Very nervous about taking the DATand applying...help

[FutureDentDee]

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I am a junior undergrad student who plans on taking the DAT and applying this upcoming summer(2020). I am a very good student overall however I experienced severe burnout the last 2 semesters which thankfully only had a slight effect on my GPA. I looked over a few sample DAT tests and questions to gauge how much I knew but sadly it wasn't very much. I believe that I can obtain high scores in Bio, quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, and PAT with enough practice. However, organic chemistry and chemistry are topics that I struggle with. I wasn't able to answer a majority of the practice problems which means I'm starting from square one.

I plan on taking the test the 1st week of July but clearly I need to regroup so that I can put in extra time to study. As of right now, my goal is to commit 4 hours a week on Saturday or Sunday to review for the test. Once the semester is over all I will do is study. I wish I could commit more time but between classes, tutoring, extracurriculars and working part-time it isn't realistic. I'll be taking Orgo 2 this semester. Does anyone have any advice about how I should go about studying?

 

[laundry]

Asking way too many questions about different topics here, grasshopper. Relax. Take a breath. You've gotten this far in life without major academic f-ups, you won't in the future. You'll take the DAT and do good on the sections you know you will, and you will do OK on orgo. That's how it is. But in the end, it will be enough to get you in. Been around the block once or twice, so relax and enjoy the ride.

 

[FutureDentDee]

Asking way too many questions about different topics here, grasshopper. Relax. Take a breath. You've gotten this far in life without major academic f-ups, you won't in the future. You'll take the DAT and do good on the sections you know you will, and you will do OK on orgo. That's how it is. But in the end, it will be enough to get you in. Been around the block once or twice, so relax and enjoy the ride.

Sorry if my post was hard to follow and seemed thrown together. I stayed up to layout my schedule for next semester but ended up just getting overwhelmed and having a breakdown. Dental school has been a goal of mine for a long time and I hate that I feel unprepared. Thank you so much for your reassuring words. They mean a lot..seriously.

 

[DAT Destroyer]

I am a junior undergrad student who plans on taking the DAT and applying this upcoming summer(2020). I am a very good student overall however I experienced severe burnout the last 2 semesters which thankfully only had a slight effect on my GPA. I looked over a few sample DAT tests and questions to gauge how much I knew but sadly it wasn't very much. I believe that I can obtain high scores in Bio, quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, and PAT with enough practice. However, organic chemistry and chemistry are topics that I struggle with. I wasn't able to answer a majority of the practice problems which means I'm starting from square one.

I plan on taking the test the 1st week of July but clearly I need to regroup so that I can put in extra time to study. As of right now, my goal is to commit 4 hours a week on Saturday or Sunday to review for the test. Once the semester is over all I will do is study. I wish I could commit more time but between classes, tutoring, extracurriculars and working part-time it isn't realistic. I'll be taking Orgo 2 this semester. Does anyone have any advice about how I should go about studying?

The whole process can be very overwhelming for most students, so don't feel alone. You mentioned you struggle with Orgo and GenChem and have yet to take Orgo 2, my advice would be to work hard to get an A in Orgo 2, even if that means getting a tutor at your school. Orgo by far is the one class that often brings down GPA's. You can always take the DAT again but your GPA can't be undone. Take a deep breath, stay focused and maybe do some study on PAT, review Math and start reading articles daily to increase your reading speed and comprehension. These are little things you can start doing daily now that can add to a lot of review before you start more serious studies after you semester ends.

Wishing you the best and if you have any more questions just ask.

Nancy, co/owner/Orgoman/DAT Destroyer

 

[FutureDentDee]

The whole process can be very overwhelming for most students, so don't feel alone. You mentioned you struggle with Orgo and GenChem and have yet to take Orgo 2, my advice would be to work hard to get an A in Orgo 2, even if that means getting a tutor at your school. Orgo by far is the one class that often brings down GPA's. You can always take the DAT again but your GPA can't be undone. Take a deep breath, stay focused and maybe do some study on PAT, review Math and start reading articles daily to increase your reading speed and comprehension. These are little things you can start doing daily now that can add to a lot of review before you start more serious studies after you semester ends.

Wishing you the best and if you have any more questions just ask.

Nancy, co/owner/Orgoman/DAT Destroyer

Thank you so much!
I got a C in Orgo 1 because I was taking a heavy course load and underestimated how much studying I would need for the class. This semester I lightened my course load and the only classes I am taking are Physics 2, Organic, MCAT prep course, and a Bio elective(all have labs). Even though it's only 15 credits, I have a tutoring job which requires me to host 2 tutoring sessions a week, sit in on the class I'm tutoring for for 3 hours a week, and many other requirements. After all that, I am basically taking 18 credits. Then I have an on-campus job, e-board position duties, and shadowing that I am very behind on. Do you have any tips on how I can prioritize my time?

 

[DAT Destroyer]

Whoa, you do have a lot on your plate, your focus should be on your GPA as I mentioned earlier, study for the DAT if and when you have time. You might even consider taking your DAT in August rather than July, I work with many of our classroom students take the DAT mid to late August and get in the next cycle. And my best tip is never rush to take the DAT, be prepared before you face the DAT Beast, the biggest mistake I see students make is take the exam before being fully prepared leading to a retake.

The best way to prioritize your time would to make a loose schedule that you can follow, your schedule is very busy like mine, so I often have to make a list of what I will accomplish each day realizing things can change, that is why I say make a loose schedule, one that is flexible.

Take care..Nancy