New first years, what do you think of med school so far?

[mbeus]

I feel like everyone is working harder than me.

I just watch through the day's lectures at 1.2-1.3x speed taking notes. Then on the weekend, I do the assigned quizzes and make summary sheets for my lectures. I don't do anything else.

All in all it takes about 3-5 hours on weekdays and 4-5 hours on weekends. Is anyone else doing just this much or should I be stepping it up?

Don't worry about how much other people are doing. It only matters that you do what works for you. If you get your exam back and you did poorly (or not as well as you wanted), then you need to step it up. I know some people that study 8 hours a day. I did well in all my classes and probably averaged 4

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[Seth Joo]

Don't worry about how much other people are doing. It only matters that you do what works for you. If you get your exam back and you did poorly (or not as well as you wanted), then you need to step it up. I know some people that study 8 hours a day. I did well in all my classes and probably averaged 4

This is the important thing, its what you are doing, and making sure you are passing, not what other people are doing.

 

[DetectiveAlonzo]

I have been going to every lecture thus far because it helps me when I come back to actually add notes to slides.

Thus far, it's landed me in the B+(88-89) range for every exam thus far but my sleep schedule is definitely hampered. I guess it is better to get used to 6-7 hours total a day.

Naps help quite a bit though.

 

[Mr Roboto]

I have been going to every lecture thus far because it helps me when I come back to actually add notes to slides.

Thus far, it's landed me in the B+(88-89) range for every exam thus far but my sleep schedule is definitely hampered. I guess it is better to get used to 6-7 hours total a day.

Naps help quite a bit though.

What's the benefit of staying up late and napping midday vs. studying during the day and going to bed earlier?

 

[DetectiveAlonzo]

What's the benefit of staying up late and napping midday vs. studying during the day and going to bed earlier?

IDK what to tell you. I am either studying, on SDN, eating, sleeping, or at the gym. I can function off of 6-7 hours day whereas my buddy needs atleast 9-10.

 

[DetectiveAlonzo]

IDK what to tell you. I am either studying, on SDN, eating, sleeping, or at the gym. I can function off of 6-7 hours day whereas my buddy needs atleast 9-10.

The last few weeks of our lecture schedule has been 9Am-5Pm lectures also ....

 

[deleted407021]

It's a ton of material but it's not terrible, either. The worst part, I guess, is the combination of having expectations stacked up and not being able to see my SO very often (this sucks) -- new material, new things to sign up for and be aware of. Every single day.

 

[Mr Roboto]

IDK what to tell you. I am either studying, on SDN, eating, sleeping, or at the gym. I can function off of 6-7 hours day whereas my buddy needs atleast 9-10.

I mean why do you choose to nap instead of working through it and going to bed earlier.

 

[DetectiveAlonzo]

I mean why do you choose to nap instead of working through it and going to bed earlier.

Because I feel that I'm more refreshed to study. Or I listen to music and just chill and close my eyes.

Makes the days go by reeeaaaaalllll quick.

 

[Dr Tony T. Chopper]

I wish all my classes were recorded, but alas only histology is available as video podcast. Pls send help

 

[meurotic]

Hated every second of it--until the second that I decided to stop attending lectures. Currently loving it.

 

[medic86]

I'm still debating on when to stop going to lecture...

D:

 

[meurotic]

I'm still debating on when to stop going to lecture...

D:

Beyond the time saved as well as getting to maintain a more natural sleeping schedule for myself, I just find that watching the lecture capture podcasts gives me so much more flexibility over when and how I study.

 

[I'm No Superman]

Its just a lot, man. It's not necessarily "hard", but volume wise, we've easily covered about a semesters worth of college material. I'm doing okay now, but yesterday was the first time I really realized how much we have to/are going to learn, and how I'm already feeling stressed only 3 weeks into school.

 

[Azete]

One thing I would say to first years is you really are not doing yourself a service by studying every waking moment. Set specific hours to study every day (no more than 5, not including lecture), and that's how much time you have to learn the material.

Why do I say this? You need to get good at learning the material fast, because second year is harder and you'll be studying for boards at the same time. You don't want to try to cram more work into an already full schedule, you want free time already built in so you can just allocate it to new things as they arise.

