Hi everyone. Hope everyone enjoyed Super Bowl Sunday. Well I have a question. I work fulltime and I'm in school fulltime also. So my grades are not where I would like them to be due to not enough time to study. So what are some good tips for studying and retaining the info?
The struggle of work and school.
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I wish I had an answer. I work full-time in a professional job but I still managed to pretty much ace my night classes. Then came Biochem this semester. My first exam was ugly-ugly-ugly and I'll get it back this week. I'm glad to get the biochem before starting med school, but I definitely wish I had more time to study the material - it's challenging and it's awfully hard to fit-in around my work schedule.
You've got my sympathy if not my wisdom.
You've got my sympathy if not my wisdom.
If you are honestly studying as much and as hard/smart as you can, and you still don't have enough time, I would cut back on either your work schedule or your school schedule. You're not doing yourself any favors by overextending yourself.
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I'm only able to take one class/semester...this semester, it's organic...hit lecture from 11-12 three days a week, and have lab from about 4:30-8:30 two nights a week...been spending the weekends doing all the stupid lab busywork...trying to get into a pattern of studying for lecture during the week...
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I'm in the same boat! Full-time job, full-time classes. Plus I have a family.
I don't know how I'm making this work... I suppose because I know I have to get it done, and I know I have to keep up tempo in order to get into a good school. My biggest concern is making sure my family doesn't feel neglected, so I make sure we do simple things like go out for breakfast, go walk on the beach, watch a movie together, ect. They are my support system, and for that I'm really grateful.
I think it's also important that you don't neglect yourself. Nothing sucks more than not giving yourself any free time, so make sure you treat yourself to something you want to do outside of books and class.
Other than that, just keep your head up and remember that it all pays off in the end. 👍 Good luck!
I don't know how I'm making this work... I suppose because I know I have to get it done, and I know I have to keep up tempo in order to get into a good school. My biggest concern is making sure my family doesn't feel neglected, so I make sure we do simple things like go out for breakfast, go walk on the beach, watch a movie together, ect. They are my support system, and for that I'm really grateful.
I think it's also important that you don't neglect yourself. Nothing sucks more than not giving yourself any free time, so make sure you treat yourself to something you want to do outside of books and class.
Other than that, just keep your head up and remember that it all pays off in the end. 👍 Good luck!
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I think that you should drop out of school and go work at Mcdonald's or Burger King. I heard that the fry cookers are going to start making about 60k, now isn't that interesting!! 😉 Sike, I'm just playing. I know you are saying something smart right now so just shut up!! 😀 😛 😍 Talk to you later!
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Managers at In-n-Out make 40-60k, I heard. Their cooks start at $8/hr! 😀
OP, as mentioned before, DON'T overextend yourself! I worked full-time while going to grad school full-time. Then I took science prereqs and started slow, but did the same full-time school sched for 2 semswhile working a demanding job . The first sem, I did well. The second sem, I started volunteering in a research lab on top of everything. I did okay, but had two B's. I guess getting B's are okay given that I had a busy schedule, but i kept kicking myself cause I knew I could have done better if I had more time to study. Plus, I was tired all the time, my husband missed me, chores weren't done, and my dog hated me for being gone all day and not playing with her. I spent all of winter break trying to unwind because I was so wound up - I couldn't relax, and I kept sleeping at 3am even if I didn't have anything else to do, since I was so used to it. Also, I almost fainted when I saw that I got a C in BioII, which ended up to be an error. I told myself I would never forgive myself for getting a C simply because I overextended myself. So this sem I decided to take the paycut (ouch) and lose my benefits and my "title" for a lower, more flexible position with half the hours. I'm glad I did, now I'm stressing less and have more time to study.
Moral of the story, if you feel overwhelmed, cut back on work or on school. Focus on getting good grades. Your GPA and your MCAT scores are the first thing adcoms look at. Hope this helps.
