How Fasting Can Enhance Your MCAT Preparation A Strategic Guide
Fasting While Studying
The time has come once again where millions of Muslims around the world celebrate Ramadan. Ramadan is a month-long where Muslims all around the world from sunrise to sunset. It is meant for self-reflection, patience, and the understanding of those in need. These are some attributes which are included also on the path to medicine. But first, we must get over many obstacles ahead and the biggest obstacle being the MCAT. Studying while fasting can be a great benefit, not only does it give one the ability to stay focused but it also provides fewer distractions. Here are a few tips that I have found from this past week on how to study while fasting. First, find a sleeping schedule that works for you. The days are long, and it can be exhausting to wake up early and fast the whole day while studying. Although many people don’t mind this, I personally have found that staying up until 5 am and sleeping until 12pm to be best suited for me. While staying up,I would have small balanced meals which help me stay focused throughout the night. Another tip is to try not to overeat. I know it can be tempting with family gatherings and different types of food. Do not fall for temptation! Overeating will cause you to feel extremely fatigue, which affects your studying and sleeping patterns. Eat less processed foods and sugar. I personally like to break my fast with dates, then eat lentil vegetable soup, and eat oatmeal before starting to fast gain. Throughout the night, I include small snacks and fruit smoothies. Other than eating well-balanced meals, be sure to stay hydrated, the days are long and you don’t want to feel dehydration the next day. Even though fasting all day can be tiring, be sure to keep your body in shape in order for your mind to stay focused. I have found that doing 30 minutes Pilates in the afternoon and going for a run after breaking my fast not only gives me the ability to stay focused throughout the day but helps me stay motivated. Ramadan has given me the patience to understand that with hard work and dedication we will hopefully do reach our goals. Happy Studying and Ramadan Mubarak!
A Quick Insight into DNA Replication and Repair Process
w cells and offspring through. Precisely, all humans inherit similar characteristics from their parents through DNA replication process. Typically, the primary objective of this replication process is to get a matching copy of the original DNA.
If there is any problem or error in the process, it will lead to mutations. Even though the mutations are extremely disastrous to human cells, some mutations will only not bring any danger to the body. In fact, some of these mutations will play a significant role in diversifying cell offspring. Also, DNA replication process is vital for the growth of cells and reproduction system of the body.
In contrast to DNA replication process, DNA repair is a pool of processes to identify and correct the damage to the DNA molecules within an encoded genome. The human bodies are subjected to DNA damage from normal metabolic activities and environmental factors like UV light and radiation. Because of this danger, around one million individual molecules face abrasions per cell per day.
DNA repair process heavily relies on several factors including the age of the cell, the cell type, and the extracellular environment. If a human cell accumulates some DNA damages, it will face three possible situations –
- A state of dormancy, which is irreversible (termed as senescence)
- Cell suicide, commonly known as programmed cell death or apoptosis
- Unregulated cell division, which will lead to a cancerous tumor
The ability to repair DNA damage is essential for the integrity of its genome. Therefore, this ability is severely important to the normal functionality of the organism. To conclude, human life span is greatly influenced by DNA damage repair and protection system.
Best MCAT Tutors
There are SO many MCAT companies all claiming the same thing: A boost in your score. But, only one will be the best fit for you. Remember, an MCAT company offering tutors is only as good as their tutors. With high demand, some companies might have to hire tutors that only took the old MCAT or those that do not have the skill to teach. Even if a tutor scored in the 99th percentile, they can not show you how unless they know how to teach. Even then, teaching styles vary. Luckily, most companies are flexible with switching tutors for you. Our company also offers tutoring but we make sure students review other companies before coming to us. Not all students decide to hire an MCAT tutor, but those who do should have a detailed explanation of the services available. Here, we have published the main MCAT companies, what they offer, and their pricing.
What Is The MCAT?
Okay, but what is it really? Well for an average premed, it is the second most important exam of your life (first is you end up not doing well, second if you go to med school and preparing for USMLE. You will spend about 7.5 hours sitting and 6.25 hours thinking super hard. The score you get is determined by percentiles (find here) and allows medical schools (and some other schools) to compare you with other students regardless of any other factor. It is like your golden ticket to the Willy Wonka factory. You can use it to open the gates, but that doesn't always let you stay. In order to impress Willy Wonka (ie your dream med school) you need to get a 507+ or 85th percentile. IE you need to be in the best 15% of test takers (~10,000 a year).
WHAT TO DO THE DAY BEFORE THE MCAT
YOU ARE SMART, YOU DESERVE A GOOD MCAT SCORE, YOU WILL DO YOUR BEST TOMORROW. THIS IS JUST A TEST AND WHATEVER HAPPENS IS OKAY BECAUSE YOU STUDIED AS BEST AS YOU COULD.
TRUTH: YOU WILL GET TO HELP PATIENTS NO MATTER WHAT THIS TEST DECIDES
-Axilogy MCAT Tutor
Are My Practice MCAT Test Scores Good Enough?
Axilogy supports premedical students through informative MCAT prep blogs. Preparing for the MCAT is a battle on it's own! We hope our MCAT tips and prep will help you reach 515 (95th percentile) or higher on the MCAT! Our MCAT tutoring services provide students the ability to sit down and study without having to worry about what to study for the mcat, what materials to buy for the mcat, what practice tests to use for the mcat, or any of the other mcat-related content!