Failed Anatomy, Need to retake next year. Advice Please?

[adviceneededplease]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Any advice appreciated.

I've been having trouble adjusting to med school over the past months. I was barely passing my courses and was often one of the few people that scored the lowest on exams. It got so bad that my academic advisors suggested I talk to a psychiatrist. I never thought much of it before med school but I have a slight difficulty retaining info and memorizing details. Last month, I saw a psychiatrist and he diagnosed me with a mild learning issue; we are currently figuring out the correct prescribed medication. He said all this should be stable by the beginning of the summer.

We just finished our Anatomy block and I found out I failed: way below the passing cutoff. I talked to the course instructor and she said there is no summer remediation and would not allow other school's approved AAMC summer anatomy remediation. So I'll have to retake all the anatomy exams and practicals next year along with the First years. My first major concern is having this workload on top of second year courses. Is this doable?

I feel absolutely horrible, being one of the very few that has failed this horribly. I'm at a loss with what to do. Do you guys have any suggestions with how I should go about the summer? I know that many of you disapprove of studying for STEP 1 over the MS1 summer but I feel like I'm a different case. I feel like my MS1 course knowledge is iffy so I'm planning on spending the whole summer to review all MS1 material and maybe prep for the anatomy course? Is that a good idea? If so, how should I go about doing this? (Get USLME First Aid and slowly go through the MS1 chapters?) Any suggestions with what materials I can use?

Thanks guys,

 

[AlmostAnMD]

I doubt they let you retake anatomy AND progress to second year...usually not how that works....

 

[PrettyLadyDoc24]

Can you meet with the professor to find out why you failed?

I'm not completely sure it will be doable. Anatomy is a big foundation course and it will make learning second year courses more tedious.

I would seek out a tutor or spend the summer studying anatomy, not USMLE prep work. USMLE prep materials assume that you know the basics and probably won't be helpful for your basic science grades or your Step 1 exam.

 

[adviceneededplease]

I doubt they let you retake anatomy AND progress to second year...usually not how that works....

Yeah that's what I initially thought. However, the course instructor said that that's how it was done in the past: retake anatomy along with MS2 courses. I'm not sure why they don't allow summer remediation but she was firm that it would not be possible.

 

[adviceneededplease]

Can you meet with the professor to find out why you failed?

I'm not completely sure it will be doable. Anatomy is a big foundation course and it will make learning second year courses more tedious.

I would seek out a tutor or spend the summer studying anatomy, not USMLE prep work. USMLE prep materials assume that you know the basics and probably won't be helpful for your basic science grades or your Step 1 exam.

From my prospective, I think I failed because I wasn't able to retain all the information. I had difficulty memorizing the names and branching of the vascular system, I was sometimes confused with the details of a organ (ex: the stomach lies at C6-T11).

Sorry if it seems naive but what aspects of anatomy are used as a foundation for MS2 courses? I will talk to the administration to see what resources I can get if I want to self study over the summer break.

 

[PrettyLadyDoc24]

Sorry if it seems naive but what aspects of anatomy are used as a foundation for MS2 courses? I will talk to the administration to see what resources I can get if I want to self study over the summer break.

That's not naive, I apologize that I wasn't clear. Every medical school is different but in mine, our second year courses included physiology and pathology, both of which have an important emphasis on anatomy, such as the spread of cancer through lymphatics. Having a good grasp on anatomy can only enhance the new material.

 

[chasm-e-baddoor]

It will be a piece of cake for you and you'll be a master of anatomy after taking it twice. I wish i had the chance to go through two cadaver dissections.

In any case i think you just memorize the atlas, or at least the relevant structures and all the pertinent information (like the structures in the dissector or the structures you'll be responsible). You have an entire year to study for it, make it so that the dissection next semester is nothing but a leisurely second pass review.

Anatomy is kind of tough because it's a lot of information in a short amount of time. Should be much easier if it's spread over a longer course, in my opinion.

