Just Finished my First Semester @ University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine ask me anything!

[I'mFlossy]

I just finished up my first semester as a dental student at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine! Ask me anything 🙂

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[KoonS]

who are you LOL?

 

[digzthis]

He's Flossy

 

[AdobeGainz]

What were your stats?

 

[Dr.Jack]

What's an important lesson you have learned from your first semester?

 

[KoonS]

What's an important lesson you have learned from your first semester?

Enjoy your time and dont even try to study anything lol. The materials is not that hard and they have some gpa booster classes

 

[I'mFlossy]

What were your stats?

Stats: OGPA: 3.85, SGPA: 3.8
DAT: AA-19, TS-20, PAT-20, QR-15

 

[I'mFlossy]

What's an important lesson you have learned from your first semester?

1) The most important thing I learned was that your study technique will vary for each class a little bit so be prepared to be flexible.
2) Anatomy was the hardest class I have EVER taken.
3) If you put in the time you will be successful. Period.
4) Don't listen to anyone else's experience and decide that it is going to be your reality. Have your own opinions.

 

[DarkVoid11]

I'll be attending there as well!

I have a few questions. How did you manage your life with dental school? Did you do the summer program they offered prior to dental school? What study skills/habits do you use since I understand everything is on and through the laptop?

Thanks!

 

[deleted678432]

Is there a lot of opportunity for specializing or is everybody more geared towards GP?

 

[I'mFlossy]

I'll be attending there as well!

I have a few questions. How did you manage your life with dental school? Did you do the summer program they offered prior to dental school? What study skills/habits do you use since I understand everything is on and through the laptop?

Thanks!

I am so excited for you, HUGE CONGRATS!!! CU is honestly a really great school, you should be truly looking forward to it 🙂

It is definitely not easy maintaining balance in dental school... I did fall off the workout train towards the end when we were taking anatomy...but the biggest thing I want to convey to you is that IT IS POSSIBLE TO HAVE A LIFE AND BE SUCCESSFUL IN DENTAL SCHOOL!

Tip #1: I make food for my entire week on Sunday evenings. This way I don't have to spend money on the cafe and I can make sure I am eating healthy. Also I don't have to worry about cooking during the week, which really does save time.
Tip #2: I use every second I am on campus to my full advantage. I don't dilly dally and I really try to get stuff done so that I can be to bed early!
Tip #3: Sleep is important! I personally make sure I am asleep every night by 10pm. I think sleep is critical to waking up the next day ready to kick butt!
Tip #4: I give class time my undivided attention. I truly try to understand everything the professor is saying during that time because if you can get a head start on it during lecture you will be saving time down the line.
Tip #5: I try to fill out learning objectives for some classes during class time so that I have my study guide already made and ready to go!
Tip #6: Make time for friends, family and significant others! No matter what. While being in dental school you can easily forget what is truly important... don't lose sight...
Tip #7: Understand how you learn best. Don't waste time trying to study and do things how everyone else does them. Trust your gut and do it your way.

Most of all, just set rules and guidelines for yourself to keep yourself healthy and happy.

I personally did not attend the pre-summer program (PONTIC)... I think there are pros to taking the time off, and pros for doing the program. I don't think I was hindered in any way by not attending. I went to San Diego with my family and just totally relaxed until the first day of orientation. And I don't regret it one bit!!

Study skills: I personally take all of my notes on the PowerPoints provided and then later I convert those notes into personal study guides! My study style has been a bit different for every class. Some people really like using their iPads... but I am not really a fan. I rewrite (handwritten) my notes and draw a bunch of pictures. I like drawing diagrams and making handwritten packets to study for my exams!

FIND A RELIABLE MENTOR!!!!

 

[I'mFlossy]

Is there a lot of opportunity for specializing or is everybody more geared towards GP?

I feel like at the moment, the majority of our class wants to specialize. THERE IS A TON OF OPPORTUNITY FOR ANYTHING YOU WANT TO DO. I personally want to be a general dentist at the moment, but am trying to keep my GPA up incase I change my mind 🙂

 

[DarkVoid11]

Thanks so much for the reply.

Did you take part of any organizations or clubs there during your first semester? How do you commute to school? Is parking over there a hassle?

 

[I'mFlossy]

Thanks so much for the reply.

Did you take part of any organizations or clubs there during your first semester? How do you commute to school? Is parking over there a hassle?

