Books for First Year . . .

[DFrancyk]

To everyone,

I am going to be starting medical school next year (AZCOM) and I have come across a few posts that suggest that I should not buy the text books for my classes, but instead buy the board review books. If that is the case, which of these books would you suggest I buy? I would like to do so soon, so that I can review a bit before school starts in fall.

Thanks,
Dave

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[Sweaty Paul]

Dave,

Don't buy any books except a Netter Human Anatomy Atlas. Wait till you get to school, talk to the 2nd and 3rd years about what books may/maynot be helpful. In the meantime, enjoy what time you have left where you don't have to study...err review all the time. In med school you are either studying or justifying why you aren't studying. So, before you are in the middle of that relax, have fun, and don't stress.

Again, before you buy anything talk to a current first-year student or second year student, they will likely love to help you and they will be able to give you the best possible advice concerning what is needed at AZCOM.

Sweaty Paul MS-II
KCOM

 

[HARRIETtheSPY]

My advice - same as Paul's. Since I don't go to AZCOM I can't give you specific advice, but if I knew then what I know now, I would have bought FIRST AID at the beginning of the first year and used it throughout my basic science classes. Trust me, if you use FIRST AID religiously through first year it will save you a load of time and stress when you are studying for boards second year.

 

[migraineboy]

From someone who purchased every book the bookstore stocked, these are the ones that worked the best for me (and would save you $$$)
Pathology - BRS Pathology
Microbiology - Micro make ridiculously simple
Pharm - Lippincott's Pharmacology
Physiology - BRS Physiology (not great, however)
Anatomy - Netter's (must have)
Histo - Wheater's (has good pics)
For cardio, pulm, heme/onc, etc...I like Current's. I own a Harrison's, but it is tough to read (and muchas $$$).
The only textbooks I would recommend would be Robbin's Pathology and Guyton's Physiology for reference, both of which I still consult from time to time.

 

[DFrancyk]

Hi guys and gals,

Thanks for all your advice. I feel guilty not studying as Paul suggested . . . yes, I am neurotic . . . so, I am going to at least brush up on some biochemistry. And I've kinda just been sittin' around all year anyways. I heard that the Lippincott book is the one most widely used by medical schools (at least that is the case at the University of Utah and AZCOM). What do you think? And I'll go buy First Aid (for the USMLE Step 1, right?) when it gets closer to fall. Anything else I should be thinking about?

Thanks again,
Dave

 

[drhillary]

Hey Everyone,

I agree with what's been posted here-- don't go overboard until you talk to people who have taken the courses & studied for the exams, they really DO know best. Personally, I have found the Stars series (Costanzo's Physiology is the most well-known) and Lippincott's (Biochemistry, Pharmacology) the most helpful-- just enough info to give you the basics to springboard off of or to remind you of what you 'learned' last semester!! Also, Netter is the man for Gross Anatomy, so if you're going to buy any text, this is the one. Good luck to all those taking finals!! Remember to relax this summer if possible!

~drhillary 😎

 

[double elle]

I found the BRS Biochemistry and BRS Anatomy books to be wonderful. The questions in the back are challenging AND they explain why the answers are correct/incorrect. Not to mention, there were MANY times (especially for biochem) the test questions were word-for-word from the BRS.

Also, for biochem, it offers several comprehensive graphs/tables/illustrations that put several concepts together so you can get the 'big picture'. I didn't try the other board review books, but many of my classmates preferred the other ones to the BRS series. Just look them over and see which ones you'll 'click' with.