Working too hard?

[ubcredfox]

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Hey,

I've been studying my butt off for about 3 months now. Exams are coming up and the work load is getting insane for me. I just don't know how I'll be able to study all of what I need to to get through my exams in December.

I don't know what I'm doing wrong. It just takes me forever to go over things - I have to write my own notes on the weeks lectures - that usually takes forever. I'm also trying to learn everything - like all the details - just like I did in undergrad. I honestly don't know what to leave out. I mean, I can learn the major concepts just fine, but I always felt that the details mattered just as much. Seems like on our exams they might.

Anyone else feeling just completely overwhelmed by the amount of work? Any good tips for keeping my head above water?

I'm trying to do more work during the week, but after those long days of lectures I'm honestly quite beat, and I've found myself napping for over an hour most weekdays...sigh...it's just so frustrating...

 

[Taus]

stop going to class

 

[joe6102]

stop going to class

👍 👍
It works for most people.

 

[Jamers]

Hey,

I've been studying my butt off for about 3 months now. Exams are coming up and the work load is getting insane for me. I just don't know how I'll be able to study all of what I need to to get through my exams in December.

I don't know what I'm doing wrong. It just takes me forever to go over things - I have to write my own notes on the weeks lectures - that usually takes forever. I'm also trying to learn everything - like all the details - just like I did in undergrad. I honestly don't know what to leave out. I mean, I can learn the major concepts just fine, but I always felt that the details mattered just as much. Seems like on our exams they might.

Anyone else feeling just completely overwhelmed by the amount of work? Any good tips for keeping my head above water?

I'm trying to do more work during the week, but after those long days of lectures I'm honestly quite beat, and I've found myself napping for over an hour most weekdays...sigh...it's just so frustrating...

Not going to class and getting it out of my head that I needed to score a 100 on every exam is what worked for me. Also, stop listening to everyone else, except for me of course 😀; what I mean is that everyone has his or her own style of learning and they will constantly be telling you how to "best" learn the information. Just do what you need to do and ignore them. Making a list of what you want to get done in one given day also helps.

 

[Law2Doc]

👍 👍
It works for most people.

It works for some people, but I kind of doubt you can say for certain that it works for most. Plenty of people have tried the work from home technique and found it didn't improve their scores, and the top grade types I've known attend classes regularly.

OP, I would suggest that you need to find a way to study more efficiently. You need to be able to study "smarter", and then you will be able to fit everything into your schedule. A lot of it is about organization, and a lot is going to be deciding ahead of time what is important to look at, and only look at that.
But bear in mind that not everybody's brain works the same, and so it is not unreasonable or unexpected for some people to have to spend more time at the books than others.

 

[braluk]

Work from home, I've realized doesn't work efficiently because most people work and study in front of their computers (i.e. distraction central, i.e. what I am doing right now on SDN instead of finishing up med physio)

I usually make it to most classes, at least for physio and less for biochem because 1) physio, if taught well, can be an extremely effective way to learn without having read the material 2) biochem lectures is pretty ineffective simply based on the tenet that it is a rote memorization course; I'll sit there and just wander off because most of the stuff lectured on is stuff that I have to sit there and memorize, not learn.

 

[cfdavid]

Hey,

I've been studying my butt off for about 3 months now. Exams are coming up and the work load is getting insane for me. I just don't know how I'll be able to study all of what I need to to get through my exams in December.

I don't know what I'm doing wrong. It just takes me forever to go over things - I have to write my own notes on the weeks lectures - that usually takes forever. I'm also trying to learn everything - like all the details - just like I did in undergrad. I honestly don't know what to leave out. I mean, I can learn the major concepts just fine, but I always felt that the details mattered just as much. Seems like on our exams they might.

Anyone else feeling just completely overwhelmed by the amount of work? Any good tips for keeping my head above water?

I'm trying to do more work during the week, but after those long days of lectures I'm honestly quite beat, and I've found myself napping for over an hour most weekdays...sigh...it's just so frustrating...

You want to read through all of the class notes a couple of times. But, after that, when you're making your summary sheets/self notes, you want to try paring it down to a more manageable level. These you can memorize.

Then, you can always go back to your class notes (if necessary) if you realize you've left some things out or whatever. Also, realize that you need to be very discriminating with your time relative to studying and/or attending class etc. This will vary with the individual though. But, I've been leaning towards only going to classes in which the prof's either offer pointers for possible exam questions, OR that are just dynamic and make the material more fun. But, for those that just read the notes...... That's a good candidate for 1.7 x speed on the webcast, or not watching them at all.

