Was this meant for me directly or open discussion?
For myself it started difficult. I did track 1 so had to retake my mcat. I received a 70 on the first biochem exam--about 21 points below med school average and this was on material we had already studied during the summer session & the easy intro to biochem module. I corrected my deficiencies, modified my study habits, and improved throughout the year w/ 95-100s on exams in all courses. On top of that I was involved w/ numerous interest groups, was doing research, class rep, and on the graduate student committee. I took my mcat 1x in january during the program and did very well- I didn't want to be stressing w/ it in march/april. I ended up w/ the highest grades in my class and received a recognition for it as well. None of this is because I'm a genius- if that was the case I would have been in med school in my teens. I worked intelligently and gave myself ample time to prep for everything and looked way into the future for what I wanted, attempting to figure what steps I needed to complete to get what I desired.
Half my class continued through- the other half failed or gave up on med school at one point or another. They didn't fail b/c of their lack of desire to be doc. They failed b/c they had difficulty in attention, commitment to memory, basic vs abstract concept extrapolation, or exhaustion from the rigours of the coursework. I'll say though, dpms is quite easy compared to actual med school. You won't realize this until later. I'm an upper year med student btw.
Anyhow, it all depends on each individual and what you make of it. There's no easy way around it- it's tough and just deciding to study hours on end won't give you results. You can't cram this stuff, procrastinate, pray, or hope it'll work out (although the last 2 are comforting to do). It takes active commitment on your part to succeed and constant reassessment. I know it's tempting to want to know how others are doing while you're in the program but honestly, their success or failure will not have an impact on you. It'll be your actions, or lack there of, which will decide the end result.
Another prep many of you can be doing aside from interview prepping-- re-studying for your mcat test. Do questions, reread passages and really breakdown why you missed it, & know why the other choices are incorrect. For those that don't need to do the mcat and want an idea of what you're getting into then go ahead and start looking at step 1 FirstAid 2014- read the high yield facts or the physio/biochem/immuno sections. Think this is too much? It's not- this is somewhat of the mindset that you should start getting yourself into b/c the sooner you prep the easier it will be later. That's how I've excelled and there's nothing glamorous or magical about it. (and yes, I have had a very great social life in the program and in med school despite all the above)