OP, as mentioned before, DON'T overextend yourself! I worked full-time while going to grad school full-time. Then I took science prereqs and started slow, but did the same full-time school sched for 2 semswhile working a demanding job . The first sem, I did well. The second sem, I started volunteering in a research lab on top of everything. I did okay, but had two B's. I guess getting B's are okay given that I had a busy schedule, but i kept kicking myself cause I knew I could have done better if I had more time to study. Plus, I was tired all the time, my husband missed me, chores weren't done, and my dog hated me for being gone all day and not playing with her. I spent all of winter break trying to unwind because I was so wound up - I couldn't relax, and I kept sleeping at 3am even if I didn't have anything else to do, since I was so used to it. Also, I almost fainted when I saw that I got a C in BioII, which ended up to be an error. I told myself I would never forgive myself for getting a C simply because I overextended myself. So this sem I decided to take the paycut (ouch) and lose my benefits and my "title" for a lower, more flexible position with half the hours. I'm glad I did, now I'm stressing less and have more time to study.
Moral of the story, if you feel overwhelmed, cut back on work or on school. Focus on getting good grades. Your GPA and your MCAT scores are the first thing adcoms look at. Hope this helps.
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just to reiterate what everyone else has said, something has to give! i also suffer from having too much on my plate at all times and i'm really afraid my grades are going to suffer so i had to cut back on some things here and there.
i take 2 classes (bio 1 & chem 1) and i switched to working part time, but even that is still very exhausting.
i've had to make some adjustments in order to maintain this schedule. i sleep less now - instead of the full 8 hours/night, i squeeze in about 6. i also cut back on shopping to save money. i always pack a lunch (and dinner) instead of buying meals. i take public transportation instead of cabs.
it's hard work, but i hope it pays off at the end. good luck to you and i hope that you can adjust your schedule accordingly also.
i take 2 classes (bio 1 & chem 1) and i switched to working part time, but even that is still very exhausting.
i've had to make some adjustments in order to maintain this schedule. i sleep less now - instead of the full 8 hours/night, i squeeze in about 6. i also cut back on shopping to save money. i always pack a lunch (and dinner) instead of buying meals. i take public transportation instead of cabs.
it's hard work, but i hope it pays off at the end. good luck to you and i hope that you can adjust your schedule accordingly also.
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I agree with you guys. You can only do what you can at your own pace. You really have to decide what's important to you and what you are willing to give up. Littlety don't give up just get up!!!! 😍
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I do the full time work/school bit too. Or I did up until this semester. Time is never ample enough to get as much studying done as I'd like... of course I could spend less time on SDN, and then I'd have more time for my homework....
Or less time at work... although I'm already overloaded w/ responsibilities I can't find time to do...
I think the best tactic, though, to getting it all done is by rewardinging yourself for your accomplishments. Set a list (a doable list) up and then cross off the things you've completed. At the end of every day, review what you've done, and fall asleep knowing you gave 100%.
After are particularly difficult day, reward yourself with something you like. It could be wine, food, time to yourself, time with a friend, chatting on the phone, something that you really appreciate...
And then keep plugging away. Don't give up. Just keep on truckin, give yourself lots of love and plenty of sleep, good food to eat and take care of your body & mind... the rest will just come to you.
Hard work!!!
Or less time at work... although I'm already overloaded w/ responsibilities I can't find time to do...
I think the best tactic, though, to getting it all done is by rewardinging yourself for your accomplishments. Set a list (a doable list) up and then cross off the things you've completed. At the end of every day, review what you've done, and fall asleep knowing you gave 100%.
After are particularly difficult day, reward yourself with something you like. It could be wine, food, time to yourself, time with a friend, chatting on the phone, something that you really appreciate...
And then keep plugging away. Don't give up. Just keep on truckin, give yourself lots of love and plenty of sleep, good food to eat and take care of your body & mind... the rest will just come to you.
Hard work!!!
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