Incoming M1s: How are you preparing?

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sholamd

sholamd

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Hi incoming M1s, I'm working on an online course on how to study in medical school and I could use your help.
Right now the topics covered include pre-reading, how to use Anki, the role of First Aid, organizing the material, managing the volume, the memory palace technique, maximizing lecture, memorization tools, and ways to apply what you're learning. I was hoping to find some similar materials out there to make sure I'm not missing anything, but I haven't been able to find much.

There were a few books mentioned in other threads: books like "Make it Stick" and "Your Memory" were not about med school specifically, and the one I found about med school, "How to Study in Medical School" got pretty terrible reviews.

SO:
What are you using to prepare? Have you found any really good resources for a step-by-step guide to building a study strategy? Maybe there's nothing in one place, but some good materials scattered around? Thanks for your help!!
 
Your heart is in the right place but I feel that most medical students learn more about how they study once school starts. Use your tried and true methods until you develop a better system as you go along (the material will come at you faster than undergrad). In the meantime, enjoy your time off!
 
If you have already been accepted to a medical school, it is not uncommon for schools to have faculty study aids. Maybe you could check there as well!
 
Med student friends sent me textbook pdfs my way
Aside from that, been taking SDN advice and just do stuff I won't be able to do once school starts
 
man i always knew that the med students from top schools were cut from a different cloth
they actually know how to listen to good advice
 
Mwoods18 said:
I've been using the Netflix approach to pre-studying. It comes in affordable at just $7.99 a month.
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Nailed it.

On a serious note, the only thing I can think of that's worth doing the summer before M1 is making a comprehensive, well-formatted CV for everything you've done so far. Depending on what things you want to do in med school, you'll probably get asked for one sooner than later, so better to knock that out now between binge watching Breaking Bad for the 3rd time than later when you're slammed. Only have to do it once and then you just update it q3-4 months in med school.
 
I've been working so that I can afford moving and survive until my loans disperse :x

Plus, I'm trying to spend as much time with the boyfriend as possible before we have to go long distance when the semester starts (he's got another two years of undergrad to go). Gotta take care of that emotional health, yo.
 
I feel like those general books on learning are still useful -- it's good to know about active vs passive learning, quizzing yourself, etc. Anything medically related is not going to be that helpful because, you know, we're not in med school yet, don't know the format or content of the classes.

What I would like to see though is a good and condensed summary of resources such as Anki, Firecracker, etc. I'm planning on reading that Anki thread at some point but it's dauntingly long.

Even then, I feel like some good soul on SDN could probably write up such a review in half an hour for free.
Or it will be given during orientation week as it will be at my school.

Or do you know that thread where people with 30+ MCAT tell others about their preparation? That was a good resource
 
I'm in the just relax and chill boat sort of. I've been trying to get my house in order so that after a long day it's a place that I can come relax and be happy in.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Don't do anything I have talked to many people that did a pre-matriculation program to prepare and each said that it didn't help much and they regret not relaxing/having fun
 
Francibald said:
I've been working so that I can afford moving and survive until my loans disperse :x

Plus, I'm trying to spend as much time with the boyfriend as possible before we have to go long distance when the semester starts (he's got another two years of undergrad to go). Gotta take care of that emotional health, yo.
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man good luck. the number of people i've seen that spent hours on the phone because the other person didn't understand the time commitment...
 
Actually I started watching some Dr. Anthony Goodman lectures on general anatomy and physiology today. My aunt got them for me for my birthday last year and it seems like it might be a nice A&P refresher that is actually somewhat enjoyable and will get my mind in the right place for jumping back into academics.
 
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Psai said:
man good luck. the number of people i've seen that spent hours on the phone because the other person didn't understand the time commitment...
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Thanks for the concern, dude. I've already discussed this with him at length, and I think he has a pretty good idea of what it'll be like. We've had bouts of long distance in the past and have found we can get by with periodic Facebook messages and weekly skyping. Plus it's not suuuuper far apart, so driving to see each other once in the while will be feasible.
 
