Not sure if this has been asked before, but I would greatly appreciate it if some current Pod Students would be willing to share their typical (if there is any such thing) week. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th years and as detailed as possible. Thanks! 😎
Typical Pod Student week
- Thread starter podlover
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As a first year, honestly, here goes:
Up at 6:30 (earlier on test days)
Shower eat dress go to 8:00 class
In class generally till noon
Labs in the afternoon until 4:00 3-4 times a week
Get home
Take a 1/2-1 hour off to decompress
Study till 7
Eat dinner
Study till 10 or 11 (till 12 night before test)
Go to bed
Repeat over and over
Weekends get up at 10:00 study till 10:00 that night with breaks for lunch/dinner (breaks to watch the packers or F1racing on Sunday)
Up at 6:30 (earlier on test days)
Shower eat dress go to 8:00 class
In class generally till noon
Labs in the afternoon until 4:00 3-4 times a week
Get home
Take a 1/2-1 hour off to decompress
Study till 7
Eat dinner
Study till 10 or 11 (till 12 night before test)
Go to bed
Repeat over and over
Weekends get up at 10:00 study till 10:00 that night with breaks for lunch/dinner (breaks to watch the packers or F1racing on Sunday)
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Monday morning I wake up at 6:30am. I have about 5 hours of class a day, scattered here and there, beginning at 8am. Some of them I don't go to, and prefer studying the material on my own, but I force myself to spend the entirety of the scheduled class time studying, or it's just wasted.
I generally stay after classes in the library and study for a few more hours, till 5pm, then I head home to my wife. We eat dinner, watch a tv show, and then it's off for more studying.
This is most every day, with some days adding in a 2 hour lab (twice or three times weekly). I generally have about 10-15 hours of free time a week, so I use it sparingly.
Some weeks have 2-3 tests, so the studying is much more intense for about a week and a half beforehand.
It all depends on what you want to make of it. I try and get about a standard deviation above the class average (our class and the DO class combined, it's just not as competitive with only our class) or I don't think I did enough. I could probably spend another 20 hours a week just hanging out doing whatever and come in a little below the average. I'm here to kick ass and take names, though, so that's what I spend all my time doing.
Some classes are easier for me than others, and it will probably be the same for you. I had a good chemistry/biochem background, and terribly bio/anatomy. I missed more questions on our first written/practical anatomy exam than I did the entire 6 exams in biochem. Anatomy is just rough for me, so I spend a lot of additional time on it.
This is your life for a couple years. There's other stuff, sure, but this takes priority, otherwise you're in the wrong field.
I generally stay after classes in the library and study for a few more hours, till 5pm, then I head home to my wife. We eat dinner, watch a tv show, and then it's off for more studying.
This is most every day, with some days adding in a 2 hour lab (twice or three times weekly). I generally have about 10-15 hours of free time a week, so I use it sparingly.
Some weeks have 2-3 tests, so the studying is much more intense for about a week and a half beforehand.
It all depends on what you want to make of it. I try and get about a standard deviation above the class average (our class and the DO class combined, it's just not as competitive with only our class) or I don't think I did enough. I could probably spend another 20 hours a week just hanging out doing whatever and come in a little below the average. I'm here to kick ass and take names, though, so that's what I spend all my time doing.
Some classes are easier for me than others, and it will probably be the same for you. I had a good chemistry/biochem background, and terribly bio/anatomy. I missed more questions on our first written/practical anatomy exam than I did the entire 6 exams in biochem. Anatomy is just rough for me, so I spend a lot of additional time on it.
This is your life for a couple years. There's other stuff, sure, but this takes priority, otherwise you're in the wrong field.
up at 7, classes start at 9am. class ends at 4pm. come home take a 1 hour nap. eat, go to the gym and then study from 7pm to 1am.
on the weekends i study from 9am to about 11pm with breaks for gym and food. I usually take saturday nights off.
Honestly you have to find your niche. When i first started i use to study with some friends and they liked to go hard from 8am until 10pm and then sleep. I personally like a little gym break and a nap to recharge, but i felt really guilty sleeping in the middle of the day like that. After a few tests, i realized that my method worked well for me, and i've just rolled along with it.
on the weekends i study from 9am to about 11pm with breaks for gym and food. I usually take saturday nights off.
Honestly you have to find your niche. When i first started i use to study with some friends and they liked to go hard from 8am until 10pm and then sleep. I personally like a little gym break and a nap to recharge, but i felt really guilty sleeping in the middle of the day like that. After a few tests, i realized that my method worked well for me, and i've just rolled along with it.
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This is excellent advice! Do what works for YOU.
Second year.
