What a whirlwind these few weeks have been.
I started dental school thinking it would be hard, because of course becoming a medical professional is going to be tough. It should be, you have people's lives in your hands. You don't want your doctor or dentist being unsure about anything or not being trained appropriately. However, the image I had of dental school was completely off. Going to a tough undergrad school, classes were rough, tests were hard, and teachers weren't that helpful at times. But, that was nothing compared to what I face on a daily basis now. Let me be very clear, I am 100% excited, happy, honored, and blessed to be sitting where I am today. I just want to be honest for those of you who are pursuing dentistry/medical professions. Nothing you do is going to prepare you for what you face in dental school. I am in school from 8-5 nearly everyday (we occasionally get out a little early!). After I leave school I come home, eat dinner, and study until the minute I go to bed. I wake up the next day at six, get to school early and study before class, and do it all over again. I learn one subject at a time, so I will have 4-6 hours of lecture a day over the same subject. I just finished Microbiology which was learning 150-250+ powerpoint slides of information each night. We had a test everyday in that class and were expected to know detailed information, not just basic ideas or concepts. Details like what fungus causes a certain disease, or what bacteria causes traveler's diarrhea. Therefore, you really have to know how to study, and do it well. You can't just get a general idea and succeed. Many of us have studied for hours and hours and still failed tests. The amount of information we learn each day is unreal. Sometimes I just sit there and think, how on earth am I going to remember all this stuff? But guess what, you work through it, make it work, and pass. Grades don't matter, getting through it does.
When people say that professional school is like trying to drink out of a fire-house it is not an overstatement. Trying to absorb all the information presented and remembering it all is a real challenge, but once again I say, it is suppose to be hard. All of our faculty keep telling us over and over that getting into dental school is the hardest part. Maybe not work-wise or difficulty, but once you are in, you just have to push through. Work hard to get in and you'll be golden.
Some advice for those pursuing professional school:
1. Take as many science classes as you possibly can in undergrad.
- I didn't take any extra science classes because I was in such a time crunch to graduate in 3 years, that I literally didn't have time to take any other classes. However, I think the more information from different subjects that you can get exposed to the better. Even though you won't come in knowing everything, you've at least seen vocabulary and been exposed to ideas. Which is always good to have a foundation, because you will be building on top of it.
- Most people that get into dental school are very intelligent and probably didn't have to study that hard in undergrad. From personal experience, I know that I never really had to find a study method that really worked for me. I did different techniques for different classes and just made it work. But, I don't have time for that. I have to literally read from slides, write important stuff down, and remember as much as I can. I think it would be so beneficial to find your best study method before you get here. If I studied like I do now in undergrad I think I would have had a 4.0. Learning how to study is different for everyone and is it so helpful to use resources and try out different methods. I just finished a week of having a test every single day from Tuesday-Wednesday (the next one). You don't have time to take your time studying, or learning the best way for you. Learn now!
- If I would have actually learned all the information in my classes, I would be able to recall things a lot easier. The more information you know, the easier it is to build on it and to learn different/new information instead of using precious time reteaching yourself stuff you've already been taught.
4. It's okay to fail.
- Nobody is perfect. Get that into your brain. No one is going to live life mistake-less. When you fail, get back up, learn from your mistakes, and keep moving.
I have learned so much in just a few short weeks, that seem like months. I am so happy to be in dental school and somedays I wake up and feel like I'm dreaming wearing scrubs and a name tag to school everyday. Although it sucks somedays, losing sleep, having no social life, and stressing like crazy, I am so blessed to be sitting in dental school. I know there are tons of people who would kill to be sitting in my seat, and I never, not even for one day, want to take for granted the amazing opportunity I have been granted. I can't believe that I have already finished three dental school classes, and passed! Literally some days I thought, how on earth am I going to pass this class. But, God provides and I just keep on studying and doing my best, and He takes care of the rest.
I guess some people might want to know what my first three classes were.
- Histology, Embryology, & Genetics
- Molecular & Cell Biology (Biochemistry)
- Microbiology
Thank you everyone for your support, and forgiveness for my rude ignoring and declining of invitations. I am so busy, I hope you can understand and forgive me. I miss everyone and can't wait till I can have some much needed reunions. I will try to update again in a few weeks, but may be longer than that!
Something I tell myself everyday
"Do your best, & forget the rest!"
-Tony Horton, P90X
