Is keeping old science course books worthwhile?

[IthacaIsGorges]

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Has anyone found keeping science textbooks from undergrad helpful in vet school or should I not bother lugging them around? ie. Biochem, Orgo, Genetics, Microbio, etc

Thanks!

 

[StartingoverVet]

Asked and answered here:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=703563&highlight=textbook

For what it is worth, I kept gen chem, o-chem, and gen bio and they are gathering dust on the bottom of my shelf.

I purchased books for our anatomy, histology, dev bio, and bio chem classes (mostly used thankfully) and only use the anatomy and histology ones so textbooks are not a big part of my life. Biochem is the only new text I bought and it is still in its bubble wrap.

Did find the veterinary dictionary useful though (especially earlier in the term).

 

[BlacKAT33]

I really think it depends on the person. I've used my biochem, gen bio, and genetics books in vet school so far. Now, I don't go reading whole chapters of them, but I look specific things up. Especially if I know the book has awesome pictures or descriptions that the teacher didn't explain well.

But I really like my books and even if I never used them I'd probably still keep them lol so if you HATE moving with your text books then I wouldn't keep them.

 

[sumstorm]

I still have my primary texts from college (pre PPT popularity) and have occasionally pulled one or two out. It only works for me because I relied heavily on the texts while in school, so I have a strong feel for where info is in them, and I can find it quickly, and have a tone of written notes in the margins. So unless you used the books extensively enough that you are more likely to find the info in them (notated in a way that helps you understand/recall it faster) faster than googling, I'd give them up. I have switched to google for most things. Also, info does become outdated. I am very graphicly oriented, so sometimes the cartoons for some processes are easier for me to recall/relearn than a different graphic presented in class.

Now, I am far more likely to use google to find info that I need. I too keep a pocket med dictionary handy. Now, when I purchase books, it is more for reference than studying purposes. I very rarely open texts while in vet school

 

[SocialStigma]

I think it just depends on what type of learner you are, I've never been a textbook reader so I won't be keeping any of mine for sure. I don't even open up a textbook unless there are assigned textbook readings (that are testable material). Sometimes I don't even bother buying a textbook for a course because I know it would be a waste of money for me. I rely solely on lecture notes and online resources.

 

[scb44f]

I don't know from personal experience, but my SO is in medical school right now. I've only ever heard him say one book he wished he had kept. The only reason he wishes he kept it is because it's a biochem book, and his med school recommends using the same book that our undergrad uses. He agreed to let me keep it before he knew, so I have it but he hasn't made a big fuss over not having it because of all the other resources available to him.

 

[IthacaIsGorges]

Thanks for all of your thoughts on this! (and sorry to repeat a thread!)

 

[Coquette22]

I've kept my histology and microbiology textbooks, which I refer to fairly often. I'll probably keep biochemistry.

 

[jmcgintee]

I've referred to my cell bio book a couple of times...just for looking up a couple of definitions or maybe looking at a diagram...It wouldn't really be too much of a problem if I didn't have it

 

[Minnerbelle]

I totally agree that it's a matter of personal learning style. I kept my immunology, physiology, and biochem textbooks from undergrad. This semester, our course load requires books for immunology, physiology, anatomy, radiology, and histology... and the only books I bought were the 2 anatomy texts, which have come in very handy.

I refer to my immuno and physiology texts from college all the time, and actually think they cover the material much more in depth than the ones required for vet school. Rarely had a problem not being able to find the information I need. Once in a while, there might be one specific veterinary application that don't appear in my texts... but that's what google's for!

So yes! If you've already bonded with your textbooks during undergrad, then I'd definitely keep them. A lot of people don't even have time to read the required texts anyway, so even if they buy new books, many people don't get to know the books well enough to use them as effective resources.

 

[twelvetigers]

I kept my biochem book but just because I loved it so much lol. I'd like to keep my Advanced Micro book (Prescott's, anyone?) But it cost nearly $200 so I'll probably be selling that puppy.

