Nervous about starting second year!!

[nope80]

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Last year before first year, I had such a sense of calm...this year quite the opposite. Its like experiencing a year of med school and figuring out what you are in for makes it so much worse. On top of that, I've been relaxing all summer and have no idea how I am going to make the transition in a week to full blown out studying. yikes...anyone else feel the same?

 

[Trismegistus4]

Last year before first year, I had such a sense of calm...this year quite the opposite. Its like experiencing a year of med school and figuring out what you are in for makes it so much worse. On top of that, I've been relaxing all summer and have no idea how I am going to make the transition in a week to full blown out studying. yikes...anyone else feel the same?

I feel exactly the same way. Last summer I was excited to start. Now I know exactly what I'm in for. Fortunately, our 2nd year is condensed--it's over the first week of March.

 

[ella umbrella]

I totally agree. I am not looking forward to 2nd year at all.

 

[Haemulon]

Wow, I am surprised. I think that second year is going to be even cooler than 1st year. We get to learn all the really interesting stuff this year, everything from path to pharm, which is really usefull even though it will be harder. Hang in there. We will have to step it up for sure, but it won't be as bad as going from pre-med to MS1. 🙂

 

[alfonzarel]

Wow, I am surprised. I think that second year is going to be even cooler than 1st year. We get to learn all the really interesting stuff this year, everything from path to pharm, which is really usefull even though it will be harder. Hang in there. We will have to step it up for sure, but it won't be as bad as going from pre-med to MS1. 🙂

this is my mindset as well - really looking forward to getting into pharm.

next year will blow cadaver lab out of the water, thinks i.

 

[Trismegistus4]

Wow, I am surprised. I think that second year is going to be even cooler than 1st year. We get to learn all the really interesting stuff this year, everything from path to pharm, which is really usefull even though it will be harder. Hang in there. We will have to step it up for sure, but it won't be as bad as going from pre-med to MS1. 🙂

It depends on your school, though. We have a systems-based curriculum, so we learn normal phys and pathophys alongside each other.

 

[Haemulon]

It depends on your school, though. We have a systems-based curriculum, so we learn normal phys and pathophys alongside each other.

Ok, good point.

 

[Slide]

6 months ago I was looking forward to second year. Now, I don't want it to start. The stuff's gonna be more interesting, but now instead of a summer break waiting for me, I have a life-changing test that I'll have 4 weeks to study for. Yay.

 

[Johnny_D]

I also don't want it to start. We start earlier than most schools on Aug. 11. I am enjoying the summer and spending time with my family. As soon as it starts, I will be back to studying most of the time.

But, if it doesn't start back up, I will never finish and I definitely want to get to the finish line at 4th year.

Anyway, hang in there. Quite a few of us feel the same way.

 

[polycon7]

Oh my gosh! I was thinking about this just this morning. It's totally going to be depressing when we have to go back to the study grind especially with boards on our back in less than a year. But, it's going to be exciting to learn the cool stuff now. I just keep thinking...in less than a year (with lots of prayers and fingers crossed) I will finally be out of the classroom and in the hospital seeing patients! I can't wait🙂

 

[MonkeyNuts!]

Last year before first year, I had such a sense of calm...this year quite the opposite. Its like experiencing a year of med school and figuring out what you are in for makes it so much worse. On top of that, I've been relaxing all summer and have no idea how I am going to make the transition in a week to full blown out studying. yikes...anyone else feel the same?

not really. relaxed for most of first year too.

remove the fear of failure and you'd be surprised how smoothly things go. unfortunately it leads to jadedness and indifference, and a quest to see just how many corners you can cut.

 

[EMH]

not really. relaxed for most of first year too.

remove the fear of failure and you'd be surprised how smoothly things go. unfortunately it leads to jadedness and indifference, and a quest to see just how many corners you can cut.

I enjoy your posts. Anywho, I'm about to start M2 and can't wait. I was a whole lot more anxious about the M1 year not knowing what was to come. My goals and level of dedication will be higher this year.

 

[alfonzarel]

I was a whole lot more anxious about the M1 year not knowing what was to come. My goals and level of dedication will be higher this year.

my sentiments exactly

 

[psipsina]

I enjoy your posts. Anywho, I'm about to start M2 and can't wait. I was a whole lot more anxious about the M1 year not knowing what was to come. My goals and level of dedication will be higher this year.