Last thing I would recommend is if you have mandatory lecture (like me), if you're not able to pay attention and learn during lecture (some teachers are just bad, it's inevitable), then get some noise cancelling headphones -- I recommend these (expensive, but a very wise investment). You'll feel guilty at first, and some teachers will dislike you for it (especially if you're at the top of the class), but this is your career and you're not there for people to like you. Your grades will undoubtedly improve, especially relative to your classmates because you'll be using your class time much more efficiently.

 

[darknecrosforte]

For me, if I have 1) 8 hours to do something or 2) 2 hours to do something, the difference in the result is minuscule when I do option 2 with focus and intensity. If I allot ANY amount of time to accomplish something, I tend to use up that entire time, even if I doubled the time requirement. Now I just experiment doing the opposite: give myself 90% of the perceived time requirement and see how it turns out. Won't truly know how well it works until next Friday though >.>

 

[hopefulERdoc251]

Have been attending lectures here and there (for biochem I go to the one that's a really good lecturer and skip the one that's a not so good lecturer) and so I've been able to manage. We have weekly assessments which have been stressful because it's difficult to prepare almost 15 lectures for 10-15 questions. Studying 5-6 hrs per day and taking weekends off to relax. We've probably gone through an entire semesters worth of biochem in 2 weeks which is slightly insane but it's fine as of now! Once anatomy and physio start that's when the death by studying begins for us haha

 

[Mr. Beefy Lion]

Have been attending lectures here and there (for biochem I go to the one that's a really good lecturer and skip the one that's a not so good lecturer) and so I've been able to manage. We have weekly assessments which have been stressful because it's difficult to prepare almost 15 lectures for 10-15 questions. Studying 5-6 hrs per day and taking weekends off to relax. We've probably gone through an entire semesters worth of biochem in 2 weeks which is slightly insane but it's fine as of now! Once anatomy and physio start that's when the death by studying begins for us haha

How many med school teach biochem first? SLU is the only one I'm aware of. Didn't think it was a very coming practice

 

[Taddy Mason]

How many med school teach biochem first? SLU is the only one I'm aware of. Didn't think it was a very coming practice

First block at my school (lowly state MD school in the middle of bum f**k nowhere) is biochem and upper extremity anatomy. IMO it makes more sense to have biochem at the beginning as a number of phys, path, pharm, and micro concepts build off biochem and cell bio.

 

[Styrene]

Basically 1 week into a 2 week long orientation. Loving med school and my class--everyone thus far has been pretty incredible.

Drank a ton. Will report back once we have lectures.

Sounds like my school. I don't drink or like to go out to parties, though. I've just been studying 8-12 hours per day since orientation started.

 

[XxThaDoggxX]

Sounds like my school. I don't drink or like to go out to parties, though. I've just been studying 8-12 hours per day since orientation started.

Cool! You will definitely be the #1 student on the first test!

 

[Styrene]

Only 650 in 2 weeks? What is this, podiatry school?

No, I think it is DO school.

 

[Styrene]

Cool! You will definitely be the #1 student on the first test!

My self-esteem and self-worth are inextricably linked to how I perform on tests.

 

[XxThaDoggxX]

Hated every second of it--until the second that I decided to stop attending lectures. Currently loving it.

Took me all of 2 days to pull the trigger on that one.

 

[Styrene]

Someone else's introduction convinced you to stay away from an entire field? How dumb

No, he's staying away because they aren't "real doctors."

 

[nonociceptors]

No, he's staying away because they aren't "real doctors."

Oh good, an equally stupid reason for choosing your career lol

 

[Styrene]

Oh good, an equally stupid reason for choosing your career lol

'I'm just glad because now when random people ask me how I chose to go to medical school, I can just tell the truth: I have no idea.

 

[Jabbed]

I swear your brain gets bigger as you go through medical school. The amount of obscure information that you'll be able to recall is truly shocking sometimes.

 

[takeurmeds02]

So far I love all of my classmates. I was actually pleasantly surprised by how socially competent and normal they are.

