Relaxation before starting in the fall?

[drmanyee999]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Does anyone have a good tips as the best way to relax before starting school in August? I'm going to be working until the end of June and I need some good relaxation tips so I can be refreshed for Aug.

Thanks!

 

[WestcoastMedicine]

I plan on taking that optional biochem course in the summer, which, gives me three weeks between the end of that and orientation so I am in the process of planning a trip. I won't really have much money to spend but even going to the beach for a weekend should help me unwind. Did you go to the welcome brunch? I thought it would be much more informative, o well, it was great to meet some fellow PCOMers. Good Luck!

 

[OSUdoc08]

Does anyone have a good tips as the best way to relax before starting school in August? I'm going to be working until the end of June and I need some good relaxation tips so I can be refreshed for Aug.

Thanks!

1. don't do anything related to school work

2. take a vacation, even an inexpensive one

 

[joe6102]

1. don't do anything related to school work

2. take a vacation, even an inexpensive one

I'm in the same situation as the OP. I've heard everyone telling me to have fun this summer and don't do school work, but I haven't taken a class in 5 years, and I've never had a biochem or anatomy class. I think I'd be crazy not to pick up a book.

COMP 2009 :-D

 

[OSUdoc08]

I'm in the same situation as the OP. I've heard everyone telling me to have fun this summer and don't do school work, but I haven't taken a class in 5 years, and I've never had a biochem or anatomy class. I think I'd be crazy not to pick up a book.

COMP 2009 :-D

I promise it won't help!

To get ready, read a novel.

This will get you in the mindset to read, but you will not learn anything from studying textbooks. Biochem is not one of your big classes in medical school. Anatomy and Histology are, and there is nothing you can do to prepare for them at this point. Enjoy your summer. I promise you won't regret it. (I've had several classmates in your situation.)

 

[kyriacos01]

Does anyone have a good tips as the best way to relax before starting school in August? I'm going to be working until the end of June and I need some good relaxation tips so I can be refreshed for Aug.

Thanks!

Ummm....

Do not take an optional biochem summer course; there will be plenty of study time in your near future.

Get outside, run, exercise, walk barefoot in the grass, take a nap in the park, play golf, participate in a new sport, read for fun, take in plenty of baseball games, swim, throw a frisbee, travel to a city/location you have always wanted to visit, volunteer in your community, etc.

Simply stated, live your life.

All the best,
-ky

 

[joe6102]

I promise it won't help!

To get ready, read a novel.

This will get you in the mindset to read, but you will not learn anything from studying textbooks. Biochem is not one of your big classes in medical school. Anatomy and Histology are, and there is nothing you can do to prepare for them at this point. Enjoy your summer. I promise you won't regret it. (I've had several classmates in your situation.)

Thanks for the advice. I'm still not convinced, though - college chemistry was easier after AP chemistry. I bought a histology/intro to pathology textbook used at a med school near where I live, and I can understand it/learn from it. and I'll still have plenty of time for golf 🙂

 

[OSUdoc08]

Thanks for the advice. I'm still not convinced, though - college chemistry was easier after AP chemistry. I bought a histology/intro to pathology textbook used at a med school near where I live, and I can understand it/learn from it. and I'll still have plenty of time for golf 🙂

The way you learn in medical school is different than in college. They also test differently.

Not only will reading those textbooks be a waste of time and not help, but you will have to relearn it anyway.

You will simply have wasted your time.

You will have plenty of time to study and be successful in med school----what is the point of getting ahead (in something you don't know the first thing about how to study.) Your grades will not be any different either way.

Many people in my class studied like you, and none of them found a benefit to it.

 

[drmanyee999]

The way you learn in medical school is different than in college. They also test differently.

Not only will reading those textbooks be a waste of time and not help, but you will have to relearn it anyway.

You will simply have wasted your time.

You will have plenty of time to study and be successful in college----what is the point of getting ahead (in something you don't know the first thing about how to study.) Your grades will not be any different either way.

Many people in my class studied like you, and none of them found a benefit to it.

