NYCOM professors come in a wide variety...you have some good...some not so good...but they all know their stuff. AND they are all approachable. I agree with one of the previous posters that I am not the type to run up to the lecturer after every class to ask a billion questions...but, if I don't get it...I'm not shy. All professors will give out some sort of contact information- and if you are having that much trouble, we have other physicians on campus that can explain concepts...all you need to do is ask.
I, too, went to an undergrad where you basically taught yourself. I hated it...but, when I got to NYCOM, I found that being put in that situation really helped me all around because I didn't depend on being "spoon fed" like some of my classmates. Did I have to teach myself during some subjects? yes...others? no.
But that's how medical school works. Remember, nobody is going to be holding your hand all the way through your career preparation.
As mentioned before- we have access to our lectures in many ways:
- The majority of our lectures are taped and released.
These lectures are posted on our academic web site.
For those that still depend on VHS, the tapes are
available in the library, along with a few TVs and VCRs to
watch them on. If you don't have a computer but would
like to watch them online, you can use our computer lab
or check out a lap top to watch it from anywhere on
campus (being that we have a wireless network)
- For the classes that have notes...all notes and power
points are posted on our academic web site. (In addition
to receiving our notes in our individual mailboxes.)
- OR here's a thought...GO TO LECTURE AS IT'S BEING
GIVEN.
About anatomy at NYCOM...yes, they changed their policies. But, anatomy is anatomy- you either know it or don't. There is little understanding when it comes to anatomy. It's just structure and function and MEMORIZATION. Some things that the previous posters failed to mention is that a lot of the learning of anatomy takes place in the anatomy lab...and we have TONS of help in anatomy lab. We have the following provided to us:
- Anatomy Fellows. Those of you who don't know what an anatomy fellow is....it's a program that you can apply for during your second year of school. Students chosen to participate in the program (usually 3 students per year) spend one extra year at NYCOM to teach and research. In return, these students get their last three years of NYCOM tuition paid for...not bad, huh? This is a competitve position in which a student must prove that the have excelled in the subject of anatomy, have excellent teaching skills and are academically strong. These fellows will hold review sessions, help out with mock practicals that are fundraisers held by several clubs on campus....basically, they are there to make sure that you are getting help. They are present during each lab. They are a GREAT resource since they help pin structures for the lab practicals...hint hint...
-Anatomy Teaching Assistants. In your second year of medical school, students can donate their time by helping out during first year anatomy labs. I know that many of these second years have held their own review sessions and many of them are anatomy tutors as well. There is a selection criteria for these TAs...After all, the bulk of the fellow applicants come from this TA group...so, they work VERY hard.
-The Anatomy Department. The anatomy department is always there to help. I, personally, got sick last year a week before our hardest exam (head and neck)...I was sure that I would fail the exam. I talked to the head of the department and he came in on a Sunday and went through everything for all of the students that were studying in the lab. Needless to say...I did a lot better than expected.
-About Anatomy notes. Yes, it is unfortunate that they are not provided for you. However, we do have a big brother/big sister program in which I know of many of my classmates have handed down our notes. Also, the book that is required for the class is EXCELLENT...it's interesting and VERY informative. Although I had anatomy notes, I still read that whole book...
-Anatomy has become a little more bearable this year since they have restructured the course. In my year, ALL of anatomy was covered from August to December. Now, to promote a better understanding of anatomy, the course is stretched and is now covered from August-April-ish (I don't know of the exact date).
Almost everything I said above about anatomy (besides not having our notes) goes for the OMM department too...except, there are 9 fellows chosen per year.
I think that's all I have to say...first year is dry...but second year is a lot more interesting and makes you feel like you are actually going to be a doctor (not that you are in some PHD or graduate program)
If you have any questins, feel free to pm me.
-SexyEgptnDr
