MCW Class of 2010, Part 3

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ddmedical said:
Is Biochem the subject everyone is studying the most?

For me, yes, but not by much. I'm having to spend time on the hormone feedback cycle and other details in DEVO, and I'm putting in time in Anatomy, realizing that the stuff covered in lecture isn't nearly the stuff we're expected to know. It finally occurred to me this weekend to print off the "white board" announcements from Angel and put them in plastic sleeves so I can bring them to lab and actually go through the list of what we're supposed to identify in a given lab. I don't think we're even coming close. I'm looking at pictures of those structures in Netter and reading about them in Moore, but dayam!

I'll have to hit the library tomorrow and look at a photographic atlas, and also get a jump on next week's pre-reading.

It could be worse, though. This time of year, I'd be writing position descriptions and recruiting a vacancy in my department and fixing very cranky library computers. I love my new job of being a student. I get to read books all day, something I never got to do as a librarian! 🙂

Of course, the salary kind of sucks.
 
ddmedical said:
I have also been studying quite a bit through the first week. I hope it is doing some good.

Indo I noticed that you are from Oregon, I am also from that green state.

Sweet. Did you drive over? If so, did you notice how terrible Idaho is? Did you go to U of P, Whitman, or Southern Oregon?
 
samenewme said:
For me, yes, but not by much. I'm having to spend time on the hormone feedback cycle and other details in DEVO, and I'm putting in time in Anatomy, realizing that the stuff covered in lecture isn't nearly the stuff we're expected to know. It finally occurred to me this weekend to print off the "white board" announcements from Angel and put them in plastic sleeves so I can bring them to lab and actually go through the list of what we're supposed to identify in a given lab. I don't think we're even coming close. I'm looking at pictures of those structures in Netter and reading about them in Moore, but dayam!


Be aware that while devo seems really detailed the exams arent so much. Look at the practice questions cause alot of them WILL reappear unchanged on your exam. As look at bolenders answers to the questions at the end of each lecture...its a quick 15 min read once you get a broad overview of whats going on. Note well: the devo notes arent a real good source of learning the material for the first time...but some how they make sense AFTER you understand it. See if you can google whatever the topic at hand is to obtain a easy understanding.

Biochem on the other hand is a pain in the butthole... be sure you know the ATPs, cofactors and all the stupid enzymes. Lastly, if it is clinically revelent and biochem related...its prob not gonna be on the exam 😱 🙄

Anatomy is pretty straight forward and test broad clinical topics. Be sure to know the blood supply and innervation and function of each muscle/organ. That is prob 85% of the written exams if i remember correctly. The lab is not out to trick you ....things are clearly marked soo dont worry about that...if you really know it..you will get it right.

But since everyone learns differently ...you prob just wasted 23 seconds of precious study time reading what i just wrote...my 2 cents.
 
indo said:
Sweet. Did you drive over? If so, did you notice how terrible Idaho is? Did you go to U of P, Whitman, or Southern Oregon?


I flew out, but my parents will agree with you that there is not much going on in Idaho. I went to U of O
 
pratik7 said:
Be aware that while devo seems really detailed the exams arent so much. Look at the practice questions cause alot of them WILL reappear unchanged on your exam. As look at bolenders answers to the questions at the end of each lecture...its a quick 15 min read once you get a broad overview of whats going on. Note well: the devo notes arent a real good source of learning the material for the first time...but some how they make sense AFTER you understand it. See if you can google whatever the topic at hand is to obtain a easy understanding.

Biochem on the other hand is a pain in the butthole... be sure you know the ATPs, cofactors and all the stupid enzymes. Lastly, if it is clinically revelent and biochem related...its prob not gonna be on the exam 😱 🙄

Anatomy is pretty straight forward and test broad clinical topics. Be sure to know the blood supply and innervation and function of each muscle/organ. That is prob 85% of the written exams if i remember correctly. The lab is not out to trick you ....things are clearly marked soo dont worry about that...if you really know it..you will get it right.

But since everyone learns differently ...you prob just wasted 23 seconds of precious study time reading what i just wrote...my 2 cents.

Maybe, but they were FUN seconds spent NOT memorizing the target of cyclohexasomething. Thanks, Pratik. There's good advice here!
 
