need a little pick me upper

[fghgf]

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Ugh, man you guys just know that one test (chemistry in my case) that you get really motivated for and study your butt off, only to walk in there and in front of you is the hardest damn thing you've ever seen? You know, the one where half the material was not covered by your ancient professor who does not know how to teach worth a damn and just needs to retire?

Those ones are depressing. This is what the tests so far have been like for me in my pre-med courses so far (just inorganic chem, still a freshman) and I just pray that things will get better in biology, physiology etc. but I just don't know. I mean, I bury my head in my book for hours and hours and hours and feel like I've got everything down, but then I get to the test and get taken out behind the woodshed. If this is what I'm in for over the next 3 years my head is going to explode, and I can't even imagine how much tougher med school is (if I even get in!). I just get so damn depressed thinking that no matter how much I study, I'm just not smart enough to get a firm grasp on all of the material and do well on the tests, and consequentially not smart enough to even get into med school and then do well in med school.

In the end though, I guess I'll just have to deal with it if medicine is what I really want as my future, which it is.

 

[FizbanZymogen]

Hey,

I was feeling very similar to you my freshman year with Gen. Chem. Now I am through everything I need with a 3.8 GPA including Biochem, Physics (calc based) and all the bio classes. It got easier and easier and as a matter of fact as I have been studying for the MCAT the only subject I really struggle with is Gen. Chem. Everything, and I mean everything was easier for me then Gen. Chem including O-chem, physics etc...Now I might be a freak of nature but you may be just like me and find that once you get through Gen. Chem. (and you will get through it if you really want to) things may get easier. Good luck and hang in there.

 

[chiddy]

I agree with FizbanZymogen, once you get into your third and fourth years you'll wonder what was wrong with you during your freshman year. It really does get easier. I've heard that early to mid twenties is the time when people do their best work in school. So that might explain it. Just hang in there. 🙂

 

[CatsandCradles]

Ugh, man you guys just know that one test (chemistry in my case) that you get really motivated for and study your butt off, only to walk in there and in front of you is the hardest damn thing you've ever seen? You know, the one where half the material was not covered by your ancient professor who does not know how to teach worth a damn and just needs to retire?

Those ones are depressing. This is what the tests so far have been like for me in my pre-med courses so far (just inorganic chem, still a freshman) and I just pray that things will get better in biology, physiology etc. but I just don't know. I mean, I bury my head in my book for hours and hours and hours and feel like I've got everything down, but then I get to the test and get taken out behind the woodshed. If this is what I'm in for over the next 3 years my head is going to explode, and I can't even imagine how much tougher med school is (if I even get in!). I just get so damn depressed thinking that no matter how much I study, I'm just not smart enough to get a firm grasp on all of the material and do well on the tests, and consequentially not smart enough to even get into med school and then do well in med school.

In the end though, I guess I'll just have to deal with it if medicine is what I really want as my future, which it is.

Hang in there. You are a freshman taking inorganic chemistry! That class is no walk in the park.

Maybe you considered getting tutoring? I did that for physics and it helped me tremedously.

And go out and eat something really good. Get some really good food and then take a really long nap. That does the body wonders. Take a walk at night.



Goodluck and Godbless!

 

[Spankete87]

I totally agree.....although most of my premed reqs made me feel like that. Once I got to my third and fourth years, however, I couldn't remeber what it was like to feel like you got kicked in the head. And the funny thing about it was that with the exception of Organic (organic and I just never quite got along), all of the other sections on the MCAT were MUCH easier than what I remembered in college. I ended up with a 30, despite C's in most of my premed reqs (Gen Chem II, Org I and II, Phys I and II).

I am going to med school this year too, so have no fear. You too will get through this thing called pre-med. 🙂 Just continue to study hard and ask for help from your professors/other students in the class to help you study for the tests.

 

[mj1878]

I agree. As a freshman in General Chemistry, it's easy to feel intimidated. You haven't yet honed your studying skills, and you don't know what it takes to ace a science class yet. That will come, I assure you. Here's some tips in the meantime:

1)If your method of studying isn't yielding the results you need, then change something up. Instead of just reading the texts and doing problems, make up some flash cards of pertinent concepts, and go over them until you know them cold. Then talk your way through them out loud.

