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Taylor
Student
Kerrville, Texas
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What were some of the hardest things to study in college?
When studying in college what were some things that were challenging in your opinion?#dentist
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Mary Jane Shroyer
Director of Health Professions Career Community
102
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Grinnell, Iowa
Updated
Mary Jane’s Answer
This is going to vary for every person! I was a biology major in college and I loved my science courses so found literature classes to be "hard" for me because they required me to use skills and strategies that weren't very comfortable for me.
Having said that, I think most pre-dental students find organic chemistry and physics very challenging. Organic chemistry, in particular, is difficult because many students will have some exposure to biology, general chemistry, and maybe even physics in high school. That makes o-chem a science class students are seeing for the first time and they can't coast on prior knowledge. Physics can be difficult when students have weak math skills and find themselves trying to learn two areas--math and physics--at the same time.
Here are some things you can do prepare for the challenge:
-Take rigorous science classes in high school and do your best to learn the material very well.
-Take as much math as you can in high school so you don't have to play catch-up in college.
-Know that many students find study strategies that worked well for them in high school don't give them the desired results in college. If your normal study techniques are not working, ask an older student or your professor for suggestions.
-It's important to get help as soon as you feel like you are struggling in your college courses. Most colleges have tutoring or academic support centers that can help you with the content and learn how to study most effectively.
-Form study groups with classmates to hold each other accountable.
-Go to any tutoring sessions offered for the class--the strongest students in college take advantage of tutoring! Peer tutors are upperclassmen who have done well in the course.
-Don't be afraid to go to a professor's office hours. Office hours are time set aside for students to ask questions one-on-one. This is also a good way to start building relationships with faculty who you will one day be asking for letters of recommendation for your dental school application.
Having said that, I think most pre-dental students find organic chemistry and physics very challenging. Organic chemistry, in particular, is difficult because many students will have some exposure to biology, general chemistry, and maybe even physics in high school. That makes o-chem a science class students are seeing for the first time and they can't coast on prior knowledge. Physics can be difficult when students have weak math skills and find themselves trying to learn two areas--math and physics--at the same time.
Here are some things you can do prepare for the challenge:
-Take rigorous science classes in high school and do your best to learn the material very well.
-Take as much math as you can in high school so you don't have to play catch-up in college.
-Know that many students find study strategies that worked well for them in high school don't give them the desired results in college. If your normal study techniques are not working, ask an older student or your professor for suggestions.
-It's important to get help as soon as you feel like you are struggling in your college courses. Most colleges have tutoring or academic support centers that can help you with the content and learn how to study most effectively.
-Form study groups with classmates to hold each other accountable.
-Go to any tutoring sessions offered for the class--the strongest students in college take advantage of tutoring! Peer tutors are upperclassmen who have done well in the course.
-Don't be afraid to go to a professor's office hours. Office hours are time set aside for students to ask questions one-on-one. This is also a good way to start building relationships with faculty who you will one day be asking for letters of recommendation for your dental school application.