I know I shouldn't prestudy, but....

[Redpancreas]

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It basically comes down to how you're motivated I think. If you're just going through the motions to get it done with then, yeah, that makes sense.

For me, when I go to class, I go to learn. What I mean is, I'm not just paying for a piece of paper that says B.S. or M.D., I'm actually learning things that will hopefully make me a better doctor. I did the same thing when I was studying for my current profession and it's a large part of why I've done so well in it. It's the same reason I'm learning Spanish. I don't want to learn Spanish. It's not required to become a doctor. But learning it will make me a better doctor - and I want to be a good doctor. Thus I engage the self-discipline lever and study my Spanish even though I don't "have" to. Even though there is no "pressure" aside from the internal pressure of wanting to be better.

You write this as if you feel you're the only one who feels this way coming into medical school. The reason so many people are rubbed the wrong way with pre-meds posting about pre-study and how hard they'll work is because we all felt the same way coming in, and it's just annoying hearing people who haven't even started yet start talking about the BENEFITS of pre-studying.

If one of you has a goal and feels pre-studying will accomplish it, go do that instead of seeking validation by lecturing us on why you'll be the greatest physician of all time (hyperbole).

At the end of the day, 50% of class-valedictorians, college superstars, etc. end up in the lower half of their medical school class and this has little to do with a little bit of pre-study at the beginning.

That being said, Costanzo is awesome and I highly recommend it!

 

[Psai]

It basically comes down to how you're motivated I think. If you're just going through the motions to get it done with then, yeah, that makes sense.

For me, when I go to class, I go to learn. What I mean is, I'm not just paying for a piece of paper that says B.S. or M.D., I'm actually learning things that will hopefully make me a better doctor. I did the same thing when I was studying for my current profession and it's a large part of why I've done so well in it. It's the same reason I'm learning Spanish. I don't want to learn Spanish. It's not required to become a doctor. But learning it will make me a better doctor - and I want to be a good doctor. Thus I engage the self-discipline lever and study my Spanish even though I don't "have" to. Even though there is no "pressure" aside from the internal pressure of wanting to be better.

Thank god we have a guy here with much experience in medical school telling us all about how manageable medical school is. I for one am ready to get some tips about how to succeed in medical school from an expert.

 

[IsleyOfTheNorth]

You write this as if you feel you're the only one who feels this way coming into medical school. The reason so many people are rubbed the wrong way with pre-meds posting about pre-study and how hard they'll work is because we all felt the same way coming in, and it's just annoying hearing people who haven't even started yet start talking about the BENEFITS of pre-studying./QUOTE]

I get that, and that's fair. I was just trying to answer your question.

 

[medic86]

Don't worry, I'm sure it won't be long until I surpass you.

By the way, pre-med just means I'm not yet in med school, in case that is unclear. I'm willing to bet that I've done more in my military days than you ever will in your life. I'm sure plenty of other lowly "pre-meds" are in the same boat. Maybe keep your condescension to yourself before you look the fool.

Shut the **** up.

Pulling the veteran card. Classy.

 

[IsleyOfTheNorth]

Thank god we have a guy here with much experience in medical school telling us all about how manageable medical school is. I for one am ready to get some tips about how to succeed medical school from an expert.

I'm not sure exactly who you think you're arguing with but it isn't me. I never, at any point, told anyone how to manageable med school is/isn't. Do you just make things up in your head and then respond accordingly?

Psai: "I can't believe Isley just said that M&Ms are better than Skittles. What a dork, and I right guys? Guys?"

It's like watching a little kid fight imaginary ninjas with a broom handle. "You get 'em Psai!"

 

[IsleyOfTheNorth]

Shut the **** up.

I think I'll do just that. I'm done for a while. Don't forget to treat pre-meds like garbage for asking questions while I'm gone... I'm sure you won't.

 

[FindMeOnTheLinks]

Hey man. I'm going to give you some unsolicited advice. I hope this will help you.

You need to have some humility. By all accounts you've demonstrated that you react pretty viscerally to any perceived slight against you and you also have difficulty accepting that you're wrong. If you have this attitude, you're going to have a tough time getting along with people in medical school and with accepting your own situation. I am somewhat the same way as you. I always think I'm right and I will argue to the end of the earth about it. But I have learned that it's just not worth it. Hear what people say, smile and nod your head even if you disagree with them and even if you know that they're wrong about it.

Med school will humble you in ways you can't even realize yet. And this is coming from someone who did really well first year without too much effort. It's not just studying and test scores. It is a lot more than that, and undoubtedly you will find something extremely difficult that you wouldn't have even imagined. So try to learn to recognize when people are trying to help you and take their advice.

Good night man. And thank you for your service to this country.