2)Use your TA. They are a great resource, and should be more than happy to help you out. Also, don't forget to go to your professor's office hours to speak to him/her. Getting to know them won't hurt, especially when it comes time for them to write you a letter of recommendation. Speaking of that, ask for that letter at the conclusion of the semester(unless of course you get a D or something), so that you're fresh in their mind.

3)Do more than the recommended problem sets for homework.

4)Try not to freak out too much. The curves for science classes tend to be pretty generous; you might find that, although you got a 70%, you could end up with a B or so after the curve is calculated. For example, our first miderm in Chem II had an average score of 52%, so 52% was a C. In Organic, the averages tend to be low, also. Don't take this to mean that you should relax, however. I think you'll find that as you go along, your scores will improve dramatically once you find a study groove and learn how to navigate the material that we ALL have done.

Good luck to you.

 

[yanky5]

Get used to it. The same thing happened dozens of times to me. You'll get used to it and adapt. Don't let it worry you.

 

[Redneck]

Get used to it. The same thing happened dozens of times to me. You'll get used to it and adapt. Don't let it worry you.

Ditto. Learn to sadistically like the stress.

 

[daveyjwin]

I've grow quite used to getting kicked in the head by my exams. Case in point, I am taking Orgo II (again, cause LECOM told me I had to), and I just got my 2nd exam back. I got a 41%. Class average? 38%. Isn't that rediculous?

 

[Spankete87]

I've grow quite used to getting kicked in the head by my exams. Case in point, I am taking Orgo II (again, cause LECOM told me I had to), and I just got my 2nd exam back. I got a 41%. Class average? 38%. Isn't that rediculous?

Sounds just about like my Orgo class.....except my prof didn't curve. We had averages in the 50s and yet no curve. So my C in Organic was actually one of the higher grades in the class. Thankfully for other premed students after me, the chem department has forced the prof to curve. The guy went from 2 classes of 200+ students in Orgo I to 1 class of <100 students in Orgo II when I was in it. Five of my friends and I started off premed in orgo I together and I was the only one left premed in orgo II. 🙁

 

[FutureDocDO]

Five of my friends and I started off premed in orgo I together and I was the only one left premed in orgo II. 🙁

I hate those weed-out classes at public colleges. I got fed up and transferred to a private college and ended up graduating with honors.

 

[FutureDocDO]

Ugh, man you guys just know that one test (chemistry in my case) that you get really motivated for and study your butt off, only to walk in there and in front of you is the hardest damn thing you've ever seen? You know, the one where half the material was not covered by your ancient professor who does not know how to teach worth a damn and just needs to retire?

Those ones are depressing. This is what the tests so far have been like for me in my pre-med courses so far (just inorganic chem, still a freshman) and I just pray that things will get better in biology, physiology etc. but I just don't know. I mean, I bury my head in my book for hours and hours and hours and feel like I've got everything down, but then I get to the test and get taken out behind the woodshed. If this is what I'm in for over the next 3 years my head is going to explode, and I can't even imagine how much tougher med school is (if I even get in!). I just get so damn depressed thinking that no matter how much I study, I'm just not smart enough to get a firm grasp on all of the material and do well on the tests, and consequentially not smart enough to even get into med school and then do well in med school.

In the end though, I guess I'll just have to deal with it if medicine is what I really want as my future, which it is.

I hated Gen. Chem and Physics! It doesn't matter how much I study... when it comes to test time I didn't know shiat! Just hang in there and get that passing grade, C for me . Like others have said, those General/Introductory classes are killers. Once you get to second year everything seems so easy you'd wonder why on earth can't you Aced everything your freshman year.

 

[Bill_Brasky]

Ugh, man you guys just know that one test (chemistry in my case) that you get really motivated for and study your butt off, only to walk in there and in front of you is the hardest damn thing you've ever seen? You know, the one where half the material was not covered by your ancient professor who does not know how to teach worth a damn and just needs to retire?

