Why am I so stupid?

[EngineerPreMD]

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What year in college are you? Sophomore
Roughly what is your GPA now? 3.2, but taking away non-science courses it's wayyyyyyy lower.
How many units are you taking? 4 classes and 2 labs
Do you exercise? I wish
What do you do in your (little) free time? Hang out with friends, swim (barely at all since college), and video games.
Do you use drugs/alcohol? No
What is your main study method? Read, apply, homework, diagram/map out what I retained. Ideally......
Do you take notes in class? Of course, but I try to just listen. In my classes details are in readings. Instruction is the basics + what is emphasized on tests (still in the book).
Are you taking 3-4 science classes at a time? Never have taken more than 2.
Do you have a strong background in science courses? Yes and if I had the time, I could get As in science courses. I could NEVER get an A in an English class. Looking at any standardized tests I've taken, Math and Science -> around 100 percent and Reading and Writing -> Average.

Unlike med school, college (for premeds at least) is one huge test in which long-term learning takes a backseat to test performance and completing assignments. So how do you use this to make more time? For me, this means doing some things that I think most people would strongly frown upon, but clearly you need a change. For instance, I don't go to class very often. I find I just don't take in the material the same way I would if I were looking at lecture slides/reading a book on my own. Also, prioritize the immediate. Trying to keep up with every class, every day is a HUGE waste of time. Instead try to study for a test for about 3 days in advance, do assignments 2 days in advance. Pressure breeds intense studying, so you'll waste less time with this approach. Sleeping between study sessions is critical, so never do it last minute, but you don't want to spread out the studying so much that you can't remember the info you studied a week ago, or so much that you study lackadaisically because you know you have plenty of time.

I say all this with a grain of salt. It works for me, but I've always been great at cramming. I don't plan to continue these habits in medical school since that volume of information will be overwhelming for me as a crammer, and maybe you're at that point now in undergrad. If you're just running out of time though, you need to make studying more efficient. I do that by putting myself under pressure, but you might find something that works for you.

 

[stupid9234]

Unlike med school, college (for premeds at least) is one huge test in which long-term learning takes a backseat to test performance and completing assignments. So how do you use this to make more time? For me, this means doing some things that I think most people would strongly frown upon, but clearly you need a change. For instance, I don't go to class very often. I find I just don't take in the material the same way I would if I were looking at lecture slides/reading a book on my own. Also, prioritize the immediate. Trying to keep up with every class, every day is a HUGE waste of time. Instead try to study for a test for about 3 days in advance, do assignments 2 days in advance. Pressure breeds intense studying, so you'll waste less time with this approach. Sleeping between study sessions is critical, so never do it last minute, but you don't want to spread out the studying so much that you can't remember the info you studied a week ago, or so much that you study lackadaisically because you know you have plenty of time.

I say all this with a grain of salt. It works for me, but I've always been great at cramming. I don't plan to continue these habits in medical school since that volume of information will be overwhelming for me as a crammer, and maybe you're at that point now in undergrad. If you're just running out of time though, you need to make studying more efficient. I do that by putting myself under pressure, but you might find something that works for you.

Last minute pressure definitely works for me, but a day or two of studying results in average test grades and I need As.
I don't know why I don't have the sense of urgency everyday.

 

[Pacna]

Last minute pressure definitely works for me, but a day or two of studying results in average test grades and I need As.
I don't know why I don't have the sense of urgency everyday.

How are you studying? Be specific.

 

[mrh125]

you're not stupid. school can be really difficult and comparing yourself to premeds many of which have a natural gift at the subject or have to work super hard 8+ hrs a day to get good grades and retain the information (me). you just need to find study techniques that work for you and put everything into learning the material and treat it like it's all your doing also if you have a genuine interest in the subject it tends to go way easier.

Also, work on your self-esteem. if you felt good about yourself (not calling yourself stupid) it would be easier to work with the difficulties you're having. i know this as someone who used to have very poor self-esteem and now im super resilient and bounce back every time something knocks me down.

 

[stupid9234]

How are you studying? Be specific.

Ideally what would work -> Really fast "cramming" (just studying efficiently) multiple times before a quiz/test (when presented, before midterm, etc).
What actually happens? Really slow studying trying to understand everything.

 

[Pacna]

Ideally what would work -> Really fast "cramming" (just studying efficiently) multiple times before a quiz/test (when presented, before midterm, etc).
What actually happens? Really slow studying trying to understand everything.

