advice to class of 2010

[PoorMD]

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advice I wish someone had shared with me..... to the class of 2010



10) Smile, and inhale deeply, at orientation this summer. it will be your last opportunity to get out (financial aid proc's the first week of class)

9) dont even bother studying this summer, you will accomplish nothing (on the order of nanometers, where as day 1 will be measured in feet). there is no way you can apply the pressure the faculty will force on you begining day 1

8) worry - your amygdala is right, you are NOT prepared for the first exam

7) go to class if you must, but keep in mind many of your classmates are at home studying while you struggle through another incoherant/daze of 8am lectures (only works if you have notes service/mp3s)

6) study a lot. contrary to your undergrad, you are NOT prepared for these exams

5) try to stay in shape. So many of us fail to live a balanced life, myself included.. however, you can map out the linear function between #trips to the gym and your incremental drop in class rank..

4) Be nice to your gross lab partners!! And share the space around the cadaver. If someone is not sharing the space (or hogging the dissections), ask them politely to refrain

3) If you get your first grade back and it's something like a 64 and the class average was a 86, you should go ahead and withdraw from the class. you are obviously too slow for med school, you belong in business

2) if you get your first grade back and its something like a 98 when the class average was an 83, you should go ahead and withdraw from the class. you belong in hell

1) date the nurses/radiolgy techs/dental hygenists!! they love MD students. seriously. im not kidding.








anyone else care to spread the wealth of advice covered over the year?

 

[UCLAgurl]

3) If you get your first grade back and it's something like a 64 and the class average was a 86, you should go ahead and withdraw from the class. you are obviously too slow for med school, you belong in business

2) if you get your first grade back and its something like a 98 when the class average was an 83, you should go ahead and withdraw from the class. you belong in hell

now I am a little bit worried.

 

[SkylineMD]

very funny but yet true comments/advice

The only one thing I can think of right now is : If you think you don't need to study because most of your classmates say they have yet to crack open a book, think again. Most have been studying since day 1 so don't be surprised when advice #3 occurs (see above)

 

[deleted50541]

1) date the nurses/radiolgy techs/dental hygenists!! they love MD students. seriously. im not kidding.

Solid advice and a fact that is so true. 👍

 

[PoorMD]

Solid advice and a fact that is so true. 👍

the nurses especially, its almost a god-like idealization!! you are a Greek God to them, so naturally you should dress like one (wear a leaf to the nursing parties!!!)

 

[Ambs]

Get USED to feeling overwhelmed. That way it becomes normal and natural and fine.

 

[PoorMD]

Get USED to feeling overwhelmed. That way it becomes normal and natural and fine.

so true

 

[71263]

Bend over now, be prepared to take it up the ass...

...this will be rape like youve never expereinced before

 

[lord_jeebus]

You will probably have some sort of class early on about the physician-patient relationship. You will find the lectures and discussion sessions really boring, yet everyone else will seem really enthusiastic.

They're faking. Everyone will stop acting in a few months.

 

[Ambs]

You will probably have some sort of class early on about the physician-patient relationship. You will find the lectures and discussion sessions really boring, yet everyone else will seem really enthusiastic.

They're faking. Everyone will stop acting in a few months.

Good call.

 

[DrThom]

8) worry - your amygdala is right, you are NOT prepared for the first exam

Amygda-who?

Just kidding, of course.... 😳 😳 😳

 

[behindthadeuce]

wow, i must say that is some of the worst advice i have seen. for all you soon to be 1st years, it would be a mistake to listen to most of what has been said in this post. i dont mean to be a basher, but c'mon guys...1st year in med school is about as easy as it gets.

bottom line, the stuff you learn first year is no more difficult than what you have learned in undergrad. sure, there is a lot more coming at you, but it isnt any harder. if you were someone who needed to study to do well in college, then you will need to study in med school. if you breezed through college and did well, then for the most part you will do the same in med school.

my advice is this: take full advantage of 1st year. obviously you should study before exams, but don't be ridiculous--> go out and party...A LOT. 2nd year is a different animal, so make the most of 1st year. and whatever you do, don't make medicine your life--if you do, then come end of 4th yr you will wonder what happened to the best years (mid 20's) of your life.

 

[8744]

You will probably have some sort of class early on about the physician-patient relationship. You will find the lectures and discussion sessions really boring, yet everyone else will seem really enthusiastic.

They're faking. Everyone will stop acting in a few months.

Bang on.

 

[PoorMD]

go out and party...A LOT. QUOTE]


I will agree with this single point.

but to say MSI was "as easy as it gets?" ... I won't say M2 is any easier, from what I hear it is much harder. But compared to undergrad, MSI will be a big change for anyone... exams that are worth 60% of your grade are easy to just brush off, go to the bar, who cares if you fail it right?

