Nervous about starting school

[x1240tony]

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[HopefulSlav]

Don't subject yourself to the power of (negative) suggestion. Just believe in yourself and study and you'll be fine.

 

[teambert]

Did you check that Bio 200 fills the Bio I criteria for premed? I only ask because my alma matter had a similarly titled class that didn't.

My advice, which I've been told is overkill: Go to every class, do all the reading, do all the problems you're assigned, more if you need to, drop by the prof's office with a question at least twice in the semester, and start and attend a study group. If you merely do those things consistently you'll probably be fine. I'm not convinced there are any real "tricks" to college. As you go through, you tweak the schedule appropriately. Professor never tests out of the book? Save your time and invest it elsewhere.

If you want to get ahead, build relationships with your professors.

You can't slack, college is fundamentally different. I did a lot better in college than many smarter folks because I put the time in. And if you don't, or if you try to miracle cram, you'll be that smart guy everyone knows who never does that well.

It's not that scary, it's just consistent work.

 

[skmed]

Honestly, I slacked off a lot in high school too, and freshman year was a rude awakening. I still got through it with a 3.52, but, while not terrible, it wasn't good enough either. My advice is to not make the mistake I did and think you can get through it without putting in some effort. It might work freshman year, but you're not going to be able to keep it up, and it will cause you a lot more stress later on. But as long as you put in the effort, you'll be fine.

If you really, truly think you have ADD, go see someone about it. Personally, I had a lot of trouble focusing, but I figured out I just needed a quiet, distraction-free environment to really be able to concentrate. I give myself allotted time to study with breaks. If I'm not getting it, the break helps me refocus and refresh, and if I am getting it, I'll end up working through the break, but just knowing that there is a definite end helps me focus. So, try different things, see what works for you.

 

[Doctor Strange]

Oh, wow, another pharm tox person! That was my undergrad major, and I've met few, if any, other people that go to schools with it.

In any case, it's normal to be a little apprehensive. This is a new phase of your life, and you're going to feel the exact same way starting med school. Rest assured, if you put in the work, you'll be just fine.

Pharm tox is a great prep for med school, and you'll have an excellent foundation when you start. Learn to retain as much as possible. If you have any questions, feel free to PM.

 

[x1240tony]

Don't subject yourself to the power of (negative) suggestion. Just believe in yourself and study and you'll be fine.

This is actually good advice, thank you. I've been doubting myself lately, and I need to stop!

Did you check that Bio 200 fills the Bio I criteria for premed? I only ask because my alma matter had a similarly titled class that didn't.

My advice, which I've been told is overkill: Go to every class, do all the reading, do all the problems you're assigned, more if you need to, drop by the prof's office with a question at least twice in the semester, and start and attend a study group. If you merely do those things consistently you'll probably be fine. I'm not convinced there are any real "tricks" to college. As you go through, you tweak the schedule appropriately. Professor never tests out of the book? Save your time and invest it elsewhere.

If you want to get ahead, build relationships with your professors.

You can't slack, college is fundamentally different. I did a lot better in college than many smarter folks because I put the time in. And if you don't, or if you try to miracle cram, you'll be that smart guy everyone knows who never does that well.

It's not that scary, it's just consistent work.

We don't have BIO I&II, Just Bio 200 (Which is evolutionary bio) and Bio 201 (Cell Bio). We have Bio 120something, its a class for non majors though. That's good advice, thank you. I guess it can be overcomplicated sometimes.

Honestly, I slacked off a lot in high school too, and freshman year was a rude awakening. I still got through it with a 3.52, but, while not terrible, it wasn't good enough either. My advice is to not make the mistake I did and think you can get through it without putting in some effort. It might work freshman year, but you're not going to be able to keep it up, and it will cause you a lot more stress later on. But as long as you put in the effort, you'll be fine.