Of course! I sincerely love helping out 🙂 I remember how excited and nervous I was, and definitely want to pay it forward!

I live right across the street from the school so it is about a 5 minute commute. I started biking/walking at the beginning...then when it started getting colder I began driving! Parking is simple and is cheeper than at my undergrad location.

I have a leadership position on campus that takes up a good amount of my time, and am in a dental school fraternity organization.

 

[Auntymarkovnikov]

I live right across the street from the school so it is about a 5 minute commute. I started biking/walking at the beginning...

That must be a very wide street 😵

 

[predental21250]

How do you go to sleep at 10pm?? Seriously lol. I'm asking this as a D1

 

[Hnl7]

is there anything you would have done to prepare for your first semester?

When you say Anatomy was the hardest class, was it a particular part of the class?

Thanks for the AMA!

 

[SmileItsLife]

Have you taken anatomy before?

Also when do you wake up if you go to sleep at 10?

 

[KoonS]

is there anything you would have done to prepare for your first semester?

When you say Anatomy was the hardest class, was it a particular part of the class?

Thanks for the AMA!

I would say exam 3 > exam 2 > exam 1 in term difficulty, 2 and 3 cover head and neck. The grading for anatomy is super fair and you are allowed to challenge if you feel the test question is unclear or confusing.
Hardest class for me is Microanatomy just because I hate histology, so it really between microantomy and anatomy.
I would not prepare anything and just enjoy your only real break left, but if you really need to do something to prepare for anatomy know bony landmarks and skull.

 

[FireandIce128]

Just a random compliment.....

Flossy, your a great person for doing this. Thanks for providing us some motivation. 🙂

 

[Lostmoonofpoosh]

Are you originally from CO?

 

[I'mFlossy]

How do you go to sleep at 10pm?? Seriously lol. I'm asking this as a D1

Hahahaha a lot of my class asks me this, LOL! To be honest, I just make is a personal rule. I know that if I don't get sleep, I won't be as productive the next day!

 

[I'mFlossy]

is there anything you would have done to prepare for your first semester?

When you say Anatomy was the hardest class, was it a particular part of the class?

Thanks for the AMA!

Hi!!!

I would just enjoy the crap out of the summer before your D1 year!! Don't do anything. I had a two year gap year before I started school, didn't do anything academically to prepare, and did well 🙂 So just enjoy your time. After school starts you will have very little of it.

YES. O. M. G. I had had anatomy before, but it did not prepare me for this. It was a six week class JAM PACKED with information. I am personally more of a conceptual learner rather than a memorizer... so I do think that this made it challenging right off the bat for me. But also, I just think schools try to squeeze quantity of information into a class instead of quality of information. It was purely the vast amount of knowledge you were responsible for that made it so hard: two 30 page packets of muscle attachments and functions/soft tissues, 10 lengthy powerpoints, 10+ blood pathways, 7 nerve pathways with sensory, motor, sympathetic, and parasympathetic functions.... I could go on.

It also had a lab portion... and I had never worked with cadavers before... so those exams were really hard for me to say the least.

The class was also 5 credits.... so that puts a lot of pressure on students who want to keep their GPA up.

I studied my butt off and ended up getting my A, however, it was no easy task. No need to start studying anatomy now... but be mentally prepared. Who knows, you may just be an anatomy genius 🙂

 

[I'mFlossy]

Have you taken anatomy before?

Also when do you wake up if you go to sleep at 10?

It depends when I wake up... sometimes 5 am if I am working out... sometimes 7:30 am lol

I did take a full year of anatomy and physiology in undergrad.

 

[I'mFlossy]

Just a random compliment.....

Flossy, your a great person for doing this. Thanks for providing us some motivation. 🙂

Thank you so much! I love mentoring and helping people get to where they want to go 🙂 It is probably the inner resident assistant in me... lol

 

[I'mFlossy]

Are you originally from CO?

I am not. I am out of state.

 

[spdental]

I am not. I am out of state.

Hey flossy. Im out of state as well. I interviewed in early December and loved it. Currently waiting to here back in January I believe? Anyways, I got in my state school and a few others; however, if I get into Colorado i am seriously going to consider going there. ColoRADo will end up being around 70-90k higher than my state school. My question is if you got into any other schools, were any less expensive, and if they were are you happy with choosing Colorado despite the higher cost?

I know that’s a lot but it would really help me out with my situation.

