Studying Ahead of the Class

[BioBenoni]

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When studying ahead of the class for various subjects. Do you:

1) study all of the material up to the first test

EX: Let’s say I want to study biology, chemistry, and math. I’ll study all the material for each subject that’s covered on the first test for each course. If I have extra time, I’ll try to take practice tests for each subject covered up to the first test.

2) study all the material for one subject, and once done you study all the material for the next subject.

EX: I’ll study all the material covered in biology. Now that I’m done, I’ll study all the material covered in chemistry, and then move on to math when I finished with chemistry.

3) Something else not mentioned above.

 

[Wolvvs]

There's a reason most courses are paced the way they are, if you don't have a good understanding of the material it's not going to help when you go to apply it later on something like the MCAT. It's good to be prepared for an upcoming lecture, but I wouldn't go much beyond that.

If you're bored, why not add another class or find something else to do?

 

[907914]

When studying ahead of the class for various subjects. Do you:

1) study all of the material up to the first test

EX: Let’s say I want to study biology, chemistry, and math. I’ll study all the material for each subject that’s covered on the first test for each course. If I have extra time, I’ll try to take practice tests for each subject covered up to the first test.

2) study all the material for one subject, and once done you study all the material for the next subject.

EX: I’ll study all the material covered in biology. Now that I’m done, I’ll study all the material covered in chemistry, and then move on to math when I finished with chemistry.

3) Something else not mentioned above.

To pre-study for a class, it is really only effective for upper division classes IMHO. You need to have basic foundational understandings to teach yourself new concepts. I prestudied biochem, cell, molecular, and anatomy/physiology and found it immensely helpful by the time I got to the class. I prestudied the entire course for each of them. Took about a month doing all at the same time (last month of summer before fall quarter started). You will likely need a structured and organized study program if you are learning it first time around. Something with questions for checks on learning imbedded into the program. Khan academy is a good resource for first time learning as it is free. I used draw it to know it as it is a little more thorough and visual.

 

[BioBenoni]

There's a reason most courses are paced the way they are, if you don't have a good understanding of the material it's not going to help when you go to apply it later on something like the MCAT. It's good to be prepared for an upcoming lecture, but I wouldn't go much beyond that.

If you're bored, why not add another class or find something else to do?

The thing is that I’m trying my best as humanely possible to get an A in these classes. My goal was to make lecture become review, so by the time school starts I can start preparing for tests, and skip the “learning phase”.

 

[907914]

The thing is that I’m trying my best as humanely possible to get an A in these classes. My goal was to make lecture become review, so by the time school starts I can start preparing for tests, and skip the “learning phase”.

As stated above, I did this last year for upper division classes (did it for psych over winter break too). Worked fantastically.

 

[BioBenoni]

To pre-study for a class, it is really only effective for upper division classes IMHO. You need to have basic foundational understandings to teach yourself new concepts. I prestudied biochem, cell, molecular, and anatomy/physiology and found it immensely helpful by the time I got to the class. I prestudied the entire course for each of them. Took about a month doing all at the same time (last month of summer before fall quarter started). You will likely need a structured and organized study program if you are learning it first time around. Something with questions for checks on learning imbedded into the program. Khan academy is a good resource for first time learning as it is free. I used draw it to know it as it is a little more thorough and visual.

Alright thanks so much. How many classes do you think it’s possible to pre-study at a time without overloading yourself?

 

[lull]

Alright thanks so much. How many classes do you think it’s possible to pre-study at a time without overloading yourself?

Pre-studying really isn’t necessary so long as you start studying at least 2 weeks in advance before an exam/final, attend office hours with legitimate questions, pay attention in class, and most importantly...do the readings and review lecture slides before class starts.

 

[calipremed5768]

Nope. I have the clutch gene when it comes to tests (no brag). I wait until I’m in a really pressured environment and then find a way to win.

 

[Cornfed101]

This is the entire purpose of spaced repetition flashcards (Anki). I would take notes during lecture and then review those notes and make Anki cards the next day. This already gave me 1 review. By the time I got to the exams and the final I didn't have to study any extra. This spread out studying for the entire term instead of stressful cramming before the exams. It worked out really well for me (3.96 post bacc). I had grand plans of prep reading for class, but it never really materialized. My point is, you don't need to go super overboard to get an A. Just be consistent (Anki helps with that).

 

[Wolvvs]

Are you trying to come back from a bad start, or do you have a reason to expect you'll do poorly without pre-studying? Absolutely it can help, but I think there are better things you could be doing with your time.

 

[Wolvvs]

Nope. I have the clutch gene when it comes to tests (no brag). I wait until I’m in a really pressured environment and then find a way to win.

I heard you only got a 518 on your MCAT? Oof, time to pack the sunscreen....

 

[Cornfed101]

I heard you only got a 518 on your MCAT? Oof, time to pack the sunscreen....