OK incoming MI's, listen to behindthadeuce- 1st year is a joke, no one studies- essentially we had happy hour every night the week before exams and got loaded before the test.. 60% finals are no big deal, you can wing it

 

[Ambs]

I agree that the material is no harder than undergrad. In fact, I would argue that some of it is substantially easier than some of my undergrad classes.

However, the volume of material is what makes it ridiculous. If you're good at memorizing 500 pages of notes, and don't need to study much, then yes, first year is a joke. Otherwise, you've got to study and sacrifice partying every night.

 

[Dunce]

I agree that the material is no harder than undergrad. In fact, I would argue that some of it is substantially easier than some of my undergrad classes.

However, the volume of material is what makes it ridiculous. If you're good at memorizing 500 pages of notes, and don't need to study much, then yes, first year is a joke. Otherwise, you've got to study and sacrifice partying every night.

There is a reason people always talk about that stupid analogy about drinking from a fire hydrant.

volume is the killer

 

[lil pook]

hahaha...this thread is awesome and yes to every single thing poormd said.

medschool is not conceptually hard, it's just the amount of crap you gotta memorize that is truly ridiculous

so for all you guys that are entering, just party your a$$es off like you've never partied before, and relish in this last summer. you will have time in medschool to party, but for some reason it's never the same again....you always have 'studying' hanging over your head. and for some strange reason (at least for me) just sitting around when you actually do get a break feels very...ummm..... ODD (can't find a better word). it's like --you know that feeling you get (when you leave the house )that you're forgetting something? yeah, it's like that. it's like that "isn't there something i'm supposed to be doing"? feeling..ya know what i'm talking about?

so definitely party hard cuz you will never be the same again....aaawww. 😉

 

[Callogician]

Medical school is like dry anal rape: slow, painful, and unlikely to yield nascent life.

 

[chrisjohn]

Medical school is like dry anal rape: slow, painful, and unlikely to yield nascent life.

Please, please lighten up.

Last time a similar anaology cropped up I was in the Kuwati desert. You're making me have PTSD.

Medical school generally only blows for those with unrealistic expectations.

 

[beefballs]

I think his cynicism is a joke

 

[beefballs]

regardless his analogy cracks me up

 

[Medikit]

Medical school is a grind and you're likely going to find yourself more stressed out and overworked than you were in undergrad which takes a toll on your ability to do deal with life. Your classmates around you are going to feel the same way. My advice is to stay patient while all of these things are going on around you. Cut your classmates some slack if they sometimes rude or curt. And cut yourself some slack if you can't do the same things that you used to be able to do.

I also wouldn't say that medical school is slow. Because there's always more than enough to study it feels like it's moving faster than southerner's to a NASCAR event. Sometimes it doesn't feel like you have any time to really ponder anything of value. I'm still shocked that a whole year has nearly passed.

 

[erasable]

1) date the nurses/radiolgy techs/dental hygenists!! they love MD students. seriously. im not kidding.

the nurses especially, its almost a god-like idealization!! you are a Greek God to them, so naturally you should dress like one (wear a leaf to the nursing parties!!!)

While I agree that it is obviously a very good idea to be courteous to the nurses and support staff, I'd like to point out that female MD students may not be as well received by the nurses as you and your colleagues suggest.

 

[Pewl]

I'm entering med school from grad school, and I got my butt kicked the first year of grad school. I had to work SO hard to do well my first year because I'm a bio major from undergrad and my graduate work was in physics. Then I took the physics qualifier to advance to candidacy. I'm officially a medical physicist now =D (I woulda taken the phd qualifier if I wanted to stay for the phd, but i think i wanna leave with the MS and jump over to medicine right now) It was quite daunting learning an entirely new background in grad school. I have a feeling if I could get through my first year in grad school I can work my way through and handle med school. I'm hoping, heh. At least, that's how I'm rationalizing it in my head at the moment.

 

[Ambs]

I have a test on more than 800 pages of notes/syllabus.

I am not motivated and fall asleep reviewing. When I wake up I realize the time was actually better spent sleeping.

That is all I have to say about medical school right now.

 

[riverie]

I have a test on more than 800 pages of notes/syllabus.

I am not motivated and fall asleep reviewing. When I wake up I realize the time was actually better spent sleeping.

That is all I have to say about medical school right now.

haha, hear hear.

 

[behindthadeuce]

you guys are such whiners...maybe u just need to gain a little perspective. during 2nd and 3rd year you will be wishing you were back in 1st year where everything is simple.

and you say you are taking an exam on 800 pages of notes? so what, at least you know what will be on the exam. wait til you start taking shelfs 3rd year, then not only will you be responsible for much more difficult material, but you won't even know what things to study in order to prepare.

i still stick to my original point which is enjoy life 1st yr, cuz thats as good as it gets.

