Knowledge recall after 10 years...

[Zeke803]

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Wanted to ask some of the wise people here in the Non-Trad Forum if they could fill me in. As I said before in my intro thread, it has been almost 10 years since I've been to school; even then, I wasn't interested in academics much.

That being said, I'm a little concerned about the science courses. It's been a long time since I've taken any bio, phys, etc. Anyone in a similar situation - did you do any prep work? Are the 100-level classes these days designed to teach you the basics - i.e. everyone starts on the same level, or is it a continuation of your pre-collegiate work?

I stopped by the library and picked up a math textbook, as well as a biology GRE review book, in order to start brushing up on some of the stuff I may have (read as:most definitely) forgot.

If anyone can throw some knowledge my way on what books/materials they used to review "old" knowledge, as well as whether or not I really need to for the basic sciences, I would appreciate it! Thanks in advance!

 

[FrkyBgStok]

they are basically set up for a complete beginner. if you have had it before (like high school) than there may be sections of review for you. I took chemistry in high school. I got a C because I didn't really care but because I took it in high school, I had a very good grasp on everything that was talked about in the first 3 lectures. After that it was all new to me.

 

[Zeke803]

they are basically set up for a complete beginner. if you have had it before (like high school) than there may be sections of review for you. I took chemistry in high school. I got a C because I didn't really care but because I took it in high school, I had a very good grasp on everything that was talked about in the first 3 lectures. After that it was all new to me.

Thanks for the reply. I'm hoping that, because of the variety of backgrounds and ability levels that go to school, the basic sciences will be geared towards the basics. I'm sure once I get back into it, I will remember some of it, but like you I didn't really care about chem much in HS and had the grades to show it. Thanks!

 

[phltz]

The intro classes at most schools assume basic literacy and (maybe) numeracy, but not much more than that. If it's been 10 years since you've so much as thought about your intro science classes, you're probably better of retaking them entirely. You'll need a firm grasp of all that material in order to do well on the MCAT, and most schools will be leery of taking classes that old without evidence of more recent coursework or application. If you've been using the material in some way, you may be able to just move on. My intro physics classes were well more than 10 years old when I applied, but I've worked as a physics teacher within the last few years. No schools seemed to think that was a problem.

 

[Zeke803]

The intro classes at most schools assume basic literacy and (maybe) numeracy, but not much more than that. If it's been 10 years since you've so much as thought about your intro science classes, you're probably better of retaking them entirely. You'll need a firm grasp of all that material in order to do well on the MCAT, and most schools will be leery of taking classes that old without evidence of more recent coursework or application. If you've been using the material in some way, you may be able to just move on. My intro physics classes were well more than 10 years old when I applied, but I've worked as a physics teacher within the last few years. No schools seemed to think that was a problem.

phltz, thanks for the reply. I applied for undergrad admission and had to send all my transcripts in, including my Army ones. Hopefully, of the 60-some hours I have, I will be able to transfer or experience credit a number of electives and gen-eds. However, I do plan on taking all the science over again. My mindset going in when I (re)decided on medicine as a career was that I would basically be starting collage over. If I can get out of some hours for electives, great...but the basic sciences are most certainly going to be needed again, from the beginning.

Thanks again!

 

[FrkyBgStok]

Thanks for the reply. I'm hoping that, because of the variety of backgrounds and ability levels that go to school, the basic sciences will be geared towards the basics. I'm sure once I get back into it, I will remember some of it, but like you I didn't really care about chem much in HS and had the grades to show it. Thanks!

as far as science classes just teaching the basics, that is exactly what it is. if you take any upper level classes you will see that you may think you completely understand something, and they aren't even telling you half of it. but you have no worries. chem 1 starts with what atoms, elements, compounds, etc. are, physics starts with explaining velocity, speed, acceleration, and newton, and bio is all over the place. usually broken into 4 sections each one structured like a beginners class. now don't get me wrong though, these are generally weed out classes, so they aren't easy by any means.

 

[Zeke803]

as far as science classes just teaching the basics, that is exactly what it is. if you take any upper level classes you will see that you may think you completely understand something, and they aren't even telling you half of it. but you have no worries....

