Help Choosing Specialty? Really Confused!!

[ConfusedPreMed11]

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I find that I have trouble retaining information for extended periods of time. My short term memory is quite powerful (enough to get me 90+ on all of my exams) but oftentimes I cannot recall what I learned even a few months ago. While I do understand that all Medical Specialties will involve some form of memorization, I would like to choose one in which the least memorization is involved. Thoughts?

 

[hoihaie]

I find that I have trouble retaining information for extended periods of time. My short term memory is quite powerful (enough to get me 90+ on all of my exams) but oftentimes I cannot recall what I learned even a few months ago. While I do understand that all Medical Specialties will involve some form of memorization, I would like to choose one in which the least memorization is involved. Thoughts?

You're probably not studying the right way.

 

[ConfusedPreMed11]

You're probably not studying the right way.

Would you care to elaborate? What is the "right way" to study?

 

[hoihaie]

Would you care to elaborate? What is the "right way" to study?

What are your study habits right now?

 

[ConfusedPreMed11]

Well... I just read from a book and take the test I guess. I do read carefully, however. What do you do?

 

[MrLogan13]

Are you currently cramming? Or are you studying steadily, learning smaller chunks of information as you go? Are you actually practicing how to apply what you're learning?

If you study to remember, you'll forget. But if you study to understand, you'll remember.

 

[hoihaie]

Well... I just read from a book and take the test I guess. I do read carefully, however. What do you do?

have you taken biochem before? let's use that as example. When do you read the book? what else do you do besides reading the textbook? do you understand the processes going on? or do you jsut memorize glycolysis, for example, and dont know why each step happens?

 

[ski89]

I find that I have trouble retaining information for extended periods of time. My short term memory is quite powerful (enough to get me 90+ on all of my exams) but oftentimes I cannot recall what I learned even a few months ago. While I do understand that all Medical Specialties will involve some form of memorization, I would like to choose one in which the least memorization is involved. Thoughts?

...... When are submitting your residency application?


Sent from my iPhone

 

[ConfusedPreMed11]

Are you currently cramming? Or are you studying steadily, learning smaller chunks of information as you go? Are you actually practicing how to apply what you're learning?

If you study to remember, you'll forget. But if you study to understand, you'll remember.

That's a nice way to put it! I guess I am cramming in the sense that I read huge bulks of information a few days prior to taking tests. The problem is, in med school I fear that the volume of reading will be so intense that studying "smaller chunks" of information may not be feasible.

 

[ConfusedPreMed11]

have you taken biochem before? let's use that as example. When do you read the book? what else do you do besides reading the textbook? do you understand the processes going on? or do you jsut memorize glycolysis, for example, and dont know why each step happens?

Well, for bio-chem in particular, I simply read through my notes as the textbook chapters are a bit to much to read in 1-2 nights. This has been enough to receive 90s on all my exams but not enough, unfortunately, to retain all the information I would like.

 

[ConfusedPreMed11]

...... When are submitting your residency application?


Sent from my iPhone

I still have quite a bit of time, but I'd like to get prepared as soon as I can.

 

[ski89]

That's a nice way to put it! I guess I am cramming in the sense that I read huge bulks of information a few days prior to taking tests. The problem is, in med school I fear that the volume of reading will be so intense that studying "smaller chunks" of information may not be feasible.

No offense, but this makes zero sense. Of course studying large amounts of information requires a longer period of time. What's the alternative? Anyway, there are way too many treads on this in the last week alone for you to waste your time waiting for a thoughtful response. Do a search for "efficient study habits" or really any thing with the word study.


Sent from my iPhone

 

[hoihaie]

That's a nice way to put it! I guess I am cramming in the sense that I read huge bulks of information a few days prior to taking tests. The problem is, in med school I fear that the volume of reading will be so intense that studying "smaller chunks" of information may not be feasible.

Well, for bio-chem in particular, I simply read through my notes as the textbook chapters are a bit to much to read in 1-2 nights. This has been enough to receive 90s on all my exams but not enough, unfortunately, to retain all the information I would like.

Well, there's your problem. Cramming is the best way to forget things.

Try reviewing your notes from lecture immediately after every lecture (or at least do it that night). This is what he means by studying in small chunks. If you think that biochem text book is too much to cram, what would you do in med school?

 

[ski89]

I still have quite a bit of time, but I'd like to get prepared as soon as I can.

Get prepared for what? There is a whole school that is devoted to preparing you for and helping you pick an area of medicine (it's called medical school). Seriously, stop worrying about residency, it's beyond pointless at this stage in the game.


Sent from my iPhone

 

[ConfusedPreMed11]

No offense, but this makes zero sense. Of course studying large amounts of information requires a longer period of time. What's the alternative? Anyway, there are way too many treads on this in the last week alone for you to waste your time waiting for a thoughtful response. Do a search for "efficient study habits" or really any thing with the word study.


