Dental School not going well

[Penguin7]

I am a second year dental student at the moment and I feel like I’m barely scraping by ( not due to laziness). My habits are not the best but, I do try to study when I can and I don’t have a problem learning when I study enough. In my perspective it seems as if time is never on my side yet somehow my classmates manage. I am so tired most of the time and getting frustrated. My gpa at the moment is a 3.0 I believe. Don’t really know if I’m looking for advice or words of encouragement tbh. I just need people who are going through or have been through dental school to say something, anything about this.

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[TanMan]

I am a second year dental student at the moment and I feel like I’m barely scraping by ( not due to laziness). My habits are not the best but, I do try to study when I can and I don’t have a problem learning when I study enough. In my perspective it seems as if time is never on my side yet somehow my classmates manage. I am so tired most of the time and getting frustrated. My gpa at the moment is a 3.0 I believe. Don’t really know if I’m looking for advice or words of encouragement tbh. I just need people who are going through or have been through dental school to say something, anything about this.

As I've said many times in many different posts, what matters in the end is just to pass and don't fail out. A DDS/DMD is a DDS/DMD, and the dental school grading scale means almost nothing in the real world of dentistry. 2nd year is probably the most intense out of all the years, it'll be smooth sailing afterwards. 3.0 is not barely scraping by UNLESS your school requires at least a 3.0 to remain in the program, then I'd be afraid. Shoot, if our school had grades back in the old days, I'd be happy with a 2.0 as long as I graduated. We had something called Marginal Pass, and we would high five each other if we got an MP and it was a class that we hoped never to see again.

You just need to keep your eyes on the prize and take this more seriously. During finals week, I would cram 23 hours a day for a week (and study between exams), but I knew what was on the line. If I fail, I have debt but no means to make the money back. However, this was my fault because I wouldn't look at the material until the week before finals. Whatever sets your motivation and gets you on fire to do well. It's exhausting, it's traumatizing to the brain, and it's all part of the dental school hazing process.

You know what you need. If you're frustrated that you're not doing well, just think of this way: none of this matters. Just like the DAT doesn't matter, neither does your board scores or grades. Just do well enough to pass. Unless you want to specialize. If you want words of encouragement, think of this way, you're halfway through and going through the worst part. It's gonna be smooth after 2nd year. As I alluded to in the previous paragraph, if you are on the brink of failing, you need to create a better buffer if you have to maintain a 3.0 or above. Otherwise, if failing out is considered below 2.0 (and/or failing a class), then you got plenty of buffer.

 

[AnneSoul]

I am a second year dental student at the moment and I feel like I’m barely scraping by ( not due to laziness). My habits are not the best but, I do try to study when I can and I don’t have a problem learning when I study enough. In my perspective it seems as if time is never on my side yet somehow my classmates manage. I am so tired most of the time and getting frustrated. My gpa at the moment is a 3.0 I believe. Don’t really know if I’m looking for advice or words of encouragement tbh. I just need people who are going through or have been through dental school to say something, anything about this.

What I can tell you is that you are not alone. I frequently feel the same way as you, all of this is temporary pain, it shall pass , and it will, sooner than you ever think.
I pray for you to have peace of mind because I totally understand what are you experiencing and for me I think that physical pain is a lot better that this mental stress and pain which is catastrophizing.

 

[PerioDont]

[Post edited by mod staff to remove picture with inappropriate language]

totally feel you. lots, if not most of d school is irrelevant BS. As tanman said, if you are passing try not to worry about stuff.

D1 year everyone was supposedly specializing and 'killing it'. Now in my D4 year very few people have the passion and energy to keep going in school. You get beat down and have the life slowly sucked out of you. just graduate and leave behind the toxic wasteland of dental school

follow @dentalschoolprobz on insta for some laughs.

 

[Molar Whisperer]

Cee me and free me.

 

[ESPN907]

there’s some point that I let go of whatever the expectation I had and all of a sudden how well I was doing in dental school became irrelevant and I became much happier...you are not dental school so don’t let it consume you

 

[MLC45]

You're a second year and that's the hardest time. You get hit educationally, financially, emotionally, physically, spiritually... the list goes on. Get through this year and you'll realize the sun is shining, the air is clear, and everything is manageable. You'll still hate year 3 and 4, but the stress is different and easier to handle.

 

[lemoncurry]

Indeed, D2 is the toughest year, although they are all hard in their own way. It's good that you are reaching out on here, but don't be afraid to talk to somebody in administration. This isn't their first rodeo and you aren't the first student to feel overwhelmed, stressed, etc. Even if they didn't care about you as a person, they definitely have a financial incentive to keep students in the school. Talk to them. They probably have a slew of resources available for you.

