(POLL) How do YOU study best?

[Dr Gerrard]

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[Jack is Back]

I'm still M1 but after a lot of trial and error:

Lecture + annotations + mnemonics when appropriate (but not over doing it).

Multiple passes.

What I don't do: Make any type of study aid/flash card/review guide (when I've made them, by the time I'm done with them, the test has arrived and they hardly were used).

 

[sleepy425]

For preclinical stuff, I just went to class and then, the last 4-5 days before the test, I rewatched all of the lectures at 2x. It worked well for me since I am not really into the whole study every day thing, so it let me condense all of the studying into the last week. By watching the lectures again, it helped me ignore the stupid details that were written on the slides and let me focus on the main points that the lecturer emphasized.

 

[NearnstPotentia]

I'm still M1 but after a lot of trial and error:

Lecture + annotations + mnemonics when appropriate (but not over doing it).

Multiple passes.

What I don't do: Make any type of study aid/flash card/review guide (when I've made them, by the time I'm done with them, the test has arrived and they hardly were used).

Agreed

Because our exams a 85% multiple choice I have found this to be the most efficient method to secure an upper quartile score. I have yet to push myself into the top 10 however 🙁

 

[Dr Gerrard]

Agreed

Because our exams a 85% multiple choice I have found this to be the most efficient method to secure an upper quartile score. I have yet to push myself into the top 10 however 🙁

hmm our entire exam is multiple choice!

i just read over my lectures, and after i do a few slides or so i go back and pretend like I'm teaching these slides to someone out loud

i did flashcards first which was awesome in helping me learn it but not time efficient

then i started writing outlines and that took way too much time

now i actually think about all of the information as i try to say it out loud so i think this is the method i will stick with!

 

[Dr Gerrard]

For preclinical stuff, I just went to class and then, the last 4-5 days before the test, I rewatched all of the lectures at 2x. It worked well for me since I am not really into the whole study every day thing, so it let me condense all of the studying into the last week. By watching the lectures again, it helped me ignore the stupid details that were written on the slides and let me focus on the main points that the lecturer emphasized.

i wish i could manage without the whole study every day thing lol

 

[BeastInfection]

MS1 here, and still haven't found my groove. For Histology (which is basically cell bio/physio/biochem for me) I read the text book, then study the lecture slides+my notes+histo slide images for the few days before an exam. Usually only make it through all the notes once before I run out of time. If it's a quiz and I'm running out of time, I'll re-listen to the lecture videos instead of going through the notes on my own, since that's usually faster. This method has only helped me to score one or two percentage points below average. School doesn't rank, but obviously this is not the most effective method of studying, since the course is 100% rote memorization.

Every other class so far: Read through the lecture slides+my notes+wiki for the few days before the exam. Also not the best method.

Long story short, my study habits kind of suck. I mostly attribute this to my complete inability to focus on school until a couple days before the exam, then being forced to cram.

 

[TAWS]

I think the trick is knowing what material on lecture slides/handout to ignore. Ignore anything you already know (studying something you already know will just waste time), ignore anything that isn't mentioned (you might miss a couple of points but save a lot of time), ignore anything that is easy concepts/terms (exams are going to test the hard and obscure stuff)

 

[SlickNickMD]

I just read and practice, nothing fancy

 

[CaptainSSO]

hmm our entire exam is multiple choice!

i just read over my lectures, and after i do a few slides or so i go back and pretend like I'm teaching these slides to someone out loud

i did flashcards first which was awesome in helping me learn it but not time efficient

then i started writing outlines and that took way too much time

now i actually think about all of the information as i try to say it out loud so i think this is the method i will stick with!

I do the same thing--I just read the read the lecture notes, and finally try to talk through everything without looking at any notes (although this is mentally taxing, so sometimes I just read the notes and that's it). I know you also got the same MCAT score as I did, perhaps we have stumbled onto something here. Teaching method FTW.

 

[Suncrusher]

I don't waste time making study guides or flashcards. I do compile a master list of mechanisms and minutiae for each test that I review at least twice before the test to help me score above the average. I don't read the textbooks for no good reason (a good reason would be looking up one specific detail if I were confused about something), because that will just result in an unplanned nap. I do take advantage of pre-made flashcards that I buy or find online.

