Not getting it- Change Career Path?

[mitrieD]

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It seems that in almost all of my science classes, I am either at the curve or below the curve when it comes to tests. I work really hard for my grades, but when it comes to science classes, I just can't get an A. For example on my last physics quiz, I worked really hard for it and still got well below the curve- failed the test.


I know that I have an average IQ, and that tests do test your intelligence (since you have to apply knowledge creatively). I go to a competitive public school, so I don't know if that makes a difference. Is that a bad sign that I haven't got an A in a science class yet?


I'm asking this because if this isn't a fluid path for me, then maybe dentistry isn't for me. Maybe I'm just not smart enough. I wish there was some kind of IQ test before making a decision so you don't waste your time. I love dentistry and the science, but when it comes to test taking and comparing to other students, I just can't compare.


I'm sorry for the long post, but I'm just tired of being the type of student that studies so much that I don't really have a social life or "fun" time, because I can't academically afford it, and yet I still don't see results. Students that I usually hear that are like that usually have stellar grades. 🙁


Anyone else like this? Words or wisdom? Experience? I'm a third year biology major btw.

 

[Teeth12345]

You sound just like me when I was a 3rd year! I also went to a competitive public school and there were days (most of the days actually) where I felt like the dumbest kid in class. But you have to realize that you are probably among really smart students who have already learned their way of learning. I struggled my first 2 years with bio classes but 3rd year, I decided that studying until I pass out just wasn't for me. I started studying in groups and went to office hours - it helped me out a lot. If dentistry is absolutely what you want to do, don't let a few bad grades change your mind. Just try different ways of studying until you get it. Also, I found that reviewing material by myself first and then going over it with a small group helped a lot.
Good luck!!

 

[ugashaun]

I couldn't agree more with the previous post. Stick with it! Try to learn for an understanding of the material and really try to be able to use it in everyday life.

 

[persenmi]

I wish there was some kind of IQ test before making a decision so you don't waste your time.

Such a test exists. It's the DAT. This is an aptitude test designed to measure the likelyhood of a person to succeed in dental school. If you can score 17 or above (20 for more competitive schools) you have what it takes to be in dental school.

 

[UCF FINatic]

Why do you think you don't do well on your exams? Do you feel rushed for time? If you work at a slower pace they have tests you can take to receive more time on exams, including the DAT (I believe, my roommate did this for the MCAT). If you feel you didn't know the material figure out if you misunderstood it initially when you read it or if you didn't study hard enough, or if you couldn't understand what the question was asking, so on and so forth.

My first 3 science classes where Bio, Bio II, and Chem I, respectively, I got an A, B and C. At that point I decided to totally dedicate myself and have done much better. I just got accepted into dental school. If I can do it, you can.

 

[Seamonkey Doc]

It seems that in almost all of my science classes, I am either at the curve or below the curve when it comes to tests. I work really hard for my grades, but when it comes to science classes, I just can't get an A. For example on my last physics quiz, I worked really hard for it and still got well below the curve- failed the test.


I know that I have an average IQ, and that tests do test your intelligence (since you have to apply knowledge creatively). I go to a competitive public school, so I don't know if that makes a difference. Is that a bad sign that I haven't got an A in a science class yet?


I'm asking this because if this isn't a fluid path for me, then maybe dentistry isn't for me. Maybe I'm just not smart enough. I wish there was some kind of IQ test before making a decision so you don't waste your time. I love dentistry and the science, but when it comes to test taking and comparing to other students, I just can't compare.


I'm sorry for the long post, but I'm just tired of being the type of student that studies so much that I don't really have a social life or "fun" time, because I can't academically afford it, and yet I still don't see results. Students that I usually hear that are like that usually have stellar grades. 🙁


Anyone else like this? Words or wisdom? Experience? I'm a third year biology major btw.

I know what you're going through because I experienced the same thing throughout most college. I went to a competitive private liberal arts school. I had to bust my butt just to keep up with the class average.I sacrificed a lot of potential fun time with friends for the sake of academics. I graduated college with a decent but not impressive GPA. I only took the DAT once and got an overall average score. With a not-so-impressive GPA and average DAT score, I got accepted to dental school last month.

Basically, not all hope is lost. Getting into dental school is more than just a really nice GPA. And you haven't even taken the DAT (right?), so you can't completely rule yourself out.

 

[mitrieD]

Why do you think you don't do well on your exams? Do you feel rushed for time? If you work at a slower pace they have tests you can take to receive more time on exams, including the DAT (I believe, my roommate did this for the MCAT). If you feel you didn't know the material figure out if you misunderstood it initially when you read it or if you didn't study hard enough, or if you couldn't understand what the question was asking, so on and so forth.

My first 3 science classes where Bio, Bio II, and Chem I, respectively, I got an A, B and C. At that point I decided to totally dedicate myself and have done much better. I just got accepted into dental school. If I can do it, you can.

Well on my exams, they are definitely different from the hw. I do all the homework, sometimes twice. I don't think I ever crammed before. I think when it just comes to applying the knowledge creatively thats when I just kind of fall. Tests are obviously a lot harder than homework...

 

[sbesbesbe]

I'm a third year science student as well, and you sound EXACTLY like me. I study alot everyday (basically very little university social life) and with the amount of time I spend, I should be getting all As but that's not the case. There are people around me who do all the "social" stuff but still manage to get better grades than I do. You have to realize that there are some people who are "smart" (don't really want to put it this way but it's the truth) or can really focus well. I know that I'm not this kind of a person so I have to try harder than these people. But I think it's too soon to give up. Work hard and that hard work will pay off, like getting accepted to dental school🙂 good luck!

 

[yappy]

OP: Ask yourself two important questions.

-do I study alot and develop an understanding of the material
-do I study alot and not develop an understanding of the material

If you are the type of person that can speak freely about the information you've learned, feel that your grade should be higher based on your understanding etc. you may need to work on test taking / cramming tactics.

If you're that type of student that fails to perform on the test or cannot pull out important info from the lecture (FYI - the information is all in the book, what you need to be getting out of the lecture is what is going to be tested) than find someone to teach you and piggy back off them for a while.

Keep studying alot, but you need to study the right stuff and learn to grind when it counts to get that last 5-10% come test time.

EDIT: I have meet alot of people who are not very smart that can get an A in a class based on hard work and learning to focus on the important areas. Leaning and testing are different skills.

 

[timwatley]

I somewhat relate to you guys. I had to study quite a bit for my A's. One thing I would do if I needed an A was to look on ratemyprofessor.com. I found a couple easy upper division science courses that way. Another thing I would do when studying is write essays about the subject using as much detail as possible and without using notes. This helps your brain link things together. Take a multiple choice problem from a sample exam and try to write a few paragraphs about it. You can also study in groups and make sure to try teaching others the material. You'll mess up and it might be embarrassing but you'll definitely remember where you messed up. There are many ways, find some new ones that work for you and give all your effort.

 

[anida123]

Keep at it! I heard that schools look for trend in improvement rather than focusing on past bad grades.

 

[invictusx]

Don't give up, man. I got 2 C+'s in biology (that's two 2.3s in my GPA) and I had a 17 in RC and applied to dental school. Where did I end up? I ended up getting into UPenn and Columbia. It's more than just grades. You have to show progression. Doing problems over and over again doesn't mean you learn the material. You need to "understand" everything that you're doing so you can apply it to other questions.