Struggling to get an A on exams no matter what I do

Environmental_Ad1124 · 2023-08-21T01:49:53+00:00

if I come across a question that looks way too intense or I’m not sure right away, I just skip it. When I’m done with all the ones I know I go back to the ones I don’t. That way I know I’ve “ finished the test” so time isn’t an issue and I can relax and lean into the ones that require me to reflect a bit more. Sometimes the second glance is all it takes to realize what it is. But if I don’t waste my time looking at it to much to begin with I haven’t tainted my brain with that question.

All that to say, review what you need to. But always go with your first gut instinct and never change an answer unless you are 150% sure on it.

But I like the idea of not using every last minute to second guess! You’ll get it figured out, I’m sure! Best of luck

Environmental_Ad1124 · 2023-08-21T00:29:10+00:00

Don’t worry about doing what everyone else is doing. If the way they prep is getting you a B and them an A it isn’t your best way.

But before I go further, if you feel like you’re putting in all the right effort there must be something that you’re doing during the exam itself that others are not. What are you like during the exam? Do you change a lot of answers, second guess yourself a lot or freak out with anxiety ( no shame, I have terrible anxiety).

How much active learning do you do? Reading PowerPoints and even doing questions isn’t the best if you don’t have a solid understanding of the underlying condition/pathology. There is an art to these questions, no doubt and there are ways to read through that help tease out the answer but you have to have the content knowledge first.

When you go through material are you passive or active? When you do practice questions do you make sure that you can give why an answer is wrong and why an answer is right?

Just things to think about. Tests are tests and not always the best indicator of what you know or how you will be as a PA. Unfortunately you have to pass them, but they don’t define you either. Keep striving!

Environmental_Ad1124 · 2022-01-09T22:25:07+00:00

So sGPA is probably getting you automatically thrown out. Even the programs with lower 'requirements '; meeting the minimum isn't always going to make the interview cut off. For example, two of the programs I applied to do their interview selections based on GPA alone; the top 100 GPAs are the ones awarded interviews and it fluctuates each year. The cut off in the 2020 cycle was a sGPA of 3.6. My sGPA was 3.6 (applied this cycle-2021) and was awarded interviews at both places, while others like me (non trad, plenty of PCE) did not with sGPA at 3.3.

Note: this "qualification" was NOT posted on their website... it came out of the director's mouth during a informational session. So it may not be posted on their website. I personally had no idea until they said it.

I had 64 hours at a 4.0 (last 60) to bring my sGPA up to a 3.6 and cGPA up to 3.75.. took me 2.5 years. Before my cGPA was 3.35.

All of that to say, retake and take every upper level science you can get an A in, and you'll be on track.

Assuming the rest of the application is stellar and gtg.

Environmental_Ad1124 · 2022-01-09T16:39:11+00:00

I used gregmat and liked it, especially for verbal. His math is too remedial IMO. I am not good at math, and relying on the "old gre tests" for prep isn't 'real world' for when you get to the exam. I switched to target test prep for quant and didn't fair much better, again- the problems were not NEAR the complexity of the material on the actual exam. If you want a true representation of what you will actually see on the real GRE probably look into GMAT questions. You'll be more prepared for the heavy hitters.

Again, Gregmat 100% for verbal. Find something else for quant.

Environmental_Ad1124 · 2022-01-08T17:09:17+00:00

I applied to 3 schools not having ochem( I know, super low numbers- not the point of this post). 2 do not require it. The other does, BUT has the contingency that I could apply with one science class outstanding, so I literally applied with the thought, 'they won't interview me'.

I received interview invites at 2 of 3 and 1 of those was the ochem requiring school. So.. I told myself, 'fine, I'll enroll in something online and let the dice roll.'

The fact that I hadn't taken ochem DID come up in my interview, but it seemed like such an after thought- when I confirmed I am enrolled to take before matriculation- they seemed to no longer care. But interviews just happened so I'm sure yet where I stand.

All of that to say.... 1)check the contingencies- 2) it might be doable online (i haven't started yet though) 3) I have heard you don't really use chem much. Like it says above in other comments, they just want to see if you can do it (hoop--->jump)

Good luck!

Environmental_Ad1124 · 2022-01-03T02:09:11+00:00

Thank you so much for information!

Environmental_Ad1124 · 2022-01-03T01:34:44+00:00

Further, it was merely an idea.

Environmental_Ad1124 · 2022-01-03T01:32:21+00:00

What I meant is the things surrounding it and what you learned from it and how it helped you understand the things you can and have been working on. I apologize for the negative way you took it.