And my study strategy changes depending upon the subject...e.g. recognition is comparatively more important in Histo, so I go view those slides extra even though I understand it just fine.

Regardless, it's important to do what works for you. There are people in my class who do read textbooks or "waste" time making study guides, but that is what works best for them and they know it. Just because I consider it a waste of time doesn't mean they will do better if they switch and use my methods.

 

[shadowfox87]

Basically if you're too lazy to make an outline/study guide, you'll just read the slides over and over again. When it comes to exam time, it'll take you forever to review. The people who have an outline, however, can read that sucker multiple times and not waste time searching for little details like oh what slide was that on again, etc. Ironically, the same people who read slides over and over end up using somebody else's study guide (happens in my school all the time). It all comes down to - I don't want to make notes, I want to study notes.

 

[Dr Gerrard]

Basically if you're too lazy to make an outline/study guide, you'll just read the slides over and over again. When it comes to exam time, it'll take you forever to review. The people who have an outline, however, can read that sucker multiple times and not waste time searching for little details like oh what slide was that on again, etc. Ironically, the same people who read slides over and over end up using somebody else's study guide (happens in my school all the time). It all comes down to - I don't want to make notes, I want to study notes.

you make it sound like thats a criminal thing to do...

making notes really helps people, they do it
making notes really doesn't do much for people, they don't

in the end, the guy who made notes has nothing to lose in giving his notes to the guy who gets more out of reading notes over and over... and doing a nice thing for someone is never bad

when i make outlines, i don't retain it nearly as well as teaching it to myself out loud does, and they both take an equal amounts of time

 

[Suncrusher]

the people who make the study guides do it because the process of compiling the study guide helps the information stick in their heads very well. They get way more out of it themselves than the people they generously share it with. I'm grateful when people share guides with me, but I'd do just fine without it because that just isn't the most important way that I learn things

edit: who would just read the slides over and over without listening to the lecturer at 2.5x speed? that seems stupid

 

[shadowfox87]

in the end, the guy who made notes has nothing to lose in giving his notes to the guy who gets more out of reading notes over and over... and doing a nice thing for someone is never bad

when i make outlines, i don't retain it nearly as well as teaching it to myself out loud does, and they both take an equal amounts of time

That's not what I'm getting at. My point is everyone wants the best notes to study from whether they make it themselves or not. Lecture slides are NOT the best notes. However, there are some cases where some profs. are nice enough to actually give you a handout in an outline format which saves time and you study of that from the get go. Also, you are teaching it to yourself all the time whether you make an outline or not.

 

[OneTyme]

I diagram EVERYTHING.

 

[Dr Gerrard]

the people who make the study guides do it because the process of compiling the study guide helps the information stick in their heads very well. They get way more out of it themselves than the people they generously share it with. I'm grateful when people share guides with me, but I'd do just fine without it because that just isn't the most important way that I learn things

edit: who would just read the slides over and over without listening to the lecturer at 2.5x speed? that seems stupid

listening does very little for me
i read the slides once and then go over it in my head and out loud.

 

[HolySmokes]

I've found that doing a bunch of practice questions is how I learn best. If, say, the professor posts 50 practice questions I'll answer the first 10 questions and go over the answers, writing out all the ones I got wrong (or guessed and just happened to get right). Then I'll do the next 10 questions, etc. I end up with a list of things that I missed or didn't know and I can usually just study that before the exam.

 

[Dr Gerrard]

I've found that doing a bunch of practice questions is how I learn best. If, say, the professor posts 50 practice questions I'll answer the first 10 questions and go over the answers, writing out all the ones I got wrong (or guessed and just happened to get right). Then I'll do the next 10 questions, etc. I end up with a list of things that I missed or didn't know and I can usually just study that before the exam.

this is definitely my method of choice... but do you get that many practice exams? what source do you use?

 

[FireTop]

MS1 Here

After block I, I realized that making outlines has been working pretty well for me. I'll let you know how it works out after block II ends

I read that people here are listening to lectures at 2x the speed? Sorry if this sounds lame, but how exactly do you do that? I have them downloaded onto my ipod/itunes, but I only know how to listen to them at normal speed. Please let me know! And thanks in advance 🙂

 

[MediCynical]

Lecture slides, a whiteboard, and maybe some flashcards to solidify important points or things I keep forgetting. I'm a very visual learner so an 80 page summary of lecture notes doesn't do much for me.