Well, almost. Theres one dude who's not doing so great:

Me: "Yea Ive actually been dating my girlfriend since the start of college"

Bro: "Wow, how'd you f**k that up? Have you just never had the balls to dump her ass?"

Hahaha, yea overall you guys are surprisingly really great but you have one or two winners........like really dude?



@XxThaDoggxX change your tag..you're a med student now lol

 

[takeurmeds02]

I'm absolutely petrified after reading these posts (not really though haha).

My program starts with three weeks of lectures and pbl/small group on professionalism, ethics, cultural sensitivity...pretty much anything but hard science and everything touchy feely. We also learn some initial doctoring skills and get practice on taking a history with real patients culminating in assessment with standardized patients.

We're all itching to start the real **** though...hopefully it's not a "be careful what you ask for" type thing. Our first module is biochem sprinkled in with anatomy and histo. (our anatomy is spaced out over like 6 months).

As a far as cliques (or the lack thereof) in our n=50 cohort, people definitely gravitate closer to others but we're all pretty much one big family and everyone tends to stay in their lane for the most part.

I honestly feel like I lucked out with my experience.

 

[bananafish94]

I'm absolutely petrified after reading these posts (not really though haha).

My program starts with three weeks of lectures and pbl/small group on professionalism, ethics, cultural sensitivity...pretty much anything but hard science and everything touchy feely. We also learn some initial doctoring skills and get practice on taking a history with real patients culminating in assessment with standardized patients.

We're all itching to start the real **** though...hopefully it's not a "be careful what you ask for" type thing. Our first module is biochem sprinkled in with anatomy and histo. (our anatomy is spaced out over like 6 months).

As a far as cliques (or the lack thereof) in our n=50 cohort, people definitely gravitate closer to others but we're all pretty much one big family and everyone tends to stay in their lane for the most part.

I honestly feel like I lucked out with my experience.

I feel the same way. Everyone in my class is desperate to be done with the ethics/professionalism stuff, which we just finished. But now that the bad stuff is about to begin I feel like I may long for the days where all I had to learn was cultural humility.

 

[takeurmeds02]

I feel the same way. Everyone in my class is desperate to be done with the ethics/professionalism stuff, which we just finished. But now that the bad stuff is about to begin I feel like I may long for the days where all I had to learn was cultural humility.

Yea, we have one more week of the "feels" haha.

I guess at the very least, we can be thankful for a smooth transition instead of being thrown into the lion's den.

 

[musicalfeet]

I'm absolutely petrified after reading these posts (not really though haha).

My program starts with three weeks of lectures and pbl/small group on professionalism, ethics, cultural sensitivity...pretty much anything but hard science and everything touchy feely. We also learn some initial doctoring skills and get practice on taking a history with real patients culminating in assessment with standardized patients.

We're all itching to start the real **** though...hopefully it's not a "be careful what you ask for" type thing. Our first module is biochem sprinkled in with anatomy and histo. (our anatomy is spaced out over like 6 months).

As a far as cliques (or the lack thereof) in our n=50 cohort, people definitely gravitate closer to others but we're all pretty much one big family and everyone tends to stay in their lane for the most part.

I honestly feel like I lucked out with my experience.

Okay, did anyone who got to interview and take a history with a pt as a first year totally choke and suck at it? LOL Mine was a choke-a-thon and it looks way easier than it is. Thankfully though, we haven't started actually training in interviewing besides taking a class so far...I just had the opportunity to try it out.

 

[Mansamusa]

Okay, did anyone who got to interview and take a history with a pt as a first year totally choke and suck at it? LOL Mine was a choke-a-thon and it looks way easier than it is. Thankfully though, we haven't started actually training in interviewing besides taking a class so far...I just had the opportunity to try it out.

Of course you feel uncomfortable- especially if you didn't have classes on it yet.

