A Must Have - Thinking Ahead

[panoramaelegant]

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I am so lucky to have an opportunity to attend a good med school (i got good acceptances). I had a bit of a difficult time in undergrad (for multiple reasons) and i need your help thinking ahead of how I should prepare for medical schools and what things should i buy/have before starting, etc?

For example, are there good board books that I should have since day 1 or any anatomy material to review beforehand?

thank you for your advice .... I'm sure many of you hoped you knew about this beforehand and I appreciate your thoughts

 

[idq1i]

I am so lucky to have an opportunity to attend a good med school (i got good acceptances).

Are there "bad acceptances" too?

The answer to all your questions is....... RELAX. There is no need to do anything right now. You will have plenty of time to spend $$$ on books. You DO NOT need "board review books" on day 1 - you can't review what you don't yet know.

 

[orientedtoself]

First of all, do not try to learn anatomy before med school. You need your anatomy lab to understand the relationships. You just can't get that from a book. I would recommend not studying at all. But if you must study, read Wheater's atlas of histology and Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease. You can pretty much read those on your own.

 

[aparecida]

Get First Aid for the USMLE Step 1, but DO NOT read it now. Use it when you get in to class so you'll have a better idea of what you should try to retain after the exam when your brain is in "flush mode."

Don't try to learn anatomy, but it's a good idea IMO to familiarize yourself with the basic directional terms -- proximal/distal, superficial/deep, superior/inferior, rostral/caudal -- as well as the terms of motion (abduct/adduct, flex/extend) and the planes of section (sagittal, coronal, transverse). Also some basic anatomical terminology like "condyle" which the professors assume you magically know already. I wish I had, it would've kept my head above water. I'd recommend getting Clinical Anatomy Made Ridiculously Simple and skim through it a bit.

Other than that, relax, you'll learn what you need when you get here.

 

[ZAZA67401]

Go to the beach or europe or something...relax...you will be just fine. Seriously go to the beach, drink it up this summer or start now...its worth it

 

[panoramaelegant]

Get First Aid for the USMLE Step 1, but DO NOT read it now. Use it when you get in to class so you'll have a better idea of what you should try to retain after the exam when your brain is in "flush mode."

Don't try to learn anatomy, but it's a good idea IMO to familiarize yourself with the basic directional terms -- proximal/distal, superficial/deep, superior/inferior, rostral/caudal -- as well as the terms of motion (abduct/adduct, flex/extend) and the planes of section (sagittal, coronal, transverse). Also some basic anatomical terminology like "condyle" which the professors assume you magically know already. I wish I had, it would've kept my head above water. I'd recommend getting Clinical Anatomy Made Ridiculously Simple and skim through it a bit.

Other than that, relax, you'll learn what you need when you get here.

Thank you!!!!!!

I never took anatomy. Do you think Netter's flashcards are the best or a coloring book?

 

[Soleil9]

Thank you!!!!!!

I never took anatomy. Do you think Netter's flashcards are the best or a coloring book?

The coloring book will take too long (I have the phys coloring book and I never finished coloring it.) Alot of people like the flash cards 'cause they could through the relevant cards in their purse/bag and study them anywhere. I bought them, but never got into using them.

I'd take this time before school starts to get used to your new suroundings. If you are moving to a new area, take the time to find places that might be good for studying (quiet coffee shops, etc.). Find yummy restaurants. When school starts, you probably won't have time to explore.

Good luck!

 

[Law2Doc]

Thank you!!!!!!

I never took anatomy. Do you think Netter's flashcards are the best or a coloring book?

The flash cards were quite helpful, but no point looking at them until you start anatomy. Then when you are covering a particular part of the body, just pull out that stack of flashcards (they are color coded) and use as a handy quick review. Good for places where you don't want to lug books (barber/beauty shop, bus, bathroom, ballgame -- i.e all the "b" places).

 

[fun8stuff]

A Must Have - Thinking Ahead

cases and cases of booze, dirty magazines, & caffeine pills.

 

[Law2Doc]

cases and cases of booze, dirty magazines, & caffeine pills.

I was assuming the OP would already still have these from college. Could be a late bloomer, though.

 

[ddmo]

I saw someone pull out those damn cards at a ballgame once, they should have been smacked.

 

[Law2Doc]

I saw someone pull out those damn cards at a ballgame once, they should have been smacked.

That may have been me. My bad. 😕

 

[PurpleHaze]

I saw someone pull out those damn cards at a ballgame once, they should have been smacked.

HA HA HA HA HA HA. Can't blame them though, esp. if the game was boring.

 

[panoramaelegant]

cases and cases of booze, dirty magazines, & caffeine pills.

The freaking wine bottles I saved the past 5 years have gone bad!!!! No one told me to put them on their side

 

[fun8stuff]

The freaking wine bottles I saved the past 5 years have gone bad!!!! No one told me to put them on their side

never let the corks go dry! i learned this not that long ago too...

 

[deuist]

If you really want to do something between now and when school starts, learn how to talk to patients. I have plenty of classmates who, despite their social skills outside of the classroom, cannot ask a patient how he's feeling.