More MCAT Stuff

I was perusing through the 30+ MCAT Study Habits thread looking for some study tips/advice/anything I could find to help, and came across this post that was just what I was looking for.
 I liked this post for many reasons:
- This person’s score wasn't something ridiculously high, it was something realistically obtainable – for me.  Most of the posters have a high scores, 35+ - that’s why it’s called “30+”, but I know it is not possible for me to score that high.  I don’t have that kind of time to put towards studying.
- I think the strategy is a good one for me.  “ … a mistake I made the first time around, I focused way too much on studying content than doing practice problems.”  I think I made this same mistake.  I spent all my time reading and trying to understand the concepts, but not “practicing”. It’s kind of like I was reading a book on how to swim, but not getting in the water…so I drowned.
- I really like the idea of using the Tip Books.  I think I am going to use them along with note cards.  I’ll put the concepts I am having trouble with on the cards so I know what I need to read up on, and then the Tip Books for review.
- I also like the idea of waking up and doing a full-length verbal in the morning, followed by physical/biological review.  I just have to figure out a way to fit it in since I work 8-5.
I’m going to give these ideas a try and see where it gets me.   

Snow days

I'm sure that everyone knows about the bad weather we had the past week, considering the almost the whole country was affected. We didn't get much snow, but we got some really low temps (at least for this area).  My sister said they were down to -58F! I'll take our -20F any day!    Well, because of the weather they closed the office for a couple of days and this is what I did to keep myself preoccupied (and to avoid studying for the MCAT).  I crocheted.  and crocheted. and crocheted.  I made a few more flowers for the afghan I'm working on -  I think I only have three left to make, plus the border then I'm done!.  I also made a hat, a cat toy and two wine bottle carriers.  I had some left over yarn and I saw these patterns and just had to try them out.  They were quick and real easy.  (I found the patterns on the Lion Brand website.)  I also found so many cute afghan patterns that I would love to try out.  I think when I'm done with the two I am working on I will make one from all the left over yarn I have.  It should be pretty colorful.  :o)

Physics...

Will be the death of me yet again.  Last night was night one of my MCAT studies part deux.  The first book to read is physics and of course this happens to be my worst subject.  I read the first chapter and tried to get through the questions, but it was already 10 pm and I was tired.  I also picked the wrong answer to the first two questions, and I decided that I better quit while I was ahead.  My biggest problem is remembering the equations and figuring out which equation to use for each problem.  Math is really not my best subject so I am really slow to figure it all out - and it sucks.  Big time.  I have heard a few people talk about the Khan Academy and WikiPremed MCAT Course websites, so I might give them a try. I'm not going to devote too much time to physics, but I figure a little extra won't hurt.  I know I am not alone in this battle with physics, and if anyone has any great tips/pointers/websites, feel free to pass along.  :o)

Try number 2

Well, I don't think I'm getting an interview invite for this round, which I'm ok with.  I knew it was a long shot and it was a good experience for the next round.  I am going to start studying for the MCAT again next week (booo!)  and I will be using a schedule and materials I found here, posted by a smart dude.  I'm going to miss my freedom, as it has been a wonderful month and a half of doing whatever I wanted when I got home.  No deadlines, no tests, no stress.   Sorry honey, but the neurotic, stressed out, no time for anything wife will be back for a few months.

My current plan will be to come home, work out, eat then study.  I am hoping to have around 2-3 hours of studying during the week, and a little more on the weekends.  I'm not sure how that will work, but I may have to tweak it a bit once I get going.  I also have Examkrackers Audio Osmosis and will be utilizing that on my drive to and from work, which will give me another two hours of MCAT information.  I just hope I can stay awake on the drive!  ha ha ha 
I bought full length exams here through AMCAS last year and will have to buy them again when they expire, plus I want to buy the few that I didn't last time.  They were really helpful because they are actual retired MCAT exams, so you get a good feel for the test, and the score you get is going to be pretty close to the score you get on the real thing - unless you have a total panic attack or horrible test day. The scores I was getting on the practice exams were in the same range as the score I got on the real thing, so for me it was real accurate.  The strategy is to use these exams the month or so before the real exam.  If you feel the need to use practice exams before this, use other exams, such as Kaplan, Berkley Review or Gold Standard  for early practice, and then start using the AMCAS tests about a month out from the test date.   I've heard a lot of people use this method and they say it helped them out quite a bit.  I just really hope I can get the score I want this next go around so I don't have to do it AGAIN.  I will keep you posted.  :o)

Blogging

Yes, I know this is supposed to be a journey to med school and beyond blog, but right now I am patiently waiting for my interview invite and don't want to say much about it right now. I knew going into this thing that I was a long shot with my lower MCAT score, but I still wanted to give it a shot. I'm still holding out hope that I get an interview, but at the same time I'm afraid to say that I have to start studying for the MCAT again next month for fear that I'll jinx myself. If anyone reading this has ever studied for and taken the MCAT, then you know just how much I really don't want to study for this thing! It is a three to four month process and really requires the time and attention of a part time job. I was really starting to enjoy not having to study for a few months. But alas my free time has been cut short. Here to hoping I get my interview soon!

More crocheting

Here is a cool scarf I'm making for a friend of ours. Its a guy that helps Brad deliver loads once in awhile. His truck is black and lime green and the inspiration for the scarf. I am trying out a new stitch I learned, the afghan stitch. I am loving it! I was also playing around with some stitches that are for crocheting but look like they were knitted, but I liked the way this one looked better. I really like how the front and back have two different patterns and the way the yarn blends together. I have a feeling I will be trying the others out on something else soon though. :o).

Second Scarf

Here are a couple of pics of the other scarf I made. It's so soft and warm! I've thought about making a lapghan to bring into work because it can get a little chilly in my area. I'm still debating that one though, so we'll see.