Best study layout for med students?

[western1]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I'm planning on moving into my apartment for my M1 year fin a little over two weeks and am trying to get my "study area" mapped out. To current students, what size study desk would you recommend? I'm having a hard time finding desks bigger than about 20" by 36", but I think I would like a desk that is 48" long or more. Any suggestions on a good sized desk for studying?

Also, I've seen posts about references to have 'on hand'... anyone have any suggestions for a reference bible of the medical student's desk?

Lastly, would you recommend having a whiteboard by the study area. I've seen a few articles where students mention having these study props, but didn't know if it would be a benefit. I assume it would help.. but just wanted to check.

Thanks for the help.

 

[VardamanBundren]

Salman Khan, arguably one of the most influential teachers alive today, uses a big piece of wood held up by old telephone poles. Use whatever works best for you. If you're just looking for something big, lots of universities have consignment warehouses in which they sell used professors' desks.

 

[mechengmed]

I'm not a medical student yet, but do prefer to have the bigger desk. When I study I usually go to the group floor of the library so I can take up a whole table. Some people give me dirty looks when they can't find a table and I'm taking up one for myself but whatever.

For the white board, its been helpful for me a few times when I am studying with a group and someone is trying to explain something that no one else understands. If you are planning on studying with a group it might be helpful, if not then I can't see any real use for it.

 

[startswithb]

I love all the pre-m1 excitement around here. Good memories. 🙂

I use a large, rectangular dining table as my desk and turned the dining room of my apartment into an office. I love it. Room for the printer, computer, books on either side of me, a lamp, a sleeping cat, and writing space. I have a bookcase against the wall next to me.

Most of my classmates at least bought one large physiology text for first year. Our school used Boron Medical Physiology. Some people recommend Costanzo, but for our curriculum it felt more like 'physiology for babies.' Not detailed enough for a thorough understanding. BRS Physiology by Costanzo, however, is amazing. I used it for drilling high-yield points.

Small white boards are nice if you want to save on paper if you are just rehearsing info.

 

[NightGod]

I have *very* few things that I plan to take with me when I sell my house and move into an apartment to attend med school. The 8'x3' table my dad made for me in 8th grade to use as a computer desk and my king-sized bed are the only pieces of furniture I even care about. The desk is beat to hell, has rounded edges and is laced with stickers and random pen and marker spots from a few decades of use and being around children and I wouldn't trade it for anything and I can't get comfortable studying anywhere else.

Yeah, I'm REALLY going to need a ground-floor place. Preferably with a sliding door =x


Anyway-find someone handy with tools to build you something would be my recommendation, preferably a good friend or family member you can pay off in sweat equity and a case of beer and a couple steaks. Raw materials will cost you about what you'd pay for a box of parts and an allen wrench at Ikea and it will last you a lifetime. Hell, treat it right and it should last you a few lifetimes.

 

[Disinence2]

Coffee shops!