By the way, I found that Cardinal Fitness on Mayfair (and 3 other streets) has the cheapest membership around. The gym at the bible college will have you sharing the gym with the football team. Great. Bally Fitness is too expensive (20/month for 3 days/week) and it is full of meatheads. I can handle the meatheads but not when it is FULL.

If you're from out of town and like coffee, try Alterra coffee. I can't remember where it is but it is near the lake down town. It is gooooood.

Does anyone know where a porn store is? My nipple shockers broke.
 
Ashers said:
Already? It's only the first week!
Are you kidding? I've already packed in at least 20 hours of studying, and I'm headed to the library in about half an hour. 😳 I went to church early so I'd have more time in the afternoon, and I never do that! We were told that we should not let ourselves get behind, and I already feel a little 😕 about some stuff.

Honestly, I don't feel like I'm being a gunner or anything, but I'd like to do well. I'm really quite unsure about what I want to specialize in, and I'd hate to roll across the finish line and find out I can't get a residency in what I love (yes, I know, P=MD 😛).
 
indo said:
Me too. I've been studying about 3 hours per day since last Sunday. I hear people talking about how they haven't even opened their books yet! Either they are going to get a rude awakening after the first exam or I AM the guy who was mistakenly admitted.


Also, several months ago I asked if there were any good Mexican resteraunts in Milwaukee. Nobody even bothered to mention that the entire south side of Milwaukee is full of authentic Mexican food.
I think it's good to start studying from the get-go. My friends in other schools hit the books on day 1 as well. I'm not looking forward to the week of long days that starts tomorrow. 🙁

As for Mexican food, try La Perla. It's in quite a Mexican neighborhood, and I hear about it all the time. It's on 5th and National (lock your doors 😛).

also, where are you from? do we know each other yet? 😱
 
pratik7 said:
be sure you know the ATPs, cofactors and all the stupid enzymes. Lastly, if it is clinically revelent and biochem related...its prob not gonna be on the exam 😱 🙄
🙁 but thanks anywho.
 
indo said:
Does anyone know where a porn store is? My nipple shockers broke.
I actually don't know of any, and I've been here my whole life. This isn't the Bible belt - we don't have dozens of them off the freeway.
 
Wow, guys, I'm impressed. Seriously. I don't think I started studying for block 1 until labor day weekend.

I went to church early too, but that was only so I could get shopping at the outlets in before I go to a party at Dr. Stucky's house (my big sib invited me).
 
indo said:
Does anyone know where a porn store is? My nipple shockers broke.

There's a cute little, vaguely feminist, toy shop in Riverwest called The Tool Shed. That's all I know about locally. Not that I've looked, OF COURSE.
 
samenewme said:
There's a cute little, vaguely feminist, toy shop in Riverwest called The Tool Shed. That's all I know about locally. Not that I've looked, OF COURSE.
that's a porn store? :laugh: I think I've driven past it 200 times without realizing that
 
Ashers said:
Oh also, for biochem, even if they say to know the "big picture" know all the details as well. They like to test details.
that's what most of us are afraid of - I'm trying to soak those in. 🙁 I'm rolling through Netter's right now though. I can draw the brachial plexus, but recognizing it in the cadaver is a whole 'nother story. My younger sister freaked when she found out we actually take apart dead bodies 😛
 
Biochem = details, details, details. We are not exaggerating this in any way.

Anatomy = I highly recommend copying the list of structures for the practical and keeping a dirty copy in the lab. For the week before the exam, just systematically go through the list. You'll see things on there that you've never once heard mentioned in class.

Devo = don't worry about this one too much. Still study, but don't stress.

Mexican restaurants = My favorite is La Fuente. Great margaritas, lots of food, not too expensive.

Porn shops = just start driving on 94 towards Chicago. Trust me, you'll see them.

General studying = I don't think I started studying til like the 3rd week. But other people will be able to vouch for me being one of the most lax studiers in the class. DO NOT FOLLOW MY EXAMPLE on amount of study time. I'm actually going to make an effort to start earlier this year, considering boards are right around the corner. I told some people that this week, and they laughed at me...

Uh, I think that's it for now. Happy Sunday.
 
akpete said:
Biochem = details, details, details. We are not exaggerating this in any way.

