ANATOMY (Summer Before Medical School)

[California]

I was wondering if it would be a good idea to try to study a little anatomy the summer before I begin medical school. Although I studied biochemistry at my undergraduate institution, I feel I have no knowledge of anatomy and only limited knowledge of physiology. What should I do? Should I study on my own, if at all? Or should I take the review course some medical schools (i.e., UCSD, UCI) offer the summer before medical school? Let me know. Thanks.

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[neutropeniaboy]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by california:
•I was wondering if it would be a good idea to try to study a little anatomy the summer before I begin medical school. Although I studied biochemistry at my undergraduate institution, I feel I have no knowledge of anatomy and only limited knowledge of physiology. What should I do? Should I study on my own, if at all? Or should I take the review course some medical schools (i.e., UCSD, UCI) offer the summer before medical school? Let me know. Thanks.•••••You don't need to do any preparation for medical school. College is enough. Enjoy your summer. There will be plenty of time to study anatomy. Otherwise, late at night when you're stuck in the library for the 2nd week in a row in some God-forsaken medical school, you'll curse yourself for not having had absolute fun during your summer before medical school.

Oh, and ditto for your summer AFTER your first year of medical school.

 

[California]

Bump. I would really appreciate it if I could get some more suggestions or recommendations. Thanks very much.

 

[SocialistMD]

Listen to neutropeniaboy. I think most of us agree with his statement, so we haven't bothered replying. That, and there have been many previous threads on this subject and we are sick of seeing the question.

 

[Ralph Wiggum]

ENJOY YOUR SUMMER! You will be fine. Trust me, you want to spend some time doing fun stuff before your first year.

 

[maverickDO]

California,

I recently purchased a set of 5 videos called "Aclands Video Atlas of Human Anatomy". You can find it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and many other sites. It is a series of videos that covers a real discetion of a cadaver. It is very good at introducing you to anatomy and what it is like looking at a cadaver. I to begin medical school in the fall. Also, Netter's Atlas of Anatomy is great. Also, the Anatomy Board Review Series by Chung is an excellent review also. (I have not read Chung's, but I hear it is an excellent review). So I would suggest get the videos and follow along with an atlas. That is what I am doing.

Like you, I want to start studying to get a head start. My major was Accounting and I took just the required pre-requisites. So I am studying Anatomy, Biochemistry, and Embryology.

 

[BeckyG]

Has as much fun this summer as you can - as others have said, when you are in the anatomy lab late at night or studying things that you know you'll forget after the exam, you will have wished you'd had more fun over the summer. If you really feel the need to study, just get acquainted with the terms used in anatomy, rather than learning the origins and insertions, etc. There is no way to know how detailed they will want you to be until you get there, so just get an overview. And have fun over the summer! Hope this helps,

Becky

 

[scootad.]

Go skydiving, bungee jump, have lots of sex, drink alot, and go to Vegas this summer.

NO ANATOMY!

 

[JPMD03]

ENJOY your summer as much as possible, you will have plenty of classes, exams and rotations. Believe me, this is not the most important thing you can do during your summer.
By the way, anatomy is an important thing for med school, but there are other tings such as pharmacology or physiology. One thing you could do is shawdowing a doctor in the ER or in a private office. This is way more fun since you don't need a special prep for Medicine.

Have a good summer!
(sorry for my English writing, I'm French speaking!) :wink:

 

[California]

I want to thank everyone for their kind responses and good advice. The general consensus here is definitely not to do any studying during the summer before medical school. I can truly appreciate this point of view. However, I think purchasing "Acland's Video Atlas of Human Anatomy" and watching it would not hurt. From some previews I have seen, I think watching the video would provide me with a good overview of the "human body." I also think the video will be *stress-free* (as opposed to taking a six-week course some medical schools like UC San Diego and Ohio State provide) and, with the free time I'm going to have during the summer, I will have the liberty to do all the relaxing things some of the people have mentioned above. Again, thank you for the responses. Any other suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated.

 

[kd]

I can only echo the sentiments expressed above- believe me, there are a LOT better uses of your time than studying anatomy this summer. If you REALLY absolutely feel like you must study something, a higher-yield subject to study might be something more conceptually difficult, like biochem or especially physiology. You might get one of the Board Review Series books (Dawn Marks for Biochem, Linda Constanzo for Physiology) and read through it, referring to a textbook as necessary for clarification. Anatomy is PURE memorization - I don't see how it could possibly benefit you to waste any time memorizing all the useless trivia over the summer, only to forget it again by fall. If you feel strongly that you'd like some exposure to the terminology, you might try doing something like the Anatomy Coloring Book- it's not nearly as detailed as you'll need to know for medical school, but it will get you started and familiar with some of the basic terms.

