How to Actually Use the Books

[Tertholpde]

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I borrowed a bunch of med 1 books and references. I just want to know how you people use these books when I was told that students have no enough time to study from a single book.

 

[kdburton]

I borrowed a bunch of med 1 books and references. I just want to know how you people use these books when I was told that students have no enough time to study from a single book.

At my school they have "suggested readings" assigned at the beginning of each set of lecture notes. If you have the book that they recommend then you can clear up anything that you don't understand by referencing the text. On the other hand I own books for some subjects that aren't the recommended ones, so I have to find the corresponding information on my own. To be honest with you there isn't a ton of time to read every assigned reading, however this year (MS2) I've begun to read through the chapters corresponding to my coursework out of Costanzo's physiology book, because I know I'm going to use her BRS physio book when I study for the boards. Other than that I never really read the "suggested readings" unless I didn't understand something

 

[psipsina]

I use big textbooks to clarify the notes or go deeper if I feel that will help me understand a tricky concept. I also like to look thru the charts and pics if a lecturer's powerpoint was lacking in these things. I use review books mostly for their questions and also to help me differentiate between high yield and the lecturers personal research fetishes when necessary. Sometimes I use review books as a source of mnemonics.

 

[Johnny_D]

Whether you use the books depends upon the classes. For anatomy, I did not use the text book, but I did use the lecture notes and a Netter atlas. For Physio, I read every applicable chapter in Costanzo from beginning to end because the lectures only hit the more difficult topics. It all depends on how comprehensive the lectures are and how interested you are in reading.

 

[167649]

It's all about who teaches the course and how you can most efficiently learn all the material with limited time.

I don't frequently read the assigned material, I usually only do so when I have difficulty understanding what was in the lecture or notes. I've never been a textbook person, but some people are better using them more extensively. I do use my histology atlas, gross anatomy atlas, and pathology textbook more frequently. It seems like those three are predominantly used in my class. I also use my biochem textbook, since that is a weakpoint for me and I have difficulty when I try to use lecture notes alone.

 

[TheRealMD]

For me, books are more of a reference instead of required material like undergrad. Most of my professors are generally good enough that their powerpoints can be studied from without cracking open a book. However, for really weird subjects embryology, a book might be useful to have.

Though the best advice for most of this stuff is an MS2, 3 or 4. They'll tell you what books are useful enough to buy or not. Oh, and do beware. If you school is like mine, you'll be too bombarded with material and study guides from students to actually read everything you can. Gotta learn to pick and choose.

 

[bcat85]

Its whatever works for you. Personally, my suggestion would be to avoid the textbooks at all costs and only use them when you're stuck on something or you want a different explanation. There just aren't enough hours in a day to read an 80 page chapter every night on top of learning the syllabus.