This is all great guys, thanks so much. Plus, thanks for the advice about not studying and reading a novel instead. I was out of school this past year and was worried that I would perhaps need to do some studying this summer.

 

[oldManDO2009]

I have been studying bio-chem and working evenings full time to "get ready" for med school and I am already tired 🙁 I really want to quit my job and play with my dogs and kids for a month - its not like i gonna be any less in massive debt anyway. The few bucks I save working this summer will help but did I mention I am already tired...

 

[joe6102]

The way you learn in medical school is different than in college. They also test differently.

Not only will reading those textbooks be a waste of time and not help, but you will have to relearn it anyway.

You will simply have wasted your time.

You will have plenty of time to study and be successful in college----what is the point of getting ahead (in something you don't know the first thing about how to study.) Your grades will not be any different either way.

Many people in my class studied like you, and none of them found a benefit to it.

Then why do some med schools require a undergraduate biochemistry class? Obviously it is a "waste of time" to study undergraduate biochem since you will have to "relearn it anyway". Hell, if you learn differently and are "tested differently", it is pointless to have any knowledge at all entering med school. Med schools probably don't care at all about undergrad GPA either, since all premeds "don't know the first thing about how to study" in med school.

I'd like to hear other opinions on this.

 

[tinkerbelle]

Everyone keeps telling me not to study either. And like some of you, I haven't taken anatomy or biochem and whatever else the normal pre-med takes. But being the nerd that i am, I am going to at least try to teach myself the basics. I have an anatomy book, and just reading the first chapter made me feel so much smarter (i finally figured out why my ear drops were called otic drops 😀 ). And I'm not saying I'm going to spend 5 hours a day studying all summer... it's more like when I'm super bored, I'll pick up a book and read a little bit of it.

I'm considering buying some of the review books that people use for the boards (plus i heard it's good to buy them your first year and use them while taking your med school classes... although I don't know how things work for DO schools and whether you take the same exams). I figure these review books will be short and only contain the most important info/general ideas. I know that I'll forget the details, so I'm not going to bother learning too many details.

I understand that med school will be totally different, and I know that engineers usually do well in med school. But I also know that I'm the type of person who feels more comfortable and does better when I have an idea of what's going on. I know I'll do well in med school whether I study this summer or not. I just think I'll do better if I teach myself a few things. Plus, I'm a little on the dumb side and I need all extra advantages I can get 😛

 

[Buckeye(OH)]

you are smarter than me. You got into PSU and I got waitlisted. Speaking of which, tell them you arent coming tinky.

 

[OSUdoc08]

Then why do some med schools require a undergraduate biochemistry class? Obviously it is a "waste of time" to study undergraduate biochem since you will have to "relearn it anyway". Hell, if you learn differently and are "tested differently", it is pointless to have any knowledge at all entering med school. Med schools probably don't care at all about undergrad GPA either, since all premeds "don't know the first thing about how to study" in med school.

I'd like to hear other opinions on this.

1. most schools don't require biochemistry (none of the 20 schools I applied to did)

2. I never took biochem in college, and I got an A in it in med school, with little effort

3. Since this is the pre-DO forum, biochem has a very little emphasis on the COMLEX

4. You are correct: people with science majors are on equal fields as religion and english majors. You may even find that non-science majors are some of the most successful students. It proves that you don't need all of those extra science classes to do well.

5. Are you in medical school yourself? If not, then attend one before you refute my statements.

 

[tinkerbelle]

you are smarter than me. You got into PSU and I got waitlisted. Speaking of which, tell them you arent coming tinky.

Yup, I will Buckeye 🙂 I've given myself an april 25th deadline to withdraw from the schools I'm holding on too. I hope you get into Penn State It was a really nice school.

 

[medic170]

Does anyone have a good tips as the best way to relax before starting school in August? I'm going to be working until the end of June and I need some good relaxation tips so I can be refreshed for Aug.

Thanks!