 

[njbmd]

advice I wish someone had shared with me..... to the class of 2010



10) Smile, and inhale deeply, at orientation this summer. it will be your last opportunity to get out (financial aid proc's the first week of class)

9) dont even bother studying this summer, you will accomplish nothing (on the order of nanometers, where as day 1 will be measured in feet). there is no way you can apply the pressure the faculty will force on you begining day 1

8) worry - your amygdala is right, you are NOT prepared for the first exam

7) go to class if you must, but keep in mind many of your classmates are at home studying while you struggle through another incoherant/daze of 8am lectures (only works if you have notes service/mp3s)

6) study a lot. contrary to your undergrad, you are NOT prepared for these exams

5) try to stay in shape. So many of us fail to live a balanced life, myself included.. however, you can map out the linear function between #trips to the gym and your incremental drop in class rank..

4) Be nice to your gross lab partners!! And share the space around the cadaver. If someone is not sharing the space (or hogging the dissections), ask them politely to refrain

3) If you get your first grade back and it's something like a 64 and the class average was a 86, you should go ahead and withdraw from the class. you are obviously too slow for med school, you belong in business

2) if you get your first grade back and its something like a 98 when the class average was an 83, you should go ahead and withdraw from the class. you belong in hell

1) date the nurses/radiolgy techs/dental hygenists!! they love MD students. seriously. im not kidding.








anyone else care to spread the wealth of advice covered over the year?

Hi there,
Make your life as simple as possible. Live close to the medical school and make sure you have a safe and legal place to park. It is really awful to find your car gone or broken into during exam week. Use public transportation whenever possible.

Don't whine or complain. If you have a problem with class, administration, work out several possible solutions and present them with an explanation of your problem.

You cannot learn it all so don't make yourself crazy trying to learn everything. Everyone has some class that drives them nuts so rely on your upperclass advisors to help you navigate through things that might be vexing. Other than that, use the study skills that got you into medical school and adjust up or drop back as you see the need. It's an adjustment for everyone so be patient with yourself.

Find a safe and legal way to let off steam. Swim, brisk walk, run, shoot hoops, music etc. Do something at least three times a week that does not involve medicine and stick with it. Your body and mind will thank you.

Professional school is very, very different from undergraduate school. You have more in common with your fellow classmates than differences. Hang together and become good colleagues for each other. In the long run, it will save you tons of headaches if you are not trying to "out gun" your classmates or save your own soul.

Your needs in order of greatest importance: safe place to study, safe place to sleep and keep up with personal grooming and saft place to keep your computer, books and things. You don't need: every review book that you read about, ten different texts for each subject or the latest electronic gadget.

You would not have gotten into medical school if you could not get the job done. Run your own race and challenge yourself to do better and better. Ignore your boastful classmates (chalk it up to immaturity, stress etc) and keep looking forward toward your goals. If an action doesn't help you professionally, then don't do it. Be the consumate professional and treat everyone (the bore, the bully, the gunner, the fraidy cat) with respect.

If you are in a relationship with SO, spouse, child, parents etc, take some time to nurture that relationship. Plan some time in your schedule for those folks who love you and have been there for you. This gives you and them something to look forward to.

Meet and exceed every deadline. Keep copies of all school related correspondence in a safe and accessable place. Keep good financial records and keep spending as low as possible. Don't run up huge credit card debt. Have contingency plans for sick children etc.

Keep up with your classwork. If you find yourself a day behind, catch up on the weekend but keep up with your coursework. Help your fellow students keep up. Help anyone who needs your help; one day they can repay your kindness.

Have fun! You will build some special friendships in medical school that you will have for the rest of your life.

njbmd 🙂

 

[McMD]

Thanks, njbmd! Great advice!

 

[Hoya11]

you guys are such whiners...maybe u just need to gain a little perspective. during 2nd and 3rd year you will be wishing you were back in 1st year where everything is simple.

and you say you are taking an exam on 800 pages of notes? so what, at least you know what will be on the exam. wait til you start taking shelfs 3rd year, then not only will you be responsible for much more difficult material, but you won't even know what things to study in order to prepare.

i still stick to my original point which is enjoy life 1st yr, cuz thats as good as it gets.

Never would I wish for 1st year again. I have found the further I go, the easier it gets as things are repeated and you climb higher on the totum pole. Study maniacs whine about 3rd/4th year, and those who dont like studying complain about 1/2.