Also, if you want to study actual structures rather than drawings/computer formulated - try Rohen's atlas and stony brook medical college website

Rohen's is highly recommended, and here are the links to the medical school resources

http://www.thebodyonline.net/about_info.php
http://ect.downstate.edu/courseware/haonline/quiz.htm

 

[Ismet]

Don't bother with FA or step 1 stuff right now. The problem is that there are really no "MS1" chapters except for the biochem and micro stuff, and the little bits of anatomy/embryo throughout (unless your school starts with organ systems in 1st year). Bulk of Step 1 and thus bulk of review material is integrated physio/path/pharm, which you won't really get until 2nd year at most schools. At this point, it's probably best to go with your school's resources. You need to learn the material. First Aid is a review book for after you learn the material.

If you're struggling this much with memorizing stuff for anatomy, how have your other classes been going?

Like said above, you have almost a year to prepare for anatomy again. I don't understand your school's logic in not doing remediation over the summer, but you can do your own remediation over the summer and take anatomy down next year. Does your school provide tutors? (Don't they have to, per LCME?)

 

[adviceneededplease]

Don't bother with FA or step 1 stuff right now. The problem is that there are really no "MS1" chapters except for the biochem and micro stuff, and the little bits of anatomy/embryo throughout (unless your school starts with organ systems in 1st year). Bulk of Step 1 and thus bulk of review material is integrated physio/path/pharm, which you won't really get until 2nd year at most schools. At this point, it's probably best to go with your school's resources. You need to learn the material. First Aid is a review book for after you learn the material.

If you're struggling this much with memorizing stuff for anatomy, how have your other classes been going?

Like said above, you have almost a year to prepare for anatomy again. I don't understand your school's logic in not doing remediation over the summer, but you can do your own remediation over the summer and take anatomy down next year. Does your school provide tutors? (Don't they have to, per LCME?)

My other classes have been on the border of a pass. It not easy for me right now, but I'm scraping through. However, even though I am passing, my barely passing grade worries me that I'm not adequately learning the material well. I wanted to go through First Aid because I thought that that might help me get me to where I should be for my MS1 courses.

For Anatomy, since alot of this stuff is detail oriented, is it possible to retain all the info I study over the summer for tests 7months later?

My school offers individual tutors for students that are struggling but these tutors are only there to teach you study habits, not course content. I had one but it was so unhelpful primarily because of this. Is it like this for all schools?

 

[chasm-e-baddoor]

My other classes have been on the border of a pass. It not easy for me right now, but I'm scraping through. However, even though I am passing, my barely passing grade worries me that I'm not adequately learning the material well. I wanted to go through First Aid because I thought that that might help me get me to where I should be for my MS1 courses.

For Anatomy, since alot of this stuff is detail oriented, is it possible to retain all the info I study over the summer for tests 7months later?

My school offers individual tutors for students that are struggling but these tutors are only there to teach you study habits, not course content. I had one but it was so unhelpful primarily because of this. Is it like this for all schools?

You shouldnt feel as though you arent learning the material well unless you arent putting in enough effort. If youre putting in as much effort (time) as you can, something needs to change - maybe your study techniques?

Forget about remembering stuff 7 months later or USMLE - you need to know a lot of this stuff for the rest of your career.

 

[W19]

Repetition and drawings are key for that class!

 

[adviceneededplease]

You shouldnt feel as though you arent learning the material well unless you arent putting in enough effort. If youre putting in as much effort (time) as you can, something needs to change - maybe your study techniques?

Forget about remembering stuff 7 months later or USMLE - you need to know a lot of this stuff for the rest of your career.

I've spent almost all my free time outside of class studying but I'm not efficient at all. I would sometimes get overwhelmed, distracted, and frustrated. The psychiatrist I started to see after things started tanking in anatomy prescribed me Adderall. I'm hoping that the medication plus a change in my study habits would help me turn things around.