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[Chimichica]

So I will take some of you all's advice, but still do what works for me. I will not prestudy for content. I understand that the volume to pace ratio plays a huge part and so instead of pre studying for content, I think I will use pre studying as a strategy builder.
One of the biggest things I hear is people asking about studying strategies, although I know this largely depends on the professors and school teaching type. I understand it will vary greatly between classes. However, I will use my time to come up with and research memorization techniques and different study strategies for high level high volume coursework. I will use topics of physiology or biochem to help in that endeavour. That way when I start school I can already have a few different strategies on hand instead of researching and trying to figure out all of that while in the midst of a semester. I think that would be better. I am not looking for validation, but I am hoping if someone reads this post that they may benefit from it. I am sorry if some of you took the previous posts as unwilling to listen. In the end I know myself better than anyone. And I know that personally if I don't do anything related to preparation then once school starts and the anxiety builds I will feel that I should have at least attempted some sort of prep. Thank you to all who responded.

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[Chimichica]

The explanation of a marathon runner is so false and actually works against your argument. You wonder why everyone keeps mentioning burnout? Because it's the number one thing that leads to med students dropping out and failing and to doctors hating their jobs. Medical school is not some great mental race that goes on and on for 26.2 miles nonstop at the same speed. You take a class/block that has 3-4 exams, pass them, and then may or may not have to pass a final. Then guess what happens? You start all over again. Sure having a foundation in CV will help with renal or pulm, but the work still has to be put in to pass the next set of subsequent exams as before. There is no carryover where you build a lead over anyone; it's just a series of sprints that seems like a marathon because it's so long. I would argue that if one pre-studies, they are either 1) understudying to begin with when compared to what medical school will be like (can you imagine showing up to run a full marathon when you're mentally prepared to run a half marathon?) or 2) study enough with the risk of starting off jaded and increasing the chance of burnout. And remember, it only takes one bad exam to either slap yourself into gear or lead on into a bad, downward spiral.

Also, insulting the posters offering advice on a topic you have no personal experience on is not practical. The hearsay from 5 individuals' guidance, which doesn't fall in line with what is commonly echoed through these forums and actual medical school, is not law. I know a handful of students that are a year ahead who took step 1 already. Both of them discouraged studying for step 1 a year out. They didn't even mention when to start. They just emphasized not to burn out by starting too early. Another one suggested a few months is a nice, sweet spot to avoid burnout. All 3 said they did well, and the two scores I'm aware of for these classmates are both 260+. Don't think that prestudying will get you into Derm at MGH while everyone else on this forum will be pedaling away just to match either.

It's amazing how many people who haven't gone through med school think it's just like undergrad or high school where it's going to come easy because they're just grittier than everyone else. Also, many underestimate how much they'll actually be able to learn at a high pace once everything comes full swing. As other posters have said, come back in a couple years and let us know how your opinions have or have not changed.

Usually I don't pick out little annoyances, but I did not throw any insults. I offered a difference of perspective and also a difference of opinion without using insults. I didn't say I was grittier. You know I'm a little excited about the opportunity to be a physician and may be a tad over zealous, but there's no harm in being that way. Anyway, you call it hearsay, but I actually know and have relationships with those "5 people". Unlike you or a random 5 people on this forum that I don't know. So yes, my real life connection with people matter more than a virtual encounter with you or anyone else. That being said I am open to the opinions of others, even yours. I take all of it with a grain of salt. I appreciate your input, but try not to get so offended or annoyed if someone doesn't want to take your advice. I'm not trying to prestudy to be the best, I'm not a competitive person by nature. I'm just trying to do MY best. That's all. But thank you for taking the time to respond I really do appreciate it. You could have rolled your eyes and kept it moving, but you didn't and that is worth be grateful for.
Hey everyone I know us premeds are super annoying, but it's only because we are trying to get in the door. Cut us a little slack, even when we are being bull headed. Lol or don't. Some of you are quite cynical.

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[ThoracicGuy]

So I will take some of you all's advice, but still do what works for me. I will not prestudy for content. I understand that the volume to pace ratio plays a huge part and so instead of pre studying for content, I think I will use pre studying as a strategy builder.
One of the biggest things I hear is people asking about studying strategies, although I know this largely depends on the professors and school teaching type. I understand it will vary greatly between classes. However, I will use my time to come up with and research memorization techniques and different study strategies for high level high volume coursework. I will use topics of physiology or biochem to help in that endeavour. That way when I start school I can already have a few different strategies on hand instead of researching and trying to figure out all of that while in the midst of a semester. I think that would be better. I am not looking for validation, but I am hoping if someone reads this post that they may benefit from it. I am sorry if some of you took the previous posts as unwilling to listen. In the end I know myself better than anyone. And I know that personally if I don't do anything related to preparation then once school starts and the anxiety builds I will feel that I should have at least attempted some sort of prep. Thank you to all who responded.

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If you want to waste the last few months of your life where you don't have any real responsibilities in order to 'pre-study', that's up to you. I think you'll end up regretting it at the end. These strategies that you'll supposedly come up with will all change when you actually get in med school and realize what you really have to deal with.

Spend the time relaxing while you can. If you have a chance to travel, do it.