<p>I have class at 845 MWF and a lab 830 TH and this is all for Orgo!
Why did I take it freshman year again? Haha! </p>
<p>Hoping to get by with 6 hours of sleep a day... am planning to be up late on weekends for parties and hanging out with my buddies.</p>
<p>Well, personally, I've had to pull only a few all-nighters (some planned, others not so), but almost everyone else I know has had to pull several. And I mean WAY more than you can count on your fingers. I might be wrong, but it seems like the people posting on this board have been lucky enough to attain the much-coveted skill of time-management...</p>
<p>
[quote]
the much-coveted skill of time-management...
[/quote]
The key is to take a break when the show takes a break. So you can go to the bathroom, put food in the microwave, etc. while the timer is going during commercials.</p>
<p>I have 8 am classes and I get off school at 4 pm. Do hw until 8 because thats when all the good shows are on (i.e. house). Then sleep at 11. According to this thread, this isn't normal is it? Bottom line, all that matters is how long you study. I study 3-4 hours of hw each day. Is that too little? I take mammalian physiology, physics, orgo II, and philisophy. How much do you guys study?</p>
<p>How on earth should we know long you need to study?</p>
<p>When I describe my average weekday, I don't do it in terms of how many hours I study; I describe it in terms of how many hours I don't study. I'm taking orgo, physics, animal physiology, genetics, cell bio, and doing a biology mentoring program for credit.</p>
<p>Of course, I also enjoy reading some of my textbooks so I really don't mind. I know that I read (aka, study) too much, but I'll basically be done with all the required reading before everyone else later in the semester. I usually spend 2-3 hours a day "free" (ie, not studying).</p>
<p>One of the most important lessons that can be learned in college is time management. Students have large chunks of time that are open and they do not have parents regulating their schedule. There is a lot of time available each day to do one's work and to participate in other activities, including darn video games! The choice of how that time will be spent is made by the student. Prioritization of time and realistic estimation of time to complete tasks are important skills that will be useful throughout one's future career. Another lesson learned is learning how to study smart rather than more. It will depend upon learning how to study efficiently, understanding your study biorhythm (perhaps studying between MN and 3 AM is better!), and developing the self-discipline and focus needed to complete tasks in a timely manners. As in real life, success is not dependent on how many hours one works but on what one accomplishes during the hours one does work. Although there is a good correlation, output does not equal input. You will want to learn how to tighten up that correlation.</p>
<p>One last thing that is learned in college, particularly among premeds, is the ability to work extremely hard towards a long-term goal. It is a form of delayed gratification chosen voluntarily to achieve a larger goal. I personally think this insight has helped me professionally to realize that certain goals, whether individual or in combination with others, require taking one step at a time and will only occur with proper motivation and planning. Although I think many types of people can become excellent physicians (and we need them!), the medical school selection and education process, does tend to reward and select for Type A personalities. In fairness, many also willl have relatively good people skills and a certain measure of idealism. Obviously there are many exceptions to this generalization but it is based on my own experience with physicians and students.</p>