How Can I Be Better Prepared Waiting For School To Start In August?

[Makaveliforever]

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I was accepted to OCPM a few months ago and just finished my undergrad last week. I finished with a b.s. in biology but did not have much exposure in anatomy. I know that class is very important and I am good at grasping concepts quickly. I do not want to be overloaded when school starts, what can I do to better prepare myself.... any book suggestions to look at? or any suggestions in general? Thanks!

 

[funfeet]

Well, if you are worried about anatomy, go buy anatomy flashcards. I'm sure Ohio wants you to get an atlas (anatomy book of pictures). I personally like Rohen with real pictures. But mostly everyone at my school has Netter. I'm starting in August so hopefully someone going to Ohio can help more. Personally, I'm not one to bring a book around during the summer. I'd suggest flashcards.

 

[el tobillo]

You could also try an anatomy coloring book. It would be a fun, yet relaxing way to review/learn. Or you could just wait til you get to school to start learning things. Sometimes its better to learn on the spot rather than making yourself go crazy with studying before your really have to......😀

 

[KHep]

I haven't had anatomy either (only science classes I had were the prereqs), so I've been working on a coloring book. I do that when I'm stuck someplace like my kids' sporting events; it kills the time and hopefully things will stick better when I get to the real thing. I also picked up a physiology coloring book, although I'm starting to doubt that I am going to be able to get to it prior to shool starting. 13 weeks will go by fast, especially during the summer!🙂

 

[dallasite]

Hi. Could one of you give us the ISBN number or the name of the coloring book. Maybe they have some on Amazon or Half.com

Thanks.

 

[Feli]

Anatomy is all fine and good, but it's a highly visual subject which is based on spatial relationships of structures to one another. You can't read it in text and fully understand it. I agree that flash cards and atlas are good ideas and essential to the learning, and your cadaver lab will be vital as well.

If you guys really want to get ahead and make the most of your time, I'd recommend learning medical terminology and latin roots for medicine. You'd be surprised how much knowing a few root words can help you.... a "chondrosarcoma" sounds pretty confusing, huh? Even if you've never learned about chondrosarcoma, if you know terminology, you can quickly break the word down to realize that it's a cartilage tumor that will metastasize via the bloodstream. Medical terminology is priceless throughout your career in classes, clinic, OR, etc. Incoming students have highly variable levels of that knowledge depending on past career experience or past courses, and I'm not sure pod schools do enough to develop it directly. Many places, it's a crash course or even a "pick it up as you go along" approach to the terminology, but I think that you'll be much more comfortable if you have a head start.

There's books or flash cards for terminology too, but something like this is sure worth the $5:
http://www.amazon.com/Medical-Termi...5514514?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1178731354&sr=8-3

 

[densmore22]

Anatomy is all fine and good, but it's a highly visual subject which is based on spatial relationships of structures to one another. You can't read it in text and fully understand it. I agree that flash cards and atlas are good ideas and essential to the learning, and your cadaver lab will be vital as well.

If you guys really want to get ahead and make the most of your time, I'd recommend learning medical terminology and latin roots for medicine. You'd be surprised how much knowing a few root words can help you.... a "chondrosarcoma" sounds pretty confusing, huh? Even if you've never learned about chondrosarcoma, if you know terminology, you can quickly break the word down to realize that it's a cartilage tumor that will metastasize via the bloodstream. Medical terminology is priceless throughout your career in classes, clinic, OR, etc. Incoming students have highly variable levels of that knowledge depending on past career experience or past courses, and I'm not sure pod schools do enough to develop it directly. Many places, it's a crash course or even a "pick it up as you go along" approach to the terminology, but I think that you'll be much more comfortable if you have a head start.

There's books or flash cards for terminology too, but something like this is sure worth the $5:
http://www.amazon.com/Medical-Termi...5514514?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1178731354&sr=8-3

Or via lymphatics if there are lymphatic tracts close.

I suggest chilling out and relaxing because you honestly can't study for this stuff before you're in the class. Many have tried and very few have succeeded (sp?). The last thing you want is to burn out before you even start and trying to study arbitrarily before you know what you really need to study is a good pathway to do so. Although, learning the names of structures may not be so bad of an idea, but blood supplies, innervations, O's and I's, MOA's is going to be a futile effort. Each school puts different emphasis on different things and until you get the lab manual/syllabus/lecture notes/ppt's you won't have a good idea, plus you might study something that you'll never have to know for a test. My $.02.

 

[kelus]

😀 First off, I am so glad some one created this post. After I finished my last finals I could not help but feel like I should be doing something to prepare for the coming storm. (as a person from Kansas who Is familiar with recent storms)
I also feel my anatomy needs help. As ******ed as this may sound, I was planning on sitting in or taking a anatomy and pys class this summer. Truth be told its given at a community college but, I figure if I put a lot into it could help??
mabye

 

[densmore22]

You guys are worrying way too much. There's a reason why medical schools take people from all majors and all walks of life-because they teach you everything that the CPME says we need to be successful as practioners. With that being said, NO course you can take in undergrad will compare to what you'll take in Pod school-NONE. Unless you've got another professional medical degree (PA, NP, etc) or you've gone to grad school (Ph.D, etc). Yes, brushing up may help, but it's a marathon, not a race. You'll study for anatomy, biochem, whatever else they throw at you and you have time to study for all of them and do well. Nothing can prepare you for what you're going to experience. You adapt and move on. Why waste your last free summer with school? Enjoy the time off and relax, have a margarita, go to a baseball game, hang with friends and family. I'd be more worried about losing your friends than failing a class.

 

[el tobillo]

well put densmore!! Seriously guys go climb some mountains, do something crazy while you still can! When school starts in August you'll be happy you did. That's when it will be time to bear down and hit the books!

 

[funfeet]

Hi. Could one of you give us the ISBN number or the name of the coloring book. Maybe they have some on Amazon or Half.com

Thanks.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9781419551390&itm=3

Thats the book i got, really liked it.

 

[funfeet]

well put densmore!! Seriously guys go climb some mountains, do something crazy while you still can! When school starts in August you'll be happy you did. That's when it will be time to bear down and hit the books!

I'll be climbing mountains, going in caves, hiking in the desert, and rafting down a river next week! And then a canoe trip with friends to follow a week later! But then its back to reality with work again. boo. I dont plan on touching a book until first week of August.

 

[Makaveliforever]

Thanks for all the great replies. I am relaxing and just working a little bit. I plan on just looking over general anatomy stuff (flashcards and coloring books) throughout the summer maybe a few hrs here and there. I don't plan on being a master at it or way better prepared than other students, but I also don't want to start off behind since I have not had much anatomy experience. I will enjoy my summer but not lose sight of school coming up. I can't wait to start and become a doctor.