Resources For Studying Medicine On Your Own...before Going To Medical School!!

[lovebug]

Hi Everyone,

Can someone please post resources i.e. chapters in books or notes that you can buy and read or free stuff on the net for someone who wants to learn basic sciences by themselves without going to (self interest) or before getting to medical school.

Here is what I am looking for and would appreciate input from current or former medical students/residents:

Semester I-V:

Gross Anatomy: Where to start i.e. if you are a new med student...the 1st chapter/book, etc

Embryology: Same as above

Histology/Cell Biology: Same as above

Physiology: Same as above

Biocehmistry: Same as above

Genetics: Same as above

General Pathology: Same as above

Systemic Pathology: Same as above

Pharmacology: Same as above

Microbiology & Immunology: Same as above

Neuroscience: Same as above

Behavioural Science: Same as above



Thanks.

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[rock_climber]

studying before med school is like shooting yourself in the foot before you go in front of the firing squad. just enjoy that last cigarette of freedom before you get asked what you what on your tombstone.

 

[nonesuchgirl]

studying before med school is like shooting yourself in the foot before you go in front of the firing squad. just enjoy that last cigarette of freedom before you get asked what you what on your tombstone.

extra cheeese, pepperoni, and mushrooms.

 

[la petite mort]

I really sucked in high school physics and bio (although bio was mostly because I was a huge flake. Physics, I really don't know how I passed).

Maybe I should brush up on those before? 😕

 

[Doublecortin]

Hi Everyone,

Can someone please post resources i.e. chapters in books or notes that you can buy and read or free stuff on the net for someone who wants to learn basic sciences by themselves without going to (self interest) or before getting to medical school.

Here is what I am looking for and would appreciate input from current or former medical students/residents:

Semester I-V:

Gross Anatomy: Where to start i.e. if you are a new med student...the 1st chapter/book, etc

Embryology: Same as above

Histology/Cell Biology: Same as above

Physiology: Same as above

Biocehmistry: Same as above

Genetics: Same as above

General Pathology: Same as above

Systemic Pathology: Same as above

Pharmacology: Same as above

Microbiology & Immunology: Same as above

Neuroscience: Same as above

Behavioural Science: Same as above



Thanks.

😱 Wow! Can we say we've got ourselves a

 

[LadyWolverine]

So...let me get this straight. You basically want us to teach you everything you are supposed to learn in med school, without having to actually pay to go to med school, right?

lol. Tool.

 

[GoBuckeyes913]

Hi Everyone,

Can someone please post resources i.e. chapters in books or notes that you can buy and read or free stuff on the net for someone who wants to learn basic sciences by themselves without going to (self interest) or before getting to medical school...

Take your gunner attitude and stick it in the holster. Seriously. You want advice? Enjoy your time off before school starts and for the love of god don't waste your last summer days with your nose in an embryology book. I think a little part of me just died inside reading this post.

 

[Tristy]

Hi Everyone,

Can someone please post resources i.e. chapters in books or notes that you can buy and read or free stuff on the net for someone who wants to learn basic sciences by themselves without going to (self interest) or before getting to medical school.

Yeap, you either have gunner syndrome, or you are truly a masochist my friend!

 

[Blade28]

Please do not "pre-study" for med school. Trust me.

 

[ninjapenguin]

Losing your virginity might be a good place to start learning about anatomy. If you're unlucky enough, later you might learn some embryology too.

 

[Maxprime]

Yeap, you either have gunner syndrome, or you are truly a masochist my friend!

If you don't know how bad it will be, it's easy to get excited. 🙂

OP, if you hold off on studying, the worst-case scenario is that you're still excited to learn when you actually start medical school and get that few weeks of solid work in before it starts to crush your soul.

 

[lord_jeebus]

It must be that time of the year again

I think that telling people not to read is futile. Of course they shouldn't, but good luck convincing them.

People learn best by doing. Hence, I recommend that the OP start by reading Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. When that is done, get started on basic science by reading back issues of the past five years of Nature and Science. When this task is completed, the OP should be successfully convinced that pre-reading for med school is useless.