Thanks for your thoughts and especially for the comic relief. I agree that the best advice I could give an incoming M1 is to relax and enjoy...but I also know there are pre-med gunners out there who can't help but prep ahead.

In truth, I was motivated to make this online course for people who are struggling in M1/M2 years - because I struggled myself. But it's kind of a catch-22 because once you start struggling, you don't feel like you have time to stop, breathe, reassess, and try new study methods. I wondered if it was better to educate people ahead of time. Basically I'm not sure how I can help people in the best way, but I really want to help (the reason we all go into medicine in the first place right? bleeding hearts...).

When I was going through it, I had to piece things together myself, ask a million people for advice, try things that didn't work; and I wish I had one central resource where someone took the time to show me the way. Now that I've matched into the specialty of my dreams, I know that people who struggle can still have a happy ending...and I'm determined to help others get there! If anyone reading this struggled in M1/M2 and has some wisdom on what would have been most useful, please PM me.

Now I'm going to go watch some Netflix myself 🙂
 
Sleeping. Movies. Exercise. Sports. Novels. Full on relax mode.
 
sholamd said:
Thanks for your thoughts and especially for the comic relief. I agree that the best advice I could give an incoming M1 is to relax and enjoy...but I also know there are pre-med gunners out there who can't help but prep ahead.

In truth, I was motivated to make this online course for people who are struggling in M1/M2 years - because I struggled myself. But it's kind of a catch-22 because once you start struggling, you don't feel like you have time to stop, breathe, reassess, and try new study methods. I wondered if it was better to educate people ahead of time. Basically I'm not sure how I can help people in the best way, but I really want to help (the reason we all go into medicine in the first place right? bleeding hearts...).

When I was going through it, I had to piece things together myself, ask a million people for advice, try things that didn't work; and I wish I had one central resource where someone took the time to show me the way. Now that I've matched into the specialty of my dreams, I know that people who struggle can still have a happy ending...and I'm determined to help others get there! If anyone reading this struggled in M1/M2 and has some wisdom on what would have been most useful, please PM me.

Now I'm going to go watch some Netflix myself 🙂
Click to expand...
So you know you want to help... But don't know how to actually to do it, all the while you want to be paid for it? Smooth.
 
slopes23 said:
So you know you want to help... But don't know how to actually to do it, all the while you want to be paid for it? Smooth.
Click to expand...

I can understand your point of view. But I'm not sure you're considering the whole picture. When I decided I wanted to do a web course, I didn't know anything about it, so I started by listening to a ton of podcasts about how it's done - I seriously listened to over 60 hours of podcasts on the topic! (I know this because it was every day to and from my remote site during my Primary Care Clerkship 4th year.) One thing that people said repeatedly was that you have to charge for a course, otherwise people won't take it seriously and all the time you invested will be wasted. I also had to invest a little money to do the podcast (microphone, hosting, etc) and to get the software to build the course itself - because I'm no coder/designer - and that has already set me back $500+. I'm also giving away my best content for free on the podcast and blog.

Since graduation, I've spent at least 20 hours a week of my precious pre-residency break time working on this, time I could have been spending with my husband and 3-year-old. I'm not going to get rich by doing a podcast and an online course for a handful of med students. This is a labor of love. Sorry if it comes off as anything different.
 
sholamd said:
I can understand your point of view. But I'm not sure you're considering the whole picture. When I decided I wanted to do a web course, I didn't know anything about it, so I started by listening to a ton of podcasts about how it's done - I seriously listened to over 60 hours of podcasts on the topic! (I know this because it was every day to and from my remote site during my Primary Care Clerkship 4th year.) One thing that people said repeatedly was that you have to charge for a course, otherwise people won't take it seriously and all the time you invested will be wasted. I also had to invest a little money to do the podcast (microphone, hosting, etc) and to get the software to build the course itself - because I'm no coder/designer - and that has already set me back $500+. I'm also giving away my best content for free on the podcast and blog.

