Thread: First Termer feeling depressed and overwhelmed

So I am a first termer and we've just finished Unifieds and the grades were horrible. I feel so discouraged and I am going to be going to a learning strategist session some time this week. But until then, I have tried to follow the preview/review method.

I just feel as if it's an infinite amount of work to get done, in the time after class. So basically I have like 5 hours to get whatever I have learned in class that day down.

I was told that I am suppose to try and commit those lectures to memory or at least some of it. Although some say just read over what has been taught, kind of try to understand it and then commit it to memory on the weekend. I am so confused on what is right because some say you can commit to memory some of the stuff but it's so little bit (tried it last night), that it feels like it's a race that will never be finished.

Do you guys have any advice on how to actually study? Am I suppose to commit majority of the lecture notes that day to memory? I mean that's pretty hard if you have like 100 plus slides. Then the next day it's more information.

If anyone could help guide me on a rational studying strategy, that would be awesome. I would probably end up taking that strategy with me to the learning session and present it to one of the DES individuals to see if that is something that's practical.

I am not going to lie, sometimes in small groups, there are a few people who seem to understand the stuff so well, and I know the rest of us are lost and it doesn't really give me comfort because they took in nearly 900 of us this semester and I know a lot of us are either gonna decel, get kicked out or just leave on our own accords.

Originally Posted by mdh249

I'm another first termer here, and now midterms are over and looks like I'll be decelling. I am wondering if the med school experience is like this everywhere, (as I chose to come here over a DO school)

My MCAT was above the SGU average and I had a 3.8 undergrad science GPA so the difficulty of SGU has taken me by surprise. I've heard some people say that the academics are harder here than they are in the US.

Its a different environment on the island. Its a good school, but they don't hand you anything and make it clear they don't owe you anything just because you made it in. If you make it out, you'll know you definitely earned it. Make sure you talk to your advisor before you make any real decision on decelling. Theres no shame in taking a step back if you have to, but first term isn't the greatest place to take your only mulligan if you don't truly have to. Just my 2 cents.

Originally Posted by mdh249

I'm another first termer here, and now midterms are over and looks like I'll be decelling. I am wondering if the med school experience is like this everywhere, (as I chose to come here over a DO school)

My MCAT was above the SGU average and I had a 3.47 undergrad science GPA so the difficulty of SGU has taken me by surprise. I've heard some people say that the academics are harder here than they are in the US.

As for the med school experience, I do think it's similar to what other students are undergoing. Some of the medical students from US DO I rotated with, mention almost the same problems we have at our school. Lectures are not useful, tests will ask some obscure things, and so on. Though... Their experience when they fail a test is a HUGE difference. They get a lot of support, which we don't really have here at SGU.

I think it's just being in a foreign country really plays a bigger factor then you expect. Then there is also that there are 900 kids, so it's hard to get the study help you need, until it's too late post midterm.

The advisor will probably give you advice about decel. You should trust your advisor on that part. If you decide to tough it out, study more efficiently not harder. I remember looking at 1st term FB group last month, and it was filled with bad study advice. "Memorizing bone, muscle insertion, and blah blah." "Here are the charts for all the enzymes, but no clinical correlation for biochem! Really useful".... I was just abhor when I saw no one pointing it out. Even post unifieds I saw the same things. Try out DES, as they provide a lot of useful study tips. DES sessions are great, also. People undervalue DES sessions for some reason. It's an opportunity to learn from people that are overall doing good in SGU, and did well enough in the class.

Overall... Best of luck, and don't let this affect you as a person. Medical school is tough, and being at SGU well... doesn't make it any easier.

Originally Posted by thxleave

As for the med school experience, I do think it's similar to what other students are undergoing. Some of the medical students from US DO I rotated with, mention almost the same problems we have at our school. Lectures are not useful, tests will ask some obscure things, and so on. Though... Their experience when they fail a test is a HUGE difference. They get a lot of support, which we don't really have here at SGU.

I think it's just being in a foreign country really plays a bigger factor then you expect. Then there is also that there are 900 kids, so it's hard to get the study help you need, until it's too late post midterm.

The advisor will probably give you advice about decel. You should trust your advisor on that part. If you decide to tough it out, study more efficiently not harder. I remember looking at 1st term FB group last month, and it was filled with bad study advice. "Memorizing bone, muscle insertion, and blah blah." "Here are the charts for all the enzymes, but no clinical correlation for biochem! Really useful".... I was just abhor when I saw no one pointing it out. Even post unifieds I saw the same things. Try out DES, as they provide a lot of useful study tips. DES sessions are great, also. People undervalue DES sessions for some reason. It's an opportunity to learn from people that are overall doing good in SGU, and did well enough in the class.

Overall... Best of luck, and don't let this affect you as a person. Medical school is tough, and being at SGU well... doesn't make it any easier.

I agree with the above. I have plenty of friends in US MD/DO schools and their lectures seem pretty similar to ours. Most of my friends will stay at home and listen to lectures on live-stream or just read the books on the own. I do think we have it harder than US students though because we have to score HIGHER on board exams than they do to match in residency, so perhaps SGU is a little tougher academically just to prepare us for that. And yeah we don't get any help when we fail a class. Usually in US schools they do everything in their power to help you repeat the semester and pass the class.

Also agree with DES. If you are having trouble studying on your own you need to find out WHY. Seeing how other people approach the study material can really help. Like perhaps you have been focusing on all the wrong details about biochem or whatever this whole time. a DES instructor can point out what's high yield for exams because they've been through it before. It may take a few sessions to find an instructor that you like, but its worth it. If DES isn't your style, try to start a study group with friends.