 

[mTOR]

find out from the current MS-I's of your school what classes they took Fall semester and have them hook you up with the syllabi -- or have them point you towards your school's online resources. It'll give you a direction of where to focus your attention; a good target to line up for all that gunnin . Haha but seriously it could be modestly productive if you know in advance what your syllabus is likely to look like and what books you're likely to use during your first couple exam blocks.


You probably won't get far tho

 

[soeagerun2or]

Hi Everyone,

Can someone please post resources i.e. chapters in books or notes that you can buy and read or free stuff on the net for someone who wants to learn basic sciences by themselves without going

I'm not going to list chapters, read the whole book if you want to know the subjects, otherwise you're probably going to fail Step I and die.

Gross Anatomy: Human Anatomy - Netter, Clinically Oriented Anatomy - Moore, Color Atlas of Anatomy - Rohen (if you have practicals)

Embryology: Human Embryology - Larsen

Histology/Cell Biology: Basic Histology Junquera, Pathologic Basics of Disease - Kumar, Cell Biology - Pollard

Physiology: Physiology - Costanzo

Biocehmistry: Lehninger - Nelson

Genetics: Genetics in Medicine - Nussbaum

General Pathology: Pathologic Basics of Disease - Kumar

Systemic Pathology: Pathologic Basics of Disease - Kumar, Harrison's/Cecil's

Pharmacology: Merck Manual

Microbiology & Immunology: Kuby Immunology - Kindt, Cell/Molec Immunology - Abbas, Clinical Micro Made Redic Simple - Gladwin, Micro: Intro - Tortora

Neuroscience: Principles of Neural Science - Kandel

 

[Horowitz]

Start with the Robbin's Pathologic Basis of Disease, read and memorize from cover to cover.👍 You'll be far ahead of the game, trust me. Memorize the page numbers too.

 

[Ashers]

It must be that time of the year again

I think that telling people not to read is futile. Of course they shouldn't, but good luck convincing them.

People learn best by doing. Hence, I recommend that the OP start by reading Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. When that is done, get started on basic science by reading back issues of the past five years of Nature and Science. When this task is completed, the OP should be successfully convinced that pre-reading for med school is useless.

I'm not going to list chapters, read the whole book if you want to know the subjects, otherwise you're probably going to fail Step I and die.

My favorites!

Read something fun. See how many fun books you can read -- SO much more worthwhile than reading school stuff. The biochem department sends out a thing to the incoming M1s at my school telling them to pre-study, the sane/smart ones laugh and throw it away (I had no adverse effects from not pre-studying).

 

[Blesbok]

Buy yourself a big robbins and start memorizing.

I actually had my mom shove one up her uterus so I had something to read while I was in the womb.

 

[nonesuchgirl]

Buy yourself a big robbins and start memorizing.

I actually had my mom shove one up her uterus so I had something to read while I was in the womb.

I approve of this post.

 

[lilnoelle]

I have a whole ton of books I'd love to get rid of if your interested....

 

[digitlnoize]

I don't fully understand the negativity regarding pre-reading.

As someone who discovered medicine later in life, I find that I fully ENJOY reading and learning the massive amount of material. I've been listening to the Goljan audio lectures and going through Rapid Review path for a few weeks now, and loving it. I'm mastering one lecture at a time, and although it's occasionally over my head, by the time I finish a lecture, I know that material cold. And, I consider it fun. It's what I do when I have "down time". I like it.

I'm also sure there are other people who feel this way. Note: this doesn't make me a gunner. I try to be a nice person, and do everything I can to help my classmates. I just want to master the material, and you've gotta start somewhere.

To use the "medschool is a firehose" analogy...it's like opening the fire hydrant on a hot summer day.

To the OP: Go find the Goljan lectures somewhere online. They're very good and occasionally funny. He's a good lecturer. Plus, he covers alot of ground...touching on path, pharm, anatomy, histo, biochem, etc. Good stuff.