 

[Davicaine]

I agree with all of the above posters and would just add that life is so much easier after dental school. The struggles afterward are different (dealing with loans, taxes, the rest of life), but virtually nothing compares to the intensity of dental school. If you choose to do a residency, that can also be difficult, but in a different way that is still easier. And if you’re hoping to specialize, don’t worry, you can still do it even with a 3.0 (it may just take some extra effort later on). There is a light at the end of the tunnel.

 

[AONLINE]

With a 3.0 you can still specialize in less popular specialties such as Pros... Peds, not so much nowadays.

 

[Davicaine]

With a 3.0 you can still specialize in less popular specialties such as Pros... Peds, not so much nowadays.

Another conversation for another thread, but I strongly disagree. There are always ways to compensate for a gpa. Might not get in right after graduation, but do a gpr/Aegd/internship or kill some standardized exam and any specialty is still within reach if you want it enough (maybe not every school, but every specialty).

 

[PerioDont]

Another conversation for another thread, but I strongly disagree. There are always ways to compensate for a gpa. Might not get in right after graduation, but do a gpr/Aegd/internship or kill some standardized exam and any specialty is still within reach if you want it enough (maybe not every school, but every specialty).

agreed. may take a few years, or couple app cycles but can be done.

That being said, I feel like many DS believe being a specialist is the definition of success as a dentist - that is not at all the case.

 

[TanMan]

agreed. may take a few years, or couple app cycles but can be done.

That being said, I feel like many DS believe being a specialist is the definition of success as a dentist - that is not at all the case.

LOL, yeah. That was a very common feeling in our school. Not for me though - whoever makes the most money wins.

 

[PerioDont]

LOL, yeah. That was a very common feeling in our school. Not for me though - whoever makes the most money wins.

I appreciate your sentiment TanMan but for me its not just about the numbers. I think at the end of the day for me quality of life is the most important. I want to make the most money while simultaneously having the most positive impact on my pt's lives with the least hassle and stress on my body and my personal life (prolly true of most people lol).

e.g. the more complicated procedures you do, the more complicated post-ops and stuff can happens. you might be leaving some money on the table but at some point the stress isn't worth it - beauty is you can decide as a GP exactly which stresses you want to eliminate clinic wise. If I were to practice as a GP, single tooth dentistry just like you all day long. no FMR, no all-on-x and minimal veneers/esthetic stuff that have psycho pts.

also the older I get, more I want to just spend time with my family esp w/younger kids and volunteer in the community for the less fortunate - lots and lots of need out there. having solid financial footing can you give the freedom to do just that.

 

[TanMan]

I appreciate your sentiment TanMan but for me its not just about the numbers. I think at the end of the day for me quality of life is the most important. I want to make the most money while simultaneously having the most positive impact on my pt's lives with the least hassle and stress on my body and my personal life (prolly true of most people lol).

e.g. the more complicated procedures you do, the more complicated post-ops and stuff can happens. you might be leaving some money on the table but at some point the stress isn't worth it - beauty is you can decide as a GP exactly which stresses you want to eliminate clinic wise. If I were to practice as a GP, single tooth dentistry just like you all day long. no FMR, no all-on-x and minimal veneers/esthetic stuff that have psycho pts.

also the older I get, more I want to just spend time with my family esp w/younger kids and volunteer in the community for the less fortunate - lots and lots of need out there. having solid financial footing can you give the freedom to do just that.

Very true, my practice style gives me the best of both worlds. Mostly single tooth / same day dentistry. I don't take anything home. Patients love it when you get them out of pain and the hourly is pretty high with minimal postops / followup. Dentistry should be a means to an end to do whatever you want. Unfortunately, a lot of people are wage slaves in this profession.

 

[Molar Whisperer]

I appreciate your sentiment TanMan but for me its not just about the numbers. I think at the end of the day for me quality of life is the most important. I want to make the most money while simultaneously having the most positive impact on my pt's lives with the least hassle and stress on my body and my personal life (prolly true of most people lol).

e.g. the more complicated procedures you do, the more complicated post-ops and stuff can happens. you might be leaving some money on the table but at some point the stress isn't worth it - beauty is you can decide as a GP exactly which stresses you want to eliminate clinic wise. If I were to practice as a GP, single tooth dentistry just like you all day long. no FMR, no all-on-x and minimal veneers/esthetic stuff that have psycho pts.

also the older I get, more I want to just spend time with my family esp w/younger kids and volunteer in the community for the less fortunate - lots and lots of need out there. having solid financial footing can you give the freedom to do just that.

