Really Dorky Question

[morriske]

I'm basically working a 9-5 research job until I start med school. I also have a lot of down time in the evenings and on weekends so I was thinking that maybe I should start studying for med school. I basically feel very bored with my life right now. Is this a good idea? What subjects should I start studying?

 

[armybound]

I don't know if it will help at all..

but study whatever you're weak at, I guess.

 

[KeyzerSoze]

Gross Anatomy Lab

 

[MercuryX]

Is there anything you wanted to learn or do that wasn't science related? Learn a foreign language? Sculpting? Playing an instrument? Volunteering? Pick up a hobby that you like and you can take to med school, itll be rewarding.

 

[zimmie256]

I'm basically working a 9-5 research job until I start med school. I also have a lot of down time in the evenings and on weekends so I was thinking that maybe I should start studying for med school. I basically feel very bored with my life right now. Is this a good idea? What subjects should I start studying?

Search in the allo forums on this topic. You'll find lots of responses, the majority of which say that it's not worth it to start early. However, some people offer suggestions on what to study if you're dead set on studying before med school.

 

[indo]

If you have to be studying you should read as much as possible on Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome. These will be crammed down your throat repeatedly in med school because of how many patients come in with them.

 

[NCF145]

I'm basically working a 9-5 research job until I start med school. I also have a lot of down time in the evenings and on weekends so I was thinking that maybe I should start studying for med school. I basically feel very bored with my life right now. Is this a good idea? What subjects should I start studying?

I graduated in Dec. and have been working full-time. I hate not feeling like I am learning anything for an extended period of time. I have been reviewing (not much at all) gross anatomy using Netter's and Rohen. I am not memorizing anything, just trying to familiarize myself with the different structures and organ systems.

 

[Timmythemic22]

I'm basically working a 9-5 research job until I start med school. I also have a lot of down time in the evenings and on weekends so I was thinking that maybe I should start studying for med school. I basically feel very bored with my life right now. Is this a good idea? What subjects should I start studying?

Hey, I'm in the same position. I got myself an abridged version of Netter's atlas and have been going over some basic anatomy. I suggest a physiology book, too (I just don't have the money right now).

 

[johnnydrama]

I'm basically working a 9-5 research job until I start med school. I also have a lot of down time in the evenings and on weekends so I was thinking that maybe I should start studying for med school. I basically feel very bored with my life right now. Is this a good idea? What subjects should I start studying?

I think studying for medical school will be a very bad idea if you're already working in a research lab - I would rather volunteer at a hospital and get some social interaction. Then again, if you have free time on evenings and weekends, why not enjoy them? You probably won't have an opportunity like this again until your 30's. Go out and have fun, and if you must put a medical spin on it, tell yourself you're just brushing up on "anatomy". ;-)

 

[morriske]

Is there anything you wanted to learn or do that wasn't science related? Learn a foreign language? Sculpting? Playing an instrument? Volunteering? Pick up a hobby that you like and you can take to med school, itll be rewarding.

Yeah, I have been volunteering. I do spend a lot of time in the evenings reading and knitting. The problem with hobbies is that one way or another they end up costing $$ and until my husband graduates from law school, we are very short on cash. Even my knitting projects push our budget. I love to play the piano but we don't own a piano.

 

[Stolenspatulas]

i cant believe some people out there are willing to try and study for med school before it begins. you'll learn it all soon enough... just be patient.

learn how to paint, or read for fun. buy the macgyver 7 season dvd set (160$ off amazon)

 

[indo]

also, exercise. You're probably going to want to run a marathon at some time during med school.

 

[morriske]

also, exercise. You're probably going to want to run a marathon at some time during med school.

pretty sure I will not ever want to run a marathon but I do run short distances for exercise.

 

[CptCrunch]

Buy a Wii.

 

[45408]

just save up lots of money. work more now, study less.

 

[Haemulon]

I do understand where morriske is coming from. I have these thoughts as well (about wanting to go ahead and get started). I doubt retention will be very good without the pressure on you to really learn every excrutiating detail and remember it. I suppose it can't hurt to browse through some anatomy or physiology for fun though, or spend sometime researching different specialties and daydream about what it may be like. Studying in advance may not actually help you perform any better in med school, but it may occupy your mind and calm your nerves by making you feel like you doing something to prepare. Just don't go crazy over it. There is no reason to get stressed before school even starts!

 

[Funky]

why not just start studying for the step 1 then?

 

[morriske]

why not just start studying for the step 1 then?

Okay! What should I do to get started?

 

[Stolenspatulas]

virtualnes.com

 

[TMP-SMX]

Girlfriend...

 

[DrVanNostran]

Hey-

I know a lot of people who are at RFU, MCB is the biggest pain in the a** for them all. If you want, get someones notes and just read through em, don't memorize anything really.

 

[Hurricane95]

If you start studying now, you will regret it seriously once you start med school. Don't do it. You will have plenty of time to study later, and you will probably not retain what you review now unless you study it everyday leading up til the first day of classes. Do yourself a favor and enjoy life while you still can.