 

[Law2Doc]

Hi Everyone,

Can someone please post resources i.e. chapters in books or notes that you can buy and read or free stuff on the net for someone who wants to learn basic sciences by themselves without going to (self interest) or before getting to medical school.

Learn self defense. I have a feeling you are going to get beat up a lot.
There is no reason to pre-study for med school. Med school will teach you all you need to know and then some. What you need to do to prepare is relax. Get lots of sleep. Get all the partying, watching movies, going to the beach, etc. out of your system. All that stuff comes to a screeching halt when you have to spend most weekends in the library the first two years, and on the wards the next two. There is no good reason to read ahead, and in most cases you will not be focusing on the right stuff, and will truly be wasting more time than any value you may think you are getting. You can study months and months and may still end up dead last in your class because you didn't have the right focus, didn't know the level of detail, didn't know how the game was going to be played. Waste of your last truly free time, if you ask me. Don't do it.

 

[Law2Doc]

I don't fully understand the negativity regarding pre-reading.

As someone who discovered medicine later in life, I find that I fully ENJOY reading and learning the massive amount of material.

If you read because you enjoy it, that's one thing. If you are reading because you think you can get ahead or get a jump on med school that's another. The latter is what everyone is saying is a total waste of time. The former you would likely agree is a total waste of time, but happens to be the way you like to waste all your time.
Sort of like masochism. If you enjoy it, you are a unique individual and can do what you like, but we sure wouldn't recommend it to everyone. or really anyone.

 

[lilnoelle]

I don't fully understand the negativity regarding pre-reading.

As someone who discovered medicine later in life, I find that I fully ENJOY reading and learning the massive amount of material. I've been listening to the Goljan audio lectures and going through Rapid Review path for a few weeks now, and loving it. I'm mastering one lecture at a time, and although it's occasionally over my head, by the time I finish a lecture, I know that material cold. And, I consider it fun. It's what I do when I have "down time". I like it.

I'm also sure there are other people who feel this way. Note: this doesn't make me a gunner. I try to be a nice person, and do everything I can to help my classmates. I just want to master the material, and you've gotta start somewhere.

To use the "medschool is a firehose" analogy...it's like opening the fire hydrant on a hot summer day.

To the OP: Go find the Goljan lectures somewhere online. They're very good and occasionally funny. He's a good lecturer. Plus, he covers alot of ground...touching on path, pharm, anatomy, histo, biochem, etc. Good stuff.

I'm not of the opinion that it will HURT you, especially if you are just generally interested in the material. However, I'm not convinced that it will help either. Theres probably better things to do with your time. However, if you really prefer listening to Goljan over reading a novel, watching a movie, or doing whatever you find entertaining - knock yourself out.

 

[Blesbok]

I'm not of the opinion that it will HURT you, especially if you are just generally interested in the material. However, I'm not convinced that it will help either. Theres probably better things to do with your time. However, if you really prefer listening to Goljan over reading a novel, watching a movie, or doing whatever you find entertaining - knock yourself out.

If I tried to listen to goljan before med school I probably would have spent 90% of the time looking up words in a medical dictionary.

 

[digitlnoize]

I'm not of the opinion that it will HURT you, especially if you are just generally interested in the material. However, I'm not convinced that it will help either. Theres probably better things to do with your time. However, if you really prefer listening to Goljan over reading a novel, watching a movie, or doing whatever you find entertaining - knock yourself out.

I have learned quite a bit from the Goljan lectures. I'm actually surprised at the level of the material. I assumed that since he's lecturing to 2nd years preparing to take the boards that it would be WAAAAY over my head...

I've found that it's really not. I have to listen to each 1hr lecture maybe 3 times to really catch everything and be able to answer his questions in real-time, but I'm never lost. It's been really beneficial.

I just don't like how people are assuming things when they reply to these type of posts. Take this comment:

"Enjoy your time off before school starts and for the love of god don't waste your last summer days with your nose in an embryology book."

I have a 6 year old daughter and a wife. I don't get time off or a "summer break". I haven't had one of those in many years!

Or,

"Get all the partying, watching movies, going to the beach, etc. out of your system."