That's not what I mean. For example, this is what I do:
1. Go to every single class (and fall asleep sometimes, but I'm there).
2. Don't look at any material but generally ensure that I have it all prior to 3 days before the test/quiz.
3. Go through the material (usually powerpoints) with an open notebook, writing down every piece of information that could be conceivable useful. (takes approximately 10 hours per midterm)
4. Practice tests. As many as are provided. If they have 10 in the log, I do 10. If they don't provide them, I buy them from former students. (takes approximately 5 hours per midterm)
5. Go over the tests until test day. (takes however long I have from step 4 until test day)

Also, going over completed practice tests with a friend helps. Ask each other questions you personally thought were hard.

Now, how do YOU study? 🙂

 

[mrh125]

I do have some advice about cramming too, as I'm one of the people who can't cram. Try doing a little bit each day (it gets easier when you go through the routine), so by the time you get to the test you dont have to move mountains or get stuck with a lot of material the day before the test + all you didn't say. like Rik said practice tests are amazing.

Flashcards each day save so much time.

 

[ab_kaka8]

You sound lazy and uninterested in school. Try learning about something you enjoy so you don't feel forced to study and do well in school. Pursuing a career in something you love will make you much more involved in you grades. Time management is also a big factor in helping you do well. Set a schedule for yourself to get daily activities done. This way you would be on track without being overloaded. Hope that helps.

 

[stupid9234]

You sound lazy and uninterested in school. Try learning about something you enjoy so you don't feel forced to study and do well in school. Pursuing a career in something you love will make you much more involved in you grades. Time management is also a big factor in helping you do well. Set a schedule for yourself to get daily activities done. This way you would be on track without being overloaded. Hope that helps.

I am very interested! I would love if all my material was given in lecture form. I'd do it 20 hours a day.

I guess I have the motivation but not the drive?

 

[stupid9234]

That's not what I mean. For example, this is what I do:
1. Go to every single class (and fall asleep sometimes, but I'm there).
2. Don't look at any material but generally ensure that I have it all prior to 3 days before the test/quiz.
3. Go through the material (usually powerpoints) with an open notebook, writing down every piece of information that could be conceivable useful. (takes approximately 10 hours per midterm)
4. Practice tests. As many as are provided. If they have 10 in the log, I do 10. If they don't provide them, I buy them from former students. (takes approximately 5 hours per midterm)
5. Go over the tests until test day. (takes however long I have from step 4 until test day)

Also, going over completed practice tests with a friend helps. Ask each other questions you personally thought were hard.

Now, how do YOU study? 🙂

1. Go to every class.
2. Read the material from the book before lecture/after lecture/by the end of the week. Depends, I like to read Biology before class since we have homework due and I like to at least generally go over Calculus before lectures. But if I'm lazy, I'll get it done by the end of the weekend.
3. Do homework before it's due. If I don't understand the material, lots of it is googling similar problems. Bad, I know.
4. Go over solutions to practice tests before exams.
5. Go over all lecture slides and reread the material.

 

[Pacna]

1. Go to every class.
2. Read the material from the book before lecture/after lecture/by the end of the week. Depends, I like to read Biology before class since we have homework due and I like to at least generally go over Calculus before lectures. But if I'm lazy, I'll get it done by the end of the weekend.
3. Do homework before it's due. If I don't understand the material, lots of it is googling similar problems. Bad, I know.
4. Go over solutions to practice tests before exams.
5. Go over all lecture slides and reread the material.

It seems to me that your study practice is just too passive. I don't see anything you said where you actually do anything other than required homework; it seems like you're just reading.

I suggest developing a more active learning style. For me, I don't learn anything if I just read a lecture slide. I have to write it down, revisit it, and quiz myself. Make flashcards and/or copy your notes down like i described and take practice exams like actual tests (and use all of the answers to study, not just the correct ones). It takes longer to learn things by diffusion.

 

[stupid9234]

Maybe.. but I think it's time to give up. 40% on my Bio quiz.

 

[Bovary]

Maybe.. but I think it's time to give up. 40% on my Bio quiz.

Ok. Give up then. Find something other than medicine that interests you and set your sights on it. If you're really struggling in school then this path won't work. That's ok.

 

[Aerus]

You need to know that it is definitely not about being smart or dumb.

In college, hard work definitely overcomes talent, since the material is much more advanced and, unlike high school material, practice and studying are necessary to do well and achieve mastery. So if it doesn't really matter how smart you are, how come people are spending less time studying that you are? It's because they know exactly HOW to study. They understand how they learn best and take advantage of that self-awareness to maximally use their time.

