Premed jitters

[ODOPHI]

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I was wondering if anyone else out there who is a premed student and applying to schools (or maybe those of you who are already in med school) have felt at one point or another nervous about going into med school and if you would hopefully be the best student you can be? I say this because I am currently a grad student (masters in bio) and I am waitlisted at 2 schools (because of mediocre mcats) and I find that it takes me a long time to retain information in order to learn it. I don't really like memorization because once you take an exam, then its out the door. My bf is a finishing his 2nd year at an MD school and I see the amount of material he has to review and go over but most times he doesn't have enough time to read it more than 2 times. I would have to read it much more than that and I am aware that with the volume of material that you would get in med school I wouldn't have the time to go over everything as much as I would like. So I would like to know how do you guys out there make the information stick and if you have ever felt the way I do.

Thank you 🙂

 

[Anita817]

I think everyone has to find the method that works for them-- and I've heard that even people who have a solid method for undergrad often have to revise it when it comes to medical school. My undergrad degree is in communication, so rote memorization was rarely required--I mostly wrote papers. However, when I began my post bacc premed courses, they were all pretty much structured around tests. I had some difficulty figuring out a study strategy, but eventually found that writing the material worked best for me (surprise, surprise). I frequently rewrite ALL my notes before and exam, or turn them into flashcards. I also rework LOTS of homework problems when the subject matter calls for it. For some reason, the act of writing something makes it stick in my memory far better than reading or listening. And strangely enough--writing on a computer seems to be less effective for me than using a pen... and brightly colored pens seem more effective than plain blue or black. I have theories as to why, but the bottom line is simply that you have to find what works for you.

 

[ODOPHI]

LOL yea I actually forgot to say that I have to write (blue pen and different highlighters lol) everything out too and thats the reason why I'm freaking out being that I don't think I'll have time to write it all out. Do you just write it once and keep moving? I have to read, write, listen, write again, read again, etc. I know everyone has a different way of studying and each person has to find what works best for them but I'm just curious to know other people's techniques. Thank you for your post Anita817 🙂

 

[Anita817]

LOL yea I actually forgot to say that I have to write (blue pen and different highlighters lol) everything out too and thats the reason why I'm freaking out being that I don't think I'll have time to write it all out. Do you just write it once and keep moving? I have to read, write, listen, write again, read again, etc. I know everyone has a different way of studying and each person has to find what works best for them but I'm just curious to know other people's techniques. Thank you for your post Anita817 🙂

Well if it makes you feel any better, yes, I am a bit worried, but I feel like being in an environment where EVERYONE is focused on trying to learn the material, it might be easier. I know that when I was a true undergrad (meaning living on campus, going to class full time) I had less trouble buckling down and getting things done because I would be going to the labs or library with friends, and everyone was more or less in the same boat. I have had more trouble with my post bacc work because the environment I've been in (living with my parents, pretty much knowing no one in my classes, working almost full time) has not been conducive at all to studying and learning. I've managed to make it through, but am definitely looking forward to having a one-track mindset about studying and learning in medical school--and I'm hoping it helps with motivation just like it did in undergrad.

 

[engineeredout]

Hey I'm nervous too, its not just you. I'm an engineering major, which requires minimal memorization. I feel like everything I learn will go straight out the window five minutes after the test.

By the time I get to third year its going to be "uhh, whats a kidney?"

 

[scummie]

Well if it makes you feel any better, yes, I am a bit worried, but I feel like being in an environment where EVERYONE is focused on trying to learn the material, it might be easier. I know that when I was a true undergrad (meaning living on campus, going to class full time) I had less trouble buckling down and getting things done because I would be going to the labs or library with friends, and everyone was more or less in the same boat. I have had more trouble with my post bacc work because the environment I've been in (living with my parents, pretty much knowing no one in my classes, working almost full time) has not been conducive at all to studying and learning. I've managed to make it through, but am definitely looking forward to having a one-track mindset about studying and learning in medical school--and I'm hoping it helps with motivation just like it did in undergrad.

So I'm just finishing up my third year of college and I've lived at home, in an apartment and on campus. Worst grades ever came when I lived at home and I'd advise anyone not to do. College is difficult as it is and it would make your life a lot easier if you didn't have to worry about making your bed every morning and giving your parents the play by play of your day every day. Parents are great and all, but are not all that conducive to studying.

I think it would really help for you to think about why you're putting yourself through this process. So when it's a Friday night and your friends are all out partying and you came back at 9 to study MCAT, you're not going to be completely angry at the world. Just think about goal in mind. This is just another one of the steps you gotta take to get to where you wanna go.

 

[Semicolon]

So I'm just finishing up my third year of college and I've lived at home, in an apartment and on campus. Worst grades ever came when I lived at home and I'd advise anyone not to do. College is difficult as it is and it would make your life a lot easier if you didn't have to worry about making your bed every morning and giving your parents the play by play of your day every day. Parents are great and all, but are not all that conducive to studying.

I think it would really help for you to think about why you're putting yourself through this process. So when it's a Friday night and your friends are all out partying and you came back at 9 to study MCAT, you're not going to be completely angry at the world. Just think about goal in mind. This is just another one of the steps you gotta take to get to where you wanna go.

Eh, I think that it can really depend on an individual level. When I lived away from home for 3 semesters, I did considerably worse in my classes than when I transferred and started living at home again for the next 5. I don't know how much of that was due to the difference in institution, but I felt that I had more distractions when living away from home. However, I have decided to live away from home again during med school, but that is because I feel college student =/= med student and I wouldn't run into the same distractions (also, it wouldn't be a dorm). My point is that experiences and preferences differ.

 

[engineeredout]

So I'm just finishing up my third year of college and I've lived at home, in an apartment and on campus. Worst grades ever came when I lived at home and I'd advise anyone not to do. College is difficult as it is and it would make your life a lot easier if you didn't have to worry about making your bed every morning and giving your parents the play by play of your day every day. Parents are great and all, but are not all that conducive to studying.

Definitely agree with this. My home is close enough to school that commuting is possible, but living away from home is the best decision I've ever made. Studying for the MCAt at home (it was over the summer) felt a lot harder. Home is much less condusive to studying.

Its nice to not have to announce when (if) you're going to be home for dinner, picking up clothes off the floor (as immature as it sounds), announcing when you're leaving the house, getting the "you were out late last night" when coming back at 3:30-4:00, etc...

 

[Semicolon]

It seems you guys have much stricter parents than I do, leading you both to dislike staying at home. My parents don't get on my nerves with any of that so I guess I have it easy.

 

[punkiedad]

Hey I'm nervous too, its not just you. I'm an engineering major, which requires minimal memorization. I feel like everything I learn will go straight out the window five minutes after the test.

By the time I get to third year its going to be "uhh, whats a kidney?"

Well, I am glad I am not the only nervous one........38, married with kids, joined the military, leaving a secure six figure job and starting med school........I personally think, for the first time in several years, I am not taking a class and I have too much time to think. It seems like I am more tired now.....as much as I know it is going to grind, I just want it to start. It is like I am sitting in front of the firehose with my mouth wide open, ready to drink and the waiting is killing me😀

 

[ShyRem]

Every single person in my class had to revise their studying habits. and you learn how to revise them quickly. It is amazing what you can accomplish when you really don't have a choice. But seeing as you're re-learning how to learn, the first semester tends to be very stressful.

You're nervous/anxious. That's natural. We've all been there, and we've survived. You will too. 🙂