Better Study Habits Before Dental School
This student reached out to me via gmail concerned about her stats and wondering how to increase her studying habits. Here is our conversation.
Email Subject: Question about dental school prep!! I watched your video.
Hi Michael!
My name is █████ ███████, and I just subscribed your channel. I was watching all the videos that are related to dental schools. I was wondering if you can give me any advice in my situation.
I transferred to ██ █████ last year fall quarter. My community college GPA was 3.6, and I thought I would do well in UC as well. However, my GPA at UC is only 3.1. I have gotten C and B in general chem and physics. I am finishing up my last general science series because I took bio in community college. I do not know what to do anymore because I have studied so hard but my grade is going downward. It is very disappointing. It is scary to take upper science courses. I really want to become a dentist but I feel like I have to give it up!
I saw your video that you did a year of a master program to boost up your GPA. You are now in a dental school which is one of the schools that I want to apply. I admire you and I just wanted to email you to get some encouragement. I maybe know that answer already. Never give up! But I am at the moment of struggling and considering my future career. Dentistry has been my dream since when I was 18 but downward GPA really makes me sad.
I still have many upper science classes to take and I know that I can still try hard for this quarter as well. However, I just found out that I got a C on my midterm again after I have studied really hard. I just needed someone who can give me any bits of advice.
I know you are really busy with your school too.
Thank you for reading this email.
I hope you have a great evening!
Thank you
█████
Hello Ms. ███████,
Thank you for your email and following my youtube! Also, apologies for the late reply.
I empathize completely with your situation as I started off strong in college and had a downward trend in my GPA as well. As you know, this required me to do a masters program to make up for my mistakes! You, however, are in a good place since you still have a chance to do well in your upper level courses! Some of my dental school classmates have mentioned how they did horrible in the beginning of dental school but managed to still get in by doing well in their advanced courses. Although I would usually say hang in there at this point, it seems you already know this. For that matter, let’s talk about how we could work together to find out a good study schedule.
From reading what you wrote, it’s possible that your studying habits are off, especially because you are studying hard but not getting the grades. If you dont mind me asking, what is your general week like? Including your extracurriculars, lectures, study sessions, and the amount of time you allot your self to take breaks! Also, how do you take notes in class? Finally, what are your studying methods for absorbing the material after class?
Thank you again for reaching out and I look forward to your email!
Sincerely,
Michael Yoo
Thank you so much!
Thank you for this kind email and all the efforts that you are putting for me. I actually didn’t expect this!! Thank you!!!!
My weekly:
Monday
10-11: ████ office hour that I always go
1-2: ████ lecture
2-4: █████ lecture
4-7: ████ lab
Tuesday
8-9: ████ discussion
10-11: ███ office hour
2-4:30: █████ lab
5-10: ████ (at restaurant)
Wed
11-1: █████ lecture
1-2: ███ lecture
2-4: █████ lecture
After that I have █████ tutoring for an hour and then rest is free
Thursday’s are pretty much same as tuesdays
Fri
8-12: clinic volunteer
1-2: ████ lecture
Saturday: free except for 5 hours of working
Sunday: free except █████ tutoring
—-
I like to take notes handwriting. I usually read lecture notes before class if possible and review it during weekends. I don’t have specific study methods but I do like read over and over and do some practice problems.
I hope I answered all the questions!
Thanks again for you time and effort!
My science courses so far
Bio I lec: A lab: A
Bio II lec: B lab: C
(Community college)
Chem intro: A
Chem A: B
Chem B: C+
Physics intro: A
Phy A: C+
Phy B: B+
So far, this is it!
It was 3.15.
Overall GPA is at 3.5 area.
For extra curricular:
community clinic dental shadowing
█████ tutoring
Part time job working
Playing piano for church
Also, I am studying DAT bio section by reviewing cliffs notes AP Bio whenever I get some time.
I am so glad that I found my mentor!
I hope I can get to go to dental school like you!!!! I’ll be waiting another YouTube video as well 🙂
Thank you
Have a great day!