I'm 29. The partying is WAY out of my system. I did drink ALOT of wine a few months ago and regretted it, but I don't party anymore. It's been out of my system for a while now.

Don't get me wrong, I love a good movie as much as the next guy, and I still get in some time on my Wii, but I'm also hungry to learn everything I can about medicine so I can (finally) get on with my life.

Just some advice to all SDN-ers: Don't be so quick to assume someone is "gunning" or "wasting their last free days" or still a "virgin" who can learn about anatomy by getting some. Many of us are not 22 year olds with no life experience. Please try to be courteous and respectful before calling people names and dolling out useless advice.

Please?

 

[-Goose-]

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

 

[Beau Geste]

I decided to check out a biochem book at the library just to take a peek at what's in store for me this fall.

I've been feeling semi anxious about that class and since it was one of the very few upper level bios I didn't take (not a bio major!), I went ahead and got the book. Not for learning, but just to see what I'm going to cover.

 

[Xerxes1729]

I'd start with gross anatomy.

Step 1: Memorize Plate 1 in Netter's.

Step 2: Repeat Step 1 for Plates 2 through 548.

You can skip Plate 289, which you won't need to memorize until spring break of first year, when you prepare for your general surgery residency.

 

[Tristy]

Many of us are not 22 year olds with no life experience.

Well, I can tell you that I'm NOT 22, and I would still say the same thing. Useless. Unless you're a masochist. Whatever makes you happy! That's it 🙂

 

[mjl1717]

It must be that time of the year again

I think that telling people not to read is futile. Of course they shouldn't, but good luck convincing them.

People learn best by doing. Hence, I recommend that the OP start by reading Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. When that is done, get started on basic science by reading back issues of the past five years of Nature and Science. When this task is completed, the OP should be successfully convinced that pre-reading for med school is useless.

This is good comic relief..

Its incredible, but remember this mountain of information is like fun to a select few?

But, if you insist I agree read Harrison's 3 times.... Get a BIG Pathophysiology book and read that 3 times. As as Horowitz mentioned, Id say read Big Robbns 3 times.. its called the-- "The rule of 3s" At this point you are literally "A Walking Harrison's"😱

 

[Horowitz]

Well, I can tell you that I'm NOT 22, and I would still say the same thing. Useless. Unless you're a masochist. Whatever makes you happy! That's it 🙂

FYI, 22 is the age when most British/Australian med students become doctors.

 

[lovebug]

Thanks evry1, great replies......I can certainly use some humor after getting back from f**** Iraq....seen enough, killed enough, had REAL fun unlike college going buddies of mine. The photos bought back memories😱😀 All the blood and gore......have already done a LOT of anatomy

Haven't done much studying for a while so have to do some serious reading before starting med school.

 

[Ashers]

Thanks evry1, great replies......I can certainly use some humor after getting back from f**** Iraq....seen enough, killed enough, had REAL fun unlike college going buddies of mine. The photos bought back memories😱😀 All the blood and gore......have already done a LOT of anatomy

Haven't done much studying for a while so have to do some serious reading before starting med school.

Thanks for serving. =)

Even if you haven't studied for a while, you don't have to study before. Med school tells you what you need to know.

 

[Tristy]

FYI, 22 is the age when most British/Australian med students become doctors.

Same in South America...

 

[lilnoelle]

"Enjoy your time off before school starts and for the love of god don't waste your last summer days with your nose in an embryology book."

I have a 6 year old daughter and a wife. I don't get time off or a "summer break". I haven't had one of those in many years!

Or,

"Get all the partying, watching movies, going to the beach, etc. out of your system."

I'm 29. The partying is WAY out of my system. I did drink ALOT of wine a few months ago and regretted it, but I don't party anymore. It's been out of my system for a while now.