Since graduation, I've spent at least 20 hours a week of my precious pre-residency break time working on this, time I could have been spending with my husband and 3-year-old. I'm not going to get rich by doing a podcast and an online course for a handful of med students. This is a labor of love. Sorry if it comes off as anything different.
Click to expand...
Honest question: Do you find it disingenuous that on your website front page it says Harvard Graduate, Dermatology Resident? Even though you went to UW-Madison for med school and Harvard was undergrad I guess?
 
Bf is taking me on a mystery vacation after we move to Chicago. Not really planning to do anything along the lines of studying.
 
Wow. I started this thread looking for honest help, and it has degenerated to personal attacks, and even "you got into derm because you're black." Shame on you, masaraksh.

I won't be following this thread any longer, but thank you to everyone who posted positive and helpful responses.
 
sholamd said:
Wow. I started this thread looking for honest help, and it has degenerated to personal attacks, and even "you got into derm because you're black." Shame on you, masaraksh.

I won't be following this thread any longer, but thank you to everyone who posted positive and helpful responses.
Click to expand...

I admire people like you who want to make a difference. We all have just been in "you know what and back" applying, interviewing, stressing and worrying about finances (at least I am). Preparing for the next chapter is resting my mind to prepare for the next "you know what and back". There is just sooooooooooooooo much one can take before the next four years begin. Good luck with your mission!
 
sholamd said:
Wow. I started this thread looking for honest help, and it has degenerated to personal attacks, and even "you got into derm because you're black." Shame on you, masaraksh.

I won't be following this thread any longer, but thank you to everyone who posted positive and helpful responses.
Click to expand...
You still never answered my question. I am sure it's because we all know the answer. You are trying to embellish your credentials to be able to help desperate students. When you admittedly say in this thread that you don't know how to help these people, and yet you are willing to take their money all while propping your accomplishments higher than what they really are; it's quite shameful.
 
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slopes23 said:
You still never answered my question. I am sure it's because we all know the answer. You are trying to embellish your credentials to be able to help desperate students. When you admittedly say in this thread that you don't know how to help these people, and yet you are willing to take their money all while propping your accomplishments higher than what they really are; it's quite shameful.
Click to expand...
C'mon slopes that's a little harsh. If she graduated from Harvard she's a Harvard grad. Yeah I get what you're saying but I think it's a very mild mislead at best. At the end of the day she is clearly academically accomplished no matter how it's advertised. She's trying to help people and make a little money to help payoff these crazy loans we are all taking on. I don't blame her and I don't think she is solely motivated by money. Let's not get carried away on a high horse.
 
ski89 said:
C'mon slopes that's a little harsh. If she graduated from Harvard she's a Harvard grad. Yeah I get what you're saying but I think it's a very mild mislead at best. At the end of the day she is clearly academically accomplished no matter how it's advertised. She's trying to help people and make a little money to help payoff these crazy loans we are all taking on. I don't blame her and I don't think she is solely motivated by money. Let's not get carried away on a high horse.
Click to expand...
I don't think it's harsh at all.

(1)This gal has openly stated on this thread that she doesn't know how exactly to help struggling medical students, but is still asking for money from these students to receive her help.
(2) Additionally, most people who go on her website would read that she went to Harvard for medical school, which is much different and a much bigger accomplishment then going to Harvard for undergrad. Sure, its great that she went to an Ivy for undergrad, but it may come off as semi-concerning that she attended a school that is such a drop in rank, implicating perhaps some academic issues (relatively of course) during undergrad, only adding to the fact that she does not have the tools nor skill set to help struggling students in a meaningful way. Whether or not this proves to be reasonable doubt for any one potential "client" is unknown, but they should at least know the clear and factual credentials of this person so they can decide how to proceed without having to delve through what I would depict as purposeful misleading/deceitful advertising.
(3)Lastly, she made her avatar an advertisement for SDN and also makes a lot of posts/threads subtlety plugging the fact that she has a website for this purpose, which is against the TOS.