Good luck!

 

[cfdavid]

It works for some people, but I kind of doubt you can say for certain that it works for most. Plenty of people have tried the work from home technique and found it didn't improve their scores, and the top grade types I've known attend classes regularly.

OP, I would suggest that you need to find a way to study more efficiently. You need to be able to study "smarter", and then you will be able to fit everything into your schedule. A lot of it is about organization, and a lot is going to be deciding ahead of time what is important to look at, and only look at that.
But bear in mind that not everybody's brain works the same, and so it is not unreasonable or unexpected for some people to have to spend more time at the books than others.

I hear ya, Law2, but I wonder if it's more a function of motivation/hard work/commitment on their part, versus the actual lectures helping them that much.

For those that DO opt out of attending class, it's imperative to use that time wisely and STUDY! lol

 

[Law2Doc]

I hear ya, Law2, but I wonder if it's more a function of motivation/hard work/commitment on their part, versus the actual lectures helping them that much.

Either way, it would be wrong to suggest that just by not going to class, most people do better. Some do, some don't. Everybody is unique, and there are more people's study habits out there that won't work for you than will.

 

[ubcredfox]

We don't actually have the not going to class option. We get a handout of lecture notes for the given week, but it is by no means exhaustive i.e. the actual lectures will add information to those handouts, or there are chunks of given lectures simply missing from the handouts all together. It sucks having to be there for every class. But, there are some classes, like anatomy where you actually do learn, and following it up with gross lab makes really cements things.

 

[joe6102]

Either way, it would be wrong to suggest that just by not going to class, most people do better. Some do, some don't. Everybody is unique, and there are more people's study habits out there that won't work for you than will.

Your logic does not flow. Simply because it is a study habit does not mean it will only work for a minority. Reading the class notes is a study habit, and I guarantee it works for a large majority. Most people benefit by not going to class. Some can't handle it and go back, and some are to stubborn/anal to even try it in the first place.

 

[Law2Doc]

Most people benefit by not going to class. Some can't handle it and go back, and some are to stubborn/anal to even try it in the first place.

You seem to be assuming that what works for you works for everyone, and it is simply not all that likely. More people study differently than the same, from what I've seen in my law and medical endeavors. Even using the same resource (class notes) does not imply that folks use it the same way or with the same efficacy. I do not agree that "most people benefit by not going to class". SOME absolutely do but many absolutely do not.

What I'm saying is that everyone has to find their own way -- what works for them. THAT is what most people who are successful do. It doesn't really help the OP by making statements like yours about what benefits "most people", when as many people have the opposite opinion.

 

[HIghbury]

You seem to be assuming that what works for you works for everyone, and it is simply not all that likely. More people study differently than the same, from what I've seen in my law and medical endeavors. Even using the same resource (class notes) does not imply that folks use it the same way or with the same efficacy. I do not agree that "most people benefit by not going to class". SOME absolutely do but many absolutely do not.

What I'm saying is that everyone has to find their own way -- what works for them. THAT is what most people who are successful do. It doesn't really help the OP by making statements like yours about what benefits "most people", when as many people have the opposite opinion.

Law2Doc hit the nail on the head. I see no reason to further debate this issue.

 

[joe6102]

You seem to be assuming that what works for you works for everyone, and it is simply not all that likely. More people study differently than the same, from what I've seen in my law and medical endeavors. Even using the same resource (class notes) does not imply that folks use it the same way or with the same efficacy. I do not agree that "most people benefit by not going to class". SOME absolutely do but many absolutely do not.

What I'm saying is that everyone has to find their own way -- what works for them. THAT is what most people who are successful do. It doesn't really help the OP by making statements like yours about what benefits "most people", when as many people have the opposite opinion.

By saying most people do not, you are also making a blanket statement. In my opinion, it works for most. If you think my opinion is wrong, show me some evidence to the contrary. What works for you or the top students you know is unlikely to be helpful to this poster. Most top students are not the average medical student, and the top students you know may not represent top students as a whole.

Of course the OP needs to find his/her own way. Not going to class has helped many med students, and most would benefit if they were willing to try. However, this is a non-issue since the OP has stated he/she does not have that option.

 

[surrender903]

stop going to class

bingo...

not going to class and spending the time working a schedule that works for YOU instead of what you think "medical school students" should do proves to be surprisingly effective for many a student.

many people by their mid 20s and on are NOT classroom learners. i am one of them.

there is nothing more boring than sitting in a dimly lit warm room for 50 mins while someone prattles on about god knows what pathology/phys/etc. they may as well just give me an ambien at the start of class.