Studying while Sick

[Dr Gerrard]

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Do you guys generally do worse on tests when you take them/study for them while sick?

I had a few tests last week and I stayed up all night studying for my biochem one while sick, and I still did well, just not as well as I normally do/should.

I have also been getting really lazy lately, I am hoping that is not catching up with me and I did worse just because I was sick.

So back to my original question, what do you guys think?

 

[Snarkalark]

I took a chem test a few weeks ago when I was about a 9 out of 10 on the influenza scale and I still got 100. Granted it was gen chem, but I think (almost) all excuses for doing poorly on tests are BS.

 

[Lola2010]

I took my orgo final REALLY sick with a stomach flu and fever. Hadn't eaten all day. Ended up doing better on it than any of the other exams all semester.

 

[Dr Gerrard]

Yeah, I guess that's true, I knew beforehand that I had not studied enough. Oh well, I guess I have to get back to work before it becomes a habit.

Oh, and I just had a cold, basic head ache, cough, sore throat + a small fever, so it wasn't even too bad. I noticed I had a harder time focusing though, but I feel perfectly fine now and I am on here instead of focusing on the work I have right in front of me.

This can't continue to med school.

 

[bkz]

I stayed up all night studying for my biochem one while sick, and I still did well, just not as well as I normally do/should.

what do you guys think?

I think that has more to do with staying up all night than being sick

 

[dw2158]

Do you guys generally do worse on tests when you take them/study for them while sick?

I had a few tests last week and I stayed up all night studying for my biochem one while sick, and I still did well, just not as well as I normally do/should.

I have also been getting really lazy lately, I am hoping that is not catching up with me and I did worse just because I was sick.

So back to my original question, what do you guys think?

to answer your original question: yes, i study for a take tests when i'm sick, and no i do not do worse on them.

I think that has more to do with staying up all night than being sick

seriously.

 

[tennisball80]

I took a math test in grade 3 and studied 10 minutes to get an A. I was sick too.

 

[Hyperstudyosis]

It depends what kind of sickness for me. Usually doesn't affect me too much, but last week I had an ochem exam and I was so sick that my brain was almost non-functional. Most of the reactions that I spent two weeks studying went right out the door...thankfully I get to drop my lowest exam grade.

 

[Dr Gerrard]

Yeah, I have come to realize it is not the sickness at all.

It really was a lack of focus, I had a really hard time focusing on the material I was studying. Now at that time, I blamed it on the sickness, but I am realizing that my previous study habits are not lasting and it is really hard for me to avoid being distracted. If I don't have a distraction, I start getting sleepy or hungry or something else.

I am still doing really well in school, but my main worry is that the great grades I was getting before are turning into good grades, and I do not want this to slip even further.

Any tips/thoughts/am I being to neurotic?

 

[MidnightSun32]

I was really sick a couple weeks ago with a high fever, body chills, etc. and I had a hard time studying for long periods of time. I kind of went over the information in small increments. Sleep was definitely more important to me at that moment. I had a test in forensic chemistry with my hardest professor and still got a 96% which was not as high as I usually get. I couldn't focus on anything during a lecture I attempted to go to and had a hard time when I got home too 🙁

 

[Bacchus]

I took a math test in grade 3 and studied 10 minutes to get an A. I was sick too.

Peanut Butter or Chocolate Chip?

 

[SiR99]

Its common sense, when you are sick you cannot think as clearly as when you are healthy and okay.

Its funny how a bunch of people started posting things like, I had a severe fever, could barely open my eyes, missed lectured, my nose would not stop running, the slightest sound felt like a hurricane, I stumbled up the stairs where I cut my hand on a broken piece of railing and the bleeding would not stop and I couldnt see straight and everything was fuzzy, so I basically only read half of my physical chemistry final exam with the hardest professor at our school and I still got a 99%, which isnt what im used to but given the circumstance it would do.

 

[junkct]

i know someone who got a 40 on the mcat when he took it with a fever (paper version, when they only offered it twice a year.. he basically had no choice but to take it or wait 6 months)... his practice average was 32

 

[saintelsewhere]

I had mono last semester and did horribly. I don't know what is up with these people who don't. I could barely stay awake in class, let alone do well. And I certainly wasn't awake outside of class. I'm sure there is someone on here who will tell some story about how they did mono and still got awesome grades, but that just wasn't the case for me. It really affected my gpa, but it was the only semester like that, so I figure if an adcom asks me about it I'll just tell them I had mono and it wiped me out. I wouldn't want to go to a school that expected me not to take care of myself when I had an illness, even if it meant making that a priority over chemistry one semester.

