Need advice on studying

[de_mon_vivant]

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Hello everyone,

Firstly thank you for your interest in reading my post. I’m a little desperate now regarding school and would appreciate some advice.

I’m an OMS-1 who just finished the first block. Thankfully I passed in the end, but I did not pass two of the tests (anatomy and final). As the new block has just started, I am looking to change my study plan.

I really do not go to lectures, and I just watch them at home. I play them at the pace I like, and pause + take notes throughout the lecture. Then I review my notes whenever I review past lecture materials. I recently got BRS, some Lippincott’s, and First Aid and I am strongly considering transitioning to other sources for studying. However, our school has in-house exams and they are often minute details focused. So I am not sure how I should change my study plan. As for anki, I am slowly learning to adapt it, and would love to receive advice on the settings for it (I already have a pre made deck from a second year).

Thank you for your advice in advance!

 

[4thtimeretaker]

What is your daily schedule hour by hour. For regular days and then days right before an exam coming up? Are you also on systems block schedule? Usually Block 1 is a bunch of random stuff mixed in and starting second block it's more systems based and everything starts to line up better.

 

[de_mon_vivant]

What is your daily schedule hour by hour. For regular days and then days right before an exam coming up? Are you also on systems block schedule? Usually Block 1 is a bunch of random stuff mixed in and starting second block it's more systems based and everything starts to line up better.

Thank you for asking me for the details I should
have included. I wake up around 7AM, then either go work out for an hour or have breakfast, then start studying by finishing up lectures from the day before or reviewing them until around 11AM when lectures from the morning are uploaded. I try to take good notes, so it takes me around 1.5 - 2hrs to finish an hour long lecture. I think I work hard, but not as smart... I then try to finish the lectures from the day until 9pm, and do some light reviewing until midnight.

As for the curriculum, I am not sure. Last block was all biochem/genetics/anatomy, and this block is immuno/MSK/anatomy. I think it is system based? Last block was definitely more of a mix of everything, so I hope this block gets better.

 

[hopefulDOcter4321]

Hi, I'm in a similar situation. We are nearing the end of our block 1 and I've fallen so behind. I want to start out Block 2 strong but I'm such a bad procrastinator.

 

[Scrubb]

Unfortunately, the subjects you mentioned (biochem, genetics, anatomy) tend to be some of the ones with the most professor-specific minutiae. However, for immuno I'd recommend watching the immuno basics in Boards and Beyond. That will give you a good foundation. I'm not sure how your curriculum is laid out (mostly phys for all systems first year, or phys/path for half the systems) but if you're covering path then I'd also recommend Boards and Beyond MSK section for MSK.

Anatomy is tough; it really depends on how your school tests it. Did you fail a written (multiple choice) anatomy practical or a cadaver (identification) practical?

 

[de_mon_vivant]

Hi, I'm in a similar situation. We are nearing the end of our block 1 and I've fallen so behind. I want to start out Block 2 strong but I'm such a bad procrastinator.

I think it’s okay to struggle like us during the first block, as we have just started med school... my second block has been pretty better than last block so far, and I sincerely hope the same for you. One of the things I tried to change this block was not to fall behind – it has created more time for me to review materials.

 

[de_mon_vivant]

Unfortunately, the subjects you mentioned (biochem, genetics, anatomy) tend to be some of the ones with the most professor-specific minutiae. However, for immuno I'd recommend watching the immuno basics in Boards and Beyond. That will give you a good foundation. I'm not sure how your curriculum is laid out (mostly phys for all systems first year, or phys/path for half the systems) but if you're covering path then I'd also recommend Boards and Beyond MSK section for MSK.

Anatomy is tough; it really depends on how your school tests it. Did you fail a written (multiple choice) anatomy practical or a cadaver (identification) practical?

For immunology, I have been reading FA and was able to achieve a much better result on the test this past week. Now we are moving onto MSK starting this week. We are doing phys mostly for the first year. We do get some pathology info here and there, but definitely not the focus, it seems. Would you recommend BnB for non path curriculum too?