 

[sunny66]

#1 piece of advice: don't let those of us in med school scare you

First of all relax. It's an adjustment, but most people do fine. If you have trouble (academic, personal, psychological), talk to someone and get help! Take care of yourself, your relationships. Be good to your peers...you will need each other. Enjoy all those little moments when you say to yourself, wow, this is amazing.

 

[Pewl]

Could someone tell me how different med school is to grad school? My running philosophy lately is that if I could survive my first year of grad school, I ought to be able to make it in med school. (And I went from bio to physics from undergrad to grad school).

 

[Ambs]

you guys are such whiners...maybe u just need to gain a little perspective. during 2nd and 3rd year you will be wishing you were back in 1st year where everything is simple.

and you say you are taking an exam on 800 pages of notes? so what, at least you know what will be on the exam. wait til you start taking shelfs 3rd year, then not only will you be responsible for much more difficult material, but you won't even know what things to study in order to prepare.

i still stick to my original point which is enjoy life 1st yr, cuz thats as good as it gets.

Yeah so I wasn't whining. I was just being sarcastic. Studying a thousand pages of notes is what I signed up for ... it's called med school. And I will gain perspective by actually going through second, third, and fourth year. Probably can't gain much perspective without actually experiencing those years.

 

[thesauce]

I'm entering med school from grad school, and I got my butt kicked the first year of grad school. I had to work SO hard to do well my first year because I'm a bio major from undergrad and my graduate work was in physics. Then I took the physics qualifier to advance to candidacy. I'm officially a medical physicist now =D (I woulda taken the phd qualifier if I wanted to stay for the phd, but i think i wanna leave with the MS and jump over to medicine right now) It was quite daunting learning an entirely new background in grad school. I have a feeling if I could get through my first year in grad school I can work my way through and handle med school. I'm hoping, heh. At least, that's how I'm rationalizing it in my head at the moment.

You've got a good attitude and I'm sure you'll do fine in medical school.

Also, anyone who can go from an undergrad in bio to a masters in physics has my sincere respect. You are among very, very few who are capable of this. You'll find out how few when you take physiology in medical school.

 

[Sammich81]

njbmd gave about the most solid advice you could ask for.

People have different experiences about which year was the hardest for them. Some people come in with a strong enough science background that first year is a (relative) breeze. Others hate 3rd year because it's not enough to be a good test taker; you have to be good in person, have integrated the knowledge, etc. I'm at the same school as behindthedeuce and I worked plenty first year, but did much better 2nd and 3rd year. So don't feel bad if you struggled/are about to be struggling in first year.

The only other advice I can think of that hasn't already been covered is to enjoy the friendships you make in med school. As you get deeper and deeper into medicine, they will understand you better than most other people. There's a special bond that forms when they have, on multiple occasions, seen you when you're studied yourself stupid, when you're in the library looking so unkempt that if someone saw you on the street like that, they'd take you to a shelter and give you soup.

 

[prmd4555]

Obviously everyone's experiences will be different depending on their school but here is some advice after 2 years of medical school

1. Focus on what is important. Medical school is hard because of the volume of information. You need to decide what is important to know and what is a waste of time.
The first 2 years of medical school aren't nearly as important as 3rd year evaluations and board scores. Don't kill yourself over your first 2 years. Often they are only 1-2 sentences in your dean's letter. Do well in your first 2 years but don't burn out like I have seen many first years do.
Work your butt off for the boards. Some might argue that if you work hard on first year/second year curriculum you will do well on the boards. Not 100% true as many schools don't teach what is on the boards or some schools go into way too much minutiae that you won't remember anyways. Get boards books and use them during your second year courses.


2. Get a life out of medical school. If you are lucky you will have amazingly interesting and accomplished classmates, many of whom are great people.
However, you will spend every day with them in class. You may even live in the same building as them. You will get sick of them. More than that, if you hang out with them too much you will notice yourself becoming duller by the minute. Cultivate your relationships with others outside of medical school and pursue outside interests. This will help you maintain perspective throughout school.

 

[Northerner]

What's the consensus on practicing sexual positions with the cadavers? I had a bad experience so I'm too biased to vote.

 

[Northerner]

Yeah so I wasn't whining. I was just being sarcastic. Studying a thousand pages of notes is what I signed up for ... it's called med school. And I will gain perspective by actually going through second, third, and fourth year. Probably can't gain much perspective without actually experiencing those years.

Someone buy this gal a dictionary and mark the page that has "sarcasm" on it so she can identify correct examples of sarcasm in her speech in the future.

 

[R-35]

What's the consensus on practicing sexual positions with the cadavers? I had a bad experience so I'm too biased to vote.

LMAO

 

[RaaMD]

Hi there,
Make your life as simple as possible. Live close to the medical school and make sure you have a safe and legal place to park. It is really awful to find your car gone or broken into during exam week. Use public transportation whenever possible.

