Working while taking Summer Classes

[rphfan2009]

I am a non-traditional pre-pharmacy student currently taking my Chemistry I and II series this summer at a university and working 25 hours a week--BIG MISTAKE! I underestimated the intensity of the summer sessions and I am here to advise other students not to make the same dreadful mistake: If you must take summer science classes, DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT work!!! I am dropping my hours down to about 15/week (I still need gas $$$). Luckily, I am only in my first week and have several more weeks to recover from my mistake.

Feel free to add other comments and share you experiences to this thread, so other pre-pharmers don't make this same mistake!

Good luck in your summer sessions! 🙂

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[tommyVoltage]

I took Organic Chemistry 1 and 2 (lecture and lab) last summer and worked 10 hours a week. I got an A in everything, so cutting down on the hours will help you. I just took Microbiology and worked 20 hours a week and still managed to get an A even though it required more work. I think the class was just harder than Organic Chemistry, not the fact that I was working more.

 

[OChemist]

good luck.
I dont get how people can work and do ochem over the summer, that's just crazy, I do know one person who did it like tommy though. I dont mess with summer courses unless it's biology.

 

[tommyVoltage]

good luck.
I dont get how people can work and do ochem over the summer, that's just crazy, I do know one person who did it like tommy though. I dont mess with summer courses unless it's biology.

Ha chemistry is just a subject that has always come easy for me. Ask me a question about the kidney, but give me about an hour to study first. Biology courses are tough.

 

[AntiviralsRule]

Trying to cram a year's worth of OChem (or even GemChem for that matter) into one summer is crazy. I had a friend do that last year, and she regretted it. Unless you can focus SOLELY on that class, you should think twice about doing that. My $0.02.

 

[NaOH]

I'm in the middle of taking Gen I/II over the summer. I had previously taken both classes at another school, and it's helping a bit... but then again, that was 10 years ago. Yeah, the pace is definitely relentless, and I do sort of worry about how much of it I'll retain, as quickly as we're going over it. But due to my scheduling, there's just not any other options. I'm trying to work 15 hrs/wk, we'll see how it goes.

 

[BeautifulDay]

So what is the big deal!! I work as a CPhT at a hospital 40hrs each week, volunteer at my church, and I am taking Biochem 2, physics and psychology right now. Its not easy, but w/ good time management skills I believe anyone can work and still get good grades. I have classes every morning during the week and work in the afternoon right after class. On my dinner breaks at work I review the notes I took in class earlier. A week before summer classes began, I purchased all my books and tried to read (while taking notes and/or doing problems from the book) as many chapters as I can so that when classes do start I am already several chapter ahead of the lectures. And yes, I have A's in all my classes right now, though I am a bit worried about my upcoming biochem 2 exam. Still, if I am uncertain about something I try to use all the resources I have available to me if I do not have time to go to my professor's office hours. For example, I had problems understanding enzymatic kinetics for biochem. One night after I came home from work I searched google for kinetics problems and tutorials relating to enzyme rxns, and I found a lot of valuable information that helped me to ace my 3rd test. So, I personally believe that anyone can work a full time job and take science courses in the summer while maintaining good grades. A little determination and good time management skill will get you far in life. I believe anyway!





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Trust in God with all you heart children of faith!

 

[xtsukiyox]

I work 40 hours a week and can't cut back on hours. I tried to take a summer class once... 4 hours a day, 4 days a week did NOT work for me, even in a humanities class. The teachers expect 2-3+ hours to study every night... Bah. I was considering A&P over summer, but then I scrapped the plan as unrealistic.

8 hours a day at work + 4 hours a day at school + 2 hours study time = 14 hours, plus time "to live" and add drive time... No sleep. I would not be a happy camper.

I find I do much better when I can alternate subjects, and I do just fine with a full time work & school schedule in Fall & Spring semesters. Perhaps it's the intensity of the material being presented.

 

[fxok425]

I am working 44 hr/wk and take two science classes at night. I am planning to take chem 401 and micro the same time in summer for 8 weeks, and work 32/hr (I can't cut my hours anymore, my company doesn't hire part-time. I will use my PTO to take 8hr off from work each week.). I hope I can do fine. for chem 400, I only spent 4 hr a week after class, and get an A with waive of final exam. I figure if I can spend 12 hours a week to study (8 + 4 in weekend), maybe I can do fine.

 

[4apharmd]

It's tough, but not impossible. Cut out any unnecessary activities and be careful with your time. A planner will be a wonderful help to keep your due dates straight.

 

[JJVmom]

I just decided that I have to drop my summer Anatomy class. It's going to push back my pharmacy application an entire year. :-(

The only section offered is 5:30-9:30pm. I have 3 children and spent this week neglecting them during the day so I could study. I also volunteer in a pharmacy a couple days/wk. I also can't find a reliable weeknight babysitter on the nights my husband has to work late or is going to be out of town. I'm so sad that there's just no way I can find the time to study enough to get an A, and remember the material for the PCAT. I don't want to risk getting a lower grade in the class.

Hopefully, the summer won't be wasted. I'm planning on taking my pharm tech test and volunteering more hours in the pharmacy.

Thanks - everyone - for posting messages that keep us motivated!