It was practical. I went into lab quite a lot, went to review sessions, but during the exam time I just couldn’t figure out what was what, especially the vasculature and nerves. I have Rohen’s and Netter’s and used it to supplement my studying. I am a little lost as to how I should improve my anatomy. I’m thinking of planning a review session with a faculty member as many times as possible and spending more time in lab...

 

[BorntobeDO?]

Hello everyone,

Firstly thank you for your interest in reading my post. I’m a little desperate now regarding school and would appreciate some advice.

I’m an OMS-1 who just finished the first block. Thankfully I passed in the end, but I did not pass two of the tests (anatomy and final). As the new block has just started, I am looking to change my study plan.

I really do not go to lectures, and I just watch them at home. I play them at the pace I like, and pause + take notes throughout the lecture. Then I review my notes whenever I review past lecture materials. I recently got BRS, some Lippincott’s, and First Aid and I am strongly considering transitioning to other sources for studying. However, our school has in-house exams and they are often minute details focused. So I am not sure how I should change my study plan. As for anki, I am slowly learning to adapt it, and would love to receive advice on the settings for it (I already have a pre made deck from a second year).

Thank you for your advice in advance!

BRS is good for anatomy, but I would only do the questions. I would use that pre made deck from the second year for sure (it obviously got them to 2nd year so thats comforting). Lippincotts is le garbage and I wouldn't do that at all. I don't recall first aid actually being a good source for anatomy. Michagan anatomy questions where helpful for my school. Anatomy is a real grind. Look up ANKI occlusion on youtube. That is real useful in anatomy.

Use the Rohens flashcards for lab, but what you really need is a study buddy who actually is good at it. Beg for help on the class page or find a nice TA. My school used to give us tutors, I would request one for the lab if possible. I personally struggled with structures in anatomy lab and it was a problem all semester, but if I had gone to the Rohens cards and got a good TA earlier that would have made it a lot better.

 

[Aslanim]

Use the Rohens flashcards for lab, but what you really need is a study buddy who actually is good at it. Beg for help on the class page or find a nice TA. My school used to give us tutors, I would request one for the lab if possible. I personally struggled with structures in anatomy lab and it was a problem all semester, but if I had gone to the Rohens cards and got a good TA earlier that would have made it a lot better.

Exactly.

 

[Deecee2DO]

Two biggest words of advice i can give you-get a tutor and do more practice questions. Tutoring isnt for the “dumb” kids, its med school we’re all smart so dont be hesitant to get one. I did very well first year and I had a ton of tutors starting out. They really help out a lot. Once you feel you have the basica down do questions even before you feel ready to take the exam (this is how you learn). A big mistake i think students make is that they procrastinate doing questions because they feel they need to have mastered the material to start them (not an effective approach and something I myself got trapped into believeing in the behinning of first year). BRS Pretest and kaplan are good question banks. I liked lippincott despite people trashing it on here. Michigan med anatomy qs are good too. Also dont be hesitant to use youtube. Use your schools learning resources and peruse @Goro ’s guide to success in med school

 

[Goro]

Hello everyone,

Firstly thank you for your interest in reading my post. I’m a little desperate now regarding school and would appreciate some advice.

I’m an OMS-1 who just finished the first block. Thankfully I passed in the end, but I did not pass two of the tests (anatomy and final). As the new block has just started, I am looking to change my study plan.

I really do not go to lectures, and I just watch them at home. I play them at the pace I like, and pause + take notes throughout the lecture. Then I review my notes whenever I review past lecture materials. I recently got BRS, some Lippincott’s, and First Aid and I am strongly considering transitioning to other sources for studying. However, our school has in-house exams and they are often minute details focused. So I am not sure how I should change my study plan. As for anki, I am slowly learning to adapt it, and would love to receive advice on the settings for it (I already have a pre made deck from a second year).

Thank you for your advice in advance!

Read this:

• Goro's Guide to Success in Medical School (2018 edition)

 

[NotYou20]

The biggest thing I would consider change is the note taking. Listening to lecture is passive. Most note taking is also passive. So spending 1.5 to 2 hours on each one is a problem because in that same time you could have listened at double speed and reviewed for 1 to 1.5 hours. If you can do that you'll be much more efficient and retain info better.