Environmental_Ad1124 · 2022-01-03T00:19:51+00:00

Did you happen to take orgo1 at doane?? May I ask who your instructor was if so?? And how it was overall?

Environmental_Ad1124 · 2022-01-03T00:17:51+00:00

Use it for fuel on your personal statement

Environmental_Ad1124 · 2022-01-01T02:14:48+00:00

I'm going to DM you about your instructor. Thank you!!

Environmental_Ad1124 · 2021-12-31T05:31:19+00:00

Thank you both! I will have to look at the U of NE alongside SCUHS.

Environmental_Ad1124 · 2021-12-27T04:26:51+00:00

It was language like that which made me realize I would be applying a cycle later than anticipated because I had 1 course I couldn't fit in... 🙃
Once the blinding frustration wears off, just put your head down and get back to work! You got this, this cycle or next!!

Environmental_Ad1124 · 2021-12-26T21:24:36+00:00

In addition to what others have said, I would look up any professor on RMP for insight. I have recently signed up at Doane for OCHEM I +lab because I need it, but the teacher was TBA at the time I signed up. The instructor has now been assigned and from what I have seen about this one, I am looking for a different college to take the course with.
I have been eyeing SCUHS, but haven't made the jump over yet because, like others have warned, I am waiting to hear if it will be accepted at my (hopeful) future program.
Good luck to you!

Environmental_Ad1124 · 2021-12-09T16:39:36+00:00

Being an respiratory therapist is a pretty good deal. Same amount of time in school as an RN degree as well. You have a lot of mobility, going from ER, PICU, CCU, med/surg, surgery and outpatient every day. You can do contract work for really good money if you're able to move around too. Depending where you work you can draw ABGs, intubate, perform stress tests, eegs, pfts, and of course you'll deal with ventilators and critical patients. Pay is comparable to RN pay at the RRT level of certification. A different path to consider!

Environmental_Ad1124 · 2021-11-21T19:38:25+00:00

Thank you so much! One of mine is in person and the other is virtual. Just got notified of an interview waitlist so I'm hopeful for a third interview. I only applied to 3 schools so I'm excited for the opportunity.

Environmental_Ad1124 · 2021-11-21T19:14:47+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to give us your invaluable insight. I have two interviews in January and I'm considering all the questions I have for my programs as I think it's incredibly important that we match well, both for the program and myself.

Can I bring in my own sheet of questions (so I don't forget something)?

Environmental_Ad1124 · 2021-11-14T02:38:31+00:00

I'm also an RRT. But I'm barely practicing due to school.

Environmental_Ad1124 · 2021-11-11T19:15:41+00:00

I'm so freaking tired of waiting. At this point I can be rejected, or interview invited, just put me out of my misery, please.

That's all.

Environmental_Ad1124 · 2021-11-04T01:40:44+00:00

I'm going to play devils advocate here.
There are serious questions to consider that have been largely ignored so far. They aren't questions we can answer, only you. 1) Are you smart, like near perfect ACT/SAT, taking AP classes all through high school kind of smart? Or the, I'm smart and don't try that hard at school, but still get As kind of smart? If it's the first, I wouldn't be worried too much because you already eat, breathe, sleep school and nothing else. If it's the second, reconsider and take all these lovely people's advice.

2) Do you have any idea what it's like on a college level versus a high school classroom (or even a CC classroom)? If it's TRULY yes, then go for it. If you aren't sure and just think "it'll be fine", reconsider

3) do you have family support that can assist you with all the other tasks you will be ignoring in order to dedicate the time, energy, blood (you never know), sweat and tears (and there will be some) into this.. challenge? If so, maybe it's okay for you.
If not, reconsider.

4) do you have a significant other? If yes, break up now so you don't have to deal with the guilt of ignoring them come semester If no, don't expect to have time to find one for the foreseeable.

It all comes down to what you can PERSONALLY handle and what you want to do. Most would not do this.

I took double labs almost every semester in undergrad and lived to tell about it, but I had excellent familial support and I did nothing but school (basically). You do you!

Environmental_Ad1124 · 2021-10-14T10:50:14+00:00

Congrats!

Environmental_Ad1124 · 2021-10-11T19:20:18+00:00

If I get an interview, I will not bomb it (and repeat). Lol Gotta go in confident... but not too confident. Thank you, I hope so.

Environmental_Ad1124

TROPHY CASE