Don't whine or complain. If you have a problem with class, administration, work out several possible solutions and present them with an explanation of your problem.

You cannot learn it all so don't make yourself crazy trying to learn everything. Everyone has some class that drives them nuts so rely on your upperclass advisors to help you navigate through things that might be vexing. Other than that, use the study skills that got you into medical school and adjust up or drop back as you see the need. It's an adjustment for everyone so be patient with yourself.

Find a safe and legal way to let off steam. Swim, brisk walk, run, shoot hoops, music etc. Do something at least three times a week that does not involve medicine and stick with it. Your body and mind will thank you.

Professional school is very, very different from undergraduate school. You have more in common with your fellow classmates than differences. Hang together and become good colleagues for each other. In the long run, it will save you tons of headaches if you are not trying to "out gun" your classmates or save your own soul.

Your needs in order of greatest importance: safe place to study, safe place to sleep and keep up with personal grooming and saft place to keep your computer, books and things. You don't need: every review book that you read about, ten different texts for each subject or the latest electronic gadget.

You would not have gotten into medical school if you could not get the job done. Run your own race and challenge yourself to do better and better. Ignore your boastful classmates (chalk it up to immaturity, stress etc) and keep looking forward toward your goals. If an action doesn't help you professionally, then don't do it. Be the consumate professional and treat everyone (the bore, the bully, the gunner, the fraidy cat) with respect.

If you are in a relationship with SO, spouse, child, parents etc, take some time to nurture that relationship. Plan some time in your schedule for those folks who love you and have been there for you. This gives you and them something to look forward to.

Meet and exceed every deadline. Keep copies of all school related correspondence in a safe and accessable place. Keep good financial records and keep spending as low as possible. Don't run up huge credit card debt. Have contingency plans for sick children etc.

Keep up with your classwork. If you find yourself a day behind, catch up on the weekend but keep up with your coursework. Help your fellow students keep up. Help anyone who needs your help; one day they can repay your kindness.

Have fun! You will build some special friendships in medical school that you will have for the rest of your life.

njbmd 🙂

Great post. Loved the advice.

 

[Pewl]

How many hours a day do you guys study on average, on weekdays and weekends?

 

[Ambs]

What's the consensus on practicing sexual positions with the cadavers? I had a bad experience so I'm too biased to vote.

You should be shot.

 

[AmoryBlaine]

Only two things to add to njmb's excellent post:

1. Pay NO attention to your classmate's descriptions of their study habits, knowledge base, opinion of the test, etc.

I can't tell you how many people (esp in anatomy) would strut around displaying their knowledge of the brachial plexus and make alot of us feel like we were idiots. Then lo and behold, some of us who weren't making alot of noise would turn around and crush a test while the strutters would be whining about how it was "unfair."

You will go crazy if you worry about how much more than you Susie studies, or how much more John seems to know about Biochem. Susie might be spending 8 hours a day memorizing table 34.1d while having no idea what class she's in and John might know nothing other than the 4 facts you just heard him drop.

2. Unless you are painfully shy, avoid the temptation to find a small clique of friends and only spend time with them. Chances are you're not going to get scheduled w/ all of them for your M3 services and then you're going to be introducing yourself to people you should have met 2 years before.

Good luck.

 

[sweetpeamd09]

Hi there,
Make your life as simple as possible. Live close to the medical school and make sure you have a safe and legal place to park. It is really awful to find your car gone or broken into during exam week. Use public transportation whenever possible.

Don't whine or complain. If you have a problem with class, administration, work out several possible solutions and present them with an explanation of your problem.

You cannot learn it all so don't make yourself crazy trying to learn everything. Everyone has some class that drives them nuts so rely on your upperclass advisors to help you navigate through things that might be vexing. Other than that, use the study skills that got you into medical school and adjust up or drop back as you see the need. It's an adjustment for everyone so be patient with yourself.

Find a safe and legal way to let off steam. Swim, brisk walk, run, shoot hoops, music etc. Do something at least three times a week that does not involve medicine and stick with it. Your body and mind will thank you.

Professional school is very, very different from undergraduate school. You have more in common with your fellow classmates than differences. Hang together and become good colleagues for each other. In the long run, it will save you tons of headaches if you are not trying to "out gun" your classmates or save your own soul.

Your needs in order of greatest importance: safe place to study, safe place to sleep and keep up with personal grooming and saft place to keep your computer, books and things. You don't need: every review book that you read about, ten different texts for each subject or the latest electronic gadget.

You would not have gotten into medical school if you could not get the job done. Run your own race and challenge yourself to do better and better. Ignore your boastful classmates (chalk it up to immaturity, stress etc) and keep looking forward toward your goals. If an action doesn't help you professionally, then don't do it. Be the consumate professional and treat everyone (the bore, the bully, the gunner, the fraidy cat) with respect.

