Rough start; questions

[aklark]

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I graduated college a few years ago with a humanities degree, so I knew the initial jump back into med school would be tough, but I've been a little surprised at how hard it has been. I mostly feel like it's a combination of weak science knowledge since not a science major and just getting into the habit of studying for science classes. It seems like everyone I talk to says something like, "yeah I was a double major in chemistry and molecular biology with a minor in physiology and did 12 summers of clinical research, but ermagawd I am like totally failing too." So that's not helpful.

I failed one test in the first block and have another round of exams coming up next week that seems daunting, but I do feel like the process is starting to fall into place.

Questions are:

1) How much does the second semester/second year courses build on the first? If I don't nail down this first year material at the 95% level, will I always be a step behind in second year and clinical years?

2) Do preclinical grades really not matter as much as the data/people would lead you to believe? Ultimately I'd like to be somewhere near the middle of the class just as a personal goal, but looking at the PD surveys it seems like outside of things I'm not interested in (derm, rad onc, etc) basic science grades don't get nearly as much consideration as step 1 and clinical grades. Probably hard to rock step 1 without doing well in the basic science classes; not sure about clinical rotations.

 

[Meh.meh]

I graduated college a few years ago with a humanities degree, so I knew the initial jump back into med school would be tough, but I've been a little surprised at how hard it has been. I mostly feel like it's a combination of weak science knowledge since not a science major and just getting into the habit of studying for science classes. It seems like everyone I talk to says something like, "yeah I was a double major in chemistry and molecular biology with a minor in physiology and did 12 summers of clinical research, but ermagawd I am like totally failing too." So that's not helpful.

I failed one test in the first block and have another round of exams coming up next week that seems daunting, but I do feel like the process is starting to fall into place.

Questions are:

1) How much does the second semester/second year courses build on the first? If I don't nail down this first year material at the 95% level, will I always be a step behind in second year and clinical years?

2) Do preclinical grades really not matter as much as the data/people would lead you to believe? Ultimately I'd like to be somewhere near the middle of the class just as a personal goal, but looking at the PD surveys it seems like outside of things I'm not interested in (derm, rad onc, etc) basic science grades don't get nearly as much consideration as step 1 and clinical grades. Probably hard to rock step 1 without doing well in the basic science classes; not sure about clinical rotations.

Both of these questions have been answered ad nauseum: use the search function, it will get you more helpful responses.

The short answer to both questions is the same.

Keep your head down, work your ass off, and do the best you can.
There is no purpose in worrying about those things right now.

Longer answer: at our school, the second semester had entirely different material than the first. However, the second year is systems based and builds heavily on the first year. Not learning the material the first time around would make life considerably more difficult.

Find a learning specialist, a tutor, or someone in a few years ahead of you. See what you can do to change your study habits. It only gets more difficult, although it's always doable. Second year might have slightly more material, but it's mostly extracurricular stuff/boards that will make life more difficult.

There is no real answer to the second part of your question. Most people and program directors here will say the pre-clinical grades themselves are unimportant. The knowledge you gain the first two years is still important. It is your foundation. There are students who do well clinically without much success in the first two years. They are somewhat uncommon, but not unheard of. I wouldn't bank on being one of those people. So refer back to the short answer.

Good luck. If you want specific feedback on your current study strategy, you can send me a pm. I'm happy to help, although my strategies may not work for you. It tends to be very person/school specific.

 

[DesertPT]

It seems like everyone I talk to says something like, "yeah I was a double major in chemistry and molecular biology with a minor in physiology and did 12 summers of clinical research, but ermagawd I am like totally failing too."

🤣

I don't really have any helpful advice for you nor am I a medical student....just wanted to say that after spending all of undergrad in classes full of ditsy pre-meds this made me lololol.