How do you study?

[umsong36]

This is my first post. Nice to meet you guys.

 

I am a 2nd year student who wishes to apply to medicine in my third year. I was wondering if any of you were accepted after finishing only three years of study. By the way, I am only considering three universities. University of Manitoba, University of Toronto, and McMaster University.

 

I was also hoping if you guys could share how you maintained your GPA so high. I see that a couple of people here had GPA of 4.0 when they got accepted to medical schools. I finished my first year with perfect GPA, but I just got B in my Biochemistry I; I almost had a stroke. The lecturer was awful and the class note was a mass. I tried to refer to my textbook, but it was too detailed to read. It seemed like almost impossible for me to get A+ in this course. But this is what I really do not get. There were people who did far better than me in this course. The grades were curved, so I am assuming that there were people who've gotten A or A+ in this course. I really would like to ask them how they did it, but of course, I can't go up to a stranger and ask for his GPA. Anyway, putting a long story aside, this is what I would like to ask you. How did you pass by a bad professor or a bad course and still managed to receive A or A+? How did you study? I mean, the final exam for this biochemistry course asked questions that I would not find the answers in the note. I.. really don't know how this one person got 90% in this course. Any tips would be nice. Thanks

 

P.S. I feel slightly embarrassed that this is my first post, but a long one. But I will, for sure, contribute something to this forum for now on.

 

 

 

_______________________________________________________________

 

To cure what is known to be not curable.

[Karma]

If you have perfect GPA, one B is not going to do much damage.

 

Also, you seem like someone who knows how to study well already if you have such a good GPA.

[in2bat0r]

Hey, I'm entering my first full time year with a heavy science course load. I would also appreciate any advice on how to get/maintain a good GPA. I would like to hit the ground running, but I really have no idea what to expect. Also, I'm going to U of C, if anyone has any info I should know that would be great!

 

Cheers!!

[imperfection]

You don't need a perfect GPA to get into med school. And one B will not hurt you.

 

And I found it was pretty common in my university classes to have the prof ask questions where the answers couldn't be found in the notes... it's more than just recall, it's also about application/understanding the concepts. The people who actually understand the concepts and can apply it to new situations will be able to get the A's in that class.

[oto]

guys, use the search feature. lotta study-related topics asked about before.

[thebouque]

guys, use the search feature. lotta study-related topics asked about before.

 

and what browser would you recommend mr poll?

[TheBoss]

if u of c is anything like york, you can attend lectures, then start doing your readings the night before the exam. this has been my strategy all through UG...probably explains why I have more 88's than 98's.

 

You can do this, but really everyone learns differently so be careful when someone tells you a certain way of studying worked for them. OP, to a large extent you just have to figure out how you like to study, regardless of how other people do things.

[oto]

and what browser would you recommend mr poll?

 

lol, what? I made 1 poll, how does that make me mr poll. There are people here who've created like 4 or 5. What do you mean 'what browser', do you mean what search engine?

[umsong36]

I regret that I mentioned my GPA since it looks like it misled many people from my real question. But anyway, thank you all for replying.

[stack]

you seem bright enough.

The fact that you care about the proper method of studying means you'll do well imo.

[saliv]

Hi umsong36,

 

welcome to this messase board. I'm newbie like you, nice to meet you tooo.

 

I just joined this great community to share and gain knowledge with well experienced persons.

 

Hope we will enjoy to stay here...

 

Cheers!

 

Online pharmacy

[kai]

i don't follow a schedule i just study when i feel like it and whenever i study i study with full concentration and serenity.i believe one hour of focused study is better than 10 hours of half hearted study with mind elsewhere.

[igotacookie]

Without knowing your study habits we are contributing blindly.

 

Here's how I prioritize my studying.

 

1) Practice Exams

2) Questions

3) Readings on anything from practice exams/questions that I couldn't do

4) Memorize notes

5) Regurgitate notes

6) Practice exam one more time

 

Honestly, what probably happened here with your bad prof situation was that other students probably knew something you didn't.

 

In my higher level biochem courses, some profs would put up practice exams and then recycle questions on the actual exam. They were pretty impossible questions as well, so anyone that did the practice was in the A/B range and others were screwed over.

 

Good luck to you. Remember to work hard, work smart, and then enjoy yourself afterwards.

[artistintheambulance]

First I go get a venti coffee from starbucks. I start out writing out all of the term definitions, then I write a set of notes organized by key concepts and sub-concepts. Usually I'll condense that set of notes further until I can fit everything I need to know for a quiz/exam on one or two sheets of paper. Once you can see everything you need to know broken down in to its elements then its much easier to work through it and take it all in. Simply copying out the terms and understanding them makes it so much easier to bring concepts together. I find this works for memory intensive courses like biology or chemistry.

 

For things like math or physics, again I start out by writing down the terms and formulas. I try to commit those to memory first, then when working through the practice problems I don't have to constantly refer to the text. The key for me for math is repetition. I do practice problems from the textbook or old tests until I'm completely comfortable with everything.

 

I'll usually revisit each subject and review everything a few times in the weeks leading up to an exam to make sure everything is still fresh in my mind. It does sound time consuming but it has gotten me great results, so I'll stick with what works.

[LupeFiasco]

Hey,

 

I think what you're experiencing is quite common.

 

Lots of students do well in first year but then do poorly in second year (not that you're doing poorly at all - one B, as many have stated already, is not a big deal).

 

I imagine you were a very good student in high school and probably got all A+s, am I correct?

 

The thing is that in first year of University a lot of what Professors teach you, you've already learned in high school. So, in general, its easier for you to do well in.

 

In second year and beyond, you are learning new things that you've never even heard of and you can't completely rely on what you've learned in high school.

 

There is a flaw in the way you're studying. You need to concentrate on understanding the material first. You should ask questions if you're confused or if you need any clarification whatsoever and you should do this regularly. Of course, you also need to memorize the odd details here and there but your studying should not be memorization first. Memorization is a tool you should use to complement your understanding of the material.

 

The reason you weren't expecting those questions on the exam was probably because they were based on your understanding of the material. You would have had to apply your knowledge to a completely new situation and figure out what the answer was.

 

So make sure you understand the material really well.

 

That's my 2 cents on the topic at hand.

 

Hope it Helps!

 

- Lupe

[Doc2Law]

When i was on studies back then, i usually had lots of coffee while in exam rush.

 

I also worked out (Yes, working out and being active has been proven to be a key to a student's grades, indirectly.)

 

Most of the time i had a perfect schedule about what to study, when and where...

 

Organization may be the key to your lifestyle as a student.

Don't be "last min" and don't get behind in your reading, because if you do, it will be hard to catch up.

[future_doc]

^^ +1 agreed