Since I have a 2 year old and a 4 year old and have never been much of a partier, I can identify with both of these things. In your case, I'd advise enjoying the time you have with your daughter and do what you want with your spare time - if what you want to do is learn, then great. But you really don't NEED to worry about it right now. You probably won't save yourself later studying time, although perhaps you will be more familiar with info presented at different lectures because of your current efforts.
Obviously your free time is yours to do with what you want to, but realize your study time isn't going to translate to less study time later, better grades, or higher board scores.
I think thats why every one is saying don't do it - it doesn't really give any tangible benefits to study early, so why do it?

 

[Blesbok]

I have learned quite a bit from the Goljan lectures. I'm actually surprised at the level of the material. I assumed that since he's lecturing to 2nd years preparing to take the boards that it would be WAAAAY over my head...

I've found that it's really not. I have to listen to each 1hr lecture maybe 3 times to really catch everything and be able to answer his questions in real-time, but I'm never lost. It's been really beneficial.

I just don't like how people are assuming things when they reply to these type of posts. Take this comment:

"Enjoy your time off before school starts and for the love of god don't waste your last summer days with your nose in an embryology book."

I have a 6 year old daughter and a wife. I don't get time off or a "summer break". I haven't had one of those in many years!

Or,

"Get all the partying, watching movies, going to the beach, etc. out of your system."

I'm 29. The partying is WAY out of my system. I did drink ALOT of wine a few months ago and regretted it, but I don't party anymore. It's been out of my system for a while now.

Don't get me wrong, I love a good movie as much as the next guy, and I still get in some time on my Wii, but I'm also hungry to learn everything I can about medicine so I can (finally) get on with my life.

Just some advice to all SDN-ers: Don't be so quick to assume someone is "gunning" or "wasting their last free days" or still a "virgin" who can learn about anatomy by getting some. Many of us are not 22 year olds with no life experience. Please try to be courteous and respectful before calling people names and dolling out useless advice.

Please?

Replace "partying and beach" with "spending time with your wife and daughter".

Don't get all high and mighty because you think you are more mature than someone just because you are older. It will get you embarrassed by the DOCTORS that are younger than you when you are still a student

 

[barasch]

You should prestudy for medical school by getting laid. What's the matter with you? Organic Chemistry isn't hard enough?

Seriously, though know LeChatlier's principle in your sleep - you see it every day in MS.

 

[mjl1717]

Thanks evry1, great replies......I can certainly use some humor after getting back from f**** Iraq....seen enough, killed enough, had REAL fun unlike college going buddies of mine. The photos bought back memories😱😀 All the blood and gore......have already done a LOT of anatomy

Haven't done much studying for a while so have to do some serious reading before starting med school.

Oh baby!! Thats a different story!.... Thanks for serving..
I hope the transiiton from [theater to civilian life] is smooth with very,very minimal adjustment..

Shift gears..--You dont need to do much before med school but enjoy your only free time.. But since guys may sneak and read a little before med school a moderate size pathophysiology book before med school may help keep you above average.. But just relax!!

 

[digitlnoize]

Replace "partying and beach" with "spending time with your wife and daughter".

Don't get all high and mighty because you think you are more mature than someone just because you are older. It will get you embarrassed by the DOCTORS that are younger than you when you are still a student

A) Spend tons of time with the wife and kid. Wife's also in health care, and my daughter is a sponge. Trying to teach concepts to a six year old is a great way for you (and them) to learn. If I can explain it to her, then I know it pretty well. She's got the mitochondrial ETC down pat. She was quizing me on my physiology test two nights ago. She enjoys learning too...go figure, maybe her parents taught her something!

B) Not trying to sound high and mighty, and sorry if it's coming off that way. I'm just in a different place in my life...I don't really consider partying "immature." I just don't wanna do it anymore. My point in all this is that some people are different, and people tend to be rather rude when discussing this topic. I have no problem getting "embarrassed" by the "DOCTORS" (what's the point of caps-ing that? To point out that I'm not one yet? Thanks...🙄) that are younger than me. There are plenty of people WAY smarter and better than me...I can learn alot from them too.