Anatomy = I highly recommend copying the list of structures for the practical and keeping a dirty copy in the lab. For the week before the exam, just systematically go through the list. You'll see things on there that you've never once heard mentioned in class.

Devo = don't worry about this one too much. Still study, but don't stress.

Mexican restaurants = My favorite is La Fuente. Great margaritas, lots of food, not too expensive.

Porn shops = just start driving on 94 towards Chicago. Trust me, you'll see them.

General studying = I don't think I started studying til like the 3rd week. But other people will be able to vouch for me being one of the most lax studiers in the class. DO NOT FOLLOW MY EXAMPLE on amount of study time. I'm actually going to make an effort to start earlier this year, considering boards are right around the corner. I told some people that this week, and they laughed at me...

Uh, I think that's it for now. Happy Sunday.

I agree with everything april said. Except mexican food... I haven't found many places here, but I haven't tried many places here either. =) I'm willing to go out and find Mexican food places... when I went back to Tucson right before orientation, that's practically all I ate because I missed it so much last year, and Pedro's wasn't doin' it for me.

I also missed the exit to the Pleasant Prairie Outlet malls this morning, ended up taking the 41 towards Waukegan to turn around, and there were like 2 or 3 porn shops in the vicinity of the first place I could turn around.

My big sib just called me a gunner, non jokingly, which people usually call me one as a joke b/c I procrastinate like no other (well, maybe almost as bad as April). 😉 I still don't get it, and I've been trying to convince him I'm not.
 
Ashers said:
I agree with everything april said. Except mexican food... I haven't found many places here, but I haven't tried many places here either. =) I'm willing to go out and find Mexican food places... when I went back to Tucson right before orientation, that's practically all I ate because I missed it so much last year, and Pedro's wasn't doin' it for me.

Well, that's my favorite place here. Granted no Mexican restaurant in WI is going to be as good as the SW or Texas or something. And I think the only reason people go to Pedro's is cuz of the half-price margaritas on Tuesdays. I don't think it's for the food (but I still like it).
 
Hectors is nice and is really close to the school/chancery. I went to a new mexican place on mayfair(between watertown and bluemound) that was pretty good.
 
ddmedical said:
Is Biochem the subject everyone is studying the most?

It's anatomy for me right now. I never had any anatomy so it's all new material. I've at least seen quite a bit of the biochem in previous classes. However, we are quickly approaching the extent of my undergrad biochem so I bet my studying focus will soon change.
 
You guys are funny.

The second years are all correct about the classes... listen to them. They be smrt. 🙂

My number one piece of medical school advice? Do old tests. That applies to the second years for sure (block 6 path is cake if you look at the old tests... Dr. Ho hasn't written a new question in like 10 years).
 
Xandie said:
You guys are funny.

The second years are all correct about the classes... listen to them. They be smrt. 🙂

My number one piece of medical school advice? Do old tests. That applies to the second years for sure (block 6 path is cake if you look at the old tests... Dr. Ho hasn't written a new question in like 10 years).

ok, so i'm old school and maybe some stuff has changed, but i'm gonna disagree *a little* about biochem. it's true that they test on details. BUT, i really think if you understand the "big picture" you'll get a lot of the detail oriented questions right without knowing the right answer for sure. what i mean is this: if you get what's going on (anabolism, catabolism, stress-state, storage-state, etc) you'll be able to figure out what cofactor/metabolite/whatever regulates an enzyme because it will make sense. for instance, if there's an enzyme that works in gluconeogenesis, it's probably negatively regulated by glucose (why make more glucose when you've already got glucose?). nine times out of ten, this sort of logic will lead you to the right answer, even if you don't know that an enzyme is regulated by x,y,z.

so...learn the big picture first, then get as many details as you can. this will get you a lot further (a lot easier) than just going after details. maybe. i think.

anyway, hopefully this will help calm down some of the block one stressing. on second thought...probably not. carry on.
 
Xandie said:
You guys are funny.

The second years are all correct about the classes... listen to them. They be smrt. 🙂

My number one piece of medical school advice? Do old tests. That applies to the second years for sure (block 6 path is cake if you look at the old tests... Dr. Ho hasn't written a new question in like 10 years).


Xandie is so very wise; it would do you all well to listen to her.