I agree. I'm much more confident and calm knowing what's coming and already having a plan to deal with it. I'm 2 weeks into 2nd year and its pretty smooth sailing so far. The big hurdle is convincing your brain that you need to study and not space out at the tv. But its pretty easy to get back into your groove. I like the material ALOT more too.

 

[nope80]

People always talk about how they are better at studying by second year, have a method down, etc etc but for some reason I really dont feel that way. I did much better in our last block of med school last year as I think I had adjusted by that point but I don't really "remember" what the EXACT method was...and unfortunately I am so afraid that I won't be able to get back into the gear of things or that I will have a large adjustment phase again for second year as if I never went through first. Maybe I am letting my anxiety get the best of me but I wish I could be as relaxed as everyone else. I definitely struggled in the first half of med school - not a very good science background, didnt know what books to use and just flip flopped studying methods - and I really don't want to go through it again.
For those who have already started, how did the transition pan out? Any advice? How do you know what books to use for each block?

 

[PeepshowJohnny]

Yeah, second year can be stressful due to the fact that Step 1 is hanging above your head the whole time like so much Sword of Damocles.

 

[babel]

People always talk about how they are better at studying by second year, have a method down, etc etc but for some reason I really dont feel that way. I did much better in our last block of med school last year as I think I had adjusted by that point but I don't really "remember" what the EXACT method was...and unfortunately I am so afraid that I won't be able to get back into the gear of things or that I will have a large adjustment phase again for second year as if I never went through first. Maybe I am letting my anxiety get the best of me but I wish I could be as relaxed as everyone else. I definitely struggled in the first half of med school - not a very good science background, didnt know what books to use and just flip flopped studying methods - and I really don't want to go through it again.
For those who have already started, how did the transition pan out? Any advice? How do you know what books to use for each block?

I understand your feeling nervous, as I am starting up again in a few weeks myself. I also struggled in the first part of the year, and things got better and better as it went along. You mention that you don't remember how exactly you improved your method towards the end of the year. I think you should start here and really try to remember before school starts - I'm sure the info is in there! 🙂

I'll go first: The biggest thing that I learned was that I absolutely needed repetition of the material - at least twice to do average; preferably 3+ times and going over old exams for above averages to honors type scores. And I also learned that the only way I had the time to go over the material multiple times was by not going to class. Not only did I stop going to class, I didn't even watch the recorded lectures later - I just went off the lecture notes, which all of my classmates thought was totally crazy! But I abosolutely swear by it, as I saw my grades quickly and consistently increase once I made this change. Instead of going in to school, I'd go to a little coffeeshop or the library and spend 2-3 hours on each 1 hour lecture going through it in detail to make sure I really understood all of the stuff in front of me - which meant a lot of looking up concepts and diagrams in books & on the internet, and annotating my notes where things were confusing. Then in the few days before a test, I would start my memorizing - often by making a very condensed outline, and then memorizing that outline. This is just my plan, of course - i'm sure for other people pre-reading for lectures and then going to lectures (which may add up to the 2-3 hours that I spend on my own) - is the best way to learn. I personally am just not an auditory learner, at all - you really just have to find what works best for you.

See, now that helped me feel better already, just explaining the study plan that I ultimately found that worked best for me - now it's your turn! 👍

 

[Blesbok]

Wow, I am surprised. I think that second year is going to be even cooler than 1st year. We get to learn all the really interesting stuff this year, everything from path to pharm, which is really usefull even though it will be harder. Hang in there. We will have to step it up for sure, but it won't be as bad as going from pre-med to MS1. 🙂

It is much more interesting, but it is also much harder. Don't slack, it will hurt your grades and your boards.

 

[rachmoninov3]

I can't believe it, but I'm a little nervous too. First year wasn't bad, you just have to get the repitition in and you're OK. Considering my school is a block curriculum, and we only have two blocks left (by new year's it's all step 1, all the time!) it shouldn't be that bad.
I think the problem is summer has helped to remind us what "normal" is like, and it's difficult to think about returning to study mode.

It does help that I have some friends in the first year class and their enthusiasm is helpful.

 

[sendwich]

I can't believe it, but I'm a little nervous too. First year wasn't bad, you just have to get the repitition in and you're OK. Considering my school is a block curriculum, and we only have two blocks left (by new year's it's all step 1, all the time!) it shouldn't be that bad.
I think the problem is summer has helped to remind us what "normal" is like, and it's difficult to think about returning to study mode.

It does help that I have some friends in the first year class and their enthusiasm is helpful.

yeah, after getting a good taste on what having a life feels like, it's hard to be enthusiastica about resorting back to the endless hours of books again.