Reading once and then doing a bunch of questions

[ILikeFood]

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I'm wondering how many of you have successfully employed the above strategy? M1 first semester here.

I'm having a hell of a time retaining information by repetitively going over the same notes. I find that I don't ask and inquire about factoids like my classmates do. As a point of reference, I did well in general and organic chemistry in undergrad doing problems and not reading the book. I never really figured out how to study bio material and would like to know if using the same strategy has worked for anyone else, especially with biochem and physio.

Thanks

 

[xanthomondo]

I'm wondering how many of you have successfully employed the above strategy? M1 first semester here.

I'm having a hell of a time retaining information by repetitively going over the same notes. I find that I don't ask and inquire about factoids like my classmates do. As a point of reference, I did well in general and organic chemistry in undergrad doing problems and not reading the book. I never really figured out how to study bio material and would like to know if using the same strategy has worked for anyone else, especially with biochem and physio.

Thanks

Do you take notes when you read? I find this helpful when combing through the syllabus notes (I usually only do it once) and then I have my own copy of notes, usually much more concise and in a format that's better for me. I usually study this until I can recite them back (cover half the page and try to recite it, or have someone ask you questions). After a day of this I usually try for questions, and those I miss I go back and re-read the subject (rather than just seeing what the correct answer is).

 

[njbmd]

I'm wondering how many of you have successfully employed the above strategy? M1 first semester here.

I'm having a hell of a time retaining information by repetitively going over the same notes. I find that I don't ask and inquire about factoids like my classmates do. As a point of reference, I did well in general and organic chemistry in undergrad doing problems and not reading the book. I never really figured out how to study bio material and would like to know if using the same strategy has worked for anyone else, especially with biochem and physio.

Thanks

In general, what worked for you to get you into medical school will work for you in medical school with tweaking for the volume. You are going to find out by your exam performance, if your system works regardless of whethere or not anyone else has ever used it. If it works for you, then it's a good system. I would caution you not to spend loads of times memorizing answers to specific questions as your exam questions may be totally different or from a different standpoint.

Biochemistry and physiology will generally require that you be able to apply the concepts that you have mastered. If you haven't mastered the concepts, it's going to be hard to apply them. If you can look at the concept and see how it works, remember how it works, then you can likely apply that concept to any problem or situation.

 

[seelee]

I am just wondering where you get the questions, and how can you be sure that the questions cover the same topics that will be covered on the test. I mean, you know if the question hasn't been covered, but what about material that was covered that you haven't been asked questions on. If you know of a good question bank let me know.

 

[WellWornLad]

Questions are best used to find areas that you didn't realize you'd missed. If you're having trouble retaining material and know that you're having said trouble, quizzing yourself is going to be very low yield indeed.

 

[ILikeFood]

I'm trying it. Reading is very low yield for me ands it's reflected in my grades. I understand most of the material they give me but even though I repeatedly read it over it never sticks. I can never remember the minutiae my classmates can. I think I'm going to answer questions first and fill in gaps through lecture notes. My biochem class hands out questions. I'm looking into brs for physio. All I know is I used this strategy for chem and could explain everything after I finished the problem sets. Hopefully it works for bio

 

[MSSM2013]

problem is you usually cannot find enough examine questions available to quiz yourself properly for everything.

 

[prophecy2]

Experiment and find out what works for you...I learned early on in medical school that I retain more information by doing questions rather than reading books over and over...

...I did visit different websites...different med school website and look for sample questions on different subjects...i liked it...I also enjoyed doing questions for STEP exams...matter of fact, i only did questions for step 3...anyway find what works for you and go with it...

 

[turkeyjerky]

For all those m1 factoids, you just have to bite the bullet and memorize them. Reading over notes doesn't cut it, doing practice questions doesn't cut it. Those strategies work better in path, phys and other interesting courses that require understanding, but for the factoid heavy classes like biochem, anatomy, cell bio, immunology, you have to actively memorize.

Sit down and tell yourself that you're not gonna move until you know that **** like the the back of your hand. You could try flash cards, making and reviewing tables or repetitively writing them down, ala Bart Simpson (my fav). It sucks, I know--but how else'll you learn what each of the interleukins, 1-12, does?

 

[NRAI2001]

I found making concept maps and charts for the harder stuff helps (if its an easier concept it ll just waste time...).

I agree with the person that said questions should mainly be used to figure out your weaknesses..

 

[ILikeFood]

problem is you usually cannot find enough examine questions available to quiz yourself properly for everything.

It's not about quizzing, it's about finding an active way to remember stuff. It's very frustrating to thoroughly read the lecture notes multiple times, highlight relevant information, and forget 80-90% of it the following day because it feels like wasted time when it happens. I don't know, I have to try something new.

 

[Mattabet]

It's not about quizzing, it's about finding an active way to remember stuff. It's very frustrating to thoroughly read the lecture notes multiple times, highlight relevant information, and forget 80-90% of it the following day because it feels like wasted time when it happens. I don't know, I have to try something new.

What I do (actually am doing, right now; exams this week) is to draw or write stuff out. For example, we're taking a devo. test, and it looks like knowing what each of the pharyngeal arches, clefts, pouches becomes is going to be good info to know. So I made a chart of each arch, its nerve, the vessels, skeleton, and muscles. Then I crumpled it up, and drew it again. Then again. Now I can pretty much spit out any bit of info on the whole damn thing.

It takes time and the back of calendar pages, but I'm convinced it's the best way to really learn something, especially if it's a bunch of interrelated facts. But as above said, you need to do what works for you. Maybe give it a shot though.