My advice, as far as biochem (and everything else for that matter), learn the material the first time through. It makes life easier later, when it comes to boards and wards.

That being said, I had probably one of the most anal study schedules you could possibly imagine, so maybe you should take what I say with a grain of salt.
 
does anyone have any (ethically obtained) old exams that aren't posted online or on reserve? or do we have access to everything we'll need?
 
Well, see the problem is that an organization used to sell the old exams. And now that's not gonna happen anymore. (As far as I know...you probably would've heard about it by now if they were). Hit up upperclassmen. Once ya'll get your hands on some then you can make copies for everyone. But not at Kinko's - they're not allowed. The professors are now protecting the exams, so you won't get any really recent stuff. There should be some 2004 biochem out there.

Next semester, phys will put them online for you.
 
akpete said:
Well, see the problem is that an organization used to sell the old exams. And now that's not gonna happen anymore. (As far as I know...you probably would've heard about it by now if they were). Hit up upperclassmen. Once ya'll get your hands on some then you can make copies for everyone. But not at Kinko's - they're not allowed. The professors are now protecting the exams, so you won't get any really recent stuff. There should be some 2004 biochem out there.

Next semester, phys will put them online for you.

I gave a whole box to my little sib. I still need to see if my big sib has old exams for M2 year. =)

I'm so not excited to be up right now.
 
Ashers said:
I gave a whole box to my little sib. I still need to see if my big sib has old exams for M2 year. =)

I'm so not excited to be up right now.
I was already at school when you made this post. 😱

you should've given the whole box to ME. who's your little sib?
 
is anyone else thanking God they're a country boy? I know I am.

anyone?

prowler?
indo?

.......anyone?
 
Agent Splat said:
is anyone else thanking God they're a country boy? I know I am.

anyone?

prowler?
indo?

.......anyone?

do you got you a fine wife, and got your old fiddle? With sun comin' up got cakes on the griddle.

Right, so maybe I should go to bed.
 
Ashers said:
do you got you a fine wife, and got your old fiddle? With sun comin' up got cakes on the griddle.

Right, so maybe I should go to bed.

yes. yes, you should.
 
This is awesome...the guy on BBC World news sounds just like Obi Wan Kenobi.
 
Ashers said:
do you got you a fine wife, and got your old fiddle? With sun comin' up got cakes on the griddle.

Right, so maybe I should go to bed.

Life ain't nothin' but a funny, funny riddle!
 
Agent Splat said:
is anyone else thanking God they're a country boy? I know I am.

anyone?

prowler?
indo?

.......anyone?
I'm from Milwaukee, so.....no?

but Ashers, I do have a fine wife.....
 
Agent Splat said:
is anyone else thanking God they're a country boy? I know I am.

anyone?

prowler?
indo?

.......anyone?

No. But, when you hear a twin fiddle and a steel guitar you're listening to the sound of the american heaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaart.



The Lactose Intollerant Club (LIC) is having a lunchtime meeting tomorrow. NO PIZZA!
 
indo said:
No. But, when you hear a twin fiddle and a steel guitar you're listening to the sound of the american heaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaart.



The Lactose Intollerant Club (LIC) is having a lunchtime meeting tomorrow. NO PIZZA!


waaaaaah.

it's free.
 
Agent Splat said:
waaaaaah.

it's free.


Not if you include the cost of toilet paper.
 
indo said:
No. But, when you hear a twin fiddle and a steel guitar you're listening to the sound of the american heaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaart.



The Lactose Intollerant Club (LIC) is having a lunchtime meeting tomorrow. NO PIZZA!

Aw, I just peel off the cheese and eat the pepperoni. It would be cool if they'd order one or two cheeseless ones for us special people, though.
 
indo said:
The Lactose Intollerant Club (LIC) is having a lunchtime meeting tomorrow. NO PIZZA!


Sorry! It was the best we could afford. 😳

Never really thought about that...
 
akpete said:
Sorry! It was the best we could afford. 😳

Never really thought about that...


It really isn't a big deal...I just haven't had anything to complain about today so I figured I'd guilt trip all you nicely dressed 2nd years.

I think there is a 3 meat pizza with very little chease on it from pap johns or papa murphys.
 
akpete said:
Sorry! It was the best we could afford. 😳

Never really thought about that...