I have a family so my schedule is a little different. I wake up go to school by eight, usually stay till four (first year till five), go home spend the rest of the night with my wife and kids. Classes usually go from eight till noon, sometimes there are some classes or a lab in the afternoon. Some days I stay at home all day and study in my office. On harder weeks I'll study more after my kids go to bed, just depends on how much I can get done during the day. I usually beat the average, but I'm not top ten percent of my class or anything. For me it works, I had to find a good balance where I feel like I am being a good Dad to my kids, as that is as important or more important to me than my schooling (that being said I do take school and my career very seriously). Oh I also work one or two nights a week as a valet at a country club for a little extra money. It works for me so far...
I have a family so my schedule is a little different. I wake up go to school by eight, usually stay till four (first year till five), go home spend the rest of the night with my wife and kids. Classes usually go from eight till noon, sometimes there are some classes or a lab in the afternoon. Some days I stay at home all day and study in my office. On harder weeks I'll study more after my kids go to bed, just depends on how much I can get done during the day. I usually beat the average, but I'm not top ten percent of my class or anything. For me it works, I had to find a good balance where I feel like I am being a good Dad to my kids, as that is as important or more important to me than my schooling (that being said I do take school and my career very seriously). Oh I also work one or two nights a week as a valet at a country club for a little extra money. It works for me so far...
May I ask which schools you guys attend?
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Although everyone has to do what works for them, some of the students above stated that they sometimes blow off class and simply study on their own time.
I would personally caution any new student against this practice until you KNOW it's what works for you. Although class may seem boring and notes, books, etc., are great ways to study, you may be very surprised to find out how much you actually absorb and learn from the actual words and lecturing.
Some people are visual learners, some are auditory learners and some are both. In my opinion, the written notes, etc., are simply augmented by the lectures. The more you see it, hear it, live it, the more you're going to learn. Repitition, it's that simple.
I would personally caution any new student against this practice until you KNOW it's what works for you. Although class may seem boring and notes, books, etc., are great ways to study, you may be very surprised to find out how much you actually absorb and learn from the actual words and lecturing.
Some people are visual learners, some are auditory learners and some are both. In my opinion, the written notes, etc., are simply augmented by the lectures. The more you see it, hear it, live it, the more you're going to learn. Repitition, it's that simple.
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Exactly right, and I want to reiterate that that is my own technique, only for certain classes.
I cannot stress enough the necessity in finding a system tailored to suit your personal style of learning, and finding the most efficient way possible for you to absorb the information.
Go to class until you know it's better to do otherwise, if it ever is. I will say that as human beings we can subconsciously understand things that we don't even know we are, and going to class sometimes will give you some better understanding of what the professor wants you to know.
i.e., if they mention something in lecture 6 times, or spend 15 minutes on a slide, you can almost guarantee the information will come up on an exam. They tend to try and give you at least some benefit from attending lecture.
I cannot stress enough the necessity in finding a system tailored to suit your personal style of learning, and finding the most efficient way possible for you to absorb the information.
Go to class until you know it's better to do otherwise, if it ever is. I will say that as human beings we can subconsciously understand things that we don't even know we are, and going to class sometimes will give you some better understanding of what the professor wants you to know.
i.e., if they mention something in lecture 6 times, or spend 15 minutes on a slide, you can almost guarantee the information will come up on an exam. They tend to try and give you at least some benefit from attending lecture.
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I figure if they teach material that doesn't necessitate active involvement, and they teach off of handouts and powerpoints that they give out online, there's no reason for me to be there; my time is better spend studying on my own.
I of course think there are things that require active participation for adequate learning, so when that becomes a factor, I'll be there. 'till then, nope.
Is that what you're talking about?
I of course think there are things that require active participation for adequate learning, so when that becomes a factor, I'll be there. 'till then, nope.
Is that what you're talking about?
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I definitely understand that.
My attitude about learning won't change, I don't think. Seems it will just get to the point where attending the place they're teaching me will be more beneficial than learning it on my own. This just ain't the time.
My attitude about learning won't change, I don't think. Seems it will just get to the point where attending the place they're teaching me will be more beneficial than learning it on my own. This just ain't the time.
👍 My first year I barely missed class, but towards the end I realized I didn't pay attention that much and added very little notes to the powerpoints/handouts. I stopped going to class for my non-podiatry classes this year and have been getting the same grades and have more free time.
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Did I mention pulling all nighters?
Leapfrogging kills...
Leapfrogging kills...
I think your study schedule depends on what you actually do with your time. I have plenty of classmates who will put in a 9 hour day and actually study for 2 hours of it, then brag to everyone how much time they spend in the library. Basically there is a lot of chatting, going to get coffee, game room, lunch, chatting, facebook, another coffee and some walking around. Typically classes run from 8 or 9am to 3 or 4pm. It's my experience that if you sit in one spot and focus for 3 to 4 hours a day you can learn everything you need to know (along with attending or watching class). Most people who claim they study usually just are attempting to study.