 

[predental21250]

Hey flossy. Im out of state as well. I interviewed in early December and loved it. Currently waiting to here back in January I believe? Anyways, I got in my state school and a few others; however, if I get into Colorado i am seriously going to consider going there. ColoRADo will end up being around 70-90k higher than my state school. My question is if you got into any other schools, were any less expensive, and if they were are you happy with choosing Colorado despite the higher cost?

I know that’s a lot but it would really help me out with my situation.

You need to talk yourself out of this. Have you started paying your undergrad loans?

 

[spdental]

You need to talk yourself out of this. Have you started paying your undergrad loans?

Either way I’ll be under 320k in debt with Colorado or my state school. That’s why I am finding it a tough decesion.

 

[I'mFlossy]

Hey flossy. Im out of state as well. I interviewed in early December and loved it. Currently waiting to here back in January I believe? Anyways, I got in my state school and a few others; however, if I get into Colorado i am seriously going to consider going there. ColoRADo will end up being around 70-90k higher than my state school. My question is if you got into any other schools, were any less expensive, and if they were are you happy with choosing Colorado despite the higher cost?

I know that’s a lot but it would really help me out with my situation.

Hey there! Sorry! I truly thought I replied... I only applied to one school and that was the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine. I did this because I had just moved to Colorado and was PRAYING that they would grant me in-state tuition. My advice would be to go to the cheaper school. I ended up getting in state tuition because I had moved to Colorado just in time (phew!!). Colorado living expenses are high and its not a cheap school if you are out of state. I think its better to go where you'll save more money!

Sorry I am not much of a help because I only applied here...

 

[I'mFlossy]

Either way I’ll be under 320k in debt with Colorado or my state school. That’s why I am finding it a tough decesion.

If the debt amount is truly going to be the same... then you need to consider how many times you'll want to fly home because that costs money... or if you are able to live at home and attend dental school which would save money... there are many benefits to staying at home.... although if you're heart is truly in Colorado and the money is comparable you should go where you would prefer!!!

 

[cafecortado]

I'm going to interview next monday. Any tips or clues as to what I should expect? 🙂

 

[Glowji]

What was your D1 course schedule?

 

[mintysweet]

I am so excited for you, HUGE CONGRATS!!! CU is honestly a really great school, you should be truly looking forward to it 🙂

It is definitely not easy maintaining balance in dental school... I did fall off the workout train towards the end when we were taking anatomy...but the biggest thing I want to convey to you is that IT IS POSSIBLE TO HAVE A LIFE AND BE SUCCESSFUL IN DENTAL SCHOOL!

Tip #1: I make food for my entire week on Sunday evenings. This way I don't have to spend money on the cafe and I can make sure I am eating healthy. Also I don't have to worry about cooking during the week, which really does save time.
Tip #2: I use every second I am on campus to my full advantage. I don't dilly dally and I really try to get stuff done so that I can be to bed early!
Tip #3: Sleep is important! I personally make sure I am asleep every night by 10pm. I think sleep is critical to waking up the next day ready to kick butt!
Tip #4: I give class time my undivided attention. I truly try to understand everything the professor is saying during that time because if you can get a head start on it during lecture you will be saving time down the line.
Tip #5: I try to fill out learning objectives for some classes during class time so that I have my study guide already made and ready to go!
Tip #6: Make time for friends, family and significant others! No matter what. While being in dental school you can easily forget what is truly important... don't lose sight...
Tip #7: Understand how you learn best. Don't waste time trying to study and do things how everyone else does them. Trust your gut and do it your way.

Most of all, just set rules and guidelines for yourself to keep yourself healthy and happy.

I personally did not attend the pre-summer program (PONTIC)... I think there are pros to taking the time off, and pros for doing the program. I don't think I was hindered in any way by not attending. I went to San Diego with my family and just totally relaxed until the first day of orientation. And I don't regret it one bit!!

Study skills: I personally take all of my notes on the PowerPoints provided and then later I convert those notes into personal study guides! My study style has been a bit different for every class. Some people really like using their iPads... but I am not really a fan. I rewrite (handwritten) my notes and draw a bunch of pictures. I like drawing diagrams and making handwritten packets to study for my exams!

FIND A RELIABLE MENTOR!!!!

Flossy... You say you go to bed at 10pm. If so, what does your daily schedule look like? How about weekends? How much studying do you do? Are you trying to specialize or go GP? I'm trying to figure out for myself if I can achieve my goal of never pulling a single all nighter!

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