YOU NEED TO DISCOVER YOURSELF, young grasshopper.

 

[stupid9234]

You need to know that it is definitely not about being smart or dumb.

In college, hard work definitely overcomes talent, since the material is much more advanced and, unlike high school material, practice and studying are necessary to do well and achieve mastery. So if it doesn't really matter how smart you are, how come people are spending less time studying that you are? It's because they know exactly HOW to study. They understand how they learn best and take advantage of that self-awareness to maximally use their time.

YOU NEED TO DISCOVER YOURSELF, young grasshopper.

Half the time I don't even know what to study.

 

[CollegeGirl94]

You seriously need to be confident if you want to do well in school. Spending 4 hours stressing instead of 10 minutes of studying is where your time is going.

 

[altitudinarian]

1. Go to every class.
2. Read the material from the book before lecture/after lecture/by the end of the week. Depends, I like to read Biology before class since we have homework due and I like to at least generally go over Calculus before lectures. But if I'm lazy, I'll get it done by the end of the weekend.
3. Do homework before it's due. If I don't understand the material, lots of it is googling similar problems. Bad, I know.
4. Go over solutions to practice tests before exams.
5. Go over all lecture slides and reread the material.

This is the bare minimum to do well in your classes. Like Rik1111 said, this is too passive. And once you figure out how to study, the time you spend on the material becomes less.

Don't have enough time? Set up a Google Calendar, or some other calendar, whether virtual or physical, that you can put all the times of your lectures, assignments, deadlines, etc. so you see how much time amongst lectures, homework, and quizzes/exams you have that is free.

From there, you have the big picture. Now down to the every day. Each day write down your commitments. If you have appointments, meetings, put that along with your lectures and other deadlines for that day. Now, whatever free time you have, other than to eat, sleep, meet the friend, shower, exercise, use it to study. Heck, use the time between your classes to review the material you learned from the previous lecture. It has been shown that if you review the material within 24 hours, you have a higher rate of retention. Also, you'll be able to pinpoint any gaps in your knowledge and know how to address that later.

Make sure you're sleeping regularly. If not, make sure you're getting enough sleep that is sufficient for you. I know some people can run on 6.5 hrs of sleep, others need 8. Figure it out, plan accordingly. If you have to, power nap, but don't do so much napping you're missing out on studying. Exercising is also helpful, or doing a sport, in helping getting a rhythm and giving yourself more energy.

Now for study skills/habits, there are so many. But the one thing you need to remember is that always have a plan on how to tackle the material. The 5 steps you listed above are again bare minimum. Once you' start working on how to not only manage/spend your time, but also your energy, work on the study skills. I recommend going to the Study Hacks blog by Cal Newport, in particular search for "Study Hacks on Campus" on Google. It's supposed to help college students, starting with time management and then figuring out what studying skills are useful for you. And then I would recommend Scott H. Young's blog, and if you want to spend some cash, his course Learning on Steroids/Learn More, Study Less. He offers a wide range of materials that leaves you no room to say that you "can't" study; he covers everything and anything to help you master material.

In the end, don't stress about the grade, but think about learning the material until it's second nature. However, many people think this means you spend long hours studying. No, it's doable to master the material, but it's studying smart. Think of this: work accomplished=time spent x intensity. Low-intensity sessions are just reading the book, going over lectures, rereading the material. High-intensity sessions are creating questions from your lectures, creating analogies/metaphors, synthesizing the material into something you own and know thoroughly. Doing multiple 20-35 min. of high-intensity sessions over a course of a week is much more effective/efficient than doing one long block of low-intensity.

Gain confidence by realizing that there is no such material (except for indecipherable codes, exhausting puzzles, etc.) that one is unable to master. There has been someone before you and will be after you that has found ways to conquer the material, make it their own. Be confident that you can do this too, because YOU CAN!!

 

[moisne]

but this is exactly my problem. I do make schedules, if I give myself 1-2 hours per class, 2 hours for harder classes, I get no sleep/food break/etc.

Change majors - clearly your major and you aren't "naturally" clicking. I am probably not fit for med school since in undergrad, I needed 2 hours to memorize anatomy and for my math based science classes, I never bothered to crack open the book.

 

[stupid9234]

Change majors - clearly your major and you aren't "naturally" clicking. I am probably not fit for med school since in undergrad, I needed 2 hours to memorize anatomy and for my math based science classes, I never bothered to crack open the book.

I'm not majoring in anything yet, doing bad in a variety of subjects.