Steve Jobs is a good example of how I teach my kids about money. He has more money than he knew what to do with but has no family life and poor health ultimately passing away. My father is that way with poor health and fragile family relations. Money cannot cure terminal illness (it may prolong it or manage it). You can use money to rent a family like in Japan . My father is always trying to impress others with his wealth and income (not all that impressive but more so in a small middle of nowhere poor town). He did that at the expense of his health and family. When I was in 8th grade, he got sued as a solo practice OBGyn and came home and beat the crap out of me. It is still fresh on my mind along with many other family dysfunctions as I tend to his declining health and mental capacity out of state during Covid threats with my siblings. As stated before in my other posts, trying to impress others only provides a temporary thrill, but at the end of the day, those you try to impress will forget about you as they go back to their families. It will be hard to go back to your own family if you destroy it.

 

[pookey123]

just hang in there second year was extremely difficult, not just because of classes but also a toxic dental school environment. just hang tight and stay focused on making it through

 

[LaughingGas]

@Penguin7 are you trying to specialize or keep doors open? then find a way to study "smarter". There are things that is going to be tested and things that they just throw to annoy the students. Gotta find the pattern ASAP.
If you are not thinking of specializing, relax. If I knew I was going to stick to being a GP, if I went back in time, I would definitely stress less and only study what is important for clinical dentistry.

 

[Snippybiscuit]

As I've said many times in many different posts, what matters in the end is just to pass and don't fail out. A DDS/DMD is a DDS/DMD, and the dental school grading scale means almost nothing in the real world of dentistry. 2nd year is probably the most intense out of all the years, it'll be smooth sailing afterwards. 3.0 is not barely scraping by UNLESS your school requires at least a 3.0 to remain in the program, then I'd be afraid. Shoot, if our school had grades back in the old days, I'd be happy with a 2.0 as long as I graduated. We had something called Marginal Pass, and we would high five each other if we got an MP and it was a class that we hoped never to see again.

You just need to keep your eyes on the prize and take this more seriously. During finals week, I would cram 23 hours a day for a week (and study between exams), but I knew what was on the line. If I fail, I have debt but no means to make the money back. However, this was my fault because I wouldn't look at the material until the week before finals. Whatever sets your motivation and gets you on fire to do well. It's exhausting, it's traumatizing to the brain, and it's all part of the dental school hazing process.

You know what you need. If you're frustrated that you're not doing well, just think of this way: none of this matters. Just like the DAT doesn't matter, neither does your board scores or grades. Just do well enough to pass. Unless you want to specialize. If you want words of encouragement, think of this way, you're halfway through and going through the worst part. It's gonna be smooth after 2nd year. As I alluded to in the previous paragraph, if you are on the brink of failing, you need to create a better buffer if you have to maintain a 3.0 or above. Otherwise, if failing out is considered below 2.0 (and/or failing a class), then you got plenty of buffer.

What do you mean cram 23hr/ day for a week? You mean you slept 1 hr a day for a week?

 

[TanMan]

What do you mean cram 23hr/ day for a week? You mean you slept 1 hr a day for a week?

Slept an hour a day for a week, studied every waking moment the week before and during exam week (between exams). Slept on my computer chair/avoided the bed. I had to do it because in many classes, I didn't look at the material before that, but the most that I've pushed (that I can recall) is not looking at the course until the day before. I only got away with it because many classes only had finals that determined whether you pass or not. Often, I'd cook a 10+lb roast beef to eat while I cram and minimize disruptions. I did take showers and use the bathroom as needed, so it may not be a true 23 hour cramming due to bodily functions.

It beats studying for the whole quarter and not performing as well. The sleep after the week is over is probably some of the best sleep I've ever had.

 

[ToothEnthusiast96]

Slept an hour a day for a week, studied every waking moment the week before and during exam week (between exams). Slept on my computer chair/avoided the bed. I had to do it because in many classes, I didn't look at the material before that, but the most that I've pushed (that I can recall) is not looking at the course until the day before. I only got away with it because many classes only had finals that determined whether you pass or not. Often, I'd cook a 10+lb roast beef to eat while I cram and minimize disruptions. I did take showers and use the bathroom as needed, so it may not be a true 23 hour cramming due to bodily functions.

It beats studying for the whole quarter and not performing as well. The sleep after the week is over is probably some of the best sleep I've ever had.

You're a different breed lol

 

[Cold Front]

Slept an hour a day for a week, studied every waking moment the week before and during exam week (between exams). Slept on my computer chair/avoided the bed. I had to do it because in many classes, I didn't look at the material before that, but the most that I've pushed (that I can recall) is not looking at the course until the day before. I only got away with it because many classes only had finals that determined whether you pass or not. Often, I'd cook a 10+lb roast beef to eat while I cram and minimize disruptions. I did take showers and use the bathroom as needed, so it may not be a true 23 hour cramming due to bodily functions.

