I'm taking three science classes next semester... any advice?

[Prince Abubu]

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Have any of you taken three science classes in one semester? How did you manage your time? any advice for me?

Thanks

 

[MossPoh]

I'm sure a ton of people have taken three science courses....it isn't that bad. How to manage your time? Same as you would with two, but factor a third in and realize that a few fun things might have to drop out. Bottom line is that unless you are taking really intense stuff like upper level physics, pchem, etc....it won't be that bad. Sacrifice a few nights going out, don't watch as much t.v., stay away from your computer unless you HAVE to use it...anything that has a tendency to squander time. If you treat the day like a job things get a bit easier. I am in two courses with the lab (one lab is known to be more intense than the regular course) and while I'm busy I still have time to research. I wake up at about 6 a.m. every morning, study till 9:30 a.m., class, more study, class, a little more study..maybe another class or research, get home around 7 or 8 p.m. and crap out for the most part....keep in mind it is summer session though so it is a bit more rushed.

 

[ycheung8]

It might depend on your general workload, your schedule for next semester, and what three science classes you're going for.

My very general advice is to be honest with yourself.
1) Are you going to procrastinate? Please take into account your study habits last semester when you answer this.
2) Do you have too much on your hands next year? Clubs, research, clinicals, etc...
3) Are you prepared to sacrifice whatever social life you could've had?

It's tempting to take three science classes at once because you can get those classes out of the way, and if you do well, it'll look awesome and definitely raise up your science GPA. On the other hand, you're risking a lot, because medical schools do look at trends. And if you display a downward trend with upper level classes, they might use that as an indicator as to how well you'll do in medical school.

I would play it safe as oppose to taking risks.

However, if you must, from someone who has overloaded... My general advice is to:
(1) Don't go crazy on ECs. You might have to sacrifice some.
(2) Camp out at the library (optional). This is the only way I get stuff done and how I keep up with the material instead of cramming.
(3) Study groups, incredibly great motivator to insure you keep up with material, and you tend to remember stuff better when you talk about it.

Plus, those three science classes sound like an awesome opportunity to get to know the professors and to get into their research labs.

 

[ssquared]

I did two bio, one physics, and one chem in a semester, and several other semesters I did three sciences. It's doable, it's just a matter of putting on your game face and not letting yourself get behind. Mark up a calendar with all of your exams dates, and don't get behind in your reading or skip class. As long as you work at it, you'll be fine. It'll seem easy by the time med school rolls around...

 

[TheRealMD]

I took 3 sciences classes + the MCAT, the ultimate stress test!

So some advice:

1) Manage your time wisely
2) Learn to blow off friends without hurting their feelings
3) Setup a realistic study schedule. I have yet to see a person study effectively for 12 hour straight without a break. Be reasonable.
4) Do remember to have fun sometimes. Better to study when you have something to look forward to.
5) Create/join study groups. They are a life saver
6) Talk to your professors BEFORE the first test. Don't use the first test to gauge the difficulty of the class. First test is always the best test to pull ahead on.

In fact, I'd say this list applies to your entire college career. Good luck!

 

[BigRedPremed]

Tons and tons and tons of premeds have taken 3 sciences at the same time. They're called science majors.

 

[jochi1543]

I'm taking 4 in the fall.

 

[SketchLazy]

Have any of you taken three science classes in one semester? How did you manage your time? any advice for me?

Thanks

It depends. If it is upper division science classes, the material tends to overlap since it all has to do with your major. Makes it a lot easier. If it is totally different GE science classes like pchem, ochem and physics, then the load will be a lot harder to handle. Just depends on how strong you are in all three. To make it easier you can add a fluff class and then drop whatever science class you are weakest at or feel yourself falling behind in. That way you'll have a full load but will have the option of going the hard route or the easy one once you've seen how it is. Just make sure you drop that class before you get a W.

 

[Tired Pigeon]

Advice? Study.

 

[JohnMadden]

Have any of you taken three science classes in one semester? How did you manage your time? any advice for me?

Thanks

I hope you're doing it because:

1. You NEED these courses all at the same time for some reason

or

2. You really love science.

I hope you're NOT doing it because you think it's going to impress ADCOMS. In my opinion, they aren't going to care if you took 2 versus 3 science classes one term. I don't think they really take a look at all the classes you take.

 

[hb2998]

I've taken 4 upper div science classes + a lower div killer chem lab course at the same time (plus did MCAT, research, volunteer). I managed to pull straight As.

How? My default was to study. When I got out of class I would study. I summarized everything so I could be ready when it mattered most: the day of the final.

Now I'm taking 4 units, and I'm probably not gonna get an A. Why? cuz my priorities are elsewhere. I spend time with family, gf, work, etc. Life is great!

When you're taking a tough load you need to be working at it full time.

Ps. Adcoms won't give a darn how you did your classes. I personally do better under a tough load (Its weird.) Don't try to impress anybody, cuz it won't.

 

[modernistic]

Of course it's doable. It isn't any different than taking other courses as they are all pretty demanding. The only difference is if the science course has a lab requirement, which then might make all the difference. Although, arts courses also usually have conference requirements, it's still not the same amount of work when you have a lab. If you're taking a lot of sciences, try to take ones without a lab component, that will help you a lot.