Those ones are depressing. This is what the tests so far have been like for me in my pre-med courses so far (just inorganic chem, still a freshman) and I just pray that things will get better in biology, physiology etc. but I just don't know. I mean, I bury my head in my book for hours and hours and hours and feel like I've got everything down, but then I get to the test and get taken out behind the woodshed. If this is what I'm in for over the next 3 years my head is going to explode, and I can't even imagine how much tougher med school is (if I even get in!). I just get so damn depressed thinking that no matter how much I study, I'm just not smart enough to get a firm grasp on all of the material and do well on the tests, and consequentially not smart enough to even get into med school and then do well in med school.

In the end though, I guess I'll just have to deal with it if medicine is what I really want as my future, which it is.

Here's what you do: Obtain Red Bull. Obtain Jager. Mix them in equal parts. Drink. The Red Bull will help keep you up all night, and the Jager will make you think you are invincible. While the alcohol is making you feel better, integrate this maxim: getting into medical school is much harder than medical school itself. Med school is not hard conceptually, it is nothing more than taking fistfuls of material, cramming them into your brain through one ear, and then trying to catch the stuff coming out of the other ear to cram back in. Its all about volume. Anyone with medium intelligence can survive medical school, you just need to suck it up for 3.5 years in undergrad and then you're golden. In case you drank so much that you black-out the absorption of this material, use the shakes the next morning to motivate you; because you now realize how important it is for someone who's sick to be taken care of. You win either way.

-Bill Brasky
--------------------------------------------------------------------
"First Friend of Brasky: Bill Brasky is a son of a bitch! Do you fellas know Bill Brasky?

Second Friend of Brasky: Hell yeah, I know Bill Brasky! He's a big fella, goes about 6'4", 280. He loves his Scotch!

Third Friend of Brasky: He does! He's a hell of a salesman!

Fourth Friend of Brasky: To Bill Brasky!

Together: Bill Brasky!!"

 

[elise]

Perfect answer if you ask me. I got a D in freshman chem the first time and above a 100% the next time. I think grades more often measure the teacher, lifestyle, time constraints, etc, not actually what you learn.

Knowing that, I would figure out what is getting to you. It sounds like your "professor who needs to retire" might have something to do with it. I would see if your school has free tutoring, I was a tutor my last two years, and if someone was doing their work and going to class and didn't wait to contact me until the last second, then I could always help them get a decent grade, if not the A they wanted. Some professors will also allow the tutor to talk them into second chances or extra credit.

 

[Hardbody]

Here's what you do: Obtain Red Bull. Obtain Jager. Mix them in equal parts. Drink.QUOTE]

This is one of the best ideas I have heard yet, you just reminded me that I have Red Bull in my fridge and Jager in my freezer!

 

[yanky5]

Here's what you do: Obtain Red Bull. Obtain Jager. Mix them in equal parts. Drink. The Red Bull will help keep you up all night, and the Jager will make you think you are invincible. While the alcohol is making you feel better, integrate this maxim: getting into medical school is much harder than medical school itself. Med school is not hard conceptually, it is nothing more than taking fistfuls of material, cramming them into your brain through one ear, and then trying to catch the stuff coming out of the other ear to cram back in. Its all about volume. Anyone with medium intelligence can survive medical school, you just need to suck it up for 3.5 years in undergrad and then you're golden. In case you drank so much that you black-out the absorption of this material, use the shakes the next morning to motivate you; because you now realize how important it is for someone who's sick to be taken care of. You win either way.

-Bill Brasky

This is the best advice I heard so far about medical school. You should frame this

 

[BobBarker]

Keep your head up. The most frustrating times of my undergrad career were after my first biology lab and after my first inorganic chemistry test. In biology, the class just seemingly got easier. After I finally figured out what was needed to get the grade for each lab assignment it was a breeze. In inorganic chemistry, me and a buddy worked through the homework together and basically taught each other what to do. Sometimes, I would go to a professor or TA and ask questions, or he would go to a tutor (he was a student athlete) and then we would exchange information and help each other. We kept this up through both inorganics and both physics and it worked great for both of us. Now I'm going to med school, and even though he isn't he has a good excuse. He's in the NFL.