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Preparing yourself before entering University
- Thread starter hd030
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About to graduate from High School in June of this year, many thoughts have been holding me back... as to whether or not I should enter University right after I finish High School.
It takes a lot of dedication and hard work to get a 3.6+ GPA, to be generally considered competitive for admission to Medical School.
Of course, MCAT, research, etc...need to be considered as well...But I would like to start by getting the grade.
Although I will have an average of approx. 90% by the time I graduate from High School, I don't think I'm ready to compete at all. Because I know I can't do the same in University and expect a high mark.
After all this, my question is:
Should I take a year off to prepare for first-year University? I was thinking of buying all the first-year textbooks and read over them, well at least the bio/chem ones. Not just skimming but actually know the material so I am capable of doing better when I actually do it a second time in University.
A lot of people tell me it will just be a waste of a year, but I know I have the self-dedication to study on my own.
My ultimate goal is to enter Medical School, and I am dead serious about it. I am definitely willing to spend the time to prepare... I just don't want to screw up first-year and have no chance at Medical School.
What do you all think?
Thanks for reading. Please advise!
Do NOT take a year off just to study for first year. Seriously, this would be a complete waste. You probably won't really learn anything and you will waste time. You will have plenty of time to study at school.
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About to graduate from High School in June of this year, many thoughts have been holding me back... as to whether or not I should enter University right after I finish High School.
It takes a lot of dedication and hard work to get a 3.6+ GPA, to be generally considered competitive for admission to Medical School.
Of course, MCAT, research, etc...need to be considered as well...But I would like to start by getting the grade.
Although I will have an average of approx. 90% by the time I graduate from High School, I don't think I'm ready to compete at all. Because I know I can't do the same in University and expect a high mark.
After all this, my question is:
Should I take a year off to prepare for first-year University? I was thinking of buying all the first-year textbooks and read over them, well at least the bio/chem ones. Not just skimming but actually know the material so I am capable of doing better when I actually do it a second time in University.
A lot of people tell me it will just be a waste of a year, but I know I have the self-dedication to study on my own.
My ultimate goal is to enter Medical School, and I am dead serious about it. I am definitely willing to spend the time to prepare... I just don't want to screw up first-year and have no chance at Medical School.
What do you all think?
Thanks for reading. Please advise!
dont take a year off. As long as you know how to study and work hard college isnt super hard. Getting a 3.6 requires some work, but you shouldnt be in the library 23 hours a day.
Doing bad your first year doesnt kill your chances. It sux trying to raise a GPA but its def doable. Enjoy first year. Theres nothing like being a freshman.
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Oh dear God, no. Don't take a year off. Don't study ahead for your classes. Don't do anything but take your classes as they come.
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Study hard for classes while you are in them. Taking a year off to pre-study will not gain you anything.
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I say go for the University path!
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Do not take a year off. Apply this dedication you have for taking a year-off and getting ahead, for when your are actually the taking the class. You seem like a good student, you will do fine!
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If you take a year off, how exactly would yo know what to and how to study for? The course itself will pave a way for you to develop your own study tactics. Perhaps instead of taking the year off, take a lighter load your freshman year, and devote twice the amount of hours studying in relation to the hours the class meets per week.
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Freshman year really isn't as hard as people think. It sounds like you will do just fine. The biggest problem I saw in the Freshmen at my undergrad was that they thought college was going to be just as easy as high school, and they were therefore not prepared for the studying it required. It sounds like you have a good grasp on how much you will need to study. Taking a year off will only set you back.
Go ahead and start college in the Fall. If you need to take a year off, save it for the year between college and medical school (that's what I did, and I am incredibly happy with my decision - it was almost easy to apply/interview without having to worry about classes).
Go ahead and start college in the Fall. If you need to take a year off, save it for the year between college and medical school (that's what I did, and I am incredibly happy with my decision - it was almost easy to apply/interview without having to worry about classes).
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Also, if you take a year off, you'll need to explain that on all of your apps when they ask you if you have had any gaps in your education. They might look at you a little funny when you give that explanation. Many people feel the way you do, unprepared for college, but you just need to bite the bullet and dive in - any amount of book studying won't be as beneficial as going to a single week of lectures with an amazing teacher. Plus, in many science classes, the book is more of a reference, not what you should be directly learning from.
Also, if you're taking AP classes right now, you should be prepared - I found that some of my AP classes were more difficult than college classes, ESPECIALLY non-science ones.
Good Luck, don't stress, and keep on keeping on!
Also, if you're taking AP classes right now, you should be prepared - I found that some of my AP classes were more difficult than college classes, ESPECIALLY non-science ones.
Good Luck, don't stress, and keep on keeping on!
I didn't read through the other posts so I'm sorry if this is repetitive. As everyone else said, don't take the year off. You don't need to prepare yourself as far as material for college, only study habits and attitude. For the most part, you can't just go to class, take the test, and make A's as is very doable in high school. Go into your first semester ready to study for each test. As time goes on you'll be able to gauge which classes you need to spend more or less time with. Just take the time to learn the information when you need to and you'll be fine. Don't overdo it. Have fun.