 

[glamqueen]

I'm working on a second undergrad, so every semester all I do is take 3+ science classes, and that is it!!!!!!

No advice other than just do it. It's what I do every single semester.

 

[almo88]

Have any of you taken three science classes in one semester? How did you manage your time? any advice for me?

Thanks

I have taken at least 3 science courses every semester so far. I got b's in a couple, but that's what I get for being a biology major and chem minor 🙁

It's definitely possible. Keep a daily planner and write down EVERTHING! Manage your time well and you should be fine!

 

[trichomoniasis]

quarters with only science classes were the best because I never had to get out of bed.

 

[DocEasyCheesy]

i'd do 1 or 2. Better to get 1 or 2 A's at a time then to possibly be overwelmed during midterm, finals and get a B, C or 2. When you have a lot to risk(like med school) i would play it safe. Take your time if you can.

 

[Bacchus]

I took three sciences last semester. Orgo, Inorganic (not gen chem), and Physics. Pulled 2 A's and a B+. The B+ was because I made rediculous mistakes on an exam. Its doable. Keep up on studying and if you can, ask your professors to arrange exam dates that don't conflict with other subjects. In regard to this, I found my professors to be very understanding. You just need to talk to them and show that you actually do care.

 

[darkhope]

so for a freshy would this be doable:
ochem w/ lab=7credits
physics w/ lab=5 credits
calc 3=4 credits
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Like can i do well in all 2 of the sciences + 1 math and 2 of the labs?
thanks!

 

[ryandote]

so for a freshy would this be doable:
ochem w/ lab=7credits
physics w/ lab=5 credits
calc 3=4 credits
---
Like can i do well in all 2 of the sciences + 1 math and 2 of the labs?
thanks!

How do you squeeze 7 credits out of Ochem+lab ?

If that's a whole semester, then you can do it. It's only 3 classes (+ labs) !

 

[TheRealMD]

How do you squeeze 7 credits out of Ochem+lab ?

If that's a whole semester, then you can do it. It's only 3 classes (+ labs) !

Maybe they recognize ochem lab for the true time-waster it is. I got 2 credit hours for literally 5 hours in lab lecture + lab.

 

[ryandote]

Maybe they recognize ochem lab for the true time-waster it is. I got 2 credit hours for literally 5 hours in lab lecture + lab.

Seriously. Our lecture counted for 3 credits and then we could choose to take 1 or 2 credits of lab. The 1-crediters (non-professionals for the most part) got to quit exactly halfway through the semester.

Interestingly, my school had a single ~100 person OChem section that was specifically for Chem/ChemE/ChemEd majors. The other 2-3 sections of ~250 person Ochem was for predent, premed, and nursing. Lots of pre-pros come out of BYU.

 

[paranoid_eyes]

its depends on what the three classes are...

pchem + biochem + neurophysiology = suicide

biology + genchem + calc = easily doable

orgo + physics + biology = doable (but pushing it)

 

[ryandote]

its depends on what the three classes are...

pchem + biochem + neurophysiology = suicide

biology + genchem + calc = easily doable

orgo + physics + biology = doable (but pushing it)

No way. Just 3 classes would be a walk in the park no matter what they were!

 

[Bacchus]

so for a freshy would this be doable:
ochem w/ lab=7credits
physics w/ lab=5 credits
calc 3=4 credits
---
Like can i do well in all 2 of the sciences + 1 math and 2 of the labs?
thanks!

I had this sched last semester:

Orgo, 3 credits with lab, 1 credit
Inorgo, 3 credits
Physic and lab, 4 credits
Calc III, 4 credits with integrated MatLab
Power, Democracy, and Opression, 3 credits and a dropper to the GPA (what do you expect with a professor that's a JD and knows EVERYTHING about PDO )

I still managed a 3.7 (which I know some will cringe at).

Its doable. Apply yourself, don't drink too much, and study on Saturday and possibly Fri night 😉.

 

[trichomoniasis]

Power, Democracy, and Opression, 3 credits and a dropper to the GPA (what do you expect with a professor that's a JD and knows EVERYTHING about PDO )

is that the damn "pyramid of oppression" thing that people who like to think that they're smart always talk about?

 

[darkhope]

i seriously don;t know...but that's for one semester...our school has ochem class as 4 credits and then intro ochem lab for 3 credits 😵

 

[variablistic]

I bet 90% of the science majors on this board took 3 sciences at least 1 semester.

Personally, I took 3 twice and 4 twice. We all came out of it pretty well. I suspect you will too. You'll be the only one who knows what each class takes to do well. Good luck!

 

[Bacchus]

is that the damn "pyramid of oppression" thing that people who like to think that they're smart always talk about?

Its a humanities class that falls under "intellectual heritage." Our humanities department feels second to all of the science at the University of the Sciences so it makes these horrid rubrics and grading scales. We did nothing in the class except talk about Anna Nicole, when the professor "was on the bench for 12 years" and other oddities like Harvard's $$$ endowment, etc. Yeah, it had ties to PDO, but it didn't discuss the monotonous readings we had. Oh well. Life moves on.

 

[paranoid_eyes]

No way. Just 3 classes would be a walk in the park no matter what they were!

may be for you. definitely not for me

 

[sejin8642]

Go for it!! If three science classes in one semester is indoable, than there would be no engineering, physics, chemistry or whatever science major students who graduate with in 4 years.