I'd recommend thinking about past tests, or better yet looking at them if possible. Would you have missed many questions without your notes or was almost all of the info already written down for you somewhere? My school had powerpoints and premade note packets that had all the info we needed. Because of that I rarely took notes, basically only when the prof straight up said this will be tested.

 

[Scrubb]

For immunology, I have been reading FA and was able to achieve a much better result on the test this past week. Now we are moving onto MSK starting this week. We are doing phys mostly for the first year. We do get some pathology info here and there, but definitely not the focus, it seems. Would you recommend BnB for non path curriculum too?

It was practical. I went into lab quite a lot, went to review sessions, but during the exam time I just couldn’t figure out what was what, especially the vasculature and nerves. I have Rohen’s and Netter’s and used it to supplement my studying. I am a little lost as to how I should improve my anatomy. I’m thinking of planning a review session with a faculty member as many times as possible and spending more time in lab...

BnB is great for both phys and path; however, MSK is very school dependent in terms of first-year content.

The UMich anatomy website has a lot of great practice Qs for anatomy with explanations. I'd recommend doing those if you have written questions for anatomy, because they cover a lot of the common clinical correlations. For practical, try to zone in on what your professors like to tag/emphasize and then going into lab and review those things. Does your school provide pictures from older practicals? Those are gold to review.

The nerves vs. vasculature issue is difficult for pretty much everyone. Sometimes you'll know, sometimes you won't. Make a best guess and don't be hard on yourself about it.

 

[de_mon_vivant]

Hey all!

Just wanted to drop by and let you all know that I’ve been doing well in school – I even scored a lot higher than average last exam!

Since my first block, I have not failed any of my exams, except one OMM practical.

I definitely struggled looking for what studying methods would suit me, and surprisingly it turned out simply doing >4 passes of lecture powerpoint slides, and making and doing practice problems. I do use Anki, but only as a “last pass” before the exam. I am a little worried, as I’m planning to do Zanki once the summer starts and I haven’t figured out how to properly use Anki yet.

As I am about to finish my first year in school after the struggles in the beginning, I would like to sincerely thank each one of you who left an encouraging message and thoughtful advice.

Warmest regards,

de_mon_vivant




Sent from my iPhone using SDN

 

[Deecee2DO]

Hey all!

Just wanted to drop by and let you all know that I’ve been doing well in school – I even scored a lot higher than average last exam!

Since my first block, I have not failed any of my exams, except one OMM practical.

I definitely struggled looking for what studying methods would suit me, and surprisingly it turned out simply doing >4 passes of lecture powerpoint slides, and making and doing practice problems. I do use Anki, but only as a “last pass” before the exam. I am a little worried, as I’m planning to do Zanki once the summer starts and I haven’t figured out how to properly use Anki yet.

As I am about to finish my first year in school after the struggles in the beginning, I would like to sincerely thank each one of you who left an encouraging message and thoughtful advice.

Warmest regards,

de_mon_vivant




Sent from my iPhone using SDN

Do yourself a favor and dont do Zanki over the summer. Seriously just chill so you can go ham second year. I did nothing at all M1 summer and im glad I did. I didnt touch Zanki at all and very close to my goal of getting a 250+ step 1. Trust me on this you can rock boards and still chill your ass off during M1 summer idc what people say on here. They also tell you to do sketchy micro M1 summer (really stupid idea seriously you dont need to do sketchy micro that early its a waste of time). You will thank yourself later if you take my advice bc lemme tell you M2 is a grindddd my dude

 

[esob]

I will just throw in my 2 cents and say that I adamantly disagree with the "don't prestudy" mantra. I used my Christmas break to prestudy for what is arguable our hardest course for the preclin years and was able to have some normalcy during that course while many of my classmates were neglecting their personal and mental health to keep up with the volume of material. You don't have to prestudy for every course but there are some that are just more material than is reasonable in a semester (assuming you actually want to learn the material).

Glad to hear you are doing well though, congrats