If you are in a relationship with SO, spouse, child, parents etc, take some time to nurture that relationship. Plan some time in your schedule for those folks who love you and have been there for you. This gives you and them something to look forward to.

Meet and exceed every deadline. Keep copies of all school related correspondence in a safe and accessable place. Keep good financial records and keep spending as low as possible. Don't run up huge credit card debt. Have contingency plans for sick children etc.

Keep up with your classwork. If you find yourself a day behind, catch up on the weekend but keep up with your coursework. Help your fellow students keep up. Help anyone who needs your help; one day they can repay your kindness.

Have fun! You will build some special friendships in medical school that you will have for the rest of your life.

njbmd 🙂

That's the best advice I think I've ever seen on sdn, or anywhere for that matter.

I just want to add...
Medical school is a b!tch. Really, you think you know... but you have no idea... 😉 And one of the hardest parts is that no one from your life before medical school will ever truly understand. Your parents, friends, sign. other(s), etc. just might think, well, this is like undergrad., but harder [like on steroids]. But, it's not.

As sad as that is, you have 150ish people experiencing it with you, and another 450 who came just before you--cherish and take advantage of that.

Medical school is an alternate universe. Nothing you have done, will do over the summer, etc. will prepare you for your new state of being. It's really like that. I think being a medical student is a lifestyle. I'm not saying that to intimidate you-or make you think that you'll have no life outside of school, I really just want you to be aware that it's not just that the classes may be a wee more difficult than your previous ones, or the volume of material may seem insurmountable. Medical school is not just an academic metamorphosis.

That's not to say that you won't or I don't have a fabulous life outside of school. I spend lots of time with my friends from school, and elsewhere. I do lots of stuff I enjoy. I go out [too much!] a lot. But first year really has changed me... made me stronger, wiser, blah blah blah... but it's also broken me in like a new mare. 😉

If you're the overzealous type, like I was, you might enjoy orientation and maybe the first week. Then your rose-colored glasses crack a lil... and you realize that you're actually in anatomy lab with "henrietta" your cadaver--finally where you'd been aiming for so long. I, personally, freaked out at the thought of that. And then got smacked in the face with the first exam block. Which... I supposedly did well on, but of course to all us overachievers, it was sheer disappointment on a stick. Be prepared for that.

I think the most-needed attribute for med. school is survival instinct. You just need to do whatever it is (provided it's safe and legal) to help you get by, and get by as well as you can. Whatever works for you. That may mean staying at home in a small corner studying all hours of the night, or staying at school for 3 hours every day after class to keep up, or taking a few hours over the weekend to review what you did in all your classes last week. It's different for everyone, and don't let anyone tell you how to study, how to cope--find what works for you [which may take an exam or two] and stick with it. Be flexible, what worked for you in undergrad/grad school may not work in med. school. Or it just might.

Btw.. if you're a crammer like me...
undergrad. cramming=morning of to two days before test
medical school cramming=2 weeks before to no slack off time permitted

My favorite thing to do now after exams is to listen to what ppl. are saying outside the room as soon as they're done. AND LAUGH and roll my eyes. "OMG... it was sooooo easy, pls. I didn't even need to study, or I didn't study at all for Biochem." Don't listen to any of that crap. They're liars, or delusional. Or for real [and have zero consideration or respect for ppl. for whom the info. did not come as easily to] and I kinda hate them b/c of their lack of social grace. Remember how we were all stellar students back in the day?? Well this is med school... and they have to find some way to spread us along the bell curve--so your best friend next to you, may not be doing as well~so shut ya mouth. (I learned this lesson in undergrad when my gf would get 60's on exams I got 98's on... a little compassion won't kill you, I promise)

Also, don't be a whiny baby. This is MEDICAL not MIDDLE school. If the test was difficult, suck it up. The only reason to complain to a professor or admin. is wait... never. Respectfully bring up any issues or contradictions with exams in an appropriate manner. If it was hard simply b/c you didn't study hard enough, b!tch to your friends not the faculty.

As per Dickens, "It was the best of the times, it was the worst of times." Enjoy it people and soak up the experience, b/c nothing in your life will ever compare to it, and the friendships you make there [at 2am the night before an exam you don't feel prepared for] will last forever.

Con mucho amor, Dee 😛

 

[CTG]

Hi there,
Make your life as simple as possible. Live close to the medical school and make sure you have a safe and legal place to park. It is really awful to find your car gone or broken into during exam week. Use public transportation whenever possible.

Don't whine or complain. If you have a problem with class, administration, work out several possible solutions and present them with an explanation of your problem.