C) I am not really expecting the material to improve my grades or make med school "easier". That being said, I can't see how having covered all of RR Path prior to med school couldn't help...at least a little bit. It's the same concept as those people who take Anatomy in UG: Once you've learned say, Head and Neck, it's alot easier to learn it the second time around. You've already been over the material once. How can that not help?

Point is, I don't care if it "helps" my grade in MS or not. I just want to learn as much medicine as I can, so I read books. What's the big deal?

 

[Blesbok]

A) Spend tons of time with the wife and kid. Wife's also in health care, and my daughter is a sponge. Trying to teach concepts to a six year old is a great way for you (and them) to learn. If I can explain it to her, then I know it pretty well. She's got the mitochondrial ETC down pat. She was quizing me on my physiology test two nights ago. She enjoys learning too...go figure, maybe her parents taught her something!

B) Not trying to sound high and mighty, and sorry if it's coming off that way. I'm just in a different place in my life...I don't really consider partying "immature." I just don't wanna do it anymore. My point in all this is that some people are different, and people tend to be rather rude when discussing this topic. I have no problem getting "embarrassed" by the "DOCTORS" (what's the point of caps-ing that? To point out that I'm not one yet? Thanks...🙄) that are younger than me. There are plenty of people WAY smarter and better than me...I can learn alot from them too.

C) I am not really expecting the material to improve my grades or make med school "easier". That being said, I can't see how having covered all of RR Path prior to med school couldn't help...at least a little bit. It's the same concept as those people who take Anatomy in UG: Once you've learned say, Head and Neck, it's alot easier to learn it the second time around. You've already been over the material once. How can that not help?

Point is, I don't care if it "helps" my grade in MS or not. I just want to learn as much medicine as I can, so I read books. What's the big deal?

The point is that you should listen to the voice of experience. Sure, you may not be at the same point in your life, but I don't know anyone (except people in retirement homes) that is at a point in their life where they don't appreciate some free time. There is going to be plenty of time for learning once you are actually in school, now is the time for enjoying the free time that you won't have once you are in school. Yes, you may learn one or two facts from reading over goljan, but I promise you will spend plenty of time reading goljan during your second year.

 

[Slide]

C) I am not really expecting the material to improve my grades or make med school "easier". That being said, I can't see how having covered all of RR Path prior to med school couldn't help...at least a little bit. It's the same concept as those people who take Anatomy in UG: Once you've learned say, Head and Neck, it's alot easier to learn it the second time around. You've already been over the material once. How can that not help?

Point is, I don't care if it "helps" my grade in MS or not. I just want to learn as much medicine as I can, so I read books. What's the big deal?

Not quite the same analogy applies to this situation. Reading RR Path or trying to get ahead in anatomy/biochemistry over the summer does no good in terms of even learning it the first time. Whatever you pick up will be already be covered within the first two weeks, and you'll feel stupid for using that time to read. The pace of medical school is simply more than you will ever imagine. If anything, I'd argue that doing this kind of pre-reading over the summer will hurt you; it'll make you burn out faster. Already, the collective attitude of most of the M1s right now is trying to find the motivation to finish this last lap of the marathon. A lot of us are nearing burn-out and are running on fumes right now. There's no need to start earlier just to burn out quicker. You may think this won't happen to you, but it can, and it will.

If you really want something to read related to medicine, read up on the non-academic aspects, like the current state of health care in the US, business models in medicine, or bioethics and sociology regarding medical students and residents. It'll be more interested, have you more revved up to start medical school, and you'll be learning the real important stuff the teachers won't necessarily teach you.

 

[Flopotomist]

I'm running a marathon tomorrow morning, should I run one tonight to get ready?

 

[ZagDoc]

If you're that desperate, read trashy doctor novels like Complications, When The Air Hits Your Brain, Final Exam, Hot Lights Cold Steel, House of God. They make you excited for medical school but are light on the brain.

I was in your shoes just a year ago and was really excited to learn and I really like learning and I really dont see what the big deal is and I really etc. I guarantee you, no matter who you are, that studying is going to suck within a matter of weeks when you start. If you start studying this summer, that brick wall is going to come even faster, and why mess with those few precious unadulterated days in the beginning of medical school when learning is a joy, you feel privileged to be studying the material, all that warm fuzzy junk? Once its gone, its gone for good.