Whether the mods in their all-knowing wisdom want to take action on some, all, or none of this, doesn't change the fact that, personally, I do not appreciate it; these things take away from my SDN user experience and the experience of the community overall. Now of course that is only my opinion, but I choose to express my discourse of @sholamd publicly due to all three of these factors, have no problem taking her to task on it, and remain unapologetic.
 
Well, currently I'm preparing by wasting my time reading this thread. Otherwise, I've been testing the functionality of the liver in alcohol consumption as well as my endurance in participating in virtual worlds via a keyboard and mouse.
 
slopes23 said:
I don't think it's harsh at all.

(1)This gal has openly stated on this thread that she doesn't know how exactly to help struggling medical students, but is still asking for money from these students to receive her help.
(2) Additionally, most people who go on her website would read that she went to Harvard for medical school, which is much different and a much bigger accomplishment then going to Harvard for undergrad. Sure, its great that she went to an Ivy for undergrad, but it may come off as semi-concerning that she attended a school that is such a drop in rank, implicating perhaps some academic issues (relatively of course) during undergrad, only adding to the fact that she does not have the tools nor skill set to help struggling students in a meaningful way. Whether or not this proves to be reasonable doubt for any one potential "client" is unknown, but they should at least know the clear and factual credentials of this person so they can decide how to proceed without having to delve through what I would depict as purposeful misleading/deceitful advertising.
(3)Lastly, she made her avatar an advertisement for SDN and also makes a lot of posts/threads subtlety plugging the fact that she has a website for this purpose, which is against the TOS.

Whether the mods in their all-knowing wisdom want to take action on some, all, or none of this, doesn't change the fact that, personally, I do not appreciate it; these things take away from my SDN user experience and the experience of the community overall. Now of course that is only my opinion, but I choose to express my discourse of @sholamd publicly due to all three of these factors, have no problem taking her to task on it, and remain unapologetic.
Click to expand...

You are reaching.
A quick glance at the about me section of her website states that she was AOA and came in 4th in her class.
Find something else to do with your Saturday night.
 
Areopagus said:
You are reaching.
A quick glance at the about me section of her website states that she was AOA and came in 4th in her class.
Find something else to do with your Saturday night.
Click to expand...
Doesn't change any of what I was saying. She made derm, according to her so obviously she did something right during medical school, but its not to say she went with out tribulation at Harvard or else she would likely have attended a top tier program.... Moreover, being smart doesn't make you a good teacher which is the more important part. I had a brilliant Calculus professor in high school but he couldn't instruct for his life. Not his fault, just wasn't his niche. I took issue with being upfront with the facts so that people could decide, and that she said herself that she didn't know how to help, only that she wanted to. So essentially you come to the conclusion I am reaching because you addressed one sub-point of one of my main points. Cool.

P.S. - I am chilling in my backyard in front of a summer night fire burning the dead Aspen tree I cut down from my front yard earlier just watching Netflix on my iPad. What are you doing with your Saturday night?
 
slopes23 said:
So essentially you come to the conclusion I am reaching because you addressed one sub-point of one of my main points. Cool.

P.S. - I am chilling in my backyard in front of a summer night fire burning the dead Aspen tree I cut down from my front yard earlier just watching Netflix on my iPad. What are you doing with your Saturday night?
Click to expand...
slopes23 said:
Doesn't change any of what I was saying. She made derm, according to her so obviously she did something right during medical school, but its not to say she went with out tribulation at Harvard or else she would likely have attended a top tier program.... Moreover, being smart doesn't make you a good teacher which is the more important part. I had a brilliant Calculus professor in high school but he couldn't instruct for his life. Not his fault, just wasn't his niche. I took issue with being upfront with the facts so that people could decide, and that she said herself that she didn't know how to help, only that she wanted to. So essentially you come to the conclusion I am reaching because you addressed one sub-point of one of my main points. Cool.

P.S. - I am chilling in my backyard in front of a summer night fire burning the dead Aspen tree I cut down from my front yard earlier just watching Netflix on my iPad. What are you doing with your Saturday night?
Click to expand...