 

[cynthiam]

No one has mentioned using textbooks. Do you guys all study from the slides only?

 

[Ironheme]

No one has mentioned using textbooks. Do you guys all study from the slides only?

Textbooks are huge. We were given pdfs of a lot of other textbooks as well from MS2s, but I find that I only use them as a reference source. The only one that I've read pretty thoroughly is the Lippincott's illustrated review of biochem as pretty much all our lectures are from it (made me wonder if the profs just used that as their outline).

I find that currently I don't have the time to read through all the corresponding chapters in the textbooks. I'll only use them as a secondary source if I don't understand something taught by the prof.

Slides are basically high yield since you know what the prof cares about and will probably focus on for the test.

 

[Dr Gerrard]

i only use slides unless i need to supplement... then i do a quick google search or ask a friend

 

[SoundofSilver]

My system:

Preview lecture material: And by preview, I mean try to teach everything to myself before watching the lecture. This usually means taking notes on the notes and going through everything slowly to make sure I grasp it all. Using wikipedia and other websites to supplement my understanding of things if necessary.

View the actual lecture: Take notes, pay close attention to any points that the lecturer seems to emphasize

Review the lecture material: go through the notes one more time to make sure I have it all

It's definitely a time consuming process but has worked out well so far. I then of course go over everything once or twice more while doing a bunch of practice questions when it comes time to study for the actual exam.

Repetition is key.

 

[siliso]

Depends on the subject. Powerpoints are usually the key. The stuff they have written on them is the stuff they think is most important. If there's something that won't go in and needs to, flashcards are good. I'm thinking here of IL-WhateverTF from immuno, this and that pathogenicity factor for micro. For anatomy it was making diagrams and quizzing myself on atlases. For biochem, writing out pathways ad nauseam. For histo, Shotgun Histology videos. For anything, review questions (usually a fan of BRS) and old tests. If all else fails I will just relisten to all the lectures at warp speed and hope something sticks.

 

[Shadowmoses]

read textbook and annotate into review book. watch relevant 3rd party videos if available and annotate into review book. do questions and annotate into review book. Fin.

 

[medicalmatins]

Multiple passes.

Repetition is key.

Sooooo true.

1. the day before: 5-minute preread (teaching myself is a waste of time, since the lecture is more basic than my self-teaching), very quick
2. that day: lecture
3. that afternoon: make an outline or flashcards
4. that night: review the outline; periodically during the weeks: review the flashcards
5. that weekend: memorize
6. before the test: review

Works pretty nicely. Note: our tests are 66% fill-in-the-blank and 33% MC, so I need a lot more review than some of the above posts...knowing when to write "xeroderma pigmentosum" is really different from knowing when the answer is (A), not (C)...

 

[TAWS]

Works pretty nicely. Note: our tests are 66% fill-in-the-blank and 33% MC, so I need a lot more review than some of the above posts...knowing when to write "xeroderma pigmentosum" is really different from knowing when the answer is (A), not (C)...

Wow most of your test is fill in the blank? How do you survive?

 

[medicalmatins]

I actually prefer it! MC doesn't allow you to explain your logic to the professor, but with fill-in-the-blank you get to display mastery (even partial mastery). It's more like real practice--we won't write "C" on radiology reports...we'll write findings. 🙂

It's a lot more work for the professors.

 

[Isoprop]

I read that people here are listening to lectures at 2x the speed? Sorry if this sounds lame, but how exactly do you do that? I have them downloaded onto my ipod/itunes, but I only know how to listen to them at normal speed. Please let me know! And thanks in advance 🙂

http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

It's the only video player I know that won't make the voice annoyingly squeaky when you double speed.