Thanks all for the advice regarding not using First Aid. Would it be more beneficial if I go through BRS and High Yield instead? I'm trying to figure out what resources I can use to review MS1 courses.

 

[Psyche Estrelle]

In undergrad, how were you able to memorize the difficult names in micro and gen bio? Through those two classes in particular I learned the study skills that I eventually used in medical school.
Edit: fixed dictation mistakes

 

[W19]

I've spent almost all my free time outside of class studying but I'm not efficient at all. I would sometimes get overwhelmed, distracted, and frustrated. The psychiatrist I started to see after things started tanking in anatomy prescribed me Adderall. I'm hoping that the medication plus a change in my study habits would help me turn things around.

Thanks all for the advice regarding not using First Aid. Would it be more beneficial if I go through BRS and High Yield instead? I'm trying to figure out what resources I can use to review MS1 courses.

I think High Yield is better than BRS... Just use BRS and Lipincotts to do practice questions...

 

[adviceneededplease]

In undergrad, how were you able to memorize the difficult names in micro and gen bio? Through those two classes in particular way more I learn the study skills that I eventually used in medical school.

I've been questioning that myself. I think it's mainly because I had way more time in undergrad to spend on those classes. I probably spend double the time to study for the class compared to my peers. In med school, I always felt like I was under a time crunch.

 

[Pacna]

From my prospective, I think I failed because I wasn't able to retain all the information. I had difficulty memorizing the names and branching of the vascular system, I was sometimes confused with the details of a organ (ex: the stomach lies at C6-T11).

I don't mean to offend. I know what I'm about to say can come off as insensitive, but based on your name, I think sharing some personal advice is appropriate here. This is purely an attempt to help, harsh as it may sound.

Frequently when I talk to people who fail courses (or anything, really), I hear this subtle undertone of victimization. Sometimes it's more obvious: "The professor was a douche." "That class is impossible." etc.

But sometimes it's more of an attitude. I read the quote above and don't get the sense that you felt like you could have succeeded had you done something differently. It sounds like you felt unable to do well. I don't agree that you were incapable.

I find it empowering to always believe that I can accomplish my goal, that the only thing holding me back is my dedication and/or methods. Part of that is accepting that it's my own fault for failing. I didn't get into med school my first attempt because I made mistakes out of ignorance which could have been avoided had I done necessary research. That's a very different attitude than saying 'my application just wasn't good enough to get in' (read: 'I wasn't able to get in'). You didn't fail because you were unable to retain the information. You failed because you didn't put in enough time and/or use good study methods. For someone who doesn't hold this point of view, I can understand how it sounds like I'm splitting hairs, but give it a try. You might find it empowering as well. 🙂

I'd just like to encourage you to move forward with the mindset that you are the master of your own fate and that you are unstoppable by anyone/anything but yourself. 👍

 

[operaman]

Absolutely positively do not even open first aid this summer. Hard to think of a bigger waste of time, honestly. What you should study this summer is....anatomy! At the risk of being a Debbie downer, there's no guarantee you'll pass the second time and then you're really up a creek. Use time to relax but also review your anatomy using the class sources you'll be tested on. Put step one out of your mind. You need to pass. Passing should be the only thing you care about. I know the temptation is to think you'll be better at it the second time. I don't think that's necessarily true based on repeating students I've worked with.

If I were you, I would use the time to convert all the anatomy lectures into anki cards. Every. Last. Syllable. Then review them constantly throughout the summer and the year so you absolutely can't lose. Doing anatomy with ms2 classes will be tricky, so use the summer to get the anatomy solid and get anki cards ready to go.

Put step one out of your mind until Christmas break. If you're acing anatomy and passing your new classes, then you can start thinking about boards. Not before.

 

[Bru]

Adding anatomy to a MS2's courseload (particularly if the student is struggling) seems like a dick move and really fast way to fail them out. I'd maybe talk to the medical school dean and not the course director.

Failing that as mentioned above, it looks like your summer will be all anatomy all the time...