█████
Ps: you can just call me █████ 🙂
█████! You are most welcome!
So looking at your study schedule and the amount of extracurricular activities you have, it seems you would have an average of 5 hours per day to study for your classes! This is great but I am also factoring in the hours you are losing on Tuesdays and Thursdays because of work. I have five pieces of advice for you.
My best advice for you would be to actively test yourself and work through your notes on your downtime to make up for the lost time on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Either on the bus, while walking to class, or while you’re brushing your teeth! It’s amazing how much you will forget in just one day of not studying. This is why it’s crucial to repetitively test yourself by asking questions like, “What are the different stages of the cell cycle?” Dont go straight to your notes but try to answer the question first then use your notes to find the answer! Supplement this with your current studying methods and I’m sure you will start finding your groove.
Secondly, if you have time, check this guys youtube video out. He goes over studying methods that work and other that don’t. It changed my life. https://www.youtube.com/
Furthermore, pay CLOSE attention during class. Pull open the lecture slides, turn off the wifi on your laptop, put away your phone, and sit in the front row if you have to. By paying close attention, you will see what the professors emphasize on and usually those topics will be what’s tested on. I’m not saying that you’re slacking off, but the time you spend in class is so valuable to forming a baseline to build upon while you study. You’ll notice that as you go through your notes that you could spot whats important and what’s fluff that the professor added into the lecture.
Also something I noticed while going through your schedule was that you have a LOT of responsibilities. I’m not saying that this is a bad thing, rather, I’m saying that it’s quite impressive! It’s hard to juggle work, church, and school in college and you’re still hanging in! Take pride in how much you’ve accomplished and how much you are able to help others through your work as a tutor and a pianist at church! With that said, it will be in your best interest to not take on too many more responsibilities. One of the biggest lessons I learned in undergrad was being able to say no when church members asked me to organize a youth retreat or when work told me to come in for an extra shift. Being able to say something along the lines of, “I’m sorry but I can’t commit fully and I’m sure someone else will be better suited for taking on the extra shift or planning that church event”, will take you far. It may seem that your obligations take precedence over your schooling but I’m sure your church leaders and boss will understand that you are a student right now and getting good grades is your primary responsibility. I know this advice may be hard to swallow but again, your primary role right now is being a student.
Lastly, be sure to take care of yourself. Life can get pretty overwhelming but know that you have the support of your friends, church leaders, and especially family. Know when it’s appropriate to take time for yourself to watch youtube or relax and when it’s crucial for you to study. Yes your primary role is being a student right now but you are also a precious friend, daughter in christ, and child to your parents. The last thing that any of these people would want to see is that you are struggling in health. Know that you could always reach out for help and that people are cheering you on and wanting to empower you to pursue your future goals.
I hope these pieces of advice help and that you find your method of getting those grades! Remember, you still have a lot of chances to bring up your grade so lets make that happen!
Thank you for your support and please be sure to email me again if you have any other questions!
Sincerely,
Michael Yoo
This is great, thank you so much!
I feel like I’m motivated again since you told me to not give up and told me that you think I still have lots of chance to improve my GPA!!
I’ll do my best!
I really did not expect this kind thought and answer. I’ll follow every single advices you gave me. I actually did airplane mode in class today!
I recorded lectures so I can listen to this on the bus when I go to work on Tuesday and Thursday since you said that I need to cover studying time on those days that I work.
I’ll try to commit my duties well and if it is too much I’ll even consider to make less duties.
I appreciate everything that you did with me.
Thank you!
Hopefully I can get into dental school and help other predental students like you!!
I hope you have a great day 🙂
Sincerely
█████
You’re SO very welcome!
I’m glad you’re feeling motivated and I hope you keep moving forward FULL FORCE! Keep up the good work and the new habits of studying! Please do reach out again if you have any more questions. 🙂
Sincerely,
Michael Yoo
This conversation was posted with the permission of all correspondents.
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