Sent from my iPhone

Please calm down. I don't think you grasped what I was trying to say... My point was that "studying in smaller chucks" may not be feasible given the excessively large amounts we'll be required to read in med school. Thus, each "chuck" will be large regardless. I never stated that it doesn't require large amounts of time... And, I think it's important to mention (perhaps you failed to realize) that the point of this thread is not to discuss "efficient study habits" or to "worry about residency." The point is to discuss the least memory intensive specialty... If you do not have the answer, by all means, you can leave. However, from the kinder folks, I would like to hear their thoughts on the subject.

 

[ConfusedPreMed11]

Well, there's your problem. Cramming is the best way to forget things.

Try reviewing your notes from lecture immediately after every lecture (or at least do it that night). This is what he means by studying in small chunks. If you think that biochem text book is too much to cram, what would you do in med school?

It's not that the biochem textbook is too much to read its just that in the given time frame it would be more logical to simply read through the notes. If you don't mind me asking, what specialty are you perusing?

 

[hoihaie]

I see. Thanks for the help! What specialty are you perusing?

I don't know yet. I have ones I'm interested in, like hem-onc, but I'm keeping an open mind.

Can't speak to what specialty requires "least" memorizing.

 

[ConfusedPreMed11]

I don't know yet. I have ones I'm interested in, like hem-onc, but I'm keeping an open mind.

Can't speak to what specialty requires "least" memorizing.

Maybe I'll look into that too! What aspect of hem-onc makes you want to peruse it?

 

[ski89]

Please calm down. I don't think you grasped what I was trying to say... My point was that "studying in smaller chucks" may not be feasible given the excessively large amounts we'll be required to read in med school. Thus, each "chuck" will be large regardless. I never stated that it doesn't require large amounts of time... And, I think it's important to mention (perhaps you failed to realize) that the point of this thread is not to discuss "efficient study habits" or to "worry about residency." The point is to discuss the least memory intensive specialty... If you do not have the answer, by all means, you can leave. However, from the kinder folks, I would like to hear their thoughts on the subject.

lol fair enough. I came off pretty harsh. Nevertheless, I understand what you are trying to ask but I just think your question is misguided. You don't have a memory problem (well you might if you are a habitual weed smoker), you have a studying problem. I was trying to guide you to resources to help fix that. I guess I just found it strange and naive for you to couch your question in the context of medical specialty.

 

[CopperStripes]

You might consider specialties that tend to be technology-heavy and/or are influenced frequently by cutting edge research. That way, you can sub-specialize and have a very focused area of expertise that requires you to retain some info long-term, but that allows you to keep learning & memorizing new facts and evidence. Think about various surgical and radiology subspecialties, and clinical informatics.

 

[hoihaie]

Maybe I'll look into that too! What aspect of hem-onc makes you want to peruse it?

i like the biology involved and my research currently has been in this field too. I also like the fact that you can build up a long term relationship with your patients as an oncologist

 

[Rocher]

I don't know yet. I have ones I'm interested in, like hem-onc, but I'm keeping an open mind.

Can't speak to what specialty requires "least" memorizing.

Heme/onc requires a #$%-ton of memorization. All specialties are going to require memorization, but I would not pick a specialty based on the amount of info you have to memorize.

And to the OP, of course you're not gonna remember stuff you studied a few months ago unless you're using it on a daily basis. In medical school you will likely forget more than most people have ever learned.

While it can be fun to think about, don't stress over picking a specialty until your 3rd year of medical school. Until then its all an abstraction and worrying about it won't get you anywhere.

 

[beachside]

I think this thread may be in the running for the dumbest question ever posted on SDN.

 

[Goro]

Assuming you're not trolling, suggest a different career. This is not a field form someone with memory deficits. And contrary to popular notions, Medicine is not merely brute, short term memory. You need to retain, process and apply. My worst students are the ones who "binge and purge".

I find that I have trouble retaining information for extended periods of time. My short term memory is quite powerful (enough to get me 90+ on all of my exams) but oftentimes I cannot recall what I learned even a few months ago. While I do understand that all Medical Specialties will involve some form of memorization, I would like to choose one in which the least memorization is involved. Thoughts?

 

[azumzz]

Your not alone. We all forget with time (sometimes even in days). What changes is how fast we can relearn things when we need to.

 

[Doctor Dream]

I find that I have trouble retaining information for extended periods of time. My short term memory is quite powerful (enough to get me 90+ on all of my exams) but oftentimes I cannot recall what I learned even a few months ago. While I do understand that all Medical Specialties will involve some form of memorization, I would like to choose one in which the least memorization is involved. Thoughts?

There's this exam required by med schools called the "MCAT" that requires a lot of memorization... and it's kind of paramount to medical school acceptance.
A smart pre-med would worry about that before what specialty to choose.

 

[hoihaie]

There's this exam required by med schools called the "MCAT" that requires a lot of memorization... and it's kind of paramount to medical school acceptance.
A smart pre-med would worry about that before what specialty to choose.

nah, that test is multiple choice. It only requires 4 years of finely honed expertise in guessing (insider tip: B's all the way, not C's!)

 

[Lysinee]

Picking a specialty in college. 🙄

You won't be able to pursue your specialty if you don't get into med school. Focus on getting an acceptance.

I think this thread may be in the running for the dumbest question ever posted on SDN.

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