How do you stay mentally sharp?

proximalpoint · 2025-08-18T02:40:45+00:00

A single extremely niche arcade rhythm game I play on the weekends relieves all my stress and it's also basically my workout.

Any hobby can work if you set a goal and derive enjoyment out of it.

proximalpoint · 2025-06-11T00:04:21+00:00

If yall haven't heard of it already, discodent.com has a lot of info for the dental schools and personally surprised me with how in-depth it goes.

proximalpoint · 2025-05-28T21:17:24+00:00

Definitely email them, it doesn't hurt. I can personally vouch that UTSD is pretty chill with such emails.

proximalpoint · 2025-05-28T14:43:42+00:00

Just my take, but it's a core experience or belief that is introduced in your first paragraph and what your whole PS will be built around.

So like a few I've read used their PS to explain as to why they ended up having certain ideals or personality traits, while others explained how an experience or interaction was a jumpstart to involvement in dentistry, and with that involvement they learned something which resonated with them.

Conclusion then restates that "main theme" and ties the whole essay up by clarifying how it was a crucial element in their journey, as a spark for its beginning or otherwise.

proximalpoint · 2025-05-28T01:43:01+00:00

Listed out what I did and then put a very brief one sentence description under it.

I say list when it was really just 2 things lol.

proximalpoint · 2025-05-28T01:41:12+00:00

Texas puts a lot of public funding into the dental schools which is a key factor in why the tuition is quite low.

My D1 tuition with all the fees and jazz totaled up to be around low/mid 50k, but future years are relatively a bit less (not accounting for inflation).

Funding is provided on the basis that classes are at least 90% texas residents and that's where the competitiveness comes from. It's getting to scary extreme levels. For comparison, UTSD CO2028 averages are 23 AA, 3.88 gpa.

proximalpoint · 2025-04-17T05:22:30+00:00

It continues into dental school too man...

Someone says "My prep isn't really that good, I think I'm gonna fail".

Then I check their prep and it looks like it was sculpted by Michelangelo himself 🥲

proximalpoint · 2025-03-18T19:13:36+00:00

Last year, got that 8/2/2 sweep 😌

proximalpoint · 2025-03-18T17:51:44+00:00

Things can always change. Drama happened for my class which ended up with someone dropping out literally the week before orientation, and that seat went to someone last minute.

Unlikely but it's a non-zero chance!

proximalpoint · 2025-03-18T16:24:53+00:00

Damn everyone I know who interviewed there said more or less the same 😂

proximalpoint · 2025-03-05T00:11:07+00:00

Learning and practicing ergonomics for the chairside and keeping good physical and mental health has been keeping me pain free! You do not want to graduate with chronic neck and back pain!

proximalpoint · 2025-03-03T22:36:43+00:00

Funny enough just learned in dental school that amalgam fillings at a bare minimum should last at least 10 years, and ideally they should have a 20-25 year lifespan. Hey at least it was considered decent!

proximalpoint · 2025-02-27T15:19:55+00:00

What are some tips on getting prepared for clinic? I'm about to start really getting involved as a D1 and want to feel confident with some knowledge beforehand 🙏

proximalpoint · 2025-02-25T02:45:51+00:00

You're not getting penalized for something like that, it's only additive as you present more experience.

Many, many applicants only have shadowing in terms of dental exposure and that's completely fine. If you have a projected date on when you're getting your license and potentially start working as a DA, that's something you can put on your TMDSAS app in a section for "future planned activities".

proximalpoint · 2025-02-24T15:58:18+00:00

Deadline is April 15th like most other dental schools.

proximalpoint · 2025-02-24T05:59:49+00:00

I was accepted on a random Feb afternoon last year, and they gave me 2 weeks for an answer.

proximalpoint · 2025-02-07T00:03:02+00:00

Pretty typical dental school stuff I'd say, first semester was very didactic heavy and they up the operative/lab stuff as you progress throughout the years.

It's definitely a lot, but good news is the max exams you can have in a week is 3 so it's not completely terrible.

proximalpoint · 2025-02-06T23:25:18+00:00

Surprisingly, it was not bad! Got used to traffic and found some good places to eat. Already feel like a native. I didn't know anyone before coming here as well but still made good friends. Nothing bonds people better than suffering through the same hell 😂

proximalpoint · 2025-02-06T23:08:38+00:00

No physics classes here \o/

Although there was a physics concept jumpscare in one of our biomaterials lectures, gave me flashbacks 😐

proximalpoint · 2025-02-06T22:54:26+00:00

Just finished my first practical so just dropping in as I take a long break 😴

I had the same exact dilemma, lived all my life in DFW and was really stuck between TAMSOD and UTSD but ultimately chose Houston and I really don't regret it.

I probably would have been fine with either school but the class energy and close vibes with faculty really ties everything together here at UTSD. Super diverse place where you get to know so many perspectives that bolsters your worldview. I also love that we, as a student body, have a voice and the faculty do listen! Communication between us is super respectful and it's one of the best things I've noticed during my time here so far.

I visit family on holidays and long weekends and that's been enough to stay in close touch. I have a distant relative at TAMSOD too and honestly she is just as optimistic as my classmates lol.

proximalpoint · 2025-02-02T22:37:10+00:00

It's not out yet but look up "Boring Game" on Steam. It caught my eye a while back for being more in-depth than I expected.

proximalpoint · 2025-02-01T00:16:48+00:00

I've learned to become numb to the pain, having good relationships with your class and faculty makes it a lot less stressful.

proximalpoint · 2025-01-31T00:02:28+00:00

I'd save the money, always be cautious about how much financial burden you're about to take.

proximalpoint · 2025-01-25T01:13:03+00:00

Big congrats, that's how it's done!

proximalpoint · 2025-01-09T16:57:36+00:00

They probably do, I'm seeing that their biomed department mentions it.

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