My favorite classes from D1 year have definitely been the PRDS courses. Simulation lab reminds you why you are in dental school and it is a great way to connect with your peers, both in class and after hours. Although it can be tedious at times, practicing in simulation lab is a great distraction from the long hours spent studying for BMS. Shelter-in-place has made me realize how much I have taken it for granted. Some advice I would give to the incoming D1 class is to make sure your ergonomics are good early on. Build good habits early by taking breaks regularly and having properly adjusted loupes. Make friends with Maria and don't forget to have fun! Don't be afraid to ask D2s and any upperclassmen for help because we all have been through the struggle. Look out for workshops hosted by student organizations such as Hispanic Student Dental Association which gives better clarity on techniques that might be rushed in the curriculum. ​

My favorite class was PCC 129 because it let me experience what it feels like to be an actual dentist caring for a patient and not just a technician honing skills. I learned about local anesthetic techniques, how to conduct a thorough complete oral exam/periodic oral exam (COE/POE), documenting via the electronic health record, diagnosing, treatment planning, how to remove plaque and calculus - along with other foundations of patient care. It was gratifying to be able to understand my classmate - patient's history and goals and then identify and execute a treatment plan that we jointly agree is best to optimize her health and well-being.
​While it may seem obvious that this should be our goal as dentists, living it out for the first time was an unforgettable experience, leaving me energized to begin work in clinic. In order to maximize your time in this class, I recommend taking every opportunity to engage with your faculty. While it is often possible (and tempting) to get everything done quickly and enjoy the Friday afternoon, don't forget that this is your chance to ask questions and learn tips and tricks from your faculty. Lastly, make sure the two teammates you select to be with for the year work well with your learning style - while helping make the journey fun too!

In my opinion, every single quarter of D1 year was rough. There's just so much material and it can get so overwhelming. Add on your personal and social life and it'll feel like you're drowning, but here's how to get through it:
- Live with supportive people you can share your struggles with (shout out  to Ameera, Anna, and Yvonna for always being there for me).
- Realize what is important to your whether that be your well-being, your relationship with your partner, or your passions. Make time for them.
- Make a solid group of friends. Just a few people is all you really need, but find the ones you can both be goofy with as well as study with.
- Join clubs so you can lean into your interests as well as meet new people.
- Upperclassmen will be your best friends. They can serve as a huge resource to your survival so get to know them. 
- Enjoy yourself. If someone asks you if you wanna get boba or cheap wings, even though you have a test coming up, yummy food and good company will always make for some good memories.
- Live one day at a time. Know that everyone survives and you will too. 

​My advice on how to survive D1 year is to be resilient and be super on top of your time management. Most people, if not everyone, fail at something in dental school at some point, but just try not to get discouraged. Get back in the
game and keep going. Also stay on top of your work; don’t fall behind. If you are behind in sim lab, stay after hours to catch up. Go to class so you don’t fall behind in watching lecture captures. Do not wait until the last minute to start studying for exams or practicing for test cases. As long as you keep your work from piling on top of you at the end, you will be fine (this is especially true for your mental health, which is super important). Seek advice from upperclassmen, especially for simulation lab.
They went through everything you are going
through, and along the way, they’ve learned
clever tips and tricks for how to prevent your
provisional restorations from breaking, how to
better visualize the walls of your preparations,
etc. Do not be afraid to ask for help!

​At the beginning of my D1 year, I was always
worried I wasn’t studying enough because I felt
like everyone was rushing to go study for
something. I had to give myself permission to
take breaks and separate from my school work.
Sometimes that’s hard when a majority of my
friends are stressed about the same things. I can
tell you for sure that imposter syndrome is real
and I was confused how or why I got here. Just
took me a little bit to reconnect with the rest of
my life again and get into a rhythm. I think that’s
important, I couldn’t wait to start living when I’d
be less busy. So my advice is take some time for
yourself. Go make friends, do things you enjoy,
and it’s ok to stay in sometimes. Also, don't be
afraid to butcher your plastic teeth. I've ruined
more than I can count.