Q's about annotating First Aid for an MSI

[Taus]

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I'm looking for suggestions for annotating First Aid during MSI and the first half of MSII before real board studying begins. I have never actually seen the book and am considering buying the 2006 version. I do have some questions before I make the purchase:

What do you actually do w/ it (before "official" board study time)?
Do you follow along with your classes and write in extra info to FA? Just highlight stuff you also learned in your class (though I assume classes should cover most of it)? Just plain old read relevant sections pertaining to your current class?
(I realize this is likely individual preference, but wanted to see what people have done that they deemed beneficial)

Also, what about the slight problem of a new version coming out next December? Is it still worthwhile to get the 2006 book and just junk it in favor of the 2007 when it comes out next year during "REAL" board study time?

Any advice from the veterans here would be greatly appreciated (including if you think it is a total waste of time).

ps...yes I realize that I don't need to be thinking about boards now....but I guess I'm a little OCD and can't help it...

 

[MadameLULU]

bump
i am also trying this method out.

 

[tigershark]

I wouldnt even buy it until you start your focused studying for step 1. You will be best served by studying hard for you classes.

Waste of time from my experience.

 

[DOCTORSAIB]

I wouldnt even buy it until you start your focused studying for step 1. You will be best served by studying hard for you classes.

Waste of time from my experience.

Keep in mind that tigershark crushed both Step 1 and Step 2 (260+). If you're known to do well on standardized exams, then do what he did. He definitely knows what he's talking about. Otherwise, follow the "do LOTS of questions" approach. I've yet to see someone NOT do well by following that approach.

I've been using FA since 1st year. It really helps to focus on what's HY. I couldn't imagine going through classes not knowing what's important and what's minutiae that prof. expects us to memorize. I'll write stuff into FA but I don't get too crazy. I'm waiting for the 2006 edition before I get too intimate. (yes, I must have the newest edition of every book). G'luck guys!

 

[Taus]

Thanks a lot for the replies, your advice, plus what I found in this thread that was resurected from the dead today (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=242713) gave all the answers I could want and more

 

[Cholinergic]

MS1 here. . .I bought a 2004 FA book and just cracked it over the break to review anatomy and embryo. I will be using this to help me focus my studies as well.

I started making notecards from FA so that when its time to study seriously for boards, the cards will hopefully help jog my memory.

 

[DOctorJay]

WRT the cards you're making, check out Univ. of Utah's web page for board prep. They have some palm programs that are basically flash cards of FA and are a helpful way of studying when you just can't pick up a book.

(I have also been using FA since 1st year for the mnemonics and for the basics when need be).

-J

 

[mcandy]

I'm looking for suggestions for annotating First Aid during MSI and the first half of MSII before real board studying begins. I have never actually seen the book and am considering buying the 2006 version. I do have some questions before I make the purchase:

What do you actually do w/ it (before "official" board study time)?
Do you follow along with your classes and write in extra info to FA? Just highlight stuff you also learned in your class (though I assume classes should cover most of it)? Just plain old read relevant sections pertaining to your current class?
(I realize this is likely individual preference, but wanted to see what people have done that they deemed beneficial)

Also, what about the slight problem of a new version coming out next December? Is it still worthwhile to get the 2006 book and just junk it in favor of the 2007 when it comes out next year during "REAL" board study time?

Any advice from the veterans here would be greatly appreciated (including if you think it is a total waste of time).

ps...yes I realize that I don't need to be thinking about boards now....but I guess I'm a little OCD and can't help it...

Don't buy FA and use it first year....what you can do to help yourself (assuming your school has its schedule set up this way) is get BRS path and phys and use those with your ms1 path and phys courses (IN ADDITION TO Big Robbins and Guyton/Hall). Write HY notes in the margin and use it to guide your studies. Learn that **** well so you dont have a lot of stuff to "relearn" next year. You dont need to widdle down that first year stuff too much...it is all foundationally important and is often not considered HY.