Suggestions for Path:
1) Try and understand the basic underlying mechanisms for each principle: example-for renal pathology, learn the important transporters (Na+/K+, Na+/K+/2Cl-, etc). After this, learn which conditions affect each transporter adversely, learn what excess hormones do to each, learn what drugs do what to each...this really helped me.
2) When studying a disease process, learn as much as you can about that process, and try and consolidate it: example-for celiac disease, we learn about malabsorption, loss of fat-soluble vitamins (possible vitamin A, D, K deficiency? what happens then?), flattening of intestinal villi (what does it looks like?), immunological components (anti-gliadin AB, what is it? IgM or IgG?)...things like this help me focus on the condition and not get lost in the generalities.
3) When studying a very broad concept (i.e. endocrine pathology), you must get the basic concept down, even re-learning things you learned in physiology (this was very difficult for me) such as HPA axis, renal mechanisms for concentration of urine, etc...this was by far the most difficult concept for me.
As a caveat, I will say this: if you study pathology like this and narrow the seemingly huge concepts down to more manageable ones it will positively impact your grades in class, your board scores, and your overall knowledge of the subject. Trust me, Ive been there. Good luck.
