I thought this might be helpful for incoming first years: (a little FAQ action)
Whats up with housing?:
a: Unfortunately that blue book they gave you is not so hot-I live at 3000 Grand and pay big money-the best apartments are not in the blue book-however I really feel like living near school is key-we had MANY tests with a blizzard as a side dish and those that had to drive in waited in traffic and sweated bullets while I sat on my couch and crammed at 7 am. And if your car breaks down you can still get to school! (I have a friend that needs a roomate in his condo-e-mail me)
Do I have to be albert einstein to pass first year? I wasn't a sciene major, am I screwed?
a: No and No. But you do have to be disciplined and willing to adapt your study methods-I had friends that liked to study only one way and took hits as a result-the better you can adapt the better-every professor is different-even within the same class-listen to 2nd years and filter through the bad info e.g. DO03 told us that for the first path exam just to stody the questions in a certain review book-a good chunk of people did this and paid the price--
I was a non-science major and ended up taking all my prereq's at a community college-this had not hurt me-I , unlike many classmates, had not seen a single first year course before (biochem, etc.) and I did fine--of course there were people that had material before and (in my opinion) did not put in the time and didn't do well
I was scared ****less the first few weeks and that probably helped me do well-itis tough to know what to expect and your experience will be different than ours--find yourself a 'deepthroat' in the 2nd year class, someone that has sound advice-and that will put you at an advantage
Is it competitive there?
a: yes and no--some people here are very competitve-however people see through that **** fast and you wont make too many friends-help and be helped people! The second years helped us quite a bit and I was in a study group that saved my ass a few times--we will set up a BBQ near the beginning of the year for you guys--GO TO THIS (and things like it)-at a party like this in the beginning of the year a made friends that right now are my support net. Admittedly our class is more a commuter class than DO03 but hopefully that will change
What books should I buy?
a: you will NOT have time to read textbooks-at least not for all classes--review books are in my opinion a better choice-concise and board driven--at least dont buy the book right away-plus you can use that leftover money for BEER!
definite books (myopiniongrain of salt):
Anatomy: "anatomy recall",Netters, also Rohen
Histo: paulsen review book (saved my ass)
Biochem: none (notes rock)
Neuro: none for me but individual decision
Phys: Kingsley (neuro phys.) is actually and excellent book and if you buy it during neuro it will help
PD: I didn't buy-look at friends-and I split a medical kit with a friend b/c we were in diffrent lab groups and saved beaucoup $$$
Pharm: "Pharm recall" buy this please!
Path: none
OMM: Unless you are a jaded M.D. didn't work out student-get a portable table -these will be sold by UAAO at beginning of year
What clubs are good?
a: tough call-I am actually very impressed with our clubs--total personal deciscion though
Is Des Moines fun?
a: yea, it is fine-it depends on your attitiude--I like to spend me weekends at a good restaurant /brewpub/bar and des moines has plenty--nightclubs are another matter-not exactly NYC but whaddityouexpect?
Does first year suck?
A: I actually had fun but there was plenty of stress-attitude is everything and good friends; I know A students that are miserable and C students loving life
--I enjoyed but wouldn't want to do it again-kind of like drinking too much whiskey
Please give me more q's--I feel as though I gained some useful knowledge this year in terms of coming in without a heavy science backround and feeling intimidated and exceeding my own expectations---reading comp is very important -if you do anything this summer read heavy literature to get your brain torqued up!
Good luck and let me know if I can help!
email to [email protected] or just post it
Whats up with housing?:
a: Unfortunately that blue book they gave you is not so hot-I live at 3000 Grand and pay big money-the best apartments are not in the blue book-however I really feel like living near school is key-we had MANY tests with a blizzard as a side dish and those that had to drive in waited in traffic and sweated bullets while I sat on my couch and crammed at 7 am. And if your car breaks down you can still get to school! (I have a friend that needs a roomate in his condo-e-mail me)
Do I have to be albert einstein to pass first year? I wasn't a sciene major, am I screwed?
a: No and No. But you do have to be disciplined and willing to adapt your study methods-I had friends that liked to study only one way and took hits as a result-the better you can adapt the better-every professor is different-even within the same class-listen to 2nd years and filter through the bad info e.g. DO03 told us that for the first path exam just to stody the questions in a certain review book-a good chunk of people did this and paid the price--
I was a non-science major and ended up taking all my prereq's at a community college-this had not hurt me-I , unlike many classmates, had not seen a single first year course before (biochem, etc.) and I did fine--of course there were people that had material before and (in my opinion) did not put in the time and didn't do well
I was scared ****less the first few weeks and that probably helped me do well-itis tough to know what to expect and your experience will be different than ours--find yourself a 'deepthroat' in the 2nd year class, someone that has sound advice-and that will put you at an advantage
Is it competitive there?
a: yes and no--some people here are very competitve-however people see through that **** fast and you wont make too many friends-help and be helped people! The second years helped us quite a bit and I was in a study group that saved my ass a few times--we will set up a BBQ near the beginning of the year for you guys--GO TO THIS (and things like it)-at a party like this in the beginning of the year a made friends that right now are my support net. Admittedly our class is more a commuter class than DO03 but hopefully that will change
What books should I buy?
a: you will NOT have time to read textbooks-at least not for all classes--review books are in my opinion a better choice-concise and board driven--at least dont buy the book right away-plus you can use that leftover money for BEER!
definite books (myopiniongrain of salt):
Anatomy: "anatomy recall",Netters, also Rohen
Histo: paulsen review book (saved my ass)
Biochem: none (notes rock)
Neuro: none for me but individual decision
Phys: Kingsley (neuro phys.) is actually and excellent book and if you buy it during neuro it will help
PD: I didn't buy-look at friends-and I split a medical kit with a friend b/c we were in diffrent lab groups and saved beaucoup $$$
Pharm: "Pharm recall" buy this please!
Path: none
OMM: Unless you are a jaded M.D. didn't work out student-get a portable table -these will be sold by UAAO at beginning of year
What clubs are good?
a: tough call-I am actually very impressed with our clubs--total personal deciscion though
Is Des Moines fun?
a: yea, it is fine-it depends on your attitiude--I like to spend me weekends at a good restaurant /brewpub/bar and des moines has plenty--nightclubs are another matter-not exactly NYC but whaddityouexpect?
Does first year suck?
A: I actually had fun but there was plenty of stress-attitude is everything and good friends; I know A students that are miserable and C students loving life
--I enjoyed but wouldn't want to do it again-kind of like drinking too much whiskey
Please give me more q's--I feel as though I gained some useful knowledge this year in terms of coming in without a heavy science backround and feeling intimidated and exceeding my own expectations---reading comp is very important -if you do anything this summer read heavy literature to get your brain torqued up!
Good luck and let me know if I can help!
email to [email protected] or just post it