You cannot learn it all so don't make yourself crazy trying to learn everything. Everyone has some class that drives them nuts so rely on your upperclass advisors to help you navigate through things that might be vexing. Other than that, use the study skills that got you into medical school and adjust up or drop back as you see the need. It's an adjustment for everyone so be patient with yourself.

Find a safe and legal way to let off steam. Swim, brisk walk, run, shoot hoops, music etc. Do something at least three times a week that does not involve medicine and stick with it. Your body and mind will thank you.

Professional school is very, very different from undergraduate school. You have more in common with your fellow classmates than differences. Hang together and become good colleagues for each other. In the long run, it will save you tons of headaches if you are not trying to "out gun" your classmates or save your own soul.

Your needs in order of greatest importance: safe place to study, safe place to sleep and keep up with personal grooming and saft place to keep your computer, books and things. You don't need: every review book that you read about, ten different texts for each subject or the latest electronic gadget.

You would not have gotten into medical school if you could not get the job done. Run your own race and challenge yourself to do better and better. Ignore your boastful classmates (chalk it up to immaturity, stress etc) and keep looking forward toward your goals. If an action doesn't help you professionally, then don't do it. Be the consumate professional and treat everyone (the bore, the bully, the gunner, the fraidy cat) with respect.

If you are in a relationship with SO, spouse, child, parents etc, take some time to nurture that relationship. Plan some time in your schedule for those folks who love you and have been there for you. This gives you and them something to look forward to.

Meet and exceed every deadline. Keep copies of all school related correspondence in a safe and accessable place. Keep good financial records and keep spending as low as possible. Don't run up huge credit card debt. Have contingency plans for sick children etc.

Keep up with your classwork. If you find yourself a day behind, catch up on the weekend but keep up with your coursework. Help your fellow students keep up. Help anyone who needs your help; one day they can repay your kindness.

Have fun! You will build some special friendships in medical school that you will have for the rest of your life.

njbmd 🙂

Now this is what I call good advice. Thank you. =)

 

[RaaMD]

That's the best advice I think I've ever seen on sdn, or anywhere for that matter.

I just want to add...
Medical school is a b!tch. Really, you think you know... but you have no idea... 😉 And one of the hardest parts is that no one from your life before medical school will ever truly understand. Your parents, friends, sign. other(s), etc. just might think, well, this is like undergrad., but harder [like on steroids]. But, it's not.

As sad as that is, you have 150ish people experiencing it with you, and another 450 who came just before you--cherish and take advantage of that.

Medical school is an alternate universe. Nothing you have done, will do over the summer, etc. will prepare you for your new state of being. It's really like that. I think being a medical student is a lifestyle. I'm not saying that to intimidate you-or make you think that you'll have no life outside of school, I really just want you to be aware that it's not just that the classes may be a wee more difficult than your previous ones, or the volume of material may seem insurmountable. Medical school is not just an academic metamorphosis.

That's not to say that you won't or I don't have a fabulous life outside of school. I spend lots of time with my friends from school, and elsewhere. I do lots of stuff I enjoy. I go out [too much!] a lot. But first year really has changed me... made me stronger, wiser, blah blah blah... but it's also broken me in like a new mare. 😉

If you're the overzealous type, like I was, you might enjoy orientation and maybe the first week. Then your rose-colored glasses crack a lil... and you realize that you're actually in anatomy lab with "henrietta" your cadaver--finally where you'd been aiming for so long. I, personally, freaked out at the thought of that. And then got smacked in the face with the first exam block. Which... I supposedly did well on, but of course to all us overachievers, it was sheer disappointment on a stick. Be prepared for that.

I think the most-needed attribute for med. school is survival instinct. You just need to do whatever it is (provided it's safe and legal) to help you get by, and get by as well as you can. Whatever works for you. That may mean staying at home in a small corner studying all hours of the night, or staying at school for 3 hours every day after class to keep up, or taking a few hours over the weekend to review what you did in all your classes last week. It's different for everyone, and don't let anyone tell you how to study, how to cope--find what works for you [which may take an exam or two] and stick with it. Be flexible, what worked for you in undergrad/grad school may not work in med. school. Or it just might.

