hey there, I am couple of months away from taking step 1. I think i will benefit from adding anki FA deck to my daily prep. Any suggestions, whats the best way to do it? Should i make my own anki cards on daily basis ? Is anyone using Brosencephalons or SLy_FAux anki deck, what you think?
FA anki deck Brosencephalons vs SLy_FAux vs your own
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I REALLY recommend making your own. I've been doing it since the start of med school (>11,000 cards now) and I can't believe people study any other way. Imagine just not forgetting things you learn!
Although it's superficially appealing to use somebody else's deck, I think it's a hugely inferior method - like the difference between listening to a lecture and teaching the class. Making your own cards forces you to check that you understand what you're writing, and format the knowledge in a way that works for you - for example I know I'm a visual learner, so I include a lot of pictures to 'anchor' the memory of the card. Likewise I know that short lists are a good way for me to summarise features of a condition, e.g. "what are the 4 major features of xxx disease" or "what 3 features on CXR suggest consolidation", that sort of thing. Or I know for lists >4 items I usually need a mnemonic, so a card might be "what is the PPAEN of uraemia".
If you do decide to make your own, I suggest having a look at this site http://www.supermemo.com/articles/20rules.htm
Best of luck!
I almost forgot - making your own also means you're always doing lots of cards related to whatever topic you're on at the moment, instead of having to slog through a whole lot of random biochemistry while you're trying to focus on cardio or something.
Although it's superficially appealing to use somebody else's deck, I think it's a hugely inferior method - like the difference between listening to a lecture and teaching the class. Making your own cards forces you to check that you understand what you're writing, and format the knowledge in a way that works for you - for example I know I'm a visual learner, so I include a lot of pictures to 'anchor' the memory of the card. Likewise I know that short lists are a good way for me to summarise features of a condition, e.g. "what are the 4 major features of xxx disease" or "what 3 features on CXR suggest consolidation", that sort of thing. Or I know for lists >4 items I usually need a mnemonic, so a card might be "what is the PPAEN of uraemia".
If you do decide to make your own, I suggest having a look at this site http://www.supermemo.com/articles/20rules.htm
Best of luck!
I almost forgot - making your own also means you're always doing lots of cards related to whatever topic you're on at the moment, instead of having to slog through a whole lot of random biochemistry while you're trying to focus on cardio or something.
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i'd also recommend making your own. I made my own deck for each section in FA as topics were covered in class. i could add pictures and other things to the cards.. so even making them was part of the learning process. plus when you get the question on the card you kind of know your question style so you know how to answer it better as opposed to somebody elses deck where if a question is kind of vague you have no idea how to answer and you just end up wasting your time
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Make your own.
If it isn't catered to your needs and weaknesses, then it's simply one other reading source that you don't need to add to your resource list.
I have't taken it yet but this is what I feel about using other people's flashcards.
I'd rip my hair out if I had to go through all of the resources out there.
If it isn't catered to your needs and weaknesses, then it's simply one other reading source that you don't need to add to your resource list.
I have't taken it yet but this is what I feel about using other people's flashcards.
I'd rip my hair out if I had to go through all of the resources out there.