 

[wernicke]

California,

you are the ultimate Type A personality. quit worrying about school and just enjoy your free time. be sure to get some antacids before you start school. i think you're the type of people who will worry themselves to death. like everyone said, do something productive and fun.

 

[Future_Doc]

I got my wife's anatomy book and started reading thru it. It kept me excited at least during the dry days of O-chem. It helped me to remember what I was doing all of the work for. But over the last year, I've just been taking it easy. I figure I'll get enough anatomy and such after I start.

 

[California]

I am sorry to digress, but I feel I have to respond to this character "Wernicke." "Wernicke," you are a "sorry dude," as we like to say in California. I suggest the next time you try to stereotype a person you best be careful. I think to call someone *Type [Anything]* based on a few lines of text is a mistake. I hope you don't do this IF and WHEN you become a doctor with your patients. Stereotypes are a bad phenomenon in this country and never should be used. I hope you keep this in mind for the future.

Oh, by the way, be careful, "Wernicke." From what I hear in the medical profession, mistakes like this can be costly. But I'm sure you will learn from your mistakes. In the immortal words of the greatest athlete of all time, The Rock, "Someone may layeth the smackdown on you." And, for your information, I am not a Type A person by any means. I'm laid back and I love to surf...and I just so happen to want to be the best damn doctor I can be. So, keep your STINKING antacids. Peace out and, sorry, "Wernicke," life is going to pass you by if you continue to use stereotypes.

 

[phllystyl]

awwwwwwwwwwww shnap!

it's on!

don't think I've read an SDN flamewar yet :wink:

muwahahahaha

yo california: Your momma's got an afro with a chin-strap.

phllystyl

 

[Dodge This]

I gotta get in on this... Do NOT study ANYTHING during the summer. Med school is not a competition. The first few weeks are spent getting everyone on level ground. Students come from all kinds of backgrounds and they do not expect the non-science people to study beforehand to catch-up to the biology majors. Oh and here's a not-so-secret: about 90% of your classmates won't have any knowledge of anatomy either.

Furthermore, studying gross anatomy on video and by atlas is a very ineffective waste of time, in my opinion. You learn anatomy effectively by doing, not by watching. Your dissection will not be as perfect as the video and the approach your school uses might differ enough to make you lost anyway.

Lastly, not to defend that other dude, but when anyone talks about studying or getting ahead BEFORE they are even in med school, it screams "GUNNER," whether you are or not. It's the students who are "laid back" who will realize they'll be able to grasp the material when it comes and not need to study months in advance to keep up to par.

 

[Original]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by california:
• In the immortal words of the greatest athlete of all time, The Rock, "Someone may layeth the smackdown on you." .••••• •••quote:•••Originally posted by phllystyl:
•
yo california: Your momma's got an afro with a chin-strap.
phllystyl•••••And the crowd goes wild!!! As if Tyson has just won the fight. Ouch cali; whatchu gonna do? I know you aint going out like that. Touch keyboards and let it roll; round 2, fight! <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />

 

[maverickDO]

I disagree with Dodge This. Studying the Achland's Video Atlas of Anatomy is an excellent way to prepare. His statement about being a "gunner" for studying ahead is also bogus. There is absolutely no harm in preparing, it can only help. As strange as it may sound, some of us actually enjoy reading and studying medical school topics. So perhaps to some of us, that is rest and relaxation.

Just because you prepare does not mean that you are into "cut-throat competition". Maybe it means you just want to do good for yourself. But then, maybe Dodge This is just afraid of the competition.

 

[Sonya]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by california:
•I am sorry to digress, but I feel I have to respond to this character "Wernicke." "Wernicke," you are a "sorry dude," as we like to say in California. I suggest the next time you try to stereotype a person you best be careful. I think to call someone *Type [Anything]* based on a few lines of text is a mistake. I hope you don't do this IF and WHEN you become a doctor with your patients. Stereotypes are a bad phenomenon in this country and never should be used. I hope you keep this in mind for the future.

Oh, by the way, be careful, "Wernicke." From what I hear in the medical profession, mistakes like this can be costly. But I'm sure you will learn from your mistakes. In the immortal words of the greatest athlete of all time, The Rock, "Someone may layeth the smackdown on you." And, for your information, I am not a Type A person by any means. I'm laid back and I love to surf...and I just so happen to want to be the best damn doctor I can be. So, keep your STINKING antacids. Peace out and, sorry, "Wernicke," life is going to pass you by if you continue to use stereotypes.•••••YEAH!! YAH! I support Cali!