I kept my organic book and wish I would have sold it. Now all I'll use it for is sticking under my kids' noses and being like, "Look what mom had to learn!" Lmao.

 

[Minnerbelle]

I kept my organic book and wish I would have sold it. Now all I'll use it for is sticking under my kids' noses and being like, "Look what mom had to learn!" Lmao.

I sold that sucker the second I finished the course. yeah, I doubt you'll ever actually have to open that one in vet school. but you know, you can also use it as some sort of torture mechanism for ill behaved children. Like instead of time-out, make them read it aloud to the best of their abilities for like half an hour. Or just whack them with it. Or make them stand there for like 10 min with the heavy book on their head (it might stunt your kid's growth or something though)

 

[Willowhand]

I love having mine around. One of our Physio professors has a way of explaining things that makes me confuse the concepts I already knew and hopelessly flounder in new ones. But a few minutes reading in Essential Cell Bio and -voila! It makes sense again!

 

[Lissarae06]

The only book from undergrad that I have used in vet school was my lab manual from vertebrate morphology which includes the dissection of the cat. The only lab book we have for anatomy is a dog guide so my old book has been useful for when there is something different in the cat than in the dog.

 

[EllieGirl89]

I become emotionally attached to my textbooks...lol So I haven't sold any of them. Yep, I have every textbook from my undergrad. I love having them around, and I've referred to a few of them, a lot of times just in casual debate.

 

[bbeventer]

I've referred to my cell bio book a couple of times...just for looking up a couple of definitions or maybe looking at a diagram...It wouldn't really be too much of a problem if I didn't have it

I am not a vet student... but I have kept my cell bio book from last semester. It is really well written with great diagrams and I have already referred back to it for both my micro class and my genetics class (both of those books though are terrible).

I only plan on keeping my UG books if they are worth my while ie. extremely well written, informative, and easy to refer to. So far the only one I have felt worth while to keep are my cell bio and my gen chem.

 

[laitmanvet]

There are some "classic" texts in various field I'd never part with. Janeway immunology, Lehninger biochemistry, Wheater's histology...I'm sure there is at least one more...
However, like Elliegirl, I'm a textbook hoarder. I'm never sold any science text.

 

[sumstorm]

There are some "classic" texts in various field I'd never part with. Janeway immunology,

Just remember, the classics undergo revisions for a reason. I have been frustrated in class as I learned something that didn't quite jive with what I 'remember' and thinking my memory is shot. Not really; names have changed, they discovered that the enzyme didn't do what they thought, or they have realized it is a conglomeration of components and eliminated the name in favor of naming components. So, for dealing with the 'am I crazy? why do I remember it this way?' my old text books have been helpful, but in terms of reference material, mine are almost all outdated.

 

[Minnerbelle]

Just remember, the classics undergo revisions for a reason.

haha yeah, i absolutely love my janeway immunology and still live by it (never even took a look at the required immuno book), but even from just 3 years ago it's way outdated when it comes to certain things. Th17 cells didn't really exist when my text was written, and Tregs didn't either, as it was just becoming mainstream while I was taking the class.

wikipedia's pretty good at filling in the gaps though...

 

[flyhi]

I brought two biochem books (which i have definitely used) and wish I would have had cell bio, dev bio, histology and a physiology reference book. I use texts quite a bit...if the lecture doesn't cover a concept in depth enough or I just need a different way of it being explained, I will refer to them.

 

[nyanko]

I use texts quite a bit...if the lecture doesn't cover a concept in depth enough or I just need a different way of it being explained, I will refer to them.

This is me too. So far, the way I've ended up studying for most classes in vet school is by using the lectures as sort of a jumping off point for doing my own research and finding a way to piece together concepts in a way that makes sense to me.

So I'm constantly referring back to textbooks, papers, old notes from relevant classes, etc...