Week 1: Berkeley Review

"All men by nature desire knowledge," - Aristotle

I have completed Chapter 1 for Organic Chemistry, Chemistry, and I'm almost done with Physics. Using SN2ed's schedule, I have read chapter 1 of Examkrackers Biology. Reading Berkeley Review, I've found that they brought a lot of concepts together that overlap within the subjects. The first chapter of Organic Chemistry had a lot to do with Acids and Bases and bonding. Chapter 1 in Chemistry delved on Molarity and mass equations. Each chapter took me about 3-4 hours to complete, since I was also taking notes on loose-leaf. At first, I just glossed over the chapter and went straight to the questions, I realized it was a mistake, it's important to just read everything because they bring up information you might not know about. For instance, in the Chemistry book, the first chapter discussed an experiment I actually did not know a lot about. It ended up being in one of the passages I read- I had no idea what was going on when I skipped the chapter. When I went back to read the chapter, I was finally able to answer the questions.

After each chapter I did a few passages. They include about 10 passages that can be completed in about 100 minutes. These passages are very helpful, and you would be missing out if you didn't do them, it's great practice. I also find myself doing the examples within the chapter to make sure I'm understanding the context. I did about 3-4 passages per chapter. I took breaks when I was over-straining myself. I think  it's helpful if you take 15-30 minute breaks after an hour or so to keep your mind focused. Also, after reading Examkrackers Biology, I found their material to jump around a lot.

I'm a bit behind schedule, since I should have completed all the chapters by now, but I feel like I finally crossed that boundary of telling myself, "yeah I'll get to it." The hardest thing for me is to just open up a book and read the first page, once I read it, I can just keep going. Lastly, my Princeton Review books came, they are so heavy! But I am just going to look over the Science Review and the Verbal workbook. I've done my research and people swear by the verbal workbook, so I will be doing some practice on that. Another important thing to do is to make a schedule, if you know what you're going to do everyday, you'll feel less overwhelmed with the work. I know I'm behind schedule, so I will catch up, this is great motivation for me to get my work done. I also posted a "45" on my wall- I know it's weird. But every time I look at my wall, I'm constantly reminded that I need to study. I'm a huge fan of subconscious thought, I do believe we're affected by what we read and see everyday, even if we don't notice it.

The SAT and College

"Time does not change us. It just unfolds us," Max Frisch

I just wanted to post about my background and what I went through with the SATs. When I took the SATs, I took a free course in my school to prepare, which helped very minimally.When I was younger, I always regretted not going to a Princeton Review or a Kaplan course to prepare, but I couldn't afford these courses. After taking a prep course for the MCAT, I realized that it wasn't necessary for me to do well. What is necessary to do well is my motivation.

I think the SATs are unfair for people who learned English as a second language, because 2/3 sections are writing and verbal. I wish I had known more about the ACT and would probably have taken that instead, since it has a science section and is more well-rounded. If you are reading this post and you are in high school, my tip is to try to be as well-rounded as possible. Try to do your best on the SAT, but if you are weakest in standardized test-taking (personally I am terrible at it myself), I would focus on extracurricular activities and my GPA.

I did above average on my SAT, but it wasn't fantastic or anything. I'm sure I could have done better if I buckled down and studied for it. Your bachelors are important, but people will also focus on what you get your last degree on, so if you're planning on getting your masters or PhD, this will be the most important education you get.

I wish I had less loans to pay, because a school with less loans and a bachelors is preferable to me than a school with a lot of loans but a great name. If you are going to keep going with your education, you don't want those loans to keep piling up. Also, be on the lookout for some 4 year scholarship programs- my friend got into a HEOP program (look it up on google!) and it pays your entire education, gives you work study, and has a lower SAT requirement based on the school you apply to. I wish I had applied through this program, but I didn't think I would go away for school. It's a 4 year program and it's geared for low economic students, so keep on the lookout for that.

Anyway, I graduated form a decently named school and fewer loans than my other friends. I'm paying loans now, but they're not terrible. Also, the SATs are not the end of the world. As long as you get into a college, it'll be fine. Some people go to community college, save  a LOT of money, and keep up their grades to finish their bachelors in another school. This is a great option if you are looking to save money.

I actually prefer to study for the MCAT than the SAT, call me crazy, but I'm more of a science person.