 

[DoctorFunk]

Sheesh. Go out and get some action instead. A guy like you once he hits medical school is going to be one big vaginismus. Prepare for the drought starting now.

 

[DoctorFunk]

why not just start studying for the step 1 then?

Just wanted to warn you that I'm aware of your blatant theft of my screenname and you can rest assured that there will be a heated, passive-aggressive rivalry ensuing from this point on that will undoubtedly end in a Highlander-like showdown.

There can only be one. Or something.

 

[Funky]

Just wanted to warn you that I'm aware of your blatant theft of my screenname and you can rest assured that there will be a heated, passive-aggressive rivalry ensuing from this point on that will undoubtedly end in a Highlander-like showdown.

There can only be one. Or something.

i say bring it

 

[psipsina]

Before medschool I read about learning strategies and memorization techniques and stuff like that to try to find ways to be a more efficient studier. I think that had some benefit. Beyond that trying to get ahead is really pointless. Unless your super brilliant and motivated you won't get thru any significant volume and you'll have no clue what particular proffs emphasize etc. And if you're already that brilliant there is no real need to get ahead. Just hang out, you'll be longing for a day when you can just do nothing soon enough, trust me. Read novels (go to the library), watch stupid tv, experiment in the kitchen (you have to buy food right, so have fun with it and try new things), excersize, find something crafty thats less expensive than knitting (trust me I understand the addiction, if you must knit check out the yarn on ebay), etc. But please for the love of god don't study medicine, . . . I swear you will regret giving up some of the last true free time you will ever ever ever have. Once medschool starts there will be a strange sense of guilt whenever you aren't studying that you will never entirely escape, enjoy life without that guilt. Sorry for the rambling, but if my rambling can save 1 M1 from the fate of studying ahead and wasting free time, than my time here on SDN is truely worthwhile . . . .

 

[smq123]

I'm basically working a 9-5 research job until I start med school. I also have a lot of down time in the evenings and on weekends so I was thinking that maybe I should start studying for med school. I basically feel very bored with my life right now. Is this a good idea? What subjects should I start studying?

Don't study in advance. The chapter in Moore that took you a week to finish on your own will be covered in ONE hour in school. Forget it - you can't match the intensity and speed of med school by studying by yourself.

You could spend some time familiarizing yourself with anatomy terminology - forward flexion, backward flexion, extension, distal, proximal, etc.

If you have to take a biostats course, read the textbook chapter now and get it over with. I HATE biostats, so I might be biased.

Otherwise, spend some quality time with your husband/loved ones. And relax.

 

[photo_girl07]

Have fun...work out...yeah...work out!

 

[Ashers]

Buy a Wii.

This is a great idea. I wish I even had enough money to buy a Wii (stupid loans -- for some reason Wii doesn't count for extra funds). However, if I were to get a Wii, I would flunk out of med school.

 

[rickthetwinkie]

Go to your local graveyard and bring a shovel. I'm sure the local community would be very supportive of you if you said you you're going to med school in a few months.

 

[gary5]

You could buy the Kaplan Step 1 lecture books from someone on EBay, and read the subjects for med school first year. Don't try hard to memorize - just read to become familiar.

 

[morriske]

Sheesh. Go out and get some action instead. A guy like you once he hits medical school is going to be one big vaginismus. Prepare for the drought starting now.

I'm a girl and I've been married for almost 3 years

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I *might* look over some anatomy or something but I will mostly try to embrace the "boredness" that I'm experiencing. This was all triggered when my parents were visiting this past weekend and my dad asked me if I was planning to start studying before med school started.

 

[TheAmazingGOB]

Buy a Wii.

I'm in the same boat as the OP and my advice is to enjoy this time while you can. Why start studying when it'll be crammed down your throat in a few months? You have a long and tough road ahead, so enjoy your free time while you have it.

I got a Wii and it's awesome! So, I'm basically wasting my time with that (or am I as some researchers claim doctors who play video cames have better hand/eye coordination and make fewer mistakes??)

 

[MonkeyNuts!]

I'm basically working a 9-5 research job until I start med school. I also have a lot of down time in the evenings and on weekends so I was thinking that maybe I should start studying for med school. I basically feel very bored with my life right now. Is this a good idea? What subjects should I start studying?

Biochem or molecular bio.

 

[krachenfels89]

I got a Wii and it's awesome! So, I'm basically wasting my time with that (or am I as some researchers claim doctors who play video cames have better hand/eye coordination and make fewer mistakes??)

http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=&storyid=2007-02-19T211515Z_01_N2J303978_RTRUKOC_0_US-SURGERY-GAMES.xml&src=nl_ushealth1400

 

[R-35]

I'm basically working a 9-5 research job until I start med school. I also have a lot of down time in the evenings and on weekends so I was thinking that maybe I should start studying for med school. I basically feel very bored with my life right now. Is this a good idea? What subjects should I start studying?

I'm working 9-5 in a research lab also. After 5 I just relax, hang out, spend time with my girlfriend. NO studying whatsoever until I start medschool. We are going to be studying for the rest of our lives, taking some time out before is no sin lol.