First block= worst block?

[LadyJubilee8_18]

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So I'm done with block one (thank GOD) and I've just started my CRR block. First block was such a pain that I was wondering if I even wanted to be a med student anymore! The material was so random, disorganized, and boring that I had no idea what to study (or why it was relevant). Second block seems to be going much better. The info is much easier to study and much more interesting. Anyone else have this experience? How did you guys take to first block?

 

[hirundo82]

I think that the issue with Core Concepts is that its goal is to get everyone on the same page. There are some people in each class that have not had any biology beyond the 2 required semesters. Even for those who have had more, their education and knowledge vary widely. Block 1 is used to make sure everyone has the basic knowledge they will need for the rest of first year, but those who have a decent biology background are mainly gearing things they have heard many times before. It can also be viewed as a block that is relatively light on content to give you time to get used to the med school workload and to adjust your study habits accordingly.

In terms of workload, it really doesn't get any easier--just ask any of the second years. We just finished Block 7 today, and nobody would call Renal or Hem/Onc easy. However, the content does become more directly relevant to clinical medicine (or so they say--I guess we'll find out in a few months).

 

[psipsina]

we're just starting our second block which is head and neck at my school. we do gross, histo, embryo, and genetics for it. i don't think the material is any easier than the last block, actually probably harder, but I feel like I have a much better idea what works for me which hopefully will help. we still don't have our scores back for last block but they totally reemed us today for our poor performance on the gross practical, so apparently we need to step it up a bit.

 

[indo]

head and neck are bitches. good luck wif dat. And also, metabolism is in 2nd block too. good luck wif dat.

 

[MadameLULU]

No, block 7 is by far the worst block. WORST. BLOCK.EVER.

Trust me, it gets better after CRR. Block 5 and 6 are the best. It drops to an all time low in Block 7, but hopefully block 8 will be better

 

[psipsina]

No, block 7 is by far the worst block. WORST. BLOCK.EVER.

Trust me, it gets better after CRR. Block 5 and 6 are the best. It drops to an all time low in Block 7, but hopefully block 8 will be better

Could you clarify which subjects are covered in these blocks. Not all schools use the same system and I have no clue what you are talking about.

 

[latinfridley]

No, block 7 is by far the worst block. WORST. BLOCK.EVER.

Trust me, it gets better after CRR. Block 5 and 6 are the best. It drops to an all time low in Block 7, but hopefully block 8 will be better

Hehe. I'm gonna second that.

 

[latinfridley]

So I'm done with block one (thank GOD) and I've just started my CRR block. First block was such a pain that I was wondering if I even wanted to be a med student anymore! The material was so random, disorganized, and boring that I had no idea what to study (or why it was relevant). Second block seems to be going much better. The info is much easier to study and much more interesting. Anyone else have this experience? How did you guys take to first block?

The material gets more interesting as you go along. Try to learn the biochem, cell bio, histo, etc. while you can though, cuz ya gots to know it later on down the road.

 

[MadameLULU]

Could you clarify which subjects are covered in these blocks. Not all schools use the same system and I have no clue what you are talking about.

Hey, sorry, the OP and I go to the same school. Her first block was a mix of random subjects: basic histology, genetics, some biochem, musculoskeletal system. block 2 (CRR) is cardiovascular, respiratory and renal. I was talking about block 7, which is Hematology/Oncology, Cardiology, Respiratory, and Renal in 8 weeks,

 

[71263]

First year sucks. The ONLY thing that made me feel better about first year was looking at the 2nd years and being thankful that I wasnt them. And now guess what, Im a 2nd year. Isnt life great??🙁

 

[FenderHM]

so you guys in Texas somewhere (baylor?) are learning with system-based curric? Like in block one you learn musculoskeletal anatomy and the histo for muscles and some path maybe? Do you like that set-up or would you rather do all gross in 3 months and then move on to physio and have it more subject-specific than system-specific?

 

[45408]

head and neck are bitches. good luck wif dat. And also, metabolism is in 2nd block too. good luck wif dat.

troof. the block 4 anatomy looks like a joke in comparison.

 

[235788]

I know this is a 5 year bump. But god! Block I Biochem sucks! and i'm only 3 days in

 

[CaptainSSO]

Biochem is so damn easy--of all the classes to complain about, you chose to bump a five year thread over biochem?

 

[FunnyCurrent]

I know this is a 5 year bump. But god! Block I Biochem sucks! and i'm only 3 days in

Non-biology major? Honestly, looking through the syllabi I pretty much know "where everything goes" so to speak. Sure there are big gaping holes in the details but knowing where everything goes and how to organize everything in my mind really helps. If you're a non-biology major maybe try doing a quick pass of the material to get the big picture?

 

[Elbowstoopointy]

Non-biology major? Honestly, looking through the syllabi I pretty much know "where everything goes" so to speak. Sure there are big gaping holes in the details but knowing where everything goes and how to organize everything in my mind really helps. If you're a non-biology major maybe try doing a quick pass of the material to get the big picture?

MS1 was much more annoying than it was difficult.

 

[2012mdc]

Biochem is so damn easy--of all the classes to complain about, you chose to bump a five year thread over biochem?

I personally found biochem worse than anatomy. It's just so f***ng boring. Biochem alone was the reason our first module is easily the hardest of the year.

 

[CaptainSSO]

I personally found biochem worse than anatomy. It's just so f***ng boring. Biochem alone was the reason our first module is easily the hardest of the year.

Biochem is actually the only class I'm enjoying right now. Anatomy, I loved in undergrad, but I guess the stress of learning so much minutiae is tainting any enjoyment I would get out of it otherwise.

 

[normtheniner]

Biochem is the only thing I'm enjoying right now...

Anatomy isn't hard concept wise, but I'm really struggling holding all the details together (as in what innervates what and the actions). I'm usually caught up in the class, but when I go back to review I get so frustrated because I still feel like I'm not retaining as much as I should despite making multiple passes through the material.

I guess for me my favorite class is biochem followed by histo and anatomy is running at a distant third....

 

[addo]

biochem and gross 👍

histology and embryology 👎

 

[addo]

Biochem is the only thing I'm enjoying right now...

Anatomy isn't hard concept wise, but I'm really struggling holding all the details together (as in what innervates what and the actions). I'm usually caught up in the class, but when I go back to review I get so frustrated because I still feel like I'm not retaining as much as I should despite making multiple passes through the material.

I guess for me my favorite class is biochem followed by histo and anatomy is running at a distant third....

anatomy is sooo annoying though.... these past two weeks have been like

cool I'm done with the back and shoulder, that wasn't so bad 🙂

oh the arm is next, and the brachial plexus... damn that was tough

oh ****, the forearm.... nooo more!!!

the hand.......😡😡😡

in the end its all

 

[CaptainSSO]

biochem and gross 👍

histology and embryology 👎

I agree, actually. I think our histo is just taught poorly, though. In A&P in undergrad, I was very good at histo--knew all the types of connective tissue very well, knew where they were located, etc... Now I'm having some problems. I think it's just due to the ridiculous volume of information and rapid pace, though.

 

[mrwesticles]

Wow, ancient thread brought back to life.

Well, I must say that I'm reminded of Fallout:

"Med school.... med school never changes."