academic improvement during 2nd year

[prayerfulMD_MPH2009]

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Hey Guys,

Just wondering if anyone can comment on the topic of improvement during 2nd year of med school. I really had a rough time during first year in addition to some serious roommate issues. I managed to pass all my classes but some grades were really borderline. I am trying to improve this year and so far I think I am heading in the right direction but everyonce in a while I doubt myself. I am not a gunner or anything, I just get a bit antsy sometimes, to know that this exam might just be the one to mess me up.

any advice, encouraging stories. Thanks

 

[YouDontKnowJack]

there's nothing you can really do except memorize memorize memorize........ and then try to find better ways to memorize. This is the year when your memory counts.... a lot.

 

[Diceman M.D.]

I also had a pretty rough time first year, grades were low-average, and combined with a pretty smart class who consistently scores 90+ percent on tests, pretty lowly ranked. Now I'm in second year and I'm scoring consistently in the top quartile of the class, and having the best time ever. I think I didn't do as well as I'd hoped to first year because 1) it was a large transition from college and especially from my major, in which I was evaluated by long-term projects, essay-tests, etc. instead of multiple choice 2) The material in first year of a traditional-curriculum med school is basically advanced basic science taught mainly by PhD's (who are very competent in their material, but their main responsibility is to train graduate students to be researchers, so their test preparation and concept reinforcement wasn't that great) 3) I frigging hated the fact that I was basically taking a 5th year of college and couldn't wait to get to clinically relevant stuff.

Second year is the greatest year _ever_ (well, until 3rd). You learn so much cool **** that's not only interesting, it's extremely relevant. I also feel like I'm gaining actual physical skills that will be relevant to practice (ie how to do a physical, how to draw blood, how to prescribe, etc.), so that's also making me happy. The basic science in first year is important in terms of broad concepts and principles that you apply in 2nd year, but I hated being tested on their minute details.

The more you like what you're learning, the better your grades, simple as that.

 

[prayerfulMD_MPH2009]

thank you both for the advice

 

[erin682]

I am doing SO much better 2nd year than I did first. I had a hard time first year adjusting to a new way of studying plus I hated the material. I was sick everytime I walked into anatomy lab and biochem as its taught in med school was awful. I think though all my struggling 1st year has made this year seem so much better. Its still a lot of memorization but the material is much more interesting and clinically relevant. Good luck!

 

[katrinadams9]

So far I'm doing better in 2nd year than I did in 1st year. I think I've just got a much better routine and study plan than I did last year. Also, seeing my class ranking after 1st year has really given me the swift kick in the ass I needed.

 

[Hurricane]

I did much better second year than first year. A lot of it was finding study methods that worked best for me.

For example, at our school most of the printed lecture notes have a list of objectives, which I usually ignored. I started making index cards for each objective, and then flipping through those, instead of rereading the notes multiple times. Conversely, I found that notecards didn't work for me in pharm, so I made tables, or used tables that other students had made and emailed out.

Other students swear by copious highlighting or lecture outlines. The trick is to find what works for you, not what works for your friends. If what you're doing isn't working, try something else. Good luck!

 

[Sweet Tea]

I did so much better second year than I did first year, and I'm doing better in third year than I did in second. I had a lot of personal and family issues to deal with first year that completely knocked me to the ground, and by the time that part of my life cleared up my grades were on the rocks and my confidence was at an all-time low. Second year was not only much more interesting, but I was able to calm down and was finally comfortable in my learning style and was able to find the right mix of going to class and skipping that worked for me. Second year was much, much better.

 

[thepoopologist]

Oh yes, I bumped it. Any second years want to chime in for the poopmasta?

 

[go lakers]

I did much better 2nd year as well. For me, it was because of how much more interesting the material became (path, micro) versus the first year stuff (biochem, immuno). So if you're a geek at heart and work your tail off, you can make strides.

 

[kuchitachi]

Unfortunately, I'm in the same position as well. My second semester marks of this first year really stink. I mean, it's really bad, I think this semester's average for me is going to be less than 60%.

I feel like I don't have any motivation for any of the courses I'm taking. I'm not even lazy at this point, I just don't want to touch any of the material anymore.

For those that jumped from a low average to good averages by second year, did you find the problem to be lack of good time management or was it because you just didn't have the "drive" for your studies?

Input would be much appreciated. The comments above seem like it was because of improved study habits. So they had, "drive?"

 

[thepoopologist]

Unfortunately, I'm in the same position as well. My second semester marks of this first year really stink. I mean, it's really bad, I think this semester's average for me is going to be less than 60%.

I feel like I don't have any motivation for any of the courses I'm taking. I'm not even lazy at this point, I just don't want to touch any of the material anymore.

For those that jumped from a low average to good averages by second year, did you find the problem to be lack of good time management or was it because you just didn't have the "drive" for your studies?

Input would be much appreciated. The comments above seem like it was because of improved study habits. So they had, "drive?"

Remediating?