It was very nice pizza, no need to apologize for the quality of the free lunch you gave us!

But, for the future, every pizza place I have ordered from has been happy to make a pizza without cheese, and there will probably be two or three LI people in the crowd who will happily eat it, especially if there are some other toppings on it. Indeed, for you LI people out there, if you go out with friends, pizza places are also happy to make HALF of the pizza cheeseless, so you can still split one with a friend.
 
indo said:
all you nicely dressed 2nd years.

thanks for noticing. 😀 j/k. you'll have the pleasure of seeing us dressed up every tuesday unfortunately.

i'm gonna grow to hate tuesdays very quickly. nothing like only having a 20 min. break ALL DAY LONG. 👎
 
akpete said:
thanks for noticing. 😀 j/k. you'll have the pleasure of seeing us dressed up every tuesday unfortunately.

i'm gonna grow to hate tuesdays very quickly. nothing like only having a 20 min. break ALL DAY LONG. 👎

My freakin' preceptor didn't let us out until 1220 at the freakin' VA!!!!!

I'm so sorry Marc!

That's in addition to not getting let out of med ethics until after 4 as well.

I already hate Touchy Feely Tuesdays.
 
Ashers said:
!

That's in addition to not getting let out of med ethics until after 4 as well.

I already hate Touchy Feely Tuesdays.


And I thought I was bitter before the biochem final last year. This is lovely.

Advice to current M1s....petition to keep Kerrigan for yourselves next year or reverse it so M1s get HRC and M2s get Kerrigan. HRC sucks balloons.
 
Agent Splat said:
And I thought I was bitter before the biochem final last year. This is lovely.

Advice to current M1s....petition to keep Kerrigan for yourselves next year or reverse it so M1s get HRC and M2s get Kerrigan. HRC sucks balloons.

haha.. I watched so much tv before the biochem final last year. I gave up on that class after studying block 1 and 2 in depth. I kinda skimmed 3 and 4 then watched tv the rest of the night.

As for my rash of bad preceptors, I'm hoping this means I get awesome MDs on all my rotations. 😀
 
Ashers said:
As for my rash of bad preceptors, I'm hoping this means I get awesome MDs on all my rotations. 😀

Hahaha. Sad story. So today, in the middle of my T12-L4 laminectomy, my attending looks at me and says "So Kroll... how much force does it take to injure an eyeball? Be sure to give it in psi, mm Hg and cm H2O." And then he walked out of the room. Yeah. Kitty fantastico. (And ten points to anyone who can tell me what that's from... and minus ten points to anyone that attempts to answer the question).
 
Xandie said:
Hahaha. Sad story. So today, in the middle of my T12-L4 laminectomy, my attending looks at me and says "So Kroll... how much force does it take to injure an eyeball? Be sure to give it in psi, mm Hg and cm H2O." And then he walked out of the room. Yeah. Kitty fantastico. (And ten points to anyone who can tell me what that's from... and minus ten points to anyone that attempts to answer the question).


You were supposed to have known that for the MCAT.

Reason #2034 i dislike doctors.
 
Xandie said:
Hahaha. Sad story. So today, in the middle of my T12-L4 laminectomy, my attending looks at me and says "So Kroll... how much force does it take to injure an eyeball? Be sure to give it in psi, mm Hg and cm H2O." And then he walked out of the room. Yeah. Kitty fantastico. (And ten points to anyone who can tell me what that's from... and minus ten points to anyone that attempts to answer the question).

To which my reply would have been....."the same force required to remove all the medical student's lips off your ass"
 
Xandie said:
Hahaha. Sad story. So today, in the middle of my T12-L4 laminectomy, my attending looks at me and says "So Kroll... how much force does it take to injure an eyeball? Be sure to give it in psi, mm Hg and cm H2O." And then he walked out of the room. Yeah. Kitty fantastico. (And ten points to anyone who can tell me what that's from... and minus ten points to anyone that attempts to answer the question).


This is getting to be a depressing thread to read. M2's who hate Tuesdays (I did too, by the way...come to think of it, fall just plain sucks all around), and the most fantastically ridiculous pimp question of the year (so far at least).

(Note: self edited @6:07 am...I'm more rested, and less violent now.)
 
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