Preparing for P2

[hihi1413]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I just got through P1 year, having done much better this Spring than I had done in the Fall as a transfer. The only blemish is with regard to Biochemistry, which I will have to retake this Fall and which I am currently trying to get ahead of so that I don't have to learn it all again while dealing with the rest of the P2 courseload. But otherwise, I am still on track to graduate on time.

How does P2 year differ from P1, especially from P1 Spring (19 credits for me)? My biggest issue from this past semester was having enough time. Generally, I like to make study guides of the learning objectives/main points to fill out, and then record myself going over all of it, but not every class format allowed for that. Even so, filling out those study guides can be quite time-consuming. I know advice has been given about listening actively in class, which I have tried to do on occasion, even getting a notepad for added motivation, but that's not always easy to do. For one, if I miss a bit of information, it tends to discourage me from continuing to actively listen, and then I just try and rely on the slides and recordings that the instructor may post later.

What should I be prepared for this year, and how might I change up the way I study so that I have more time to actually memorize material without compromising what I believe works best for me?

 

[BC_89]

How does P2 year differ from P1, especially from P1 Spring (19 credits for me)?

I don't really think of it in terms of credits per semester, but the shift from basic sciences, to pharmacology, to therapeutics. You've already taken a deep dive into the basic/general sciences, so I'll shift the focus on integrating more pharmacology and therapeutics. Each program is slightly different so YMMV.

Continuation & End of Basic Sciences (1st semester of P2)
Wrap-up or putting all your general sciences together (i.e., defining full/partial agonist vs antagonist definitions, understanding enzymes and rate-limiting steps, familiarity of pH levels/acidity and its role on chemical structures). You've already experienced most or all of this in some way or another, especially in medicinal or biochemistry if you had to go so far as to learn the krebs cycle, ATPs, and maybe memorize amino acid structures and DNA replication and metabolism) .

Pharmacology (End of first semester of P2 to beginning of second semester of P2)
Your focus will now move towards memorizing drug names and each of their mechanism of action(s) (MOAs). This is now introducing many agents within a drug class, and then applying these drug classes to guidelines. You'll be doing a lot of memorizing and regurgitation during this time of school, and burn-out, anxiety, and depression typically show up to the party.

Therapeutics [aka Pharmacotherapeutics] (Second semester until P4 APPE rotations)
At this point, mostly later part of your P2 year you'll now be introduced to pharmacokinetics/dynamics (movement of drugs within the body vs how the body responds to drugs). This is where pharmacology and therapeutics start to blend together. You'll now be thinking of drugs in terms of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. This will of course include half-life as well as continual memorizing of pathways as it relates to indications and contraindications in certain population groups (geriatrics, adolescents, pregnancy). You'll now go even deeper into guidelines in terms of chronic disease state management and compare what drugs are most appropriate, even within the same drug class.

What should I be prepared for this year, and how might I change up the way I study so that I have more time to actually memorize material without compromising what I believe works best for me?

This is very subjective, but always take advantage of study groups and school resources (both school work and your mental health). I was very visual, so I bought a series of white boards that I posted on the walls of my study room and consistently wrote things out. I also printed and color coded topics in a journal and kept it throughout school to look at on a daily basis (Pilot G2-10 pens is a students best friend).

Everyone is different, but I would argue working as an intern (minimal hours of course) is a nice way to focus your mind in a different environment setting while not getting burnt-out by keeping your head in the books. Get a gym membership (I did) and dedicate an hour a day just for yourself.

Just be that person that keeps asking questions during or after class. Despite the state of the profession, just keep in mind that most students graduate.