 

[Slowpoke]

Its common sense, when you are sick you cannot think as clearly as when you are healthy and okay.

Its funny how a bunch of people started posting things like, I had a severe fever, could barely open my eyes, missed lectured, my nose would not stop running, the slightest sound felt like a hurricane, I stumbled up the stairs where I cut my hand on a broken piece of railing and the bleeding would not stop and I couldnt see straight and everything was fuzzy, so I basically only read half of my physical chemistry final exam with the hardest professor at our school and I still got a 99%, which isnt what im used to but given the circumstance it would do.

hahahaha. quoted for truth

 

[dw2158]

Oh, and I just had a cold, basic head ache, cough, sore throat + a small fever, so it wasn't even too bad.

Its common sense, when you are sick you cannot think as clearly as when you are healthy and okay.

Its funny how a bunch of people started posting things like, I had a severe fever, could barely open my eyes, missed lectured, my nose would not stop running, the slightest sound felt like a hurricane, I stumbled up the stairs where I cut my hand on a broken piece of railing and the bleeding would not stop and I couldnt see straight and everything was fuzzy, so I basically only read half of my physical chemistry final exam with the hardest professor at our school and I still got a 99%, which isnt what im used to but given the circumstance it would do.

I had mono last semester and did horribly. I don't know what is up with these people who don't. I could barely stay awake in class, let alone do well. And I certainly wasn't awake outside of class. I'm sure there is someone on here who will tell some story about how they did mono and still got awesome grades, but that just wasn't the case for me. It really affected my gpa, but it was the only semester like that, so I figure if an adcom asks me about it I'll just tell them I had mono and it wiped me out. I wouldn't want to go to a school that expected me not to take care of myself when I had an illness, even if it meant making that a priority over chemistry one semester.

ok, what the OP is talking about is quite different than having mono or some other severe illness. even a bad cold isn't really an excuse to do poorly, IMO. i'm not currently in school, but at work we have a generous number of sick days. however, people still show up when they are somewhat ill because they want to work hard and take care of business. as nice as it would be to dance in a field of flowers, eat sunshine for dinner, and take some time to heal when you've got the sniffles, the world is not waiting for you to get your prophylatic rest. people work/study when sick. it sucks, but that's the way it goes.

 

[Dr Gerrard]

ok, what the OP is talking about is quite different than having mono or some other severe illness. even a bad cold isn't really an excuse to do poorly, IMO. i'm not currently in school, but at work we have a generous number of sick days. however, people still show up when they are somewhat ill because they want to work hard and take care of business. as nice as it would be to dance in a field of flowers, eat sunshine for dinner, and take some time to heal when you've got the sniffles, the world is not waiting for you to get your prophylatic rest. people work/study when sick. it sucks, but that's the way it goes.

Well I am not saying I did poorly.

Biochemistry Test 2 --- 82.5 --- 79 is an A with the curve --- class avg was 67 --- Highest grade was 97

However, compared to Biochemistry Test 1 --- 95 --- 80 is an A --- class avg 63.7 --- Highest Grade was a 95

Now Sociology Test 2 --- 92 --- class avg 87

Sociology Test 1 --- 98 --- easiest test I have ever taken --- class average 90

As you can see, I didn't do poorly be any means, but just a little worse than usual. I also feel as my focus has been slipping and was hoping to blame it on being sick, but I will have to step it up.

 

[copperfrog09]

Well I am not saying I did poorly.

Biochemistry Test 2 --- 82.5 --- 79 is an A with the curve --- class avg was 67 --- Highest grade was 97

However, compared to Biochemistry Test 1 --- 95 --- 80 is an A --- class avg 63.7 --- Highest Grade was a 95

Now Sociology Test 2 --- 92 --- class avg 87

Sociology Test 1 --- 98 --- easiest test I have ever taken --- class average 90

As you can see, I didn't do poorly be any means, but just a little worse than usual. I also feel as my focus has been slipping and was hoping to blame it on being sick, but I will have to step it up.

I'm sorry. Really?

 

[45408]

I took a chem test a few weeks ago when I was about a 9 out of 10 on the influenza scale and I still got 100. Granted it was gen chem, but I think (almost) all excuses for doing poorly on tests are BS.

You big stud, you! That's amazing! Tell us more, pre-med! I can only imagine how rigorous your schedule must be as a freshman in college.


Just wait until you have a truly difficult class. It'll be interesting to see how you reconcile a poor performance after studying very hard.

 

[dw2158]

Well I am not saying I did poorly.