Golf!!!! Why?
1. It is very relaxing
2. you can take beer out on the course with you (even more relaxing)
3. Driving the golf cart can be fun between holes
4. You are going to be a doctor, right? So you have to learn how to golf sometime, and you will be too busy during med school to learn 😉

 

[adennis]

This brings up an interesting topic...
I don't have the ability to "relax".. I have no concept of this..

how does one learn to relax?
and what would one do (besides play golf) to relax?

 

[drmanyee999]

Medic170 - you're so right, I don't know how to play golf! I must learn right away 😛

 

[joe6102]

1. most schools don't require biochemistry (none of the 20 schools I applied to did)

2. I never took biochem in college, and I got an A in it in med school, with little effort

3. Since this is the pre-DO forum, biochem has a very little emphasis on the COMLEX

4. You are correct: people with science majors are on equal fields as religion and english majors. You may even find that non-science majors are some of the most successful students. It proves that you don't need all of those extra science classes to do well.

5. Are you in medical school yourself? If not, then attend one before you refute my statements.

1. You still didn't answer the question. Some schools do require undergrad biochem, and I think they have a better idea of what it takes to succeed than a first-year DO student.

2. sample size n=1

3. Some if not most of DO med students also take the USMLE, so it is absolutely relevant. And yes, this is the pre-DO forum.

4. These are only your opinions, from your < 1 year of med school.

5. I don't have to be in med school to refute your statements. Answer the question - if studying is different, learning is different, and pre-meds can't possibly know how to study in med school, why do med schools care about your undergrad GPA?

 

[medic170]

1. You still didn't answer the question. Some schools do require undergrad biochem, and I think they have a better idea of what it takes to succeed than a first-year DO student.

2. sample size n=1

3. Some if not most of DO med students also take the USMLE, so it is absolutely relevant. And yes, this is the pre-DO forum.

4. These are only your opinions, from your < 1 year of med school.

5. I don't have to be in med school to refute your statements. Answer the question - if studying is different, learning is different, and pre-meds can't possibly know how to study in med school, why do med schools care about your undergrad GPA?

In OSUdoc's defense, every med student I have asked the question to has told me the same thing, and I have asked many. Through my interviews, sdn, and people I know, I would say n= at least100, nobody has ever said undergrad biochem would "help"...they all said it would be vitually useless becaise it was so diff in med school, and what you do already learn get forgotten after each undergrad biochem test. School administrations, as you will learn, do NOT always knwo what is best. Personally, I take the accounts of current students that are/have lived it recently more seriously.

 

[tinkerbelle]

In OSUdoc's defense, every med student I have asked the question to has told me the same thing, and I have asked many. Through my interviews, sdn, and people I know, I would say n= at least100, nobody has ever said undergrad biochem would "help"...they all said it would be vitually useless becaise it was so diff in med school, and what you do already learn get forgotten after each undergrad biochem test. School administrations, as you will learn, do NOT always knwo what is best. Personally, I take the accounts of current students that are/have lived it recently more seriously.

I agree with osudoc & medic about biochem. Biochem seems like it's a lot of memorization and so studying this summer won't help. I still think learning basic/general anatomy is a good idea though.

 

[joe6102]

I agree with osudoc & medic about biochem. Biochem seems like it's a lot of memorization and so studying this summer won't help. I still think learning basic/general anatomy is a good idea though.

Yeah, I plan on reading some anatomy and histology. I can't imagine that it will be a complete waste of time. Also, I just talked to a student yesterday that said she cruised through biochem because she had 2 semesters of it in undergrad, so it's possible that it can be helpful. That must be why some schools require or strongly recommend it.

 

[OSUdoc08]

1. You still didn't answer the question. Some schools do require undergrad biochem, and I think they have a better idea of what it takes to succeed than a first-year DO student.

2. sample size n=1

3. Some if not most of DO med students also take the USMLE, so it is absolutely relevant. And yes, this is the pre-DO forum.

4. These are only your opinions, from your < 1 year of med school.

5. I don't have to be in med school to refute your statements. Answer the question - if studying is different, learning is different, and pre-meds can't possibly know how to study in med school, why do med schools care about your undergrad GPA?