You said, "it may come off as semi-concerning that she attended a school that is such a drop in rank, implicating perhaps some academic issues (relatively of course) during undergrad" <---You're reaching. Have a lovely evening.

On a semi-related note...
I'm kind of panicking that I'll be attending school with people like this. I'd love it if someone would start a website on how to deal with insufferable classmates.
 
Areopagus said:
You said, "it may come off as semi-concerning that she attended a school that is such a drop in rank, implicating perhaps some academic issues (relatively of course) during undergrad" <---You're reaching. Have a lovely evening.

On a semi-related note...
I'm kind of panicking that I'll be attending school with people like this. I'd love it if someone would start a website on how to deal with insufferable classmates.
Click to expand...
Lol, if you thought you were going to get along with everyone in your medical school then you probably have a lot more panicking to do. Again, you only addressed a subsection of my argument, and then imply that the rest of my argument(s) should have no weight because I am reaching in that one small conclusion, even when I only said that may be a possible conclusion.

Have fun "panicking" on your Saturday night. I'll still be here next to the fire, watching Netflix with a Breckenridge Brew in hand.
 
To get back on topic for a bit, I'm firmly of the belief that you should just relax and enjoy yourself before starting med school. Most schools also have a short orientation period, which can allow you to get in the right frame of mind. That being said, even though I wouldn't say you should study actual material, I would start thinking about how you want to study. The cramming that you did in college can work in medical school, but it is the most inefficient way to study in my opinion. You will learn less with more effort, and are more prone to burnout.
 
MedSchoolSurvivor said:
To get back on topic for a bit, I'm firmly of the belief that you should just relax and enjoy yourself before starting med school. Most schools also have a short orientation period, which can allow you to get in the right frame of mind. That being said, even though I wouldn't say you should study actual material, I would start thinking about how you want to study. The cramming that you did in college can work in medical school, but it is the most inefficient way to study in my opinion. You will learn less with more effort, and are more prone to burnout.
Click to expand...

Except that's not on topic because OP is a resident trying to sell a resource to M1s/premeds and asking for specific resources anyone has tried, not a soon-to-be M1 looking for advice.
 
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slopes23 said:
Doesn't change any of what I was saying. She made derm, according to her so obviously she did something right during medical school, but its not to say she went with out tribulation at Harvard or else she would likely have attended a top tier program.... Moreover, being smart doesn't make you a good teacher which is the more important part. I had a brilliant Calculus professor in high school but he couldn't instruct for his life. Not his fault, just wasn't his niche. I took issue with being upfront with the facts so that people could decide, and that she said herself that she didn't know how to help, only that she wanted to. So essentially you come to the conclusion I am reaching because you addressed one sub-point of one of my main points. Cool.

P.S. - I am chilling in my backyard in front of a summer night fire burning the dead Aspen tree I cut down from my front yard earlier just watching Netflix on my iPad. What are you doing with your Saturday night?
Click to expand...

Chill! Drink that brekenridge brew (although I prefer Great divide myself). She's more than qualified to charge people for advise if there are those out there that will pay. If she's a derm resident she was top of her class and how would you know what happened at Harvard? You know as well as I that the application process can be a crap shoot. And I don't think she really has "no idea" how to help students, I think that was obviously hyperbolic.. You just sound like a hater to be honest.
 
ski89 said:
Chill! Drink that brekenridge brew (although I prefer Great divide myself). She's more than qualified to charge people for advise if there are those out there that will pay. If she's a derm resident she was top of her class and how would you know what happened at Harvard? You know as well as I that the application process can be a crap shoot. And I don't think she really has "no idea" how to help students, I think that was obviously hyperbolic.. You just sound like a hater to be honest.
Click to expand...
Lol.
 
I've been drinking a TON of local craft beer everyday. On top of that, saw my favorite artist in concert, surf almost everyday, and eat a ton of Mexican food (I live in Southern California). All things will be unfortunately unavailable to me once school starts.
 
slopes23 shut your face
 
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