry wherever you go.....

 

[calstudent]

Organic chemistry is organic chemistry wherever you go.....

so is learning! good point

theprowler gave a great reply 👍

he is especially right about the internet. i'm leaving now!

 

[Fermata]

theprowler gave a great reply 👍

he is especially right about the internet. i'm leaving now!

If only I could comply.....sigh......

 

[vikaskoth]

Organic chemistry is organic chemistry wherever you go.....

Apparently a joke isn't a joke wherever you go..loosen up people

 

[Fermata]

Apparently a joke isn't a joke wherever you go..loosen up people

Forgive me. I was not able to pick up on your sarcasm.

Btw, what is the origin of vikaskoth?

 

[mdsh00]

Don't be discouraged by all the pre-med drop-outs either - because there will be many, but you don't have to be one.

That's very true. A lot of people that call themselves pre-med in their freshmen year are not 100% premed and basically end up dropping it when they see the first signs of trouble. Like others said, it's all about drive.

As for those people asking the "tough questions" there are 3 possibilities:

1) The person is a gunner.
2) The person could be an upperclassman who has worked in a research lab.
3) They could be full of it and not really knowing what they are talking about...but being in a lecture hall with freshmen, it passes.

I say, ignore these people and worry about yourself, help others out (those that deserve it), and RELAX. 👍

 

[LauraMac]

Organic chemistry is organic chemistry wherever you go.....

no it isn't. i used to think that until i went from an extraordinarly easy school to a pretty difficult one. it's all about the school and the professor.

 

[vikaskoth]

Vikas is my first name, koth is part of my last name

 

[vikaskoth]

Forgive me. I was not able to pick up on your sarcasm.

Btw, what is the origin of vikaskoth?

Vikas is my first name, Koth is part of my last name

 

[tllajd]

That's very true. A lot of people that call themselves pre-med in their freshmen year are not 100% premed and basically end up dropping it when they see the first signs of trouble. Like others said, it's all about drive.

As for those people asking the "tough questions" there are 3 possibilities:

1) The person is a gunner.
2) The person could be an upperclassman who has worked in a research lab.
3) They could be full of it and not really knowing what they are talking about...but being in a lecture hall with freshmen, it passes.

I say, ignore these people and worry about yourself, help others out (those that deserve it), and RELAX. 👍

Some people just like to hear themselves talk and like to make themselves look smart. Don't worry about them, worry about yourself. I GUARANTEE you that 95% of the class has the same feelings as you. Don't let them intimidate you. Just work hard and one day, you may even know the answer to one of their questions.

Just keep going.

 

[Psycho Doctor]

Some people just like to hear themselves talk and like to make themselves look smart. Don't worry about them, worry about yourself. I GUARANTEE you that 95% of the class has the same feelings as you. Don't let them intimidate you. Just work hard and one day, you may even know the answer to one of their questions.

Just keep going.

true and most people are intimidated but many are afraid to admit it and just say things things to look smart to overcome their insecurities

 

[fpr85]

It's not that hard:

Pay attention in class.
Read the book.
Work out problems.
Attend help sessions/go to office hours.
Do not be afraid to ask for help.

Getting good grades is all about putting in the time.

Actually I just read a big discussion in either the allopathic or osteopathic forums about what a complete waste of time it was to attend lectures -- I actually think you may have been involved in it.

 

[fpr85]

Actually I just read a big discussion in either the allopathic or osteopathic forums about what a complete waste of time it was to attend lectures -- I actually think you may have been involved in it.

Here it is, it was in the allopathic forum.

Attending lectures

 

[iamnothere]

Thanks everyone.

It sounds like motivation and drive is the key. Definatley something I posses as medicine has been my lifelong dream. Now that I'm in the "make or break" position, it has become alot more stressful then it used to be.

And a note to Haybrant: it's Alberta, not Alabama. 😀

 

[iamgoaloriented]

You are probably just freaking out because it is your first year and that is normal. I was scared to death when I started college, thinking I was going to fail my first bio test, and I ended up graduating with a 3.9 and got a 35 on the MCAT. And believe me, I messed around quite a bit.

Keep up with your work, don't put things off, get help immediately if you feel you need it, have fun (you'll go crazy if you dont), get sleep (you are wasting time if you dont sleep, not making more time, because you cannot function if not well rested).

Persistence is the most important thing. If you have trouble adjusting at first remember that improvement takes time. Also, if you do have a bad first semester don't be stupid and take a harder load next semester. I know so many people who do bad first year and decide that since they need to make up for it they take on twice as much work as they couldnt handle the first time around. No matter how hard you try, if you need to improve your study habits and ability to concentrate, it takes both time and effort. Stick with it, have faith in yourself, and when you start to do well (which you might just do off the back anyway) it will be intoxicating and you will want to keep doing it.

 

[45408]

Actually I just read a big discussion in either the allopathic or osteopathic forums about what a complete waste of time it was to attend lectures -- I actually think you may have been involved in it.

Med schools also offer the transcripts of the lectures (at least at MCW), so if you can read better than you can listen, than it's a valid option. It's a bit different in undergrad.

 

[neuronerd]

Find a way to plug yourself in - whether it be in a research lab (the people in my lab are a tightly-knit group), a pre-med club/association (I've been an officer in ours since I started college), volunteering, etc., it's crucial to get yourself a support base and start building your med school application.

I think this this the best advise out there. Get support support support. Even if you think that you study better alone, a new environment will certainly mess up your normal routine. I made the mistake of isolating myself when I started at Cal and that was no fun. Classes seemed impossible . .so I never went and on and on. . . find friends, talk to people . . .be proactive, classes will become sooooooooooooo much easier. Good Luck

 

[Fermata]

no it isn't. i used to think that until i went from an extraordinarly easy school to a pretty difficult one. it's all about the school and the professor.

If you are actually working through the textbook then it is ALL THE SAME.

 

[Fermata]

Here it is, it was in the allopathic forum.

Attending lectures

Indeed. I was throwing out possible solutions.

Attending class always tends to do very little for me.

However, for the OP, that might be a different case.

 

[Long Dong]

I'm scared too. Next year I've actually got to deal with live patients, and I still feel clueless about medicine.

 

[LauraMac]

If you are actually working through the textbook then it is ALL THE SAME.

no it isn't. take an orgo exam at one school and then another. it's all about how hard the prof is and how much competition is in your class. the textbook has nothing to do with it.

 

[Mens Cupida]

As for those people asking the "tough questions" there are 3 possibilities:

1) The person is a gunner.
2) The person could be an upperclassman who has worked in a research lab.
3) They could be full of it and not really knowing what they are talking about...but being in a lecture hall with freshmen, it passes.

I say, ignore these people and worry about yourself, help others out (those that deserve it), and RELAX. 👍

There's another possibility - the best one I think: be prepared. Read ahead. That way, you can identify what you don't understand in time to ask that tough question. Its not really that important what grade you get, but rather how much you learn - though the grades will probably reflect it if you know the subject well.