What did you do to "kick it up a notch?" Please give details of how you studied. Thanks!
For me (I was a non-science, psychology major), the major difference between first and second year was that test questions now required more analytical thinking and less memorize and regurgitate (which I am not the best at).
I know for some of the science majors in my class, they had been used to memorizing and regurgitating throughout their undergraduate years. They were the ones who had to adjust more to second year. For me, I was happy that I was finally being able to think about actual medicine versus abstract science concepts.
Anyhow, that is what motivated me to actually study alot more during second year, because I was excited about what I was learning!
Specifically, I would read Daddy Robbins once through just to get an general outline in my mind of what were studying. Then I would read Baby Robbins once through to figure out the important topics in the midst of all the minutiae that Daddy Robbins through at me. Finally in class, I would take the chapter notes (these were handed down from previous second year class) and add in whatever the lecturing pathologist thought was important (as these were likely to be test questions!).
Anyhow I hope this helps. Pathology is one of my strongest subjects as I prepare for my USMLE on Thursday and COMLEX the following Monday, and I attribute my success to preparation throughout second year (my worst subjects are the ones from first year that I wasn't as diligent in studying!!!).