If you really, truly think you have ADD, go see someone about it. Personally, I had a lot of trouble focusing, but I figured out I just needed a quiet, distraction-free environment to really be able to concentrate. I give myself allotted time to study with breaks. If I'm not getting it, the break helps me refocus and refresh, and if I am getting it, I'll end up working through the break, but just knowing that there is a definite end helps me focus. So, try different things, see what works for you.

I see the doctor on the 20th for my meningitis vaccine, I'll talk with her then, I just don't want to come off as someone desperate for drugs.

Oh, wow, another pharm tox person! That was my undergrad major, and I've met few, if any, other people that go to schools with it.

In any case, it's normal to be a little apprehensive. This is a new phase of your life, and you're going to feel the exact same way starting med school. Rest assured, if you put in the work, you'll be just fine.

Pharm tox is a great prep for med school, and you'll have an excellent foundation when you start. Learn to retain as much as possible. If you have any questions, feel free to PM.

Ya Pharm Tox unite! We are the minority. My school has 35,000 undergrads and only 40 are in the program! I heard it's tough. Our school of medicine has a bunch of majors and a lot of the pre meds / dents go into Biomedical sciences. Biomedical science is basically taking a TON of electives.

Thanks for the advice, I read your profile for MDapps and my life story is similar, with the immigrants and all.

 

[Doctor Strange]

Ya Pharm Tox unite! We are the minority. My school has 35,000 undergrads and only 40 are in the program! I heard it's tough. Our school of medicine has a bunch of majors and a lot of the pre meds / dents go into Biomedical sciences. Biomedical science is basically taking a TON of electives.

Thanks for the advice, I read your profile for MDapps and my life story is similar, with the immigrants and all.

My year, there were about ten kids in the pharm/tox program, so it was an awesome way to connect with professors, find research opportunities, and get a lot more one-on-one teaching//learning. You're going to learn A LOT, and most, if not all, of it will be directly taught or expanded upon in med school.

Best of luck. 👍

 

[IncognitoGuy]

My year, there were about ten kids in the pharm/tox program, so it was an awesome way to connect with professors, find research opportunities, and get a lot more one-on-one teaching//learning. You're going to learn A LOT, and most, if not all, of it will be directly taught or expanded upon in med school.

Best of luck. 👍

Except Embryology, right?

 

[Doctor Strange]

Except Embryology, right?

Don't even go there, bub. 😡

 

[x1240tony]

My year, there were about ten kids in the pharm/tox program, so it was an awesome way to connect with professors, find research opportunities, and get a lot more one-on-one teaching//learning. You're going to learn A LOT, and most, if not all, of it will be directly taught or expanded upon in med school.

Best of luck. 👍

It's small in my class too. We were in the one medical lecture computer room, and they were calling us out by major to meet with the department head of our major in the school of medicine. They called Biomedical Science and 97% of the people left and then finally there was two of us, who were majoring in Pharm Tox. My one friend from High School and me. 🙂

 

[Doctor Strange]

It's small in my class too. We were in the one medical lecture computer room, and they were calling us out by major to meet with the department head of our major in the school of medicine. They called Biomedical Science and 97% of the people left and then finally there was two of us, who were majoring in Pharm Tox. My one friend from High School and me. 🙂

aka the cool kids.

 

[Mornhavon]

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[Strudel19]

I was terrified academically. I did well in high school, but I knew high school was a joke. I continued my good habits and I'm doing well in college.

Things don't really change. Succeeders will keep succeeding.

 

[Akali]

If you're naturally smart you can still get away with a significant amount of slacking/procrastinating in undergrad. You will likely have to step up your game though to get the grades you want for med school apps. Don't stress too much though man. You can step up your game gradually cuz first year is pretty easy. When you do Phys and O Chem those are a bit harder. Have fun in undergrad cuz if you get into medical school you will have a LOT less opportunity to do that lol and you will be forced to quit being a slacker.

 

[amazing tekkers]

The big thing here is time management and social connections. Other than that, you should be fine.