 

[Belleza156]

1. I don't go to class
2. I only watch/listen to the classes that are absolutely necessary...less than 5 hrs worth every 2 weeks
3. I don't read the powerpoints
4. I don't make flashcards
5. I have BRS, Roadmap and Goljan RR + Audio for Pathology...I pick one after I have read as much as I couldread in a timeframe of 5 days for the particular system in Robbins. If I finished Robbins great, if I didn't oh well, I'll just use it as a reference if necessary. But def won't waste 1-2 days finishing reading it. Not high yield enough.
6. Also use BRS and Roadmap for Pharm
7. Roadmap for Microbiology and also Rapid Review for Micro
8. At some point I get sick of reading so I watch Kaplan videos
9. Day or two before exam I spend entire time doing practice questions from Robbins, USMLE Consult and Kaplan, as well as the practice Q's in all the review books. Also Robbins has great flashcards if I can get to them.
10. Day of exam before the test i take a quick glance thru First Aid, buy some coffee, oatmeal, and a bottle of water.
11. After exam, I drink..... repeat...repeat...repeat...repeat

 

[2012mdc]

This applies more to M2 than M1

1. Read chapters in FA and/or Goljan for upcoming lectures
2. Read lectures and do light highlighting
3. Do practice questions, first starting with old test questions and then stuff like Robbins Review. For questions w/o explanations I would go back through lectures and do more highlighting and maybe add notes.
4. Do World questions that correlate with what we are learning

I didn't use flashcards often but when I did it was typically for micro.

Some advice is to find the best method for you. I would never in a million years make outlines of lectures or my own charts or anything like that but I have classmates who did that and it worked for them.

 

[Aphtalyfe]

1. the day before: 5-minute preread (teaching myself is a waste of time, since the lecture is more basic than my self-teaching), very quick
2. that day: lecture
3. that afternoon: make an outline or flashcards
4. that night: review the outline; periodically during the weeks: review the flashcards
5. that weekend: memorize
6. before the test: review

I did almost the exact same thing during basic sciences. Except I don't make an outline or flashcards. So instead of 3 and 4, I just re-read the slides/lecture.

Repetition is king.

 

[LoveandHate]

This applies more to M2 than M1

1. Read chapters in FA and/or Goljan for upcoming lectures
2. Read lectures and do light highlighting
3. Do practice questions, first starting with old test questions and then stuff like Robbins Review. For questions w/o explanations I would go back through lectures and do more highlighting and maybe add notes.
4. Do World questions that correlate with what we are learning

I didn't use flashcards often but when I did it was typically for micro.

Some advice is to find the best method for you. I would never in a million years make outlines of lectures or my own charts or anything like that but I have classmates who did that and it worked for them.

Can you imagine the outliner's out there taking notes for everything for the step1? Jesus that would take a long time. Annotate FTW!!!

 

[2012mdc]

Can you imagine the outliner's out there taking notes for everything for the step1? Jesus that would take a long time. Annotate FTW!!!

I have heard of people unbounding FA and putting into a binder so that they can add notes in between the pages. Whatever works I guess

 

[dr zaius]

Naked.

 

[LoveandHate]

Naked.

made me smile 👍

 

[thepoopologist]

I put down "lecture" but it's really more like video lectures that I watch in a bright sunny area with notes in hand to annotate.

 

[achamess]

http://drwillbe.blogspot.com/2010/11/study-skills.html
http://drwillbe.blogspot.com/2011/08/anki-guide-for-medical-students.html

 

[achamess]

Also, this. Do your own thing.

1. I don't go to class
2. I only watch/listen to the classes that are absolutely necessary...less than 5 hrs worth every 2 weeks
3. I don't read the powerpoints
4. I don't make flashcards
5. I have BRS, Roadmap and Goljan RR + Audio for Pathology...I pick one after I have read as much as I couldread in a timeframe of 5 days for the particular system in Robbins. If I finished Robbins great, if I didn't oh well, I'll just use it as a reference if necessary. But def won't waste 1-2 days finishing reading it. Not high yield enough.
6. Also use BRS and Roadmap for Pharm
7. Roadmap for Microbiology and also Rapid Review for Micro
8. At some point I get sick of reading so I watch Kaplan videos
9. Day or two before exam I spend entire time doing practice questions from Robbins, USMLE Consult and Kaplan, as well as the practice Q's in all the review books. Also Robbins has great flashcards if I can get to them.
10. Day of exam before the test i take a quick glance thru First Aid, buy some coffee, oatmeal, and a bottle of water.
11. After exam, I drink..... repeat...repeat...repeat...repeat