Well, thank you for trying to inform myself and others. I really do appreciate it. The info really has made me think but I think more than anything, it has made me less excited about going to KCUMB, and that makes me a little upset. I am a realist by nature and tend to see things very matter of factly. I understand very well the desire to see things analytically and 'truthfully'. However, I also believe in 'faking it until you make it' and seeing things through a rose colored glass because sometimes that approach can, in essence, change reality and change your perspective on everything. So, what I want to know is now that I have this information, what am I, or others, supposed to do with it? How can we turn this negative info about poor quality professors into a positive? What benefit is 'knowing the truth' going to make? Maybe I could decide to go to a different school but there is likely going to be problems there that people will complain about. Maybe I pick a different school that is 100% perfect, well that's not very good either bc I may wander through life expecting everything to be perfect and set myself up to be unhappy forever. Is that beneficial to me? I don't know, just rambling. Anyway, thanks for the info and I guess I consider myself forewarned. Is there anything we can do to make a difference or make it better?
You know, I like your attitude. It's rare that people are this proactive.
👍 That's the number one thing that will help you through the issues. Don't be the silent majority. Most folks get tired and don't write their CQI in a way that hits the issues squarely. There are forums in which you can tell the administration what you see. They make changes by majority, so the more people talk about the problems in an insightful and constructive way, the more likely things will be changed. Just don't get stuck opting out of the CQI, or worse, writing crap because you've just finished a whole slough of exams and are now tired and bitter.
In terms of how to do well, despite some holes in instruction, being an independent learner sure helps. I've found the BRS series very helpful and I can't recommend this material highly enough. Get the help of tutors for anatomy, OMM, pathology, and maybe even physiology. The tutors have been an invaluable resource and they have saved my *** more than once. Join ACOFP and UAAO for their mock practicals. Believe me, it's worth it. If this sort of thing works for you, try going over stuff with friends.
Don't get too caught up with the administration's BS. It might make you angry from time to time, but just let it go and focus on your studies. Yeah, it's a load of crap, but there isn't much that anybody can do about it. Just lay low and move onto residency, without a hitch. Don't keep yourself bottled up; talk to people you trust and let them help you through stuff.
ERF often doesn't lecture on the material he's going to test on. He'll show a Marlboro man movie, or some sort of slide show, "Pathology at work," but then test you on something totally different. Make sure you review quizbank, his old tests, and look at as many slides/pictures of histopathology as you can. Sign up for his sign-outs early. Also, the pathology assistants are very helpful. Use them.
In term of anatomy, spend a lot of time in the anatomy lab. Print out the required items and find them over and over again on different cadavers and make sure to work with your tutor. In anatomy, the format, or how you answer, is often as important as what the answer is. Make sure you get the format down.
In terms of the not so good physiology professor, well, read books to understand what he is talking about. Don't sweat his lectures too much; they are definitely confusing, so don't feel bad if you are confused by his notes and words. Work with a tutor to decode his craziness. I found the BRS physiology to be a good outline and then I read Ganong.
In term of IM, don't neglect the schemes, they show up on exams. You may roll your eyes when you look at them, but the school thinks they are important. Go to the IDC's they can be helpful, depending on who gives them. Make sure you start practicing EKG's as soon as you learn them in Cardio. It's going to pay back in spades.
I learned embryology completely from BRS embryology. I'd recommend at least supplementing with that.
OMM: print out the OSCE and preread about the techniques and principles. Don't blow off the quizzes, they may only sting, but at the end it's like 20 stings; it can hurt your grade if you aren't prepared for them. Also, buy a table or spend some time after school in the lab practicing with tutors, second years, or friends. It helps so much. Don't wait until the last moment.
Read your immunology book.
If I can think of other helpful hints, I'll continue to post them.
Are you for sure going to KCUMB?
