This troubles me:

Today's biochem lecturer said that her notes were somewhat dense and had a lot of information, but that we should remember that it's a pass/fail course so not to worry.

I hate that there's an emphasis on passing and not excelling. Don't we want to make great doctors here?

And by the way, the seats in the lecture hall are the most uncomfortable I have ever encountered. 

That's a state school for you. You get what you pay for I guess :/