Agree with this summary about medical school?

[GC1000]

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As a newly accepted student, I want to get some feedback from other students about what to expect on a year by year basis.

First year:
Overwhelming at first, may get a little easier after making the adjustment, but a very difficult year.

Year two:
More information to learn than year one, but the only thing that makes it more difficult is preparing for the COMLEX/USMLE because by now nearly all students have become better at learning large volumes of information faster.

Year three:
Easier than the first two years, but some rotations like surgery have long hours while others like family medicine are shorter. Some studying is still required to do well on the shelf exams, but the studying is not nearly as intense as years 1 & 2.

Year four:
This is the easiest year of medical school. Completing elective rotations and doing audition rotations makes this more exciting too. Also, the light is finally visible at the end of the tunnel. Passing the the COMLEX/USMLE isn't easy, but its not as bad as step 1. Interviews for residency take place during this time.

This is my perception of how medical school will be based on speaking with other medical students and reading on sdn. Please give feedback about where you have had different experiences so that I and others have a better idea of what to expect.

 

[koan]

Yeah I'd say that's all pretty accurate. Don't forget to add 'last summer of your life' between M1 and M2.

 

[DarkHorizon]

Pretty much, except if you're applying something uber competitive, 4th year becomes the most stressful time of your entire life until you match.

 

[Superman DO]

Accurate to an extent, but the experience will greatly vary from person to person depending on your knowledge level coming into school, how easily you learn and your work ethic.

First year was pretty easy for me since I had learned a lot of the material during undergrad; therefore, I wasn't studying nearly the amount that some of my other classmates were during that time.

Second year was by far the hardest for me. Lots and lots of new information, and actually having to buckle down to study. Not to mention the anxiety of having to take level one.

Third year was hard, intimidating, but exciting. Do not underestimate the amount of time needed to study and read. Sure, you do not study like you would during second year, but you still have to read a lot to further your understanding of clinical medicine while under tighter time constraints. It was amazing how much stuff I really did not know at the beginning of third year, even after spending countless hours studying during 2nd year and for level one. Shelf exams are not fun, nor are they particularly easy. For many people, third year is the hardest; it was the 2nd hardest year for me.

Fourth year is amazing. By far the easiest after getting some of the more time consuming rotations finished first. Of course, you have to worry about level two and the PE right before or during residency application season, and hoping that you do not royally screw yourself after so much hard work. The whole matching process can produce a bit of anxiety though. It is truly awe-inspiring to see the metamorphosis into an almost-physician from day one of school though.