I'm looking forward to going back. I'm glad the science classes teach the basics at the lower-level. I was just a little wary of being thrown into the middle of a class I don't remember at all. As long as they build upon one another, I have no doubt I will be fine. Thanks. Frky.

 

[StudyShy]

So, I just got back from chem II. It's been 10, yes 10 years since I've taken chem I. I could answer the questions better than the other people in the class. I practically had bowel problems from anxiety before class started today out of fear that I wouldn't remember as much as I should have. If I can do this, so can you! 🙂

 

[mauberley]

So, I just got back from chem II. It's been 10, yes 10 years since I've taken chem I. I could answer the questions better than the other people in the class. I practically had bowel problems from anxiety before class started today out of fear that I wouldn't remember as much as I should have. If I can do this, so can you! 🙂

--whereas I went into orgo having taken gen chem nearly 10 years before then, and never got past the anxiety-induced bowel problems.

 

[Zeke803]

I practically had bowel problems from anxiety before class started today out of fear that I wouldn't remember as much as I should have. If I can do this, so can you! 🙂

--whereas I went into orgo having taken gen chem nearly 10 years before then, and never got past the anxiety-induced bowel problems.

I'm not even 30 yet - is this what I have to look forward to? Just got off pain meds after being on them for months before surgery, I thought I was done with bowel problems for a while lol...

I was having a huge amount of anxiety before I finally decided to say **** it, I'm gonna do what I've always wanted. That weight was lifted off once I made my decision, but I'm sure it'll come back the day I sit in a class with a bunch of 18 year olds...at what point do I get to start yelling about getting off my lawn...back in my day...up hill both ways...etc?

 

[mauberley]

I'm not even 30 yet - is this what I have to look forward to? Just got off pain meds after being on them for months before surgery, I thought I was done with bowel problems for a while lol...

I think you'll be fine since you're essentially starting from scratch. Don't pay attention to us, otherwise you will be in for some GI problems.

I was having a huge amount of anxiety before I finally decided to say **** it, I'm gonna do what I've always wanted. That weight was lifted off once I made my decision, but I'm sure it'll come back the day I sit in a class with a bunch of 18 year olds...at what point do I get to start yelling about getting off my lawn...back in my day...up hill both ways...etc?

In my opinion, right away. You have to establish your territory, after all. 😉

 

[StudyShy]

I'm free from anxiety now. Who knew that this pre-med stuff would cause me to turn into a flake? Once you jump in though, it's not so bad.

I'm glad that I'm not the only one who felt a little nervous! 😉

 

[StudyShy]

I'm not even 30 yet - is this what I have to look forward to?

Actually, things go downhill once you start having children. 😉

 

[Zeke803]

Actually, things go downhill once you start having children. 😉

Been there, done that, spent the t-shirt money on diapers. Lol

 

[CaptainObvious]

I'm not even 30 yet - is this what I have to look forward to? Just got off pain meds after being on them for months before surgery, I thought I was done with bowel problems for a while lol...

I was having a huge amount of anxiety before I finally decided to say **** it, I'm gonna do what I've always wanted. That weight was lifted off once I made my decision, but I'm sure it'll come back the day I sit in a class with a bunch of 18 year olds...at what point do I get to start yelling about getting off my lawn...back in my day...up hill both ways...etc?

Just experienced this today. First day of Algebra and Humanities (last few classes for AA).

I was probably the second oldest in Alg. and by FAR the oldest in Humanities. I'm talking like 15-20 years older than EVERYBODY! In fact, I may be older than the prof.

I just keep telling myself "If they can do this at 18, I should be able to KILL IT at 40!" 😀

 

[fizzgig]

keep that 'weight lifted off' feeling in your mind as you go through the roller coaster 🙂 it'll be fine, they should cover everything you need in the gen chem/bio/physics classes as long as you remember basic algebra (noncalc physics). getting back in the study/test swing will be a pain but try to stay ahead of it so that the learning curve of being back in school doesn't unseat ya. the better you you get it now the better the mcat will be. good luck!

 

[StudyShy]

Been there, done that, spent the t-shirt money on diapers. Lol

Yeah, I read that after I posted! Children make life more interesting, huh? 🙂