Biochemistry Test 2 --- 82.5 --- 79 is an A with the curve --- class avg was 67 --- Highest grade was 97

However, compared to Biochemistry Test 1 --- 95 --- 80 is an A --- class avg 63.7 --- Highest Grade was a 95

Now Sociology Test 2 --- 92 --- class avg 87

Sociology Test 1 --- 98 --- easiest test I have ever taken --- class average 90

As you can see, I didn't do poorly be any means, but just a little worse than usual. I also feel as my focus has been slipping and was hoping to blame it on being sick, but I will have to step it up.

first of all, i wish this smiley were bigger: 🙄

secondly, i wasn't trying to say you did poorly so i'm sorry if it came off that way. i was just trying to address the general idea of someone being ill and doing poorly/not as well/whatever on an exam.

 

[SteakSalad]

I'm a cranky little baby when I'm sick, so I normally just complain and shudder for a couple days. 👍

 

[SoFreakedOut]

This comment was hilarious. Thanks for the normalcy. Seems like every other premed who posted is superhuman, good for them. Although, I suspect their comments didn't elicit the sympathy the OP was hoping for.

Its common sense, when you are sick you cannot think as clearly as when you are healthy and okay.

Its funny how a bunch of people started posting things like, I had a severe fever, could barely open my eyes, missed lectured, my nose would not stop running, the slightest sound felt like a hurricane, I stumbled up the stairs where I cut my hand on a broken piece of railing and the bleeding would not stop and I couldnt see straight and everything was fuzzy, so I basically only read half of my physical chemistry final exam with the hardest professor at our school and I still got a 99%, which isnt what im used to but given the circumstance it would do.

 

[allinthecookies]

I just got out of the hospital, I have an OChem test scheduled tomorrow and a Physics test on Tuesday...I attempted to study but it just wasn't happening. So I got a doctors note and am excused from the OChem exam (which sucks now my grade relies on my 1st test and my final) and get to reschedule my physics test.

However over the summer the night before my Chem II final I had 102 degree fever and was trying to study, didn't work out so well.

 

[Artimacia]

Last year, it was finals week in December and I was really sick (I got diagnosed with bad hypothyroidism a few weeks later). Lucky for me, I had physics at the time I was at my worst (I had finished the other finals). I got a B- (without curve is like a 70-73%) and I am very happy to have that, but I have no idea how I did on the final but probably bad. If I have a cold or something, I'm ok, but I've never been so sick before and it was difficult to concentrate and I'm pretty certain I did bad.

 

[Tots]

Last year I got sick the day after I finished my finals. Was a zombie for a week of christmas break but was so thankful for the timing 😀

 

[SoFreakedOut]

Well, you definitely don't want to screw up those core classes so it's a good thing you get to recover and have your grades depend on your usual performance level. Good luck and feel better.

I just got out of the hospital, I have an OChem test scheduled tomorrow and a Physics test on Tuesday...I attempted to study but it just wasn't happening. So I got a doctors note and am excused from the OChem exam (which sucks now my grade relies on my 1st test and my final) and get to reschedule my physics test.

However over the summer the night before my Chem II final I had 102 degree fever and was trying to study, didn't work out so well.

 

[SoFreakedOut]

Considering your location is "Disneyland" I'm sure you were well taken care of while at home and sick 😉

Last year I got sick the day after I finished my finals. Was a zombie for a week of christmas break but was so thankful for the timing 😀

 

[longhorn09]

Sorry OP I have a similar question to ask:
what about "interview when sick"?

 

[jla314]

Sorry OP I have a similar question to ask:
what about "interview when sick"?

if you are seriously ill (i.e. flu) your interviewers (and all the healthcare workers and patients you may come into contact with on your interview day) will appreciate it if you reschedule. i think its horribly inconsiderate when someone with the flu shows up to work or class or any setting where they're interacting with others - its so selfish. they never stop to think about people who have chronic health conditions... the lives they are legitimately putting at risk by exposing them to the flu.

 

[Danae00]

.

 

[EulerianCircuit]

I do a little bit better when I am sick. I think I end up trying to focus harder and that cuts down on careless mistakes.

 

[Dr Wake N Bake]

I do worse on tasks when I'm sick..... love sick that is. 🙁

 

[boaz]

I had the flu (swine?) the week prior to the MCAT 🙁. I was able to study only about 1/10 as much as when I was well. Thank God I was feeling fine on test day!

As to your question, it really depends on what you have.

 

[Tots]

Considering your location is "Disneyland" I'm sure you were well taken care of while at home and sick 😉

You laugh but I was driving submarines(at Dland) while sick, that was a bad experience. 😛

Also had a meeting with my manager when I was sick and went to pull a pencil out of my pocket and out flew my bag of Ibuprofen. Manager: 😕 but surprisingly he didn't say anything.