I don't think you need sunscreen at Trump University Med School in Moscow

 

[BioBenoni]

Are you trying to come back from a bad start, or do you have a reason to expect you'll do poorly without pre-studying? Absolutely it can help, but I think there are better things you could be doing with your time.

No just starting undergraduate as a freshmen, this year. The talk about the freshmen “weedout” was tensing me up a bit, and I don’t want to perform badly.

 

[Wolvvs]

No just starting undergraduate as a freshmen, this year. The talk about the freshmen “weedout” was tensing me up a bit, and I don’t want to perform badly.

Got it, sorry I thought you were a bit further along! I understand the pressure. What classes are you taking? First year classes are generally not weed-out classes, although this is school specific. Usually orgo is the big one but gen chem can be at some schools.

 

[Wolvvs]

I don't think you need sunscreen at Trump University Med School in Moscow

Probably not, but you will need a P100 respirator for the asbestos!

 

[BioBenoni]

Got it, sorry I thought you were a bit further along! I understand the pressure. What classes are you taking? First year classes are generally not weed-out classes, although this is school specific. Usually orgo is the big one but gen chem can be at some schools.

Classes:
Gen Chem I (Lab and Class)
Intro to Computing
Calc 2
Biology Lab
PE class

My major is biomedical engineering.

 

[Wolvvs]

Classes:
Gen Chem I (Lab and Class)
Intro to Computing
Calc 2
Biology Lab
PE class

My major is biomedical engineering.

Is that bio with lab or just biology lab?

Which class are you most worried about? Did you do AP calc/chem/bio?

 

[BioBenoni]

Is that bio with lab or just biology lab?

Which class are you most worried about? Did you do AP calc/chem/bio?

Just bio lab. I did IB Bio, Chem, and Calc. Most worried about chem because I heard that it is different than any chem I’m used to, even though I have IB chem knowledge.

 

[Wolvvs]

Just bio lab. I did IB Bio, Chem, and Calc. Most worried about chem because I heard that it is different than any chem I’m used to, even though I have IB chem knowledge.

Okay, why just the lab? Some medical schools accept AP credits but none that I've seen accept IB credits for prerequisites, so you will probably need general biology at some point.

Gen chem II can get a bit esoteric, but since you've essentially covered the material before, I don't anticipate you'll have a problem if you prepare for/attend classes and keep on top of studying. If you have a syllabus, take a look, there shouldn't be anything there that stands out as being strange or something you haven't seen before. If there is, or if there was an area you were weak in, you can focus pre-studying there, but remember these courses are designed to be passed without pre-studying.

 

[FreeGibbs]

Nope. I have the clutch gene when it comes to tests (no brag). I wait until I’m in a really pressured environment and then find a way to win.

The true correct way to study for tests

 

[BioBenoni]

Okay, why just the lab? Some medical schools accept AP credits but none that I've seen accept IB credits for prerequisites, so you will probably need general biology at some point.

Gen chem II can get a bit esoteric, but since you've essentially covered the material before, I don't anticipate you'll have a problem if you prepare for/attend classes and keep on top of studying. If you have a syllabus, take a look, there shouldn't be anything there that stands out as being strange or something you haven't seen before. If there is, or if there was an area you were weak in, you can focus pre-studying there, but remember these courses are designed to be passed without pre-studying.

Wouldn’t fit maybe schedule :/ Gotta take Gen Bio (Class) next semester. Additionally, my school separates the class and lab.

 

[Wolvvs]

Wouldn’t fit maybe schedule :/ Gotta take Gen Bio (Class) next semester. Additionally, my school separates the class and lab.

Good luck 🙂 do whatever makes you comfortable, but make sure you don't burn yourself out. That happened to me, look at my GPA.

 

[Cornfed101]

No just starting undergraduate as a freshmen, this year. The talk about the freshmen “weedout” was tensing me up a bit, and I don’t want to perform badly.

The fact that you are here trying to figure it out says a lot about you. Everyone will study a little differently and you need to just figure out what works for you. Undergrad is not hard if you know your learning style. Take some time to think about this and get help when you need it.

Here are some things that worked for me and I plan to use these strategies in med school and tweak them as needed:

• Anki - especially with image occlusion and overlapping close deletion. If you have no idea what I am talking about, look into it. Some people swear by Quizlet, but Anki is infinitely more customizable. It's amazing that you can tailor it to what works for you.
• Memory techniques - I learned about a few memory techniques that have helped when learning lists of information. Memory palaces and mnemonics are great for locking things into your memory. Some people don't like these because they say you are only superficially learning the information, but I disagree because as you continue to learn about the material your mnemonics and memory palaces will be replaced by a deeper understanding.
• Are you a visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learner - I love movies and while I enjoy reading I have found that I don't love textbooks. When I can learn something with a video I will do it.

I know this doesn't exactly answer your original question, but my advice is to not prelearn anything. Use that time for other things like volunteering or exploring other hobbies.