Then you'll learn stuff like the 7 dimensions of a symptom, requirements for a chief complaint, the components of the interview and your interviews will be awkward because you'll be too focused on making sure you hits all the points. Eventually it'll become natural and we'll be less awkward. That's why it's good to get this stuff out the way starting in the 1st yr

Edit: Try not to make faces when you are trying to remember the questions you are forgetting, like I do. It makes it more awkward lol

 

[XxThaDoggxX]

@XxThaDoggxX change your tag..you're a med student now lol

Lol didn't even notice! Thanks

 

[Foot Fetish]

I keep having these almost surreal moments of realization like "whoa, I'm in medical school." It's finally sinking in. It was such a long road getting here that it still feels weird actually being here and doing it now.

 

[Dr Tony T. Chopper]

How many med school teach biochem first? SLU is the only one I'm aware of. Didn't think it was a very coming practice

My school does biochem and histology first

 

[meurotic]

How many med school teach biochem first? SLU is the only one I'm aware of. Didn't think it was a very coming practice

UIllinois teaches biochem first

 

[Mr Roboto]

We have biochem in our first block, too.

 

[Mansamusa]

My school does biochem and histology first

Do you do histology of all tissues in this block? How does that work?

 

[Mr. Beefy Lion]

UIllinois teaches biochem first

Damn. Got ripped on that one. I would rather learn biochem before anatomy though

 

[RT1126]

My school does biochem first as well. Our first test is Monday. The amount of info is unreal and everyone keeps telling us it's impossible to know everything, but that a lot of professors test on little details.


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[3characterslong]

Took me all of 2 days to pull the trigger on that one.

My brother from another mother. I quit after second day as well.

 

[idkididk]

As someone who's only taken 2 bio classes in undergrad.. this is a lot

 

[takeurmeds02]

Okay, did anyone who got to interview and take a history with a pt as a first year totally choke and suck at it? LOL Mine was a choke-a-thon and it looks way easier than it is. Thankfully though, we haven't started actually training in interviewing besides taking a class so far...I just had the opportunity to try it out.

Hahaha yea, there were definitely some fk ups but that's just the nature of the beast. Generally, you're never as bad as you think you are.

Luckily, I previously scribed so I was basically paid to write HPI's. I gained a lot of experience as far as what questions to ask.

Being in medschool is a very humbling experience. It's completely okay to make mistakes..in fact that's what medschool is for so that when you get to the real deal, you don't kill anybody

 

[RT1126]

As someone who's only taken 2 bio classes in undergrad.. this is a lot

+1


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[Mansamusa]

I met someone when I was out a few days ago and I think it's starting to head in a more romantic direction, but I can't fathom how that could fit into my day. How do people do it?

 

[mehc012]

Hahaha yea, there were definitely some fk ups but that's just the nature of the beast. Generally, you're never as bad as you think you are.

Luckily, I previously scribed so I was basically paid to write HPI's. I gained a lot of experience as far as what questions to ask.

Being in medschool is a very humbling experience. It's completely okay to make mistakes..in fact that's what medschool is for so that when you get to the real deal, you don't kill anybody

Yeah, except for the ridiculously thorough MHx, FHx, and SHx they make you take...I didn't get barely any experience in asking that insane laundry list while scribing because nobody in the history of ever (except probably med students) has asked about all 8000 of those things, especially in the ER or specialist clinics. They either ask something more focused, or that's what intake forms in the waiting room are for...

 

[takeurmeds02]

Yeah, except for the ridiculously thorough MHx, FHx, and SHx they make you take...I didn't get barely any experience in asking that insane laundry list while scribing because nobody in the history of ever (except probably med students) has asked about all 8000 of those things, especially in the ER or specialist clinics. They either ask something more focused, or that's what intake forms in the waiting room are for...

You are so right. You get a tiny bit of exposure to the additional questioning but not a lot. I was just talking to a friend about that. I sometimes have to remind myself to refrain from putting everything within the context of an emergency medicine setting and learn for the sake of general practice.

 

[Ace Khalifa]

I met someone when I was out a few days ago and I think it's starting to head in a more romantic direction, but I can't fathom how that could fit into my day. How do people do it?

You make time for him/her. Both of my roommates (guy and girl, both from my class) had time last year to go on a bunch of dates with people they thought they had a connection with (mostly outside of med school). Now of course, school comes first so if you're still trying to figure out how to study and are not at where you want to be yet (1st quartile, average, bottom of the class, whatever), then focus on that.