The guys finishing his undergrad, guys, he's been through four years. And biochem too, that's not a simple major. HE looks like he's bright, and plans stuff too. I'm guessing he went to UC, they aren't total laid back.
I'm sure he knows well that medschool is pressure.
He knows how school will get pressureful, and he can decide, for HIMSELF whether or not he can handle doing stuff during the summer. And he has decided he can. So, he's asking will studying ahead for anatomy help. So, i think he gets the point you think he should totally kick off. But, IF he were to study something, what would it be?

every summer b/w my undergrad years, and during winter break, i am (among other activities) preparing for fall classes.
I'm not in medschool, so i'm not sure. I've heard the undergrad anatomy course is really helpful. But, maybe anatomy is ton of memorization, and is best crammed. so, maybe physio is better to study? but then, physio is sooo easy, at least in undergrad. i've had plenty.
My brother is a first year MS1 and he says he really wishes he took the summer program that allowed them to experience part of their first year during the summer. (at UIC).

It's good to be familiar in anatomy with the way stuff work, basic terminology and such. I think the best way to prepare, would be to asses what the classes are like, overall, rather than details of the material. Talk to MS2s, or something. FIgure out how you will approach studying in medschool, maybe. You know, courses in undergrad take a few weeks to asses the course and come up with the study method that works. If you can do that, it will be helpful. For anatomy, specifically, be familiar with the overall way stuff work, and the concepts behind all the little details might be good to do before classes. and then, in medschool, you are just applying a well planned study system.

Good luck,
Sonya

AND ANYONE WHO WANTS TO THROWOUT ANY DAMN STERYOTYPES ON ANYONE IS A CRAP!!
(not gonna make steryotypes on you about what kindof physician it will make you, but, it's really rude and shallow minded of you to judge someone like that)

 

[Kazu]

sounds like type a personality to me but i digress.... Anyway, if your anatomy course is anything like the one i took, studying a little anatomy over the summer would be a waste of time. if you really want to get a head start, try studying some biochem, or physio or histo. I think that would be more helpful and could actually make a difference.

 

[swtchelle]

hi California,

Just curious about whether you ended up purchasing "Acland's Video Atlas of Human Anatomy" & whether it's worthwhile...obviously there were some mixed reviews on this, & it'd be nice if u can provide a follow-up. I'm thinking of possibly watching this video, apart from travelling to Tokyo (hopefully) & making the most of the first/possibly last kick-back summer with friends!

 

[double elle]

The one thing I have happily learned since beginning medical school is that no matter WHAT you took in undergraduate school, and no matter WHAT your 'field of interest' is....there is really no one that has an advantage in medical school. I came in never having had biochem, histology, embryology, or micro. I am doing well. I have had, however, extensive anatomy and physiology. I am no better off than anyone else in my class. The difference is HOW the information is presented and what the instructors WANT you to get out of it. You can study anatomy until you are blue in the face, but if you aren't studying the way it will be tested...then you've wasted your time.

If you MUST look over anatomy, I would suggest going over terms...medial, lateral, cephalic, caudad, distal, proximal, sagittal, coronal, etc. You can find this stuff in the first chapter of almost any anatomy text. This stuff will help because you'll use the same words/terms all thru the class. Also, you may want to look up some muscles and try to break down their latin meanings. THAT is a life-saver! You don't even really need to memorize attachment sites if you just know the name of some of these muscles. Learning this kind of terminology was the only thing I saw classmates struggle with at first. After that, we were all in the same boat.

People anxiously awaiting their first day of class really do not believe all the hype about "no, do something fun your last summer", but there is a REASON that people are telling you this. Trust this advice and you will look back and realize that all these people knew what they were talking about. I was so excited to begin, I couldn't stand it. Now, I read posts like yours and think..wow, if I only had one summer left!

 

[California]

I want to thank *everyone* who posted their opinion on this thread. Most of the information was very helpful. There are four points, however, I need to make.

First, I believe my interest in watching a video atlas over the summer does not make me a "gunner." I want to watch the video because it is a relaxing and very unstressful way to become acquainted with the structure/function of important parts of the human body. Bottom line: I am doing this for myself...so I can become a better doctor...not so I *beat* someone on an exam.

Second, I am not here to provide *playground* insults to amuse people in this forum. I was simply hurt by a SDN member's judgemental comments, and I felt a need to respond the best way I knew how.

Third, my purpose in creating this thread was to get ideas on what would be useful to study over the summer. I didn't want to receive analysis on my character, especially from people who do not know anything about me. For the sake of god, I'm just a simple guy who loves to surf!

Finally, I have not yet purchased the video atlas. However, I plan on doing so because the video is a very relaxing and unstressful way to get *acquainted* with material that will help me in all areas of medicine. As one of my biology books always reminded me, structure and function cannot be separated. They have to be studied together!

Again, thank you everyone for your opinions/thoughts/concerns. I realize this is my last summer before medical school, and more importantly, I will make sure I have no regrets.

 

[Zeffer]

Cali,
If I were you I would study anatomy while I was at the beach I'm sure there are more than enough fine specimens.