1. Only 2 out of 20 osteopathic medical schools require biochem. OSU-COM doesn't, and they not only had the highest board average of all schools, but they are the only one that had a 100% pass rate. I think they have an idea of "what it takes to succeed."

2. Sample size n = 88

3. OSU-COM had a 100% pass rate on the USMLE. Once again, biochem not required.

4. These are opinions of MS-1's, 2's, 3's, and 4's at my school, as well as most other osteopathic medical students on SDN.

5. The potential to learn and study in a new way. You don't know how it is, either.

 

[joe6102]

1. Only 2 out of 20 osteopathic medical schools require biochem. OSU-COM doesn't, and they not only had the highest board average of all schools, but they are the only one that had a 100% pass rate. I think they have an idea of "what it takes to succeed."

2. Sample size n = 88

3. OSU-COM had a 100% pass rate on the USMLE. Once again, biochem not required.

4. These are opinions of MS-1's, 2's, 3's, and 4's at my school, as well as most other osteopathic medical students on SDN.

5. The potential to learn and study in a new way. You don't know how it is, either.

Well then I can't wait to start! You haven't even finished your first year, but you already know everything about everything. Studying before med school couldn't possibly help anyone, so I'll use the OSUdoc approach and learn nothing between now and then.

 

[medic170]

Well then I can't wait to start! You haven't even finished your first year, but you already know everything about everything. Studying before med school couldn't possibly help anyone, so I'll use the OSUdoc approach and learn nothing between now and then.

Why are you so mean and sarcastic? If you think it is going to help, go ahead and study, but don't get all defensive and sarcastic with these people who are genuinly trying to help you with very valid opinions.

 

[joe6102]

Why are you so mean and sarcastic? If you think it is going to help, go ahead and study, but don't get all defensive and sarcastic with these people who are genuinly trying to help you with very valid opinions.

I was just returning the favor. It's really only one person, and I want to say "well he started it", and yes I know how childish that sounds. If I offended anyone, I apologize.

You will simply have wasted your time.

You will have plenty of time to study and be successful in college----what is the point of getting ahead (in something you don't know the first thing about how to study.) Your grades will not be any different either way.

Many people in my class studied like you, and none of them found a benefit to it.

There were plenty of times for him to say, "That's just my opinion, everybody is different, you'll find out sooner or later, good luck next year!" The attitude was just too much. I mean, "n=88"? 88 people had no undergrad biochem and made an A in med school? It's just too much. But he could have stopped "helping" me at any time.

Thank you all for your opinions. I will take them all into consideration.

 

[OSUdoc08]

Well then I can't wait to start! You haven't even finished your first year, but you already know everything about everything. Studying before med school couldn't possibly help anyone, so I'll use the OSUdoc approach and learn nothing between now and then.

The irony is that this it what you think about yourself......

 

[tinkerbelle]

joe-

Maybe you should PM students at your future school and see what they think. They'll be able to tell you whether your school's courses are super hardcore and whether most of the students come in with a weak biochem/anatomy background. Cause maybe OSUdoc's advice is perfect for his (?) school, but not for yours.

 

[joe6102]

The irony is that this it what you think about yourself......

I didn't realize MS1's did psych rotations. Go tell those schools that require or strongly recommend undergrad biochem that it is a waste of time, then come back and tell us what they said

 

[joe6102]

joe-

Maybe you should PM students at your future school and see what they think. They'll be able to tell you whether your school's courses are super hardcore and whether most of the students come in with a weak biochem/anatomy background. Cause maybe OSUdoc's advice is perfect for his (?) school, but not for yours.

That is a good idea tinkerbelle. I have, and they have given me vastly different advice that what I got here. He offered some generalizations about all osteopathic medical schools, so I don't think he would agree with your last sentence.

 

[OSUdoc08]

I didn't realize MS1's did psych rotations. Go tell those schools that require or strongly recommend undergrad biochem that it is a waste of time, then come back and tell us what they said

Why would I ask a school I don't attend anything?

I'd like for you to revisit this forum after you begin your osteopathic medical school biochemistry course, and tell me you are glad you took biochemistry. Then we can talk.