It beats studying for the whole quarter and not performing as well. The sleep after the week is over is probably some of the best sleep I've ever had.

I don’t miss dental school. I think a big part of dental school is not about what is being taught, but how it is taught. It was pretty much a mental boot camp and time management discipline.

 

[PerioDont]

I don’t miss dental school. I think a big part of dental school is not about what is being taught, but how it is taught. It was pretty much a mental boot camp and time management discipline.

It's a game. You gotta play, jump through the hoops and get out. Probably 25% or less of what was taught in D1/2 year is relevant once you pass boards.

Unfortunately I would say it is fairly rare that a dental education is actually about teaching people how to be dentists and more about how you can make it alive through the 'system'. There also seems to be a specific breed of instructors and admin that seem to take a kick in breaking down people.

Gotta keep your head down and try not to have anyone in the admin know who you are till they give you that diploma.

 

[Cold Front]

It's a game. You gotta play, jump through the hoops and get out. Probably 25% or less of what was taught in D1/2 year is relevant once you pass boards.

Unfortunately I would say it is fairly rare that a dental education is actually about teaching people how to be dentists and more about how you can make it alive through the 'system'. There also seems to be a specific breed of instructors and admin that seem to take a kick in breaking down people.

Gotta keep your head down and try not to have anyone in the admin know who you are till they give you that diploma.

2 people in my program were hospitalized for a psychotic episode during dental school - from the stress induced by the curriculum.

 

[2TH MVR]

Each DS program is different. I hear alot of negative stories here about the stress, or idiocy of DS. To offer a different view point. My DS was pretty chill. Sure there were some stressful situations, but all in all ..... not a terrible experience. Small class size around 57. Midwestern school located in a cool small college football town. Instructors were nice and helpful. Classmates for the most part helpful. I had time for a part time job my senior yr. Played tennis and golf on the weekends. Attended many college football games with fellow students. Drank a few beers. All in all. A good experience.

Maybe it's a geographical thing. Maybe it's about the individual person. All I know is my personality was not to complain. Find a way around the problem. And graduate. What other choices do you have?

 

[Cold Front]

Each DS program is different. I hear alot of negative stories here about the stress, or idiocy of DS. To offer a different view point. My DS was pretty chill. Sure there were some stressful situations, but all in all ..... not a terrible experience. Small class size around 57. Midwestern school located in a cool small college football town. Instructors were nice and helpful. Classmates for the most part helpful. I had time for a part time job my senior yr. Played tennis and golf on the weekends. Attended many college football games with fellow students. Drank a few beers. All in all. A good experience.

Maybe it's a geographical thing. Maybe it's about the individual person. All I know is my personality was not to complain. Find a way around the problem. And graduate. What other choices do you have?

I was turning 27 when I started dental school. I was non-traditional student. There were maybe 10-15 students older than me, the rest (about 100 students) were younger. Many of the younger classmates started d school directly from college. No real world experience and majority had high school personally and giggled a lot. I truly enjoyed living in Boston though... world class city. Tons of stuff to do and explore. The city is a hub to top institutions and was the home to big dental conventions. Great night life and food all way round. I would give the city 10/10, but the school was just a big Meh! I really looked forward to the weekends and long breaks. NYC was just a bus drive away, from Chinatown Boston to Chinatown NYC. Anyways... like you said, it depends on the school and the student’s personality.

 

[Snippybiscuit]

I was turning 27 when I started dental school. I was non-traditional student. There were maybe 10-15 students older than me, the rest (about 100 students) were younger. Many of the younger classmates started d school directly from college. No real world experience and majority had high school personally and giggled a lot. I truly enjoyed living in Boston though... world class city. Tons of stuff to do and explore. The city is a hub to top institutions and was the home to big dental conventions. Great night life and food all way round. I would give the city 10/10, but the school was just a big Meh! I really looked forward to the weekends and long breaks. NYC was just a bus drive away, from Chinatown Boston to Chinatown NYC. Anyways... like you said, it depends on the school and the student’s personality

Is 29 to old to go?

 

[Blueshirts]

Is 29 to old to go?

No

 

[Cold Front]

Is 29 to old to go?

Absolutely not.

 

[Hi polo pick]

You have a 3.0, you're passing and you'll be a doctor in a couple years. Dont get caught up in the BS, half my classmates lie and bull**** about their grades anyway. You could be doing worse and still pass....