Btw.. if you're a crammer like me...
undergrad. cramming=morning of to two days before test
medical school cramming=2 weeks before to no slack off time permitted

My favorite thing to do now after exams is to listen to what ppl. are saying outside the room as soon as they're done. AND LAUGH and roll my eyes. "OMG... it was sooooo easy, pls. I didn't even need to study, or I didn't study at all for Biochem." Don't listen to any of that crap. They're liars, or delusional. Or for real [and have zero consideration or respect for ppl. for whom the info. did not come as easily to] and I kinda hate them b/c of their lack of social grace. Remember how we were all stellar students back in the day?? Well this is med school... and they have to find some way to spread us along the bell curve--so your best friend next to you, may not be doing as well~so shut ya mouth. (I learned this lesson in undergrad when my gf would get 60's on exams I got 98's on... a little compassion won't kill you, I promise)

Also, don't be a whiny baby. This is MEDICAL not MIDDLE school. If the test was difficult, suck it up. The only reason to complain to a professor or admin. is wait... never. Respectfully bring up any issues or contradictions with exams in an appropriate manner. If it was hard simply b/c you didn't study hard enough, b!tch to your friends not the faculty.

As per Dickens, "It was the best of the times, it was the worst of times." Enjoy it people and soak up the experience, b/c nothing in your life will ever compare to it, and the friendships you make there [at 2am the night before an exam you don't feel prepared for] will last forever.

Con mucho amor, Dee 😛

Great post. So many of these things ring true.

 

[deleted50541]

There's some great advice here. As I'm now 7 weeks away from the start of first-year, I appreciate every word of it.

 

[jbrice1639]

go out and party...A LOT. 2nd year is a different animal, so make the most of 1st year. and whatever you do, don't make medicine your life--if you do, then come end of 4th yr you will wonder what happened to the best years (mid 20's) of your life.

i highly recommend graduating undergrad with bull$hit degree...get a crappy job in an alcohol-soaked industry like advertising. once your liver is finally completely pickled and has probably hit the eject button and run away from your abusive body, then apply to medical school in your mid to late twenties and have no regrets about wasting your youth.

 

[medicomel]

i highly recommend graduating undergrad with bull$hit degree...get a crappy job in an alcohol-soaked industry like advertising. once your liver is finally completely pickled and has probably hit the eject button and run away from your abusive body, then apply to medical school in your mid to late twenties and have no regrets about wasting your youth.

jbrice, it's like we're living parallel lives...except i've had the distinct pleasure of working in the accounting industry for the past 6 yrs. if i didn't have med school to look forward to, i'd kill myself. 😴

 

[vtucci]

wow, i must say that is some of the worst advice i have seen. for all you soon to be 1st years, it would be a mistake to listen to most of what has been said in this post. i dont mean to be a basher, but c'mon guys...1st year in med school is about as easy as it gets.

bottom line, the stuff you learn first year is no more difficult than what you have learned in undergrad. sure, there is a lot more coming at you, but it isnt any harder. if you were someone who needed to study to do well in college, then you will need to study in med school. if you breezed through college and did well, then for the most part you will do the same in med school.

my advice is this: take full advantage of 1st year. obviously you should study before exams, but don't be ridiculous--> go out and party...A LOT. 2nd year is a different animal, so make the most of 1st year. and whatever you do, don't make medicine your life--if you do, then come end of 4th yr you will wonder what happened to the best years (mid 20's) of your life.

This is without a doubt the worst advice I ever heard and seriously overgeneralizing. If you were a star in undergrad, well welcome to the club so was everyone else in your class. Nonetheless, half of you will be in the bottom half of the class.

1) Get used to the fact that you may fail a test or two or even a class or even the year. It happens even to those who work really hard. Some people just take longer to understand concepts or memorize things than others. There are lawyers, engineers, math genuises, biomed gurus and even some of them have a really hard time. IF you are one of the fortunate few who do not struggle, do not be obnoxious and make your classmates feel inferior. Do not mock them because the worm always turns.

2) Memorizing is not everything, it is the only thing at least as far as your grades go and it has very little to do with what kind of doctor you will be. That is why 3rd year typically counts a lot more than the 1st two years.

3) Not everyone has the same background. Keep in mind that in any given class there will be people who specialized in it in undergrad or grad and will know more than you. Conversely, there will be people who have never taken anatomy or physio (I was in this boat) and yes, there are at a disadvantage but shut up and do not be rude if you have seen this all before. Few things are more annoying than an insufferable know-it-all. If you do know it, help someone else learn it. They will be grateful and you will be in that position one day, I guarantee it.

4) Find other students in the class that compliment your weakness and whose weaknesses you compliment. Maybe you are that science star but are shy and not comfortable with communication. Find the outgoing person who loves to give speeches and learn from them and let them learn from you.

5) Be nice.

6) Do not lie. Do not cheat. Do not steal. Do not break a promise or go back on your word. You will be with these people for 4 years and a reputation can be a good thing or a bad thing that you will get stuck with very quickly. And the faculty will know what your reputation is. They hear everything and so does the dean.

7) Be very careful when considering whether to enter into a romantic relationship with someone in your class. They will be with you for 4 years regardless of how it works out.