The biochemistry topics in medical school are different than those covered in a college biochemistry course anyway. Perhaps the course will give you a few points on the first exam, but after that, it's new material anyway.

 

[Kazema]

I'm thinking of auditing a medical anthropology course.

I figure it'll be interesting, and as an audit..er I won't have to do any work.

It's either that or the Bunny Ranch. Er I mean, uh, a vacation someplace.

 

[mcandy]

I had a year of graduate Biochemistry...it did not help. Med school puts a spin on biochem that you only get from clinically oriented courses. OSUDOC is 100% right. Dont waste your time..travel, fish, read fun books, get drunk...do whatever it is that makes you happy because the time and freedom you should be cherishing now are soon to be stolen away. A year from now you will understand these words and will preach the same crap on this forum. Stress = ulcers...relax type A. That is a skill you should study up on!

I came to med school with ONLY the preqs (and the Biochem)...I was an engineer in my former life. I did not know my ass from my elbow. You will learn everything you need to know in med school over and over again. And then you will re-learn it again whe your third year attending embarrases you because you cant remember which antibiotic kills psuedomonas. I have done MORE than fine with no pre-study...and my MCATS were sub 30 so I must be dumb.

You have an acceptance letter...you have won the race. Rest up for the next big battle. Free Willy!

 

[Nate]

I'm thinking of auditing a medical anthropology course.

I figure it'll be interesting, and as an audit..er I won't have to do any work.

It's either that or the Bunny Ranch. Er I mean, uh, a vacation someplace.

ooo ooo SOM field trip to bunny ranch! shotgun!

 

[Raggaman]

I'm thinking of smoking a pound a day--ya man! Hahahh-not really. Just gonna work and relax this summer. Don't stress about it..

 

[DOtobe]

Don't take any courses - enjoy your free time over the summer.

As for my own biochem experience, I took it in undergrad and I feel that it did help me when I had biochem in med school. Maybe it was because our professors (there was an organic professor who taught us the chem aspect, and a bio professor who would teach the biology aspect) would always try to include clinical correlations because most of us in the class were pre-meds. If anything biochem in undergrad helps because the enzymes and other names and pathways aren't so foreign - you already know the citric acid cycle, for example, so that's one less thing you will need to worry about learning for the exam. But people in my class did well without having biochem in undergrad. Having had biochem (or any other med school course, for that matter) may be helpful to some people and not helpful to others. It really just depends on the person.

 

[SargonZ]

Auditing medical anthropology sounds like a great idea - relaxing, interesting, and not something you're just going to spend the next year(s) learning in greater detail. I have to say that the idea of studying some basic anatomy also sounds like a good one. I didn't have much anatomy background, and I did find it helpful to familiarize myself with some basic terms before going in there.

However, that said, I still fall firmly on the side of all those who are recommending doing NOTHING except for what you enjoy. I was in your shoes last year, and I worried about biochem. When I got to TUCOM, they gave us a 2-block (2/3 of a semester) course called Intro to Biochem. It covered everything we needed to know, so that everyone was on the same page. I would be surprised if Touro was the only institution to do this.

So relax. Your professors know that you come from a variety of backgrounds. Trust them to help you figure out what is relevant and what's a waste of time, and know that they want you to succeed. You will learn what you need to learn - all in due time. For now it is your time to prepare yourself for a huge transition, so rest up so that you will feel refreshed and ready to tackle the giant challenge that is first year!

 

[frank51]

The way you learn in medical school is different than in college. They also test differently.

Can you elaborate on how med schools test differently as opposed to undergraduate? Are the written exams more multiple choice (with tricky multiple choice questions like the MCAT) or essay?

 

[OSUdoc08]

Can you elaborate on how med schools test differently as opposed to undergraduate? Are the written exams more multiple choice (with tricky multiple choice questions like the MCAT) or essay?

All the exams are multiple choice, but they are often with a patient presentation with lab results, instead of just a question.

There hasn't been a single essay or fill in the blank for a lecture test, but all of the lab exams have been completely fill in the blank with no choices. They also often ask us clinical questions in the lab test, but still fill in the blank.