 

[stupid9234]

Do people actually study for classes everyday? That seems like a lot of unnecessary work. I take very good notes through the year and just leave my time enough time (ie. don't try and cram your hardest bio class in 24 hours) before the exams to know everything.

When you have quizzes worth 10 percent every week, you do.
I'd like to go to your school...

 

[Palmetto40]

Maybe you have ADHD. I would go to your PCP and tell him what you're telling us and see if you can get on any meds, if you haven't already. A lot of people have the light come on in undergrad after going on meds for the first time.

 

[stupid9234]

Maybe you have ADHD. I would go to your PCP and tell him what you're telling us and see if you can get on any meds, if you haven't already. A lot of people have the light come on in undergrad after going on meds for the first time.

Sorry, but what's a PCP?

 

[Boolean]

Sorry, but what's a PCP?

Primary care provider. Alternatively, Phencyclidine.

 

[stupid9234]

This is the bare minimum to do well in your classes. Like Rik1111 said, this is too passive. And once you figure out how to study, the time you spend on the material becomes less.

Don't have enough time? Set up a Google Calendar, or some other calendar, whether virtual or physical, that you can put all the times of your lectures, assignments, deadlines, etc. so you see how much time amongst lectures, homework, and quizzes/exams you have that is free.

From there, you have the big picture. Now down to the every day. Each day write down your commitments. If you have appointments, meetings, put that along with your lectures and other deadlines for that day. Now, whatever free time you have, other than to eat, sleep, meet the friend, shower, exercise, use it to study. Heck, use the time between your classes to review the material you learned from the previous lecture. It has been shown that if you review the material within 24 hours, you have a higher rate of retention. Also, you'll be able to pinpoint any gaps in your knowledge and know how to address that later.

Make sure you're sleeping regularly. If not, make sure you're getting enough sleep that is sufficient for you. I know some people can run on 6.5 hrs of sleep, others need 8. Figure it out, plan accordingly. If you have to, power nap, but don't do so much napping you're missing out on studying. Exercising is also helpful, or doing a sport, in helping getting a rhythm and giving yourself more energy.

Now for study skills/habits, there are so many. But the one thing you need to remember is that always have a plan on how to tackle the material. The 5 steps you listed above are again bare minimum. Once you' start working on how to not only manage/spend your time, but also your energy, work on the study skills. I recommend going to the Study Hacks blog by Cal Newport, in particular search for "Study Hacks on Campus" on Google. It's supposed to help college students, starting with time management and then figuring out what studying skills are useful for you. And then I would recommend Scott H. Young's blog, and if you want to spend some cash, his course Learning on Steroids/Learn More, Study Less. He offers a wide range of materials that leaves you no room to say that you "can't" study; he covers everything and anything to help you master material.

In the end, don't stress about the grade, but think about learning the material until it's second nature. However, many people think this means you spend long hours studying. No, it's doable to master the material, but it's studying smart. Think of this: work accomplished=time spent x intensity. Low-intensity sessions are just reading the book, going over lectures, rereading the material. High-intensity sessions are creating questions from your lectures, creating analogies/metaphors, synthesizing the material into something you own and know thoroughly. Doing multiple 20-35 min. of high-intensity sessions over a course of a week is much more effective/efficient than doing one long block of low-intensity.

Gain confidence by realizing that there is no such material (except for indecipherable codes, exhausting puzzles, etc.) that one is unable to master. There has been someone before you and will be after you that has found ways to conquer the material, make it their own. Be confident that you can do this too, because YOU CAN!!

Thanks! I will try harder. I am just not confident at all. As soon as I got in my school, I knew I wasn't as smart as half the students.

 

[chickenpox]

When you have quizzes worth 10 percent every week, you do.
I'd like to go to your school...

Haha I have classes where it's 35% lab final/65% course final and classes where we have quizzes... You would much rather have the quizzes.

 

[stupid9234]

Haha I have classes where it's 35% lab final/65% course final and classes where we have quizzes... You would much rather have the quizzes.

Very detailed weekly quizzes resulting in 60 percent of grade and then a final worth 40? I'd rather have exams, but to each their own.
Either way, if you only need to study 2 hours for them, they must not be that hard.

 

[PurpleLove]

Very detailed weekly quizzes resulting in 60 percent of grade and then a final worth 40? I'd rather have exams, but to each their own.
Either way, if you only need to study 2 hours for them, they must not be that hard.

LOL you sound like you go to UChicago. Stop worrying about the smarties in class and worry about what your money is paying for, a great education at a great school.

You probably should see a psychologist or something to help you with the worrying.