It's a little hard for the c/o 2009 to give advice on specifics, since our experience was drastically different than previous years. Hopefully, we'lll be able to enlighten you in the small group sessions during orientation.
You'll have 3 courses first semester, Gross Anatomy, Histology and Human Prenatal Development (HPD). Additionally, the Science and Practice of Medicine (SPM) will include "weekly" DXR/Diagnostic Reasoning (a computer program that simulates a patient visit) assignments, weekly clinical forums (ethics and doctor-patient relationship discussions) and several physical exam sessions.
The first semester is organized into three blocks:
Block A
Back and Upper Extremity - My advice: learn the basics of the brachial plexus first. It'll make consolidating the rest of this block's info a little easier. The main objective of this block is to understand the movements of the upper extremity.
Block B
Head and Neck - Foramina and Cranial Nerves, etc.
Block C
Pelvis, Perineum, and Lower Extremity
As you can see the blocks are defined based on Gross. Histo and HPD topics will generally follow/overlap what's covered in Gross.
One thing I wish I knew is...when they say you have to know head and neck, or upper extremity, etc...THEY REALLY MEAN IT. Learning bones, muscles, and their attachments is just scratching the surface. You'll learn nerve and arterial supply, venous drainage, lymphatics. EVERYTHING! When you start medical school you really don't know what to expect so this caught me a little off guard. Looking back is doesn't seem that difficult. Hindsight 20/20...I guess. There's so much detail. It's a tremendous amount of information that's crammed into such a short time period. There
are moments when you actually enjoy it. We (c/o 09) had only three weeks of lab before Katrina. Thank GOD!
The currents L3s talk seem to mention how time in the lab seemed to take away from time that could've been used for studying. We always try to compare who had it worse, but it's really comparing apples to oranges.
My experience. On my first "real" day of medical school (post-orientation) I discovered that you're starting from behind...not just a little behind...but A LOT BEHIND. One the second day, I realized they're giving you more and more information faster than you'd want or need it.
One of my classmates compared it to drinking form a fire hose. On day three, I felt incredibly overwhelmed and honestly didn't know what the hell I gotten myself into. I seriously doubted that I was going to make it through. I had one of those "I've made a big mistake moments."
I can laugh about it now.
KEEP THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE! Most medical students go through some form of shock, doubt, disappointment, or depression at various points of their medical school careers. If you start to feel that way, recognize that it's part of the PROCESS. You're not the first medical student have those feelings and you won't be the last. It's possible to study your butt off for an exam and still fail. That can be disheartening. Just pick yourself up and focus on the next exam (
'cause there's always another exam)!
The first semester (and medical school in general) requires discipline and focus at a level higher than your medical school preparation (i.e. undergrad, MCAT prep, etc.). I'm not a morning person (well, I definitely wasn't one first semester). Starting my day in the morning for an 8am class and trying to stay alert throughout the day, after lunch, and during the afternoon was pretty difficult. You soon realize the end of your
class day is the beginning of your
study day. Initially, it's difficult to figure out what type of schedule works. That's something each individual has to work out on his/her own.
Sometimes that involves conforming to something you're not comfortable with ("becoming" a morning person because you realize you actually get a lot out of class). Other times that involves ditching portions of the curriculum you don't find useful (skipping particular lectures because reading the book is more effective and a better use of your time).
The first semester of your L1 year has been called the secondmost difficult semester.
I always find that statement humorous since it only compares four semesters...but I digress. The adjustment makes it so difficult. One thing you'll find is that you're constantly making changing to your study habits. Your routine will change based on how you did on your last exam or the particular block you're in.
I always compare it to juggling.
How many of you can juggle? Most people can't! Handling 2 classes is generally something most students do pretty well....but, of course, they throw in that third one.
Don't feel like you have to read everything. Don't worry about how other people study. People will say...
YOU NEED TO USE REVIEW BOOKS - High Yield and Board Review Series (BRS)!
DEFINITELY READ THE NOTESETS!
YOU'VE GOT TO DO THE CUTOUTS!
GO THROUGH ALL THE POWERPOINTS!
...but ultimately do what you feel comfortable with and what works for you!
Notesets - The Notetaking Service (NTS) provides lecture notes for a fee. It is a student-run/student-written/student-reviewed organization.
Cutouts is a packet that contains old exam questions.
Remember...
There's more than one way to skin a cat.
Different strokes for different folks.
What's good for the goose is good for the gander.
This one is inappropriate but I've always like it!
What should you do when school starts?
Maintain a consistent study schedule.
What to do right now?
Spend time with the people that mean the most to you.