If you feel like you're going to be behind compared to your classmates, do. not. worry. Most of the material is presented in a way that even non-science majors don't have a problem with, and everyone feels intimidated by their theoretical-future-classmates before starting school. Once you start you realize they're pretty much like any class. There's some that are brilliant, some that are idiots, some that are *******s, some that are awesome. You're not gonna stick out in any way, UNLESS you start going off on how much studied this summer. And I guarantee you that will not be the first impression you want to make.

 

[AUD]

I think most of you guys are assuming that reading a medical textbook and free time are exclusive, they can't go hand in hand. I personally have no idea what a medical textbook looks like, but why can't someone get a basic idea of what the textbook is about by reading through it lightly, and party?

 

[ZagDoc]

I think most of you guys are assuming that reading a medical textbook and free time are exclusive, they can't go hand in hand. I personally have no idea what a medical textbook looks like, but why can't someone get a basic idea of what the textbook is about by reading through it lightly, and party?

They look exactly like any other textbook you've ever had.

But hey if you want to study the physiology of the GI system while out at a bar, have at it. Never heard of anyone using that as an opening line before.

 

[Tristy]

Ok ok, I give up 😛

I guess it's not a sin to be that excited about medical school (you won't even know what hit you after the first week ).

If you really want to take a peek (sp?), by all means do it. But like others have said, don't think that "studying" before you matriculate is going to put you at an advantage. Remember the analogy of the fire hydrant? The rumors were true!

Learn some terminology if you want (for anatomy-->medial, lateral, dorsal, etc--God, I was the happiest person on earth when we were done with anatomy!).

Look at some of the review books if that's going to make you happy. But don't do it just to get ahead because that's not going to happen.

Borrow a Netter and take a look at the plates <shivers>, read some Constanzo for physio (just to refresh the basics if you must). Biochem is another animal, I don't know what to tell you for that one

Let me tell you a story. A few months before I matriculated I was somehow able to get access to the backnotes from the class ahead of me. I thought that was soooo wonderful and exciting! Until I printed a few and had no idea what they were talking about Then I said screw it and enjoyed my summer. And I'm REALLY glad I did. You'll probably be saying the same thing next year around this time too 😉

Ok, go look at "medical books" if that's what you want. Heck, go and check webpath too. But please, do it for leasure (yikes! I wish I could do that now!), and not with the idea that you'll be getting ahead. Just a thought! Have fun, and let us know how's it going in the Fall 😉

 

[thebeatblitz]

If it puts you at ease, go ahead and read all the references you want. Buy your books early; knock yourself out.

You aren't going to remember any of it after the first month.

 

[lilnoelle]

Thanks evry1, great replies......I can certainly use some humor after getting back from f**** Iraq....seen enough, killed enough, had REAL fun unlike college going buddies of mine. The photos bought back memories😱😀 All the blood and gore......have already done a LOT of anatomy

Haven't done much studying for a while so have to do some serious reading before starting med school.

Why is it that everyone is all apologetic about they're previous responses once they found out the Op is in the military? I understand respecting those that serve the military, heck my husband is a marine, his dad's a marine, and his grandpa was a marine - but I don't know that our responses should change because of it. Perhaps we should (in general) treat people with respect from the get go, since we don't know the individual's circumstances.

I guess it is somewhat "amusing" that people posted military pics in response to the original question.

Anyway.... lovebug, how long has it been since you've had your undergrad prerequisites? I took 3 years between college and med school and didn't really have a problem jumping into medical school without prestudying.

If its been a real long time since you've taken your pre-reqs, it might not hurt to review some biochemistry before you start, but you don't need to worry about "getting ahead". Review what you've already learned in undergrad, if you feel the need, but its not necessary to do more than that. (May not even be necessary to review).

 

[Tristy]

Why is it that everyone is all apologetic about they're previous responses once they found out the Op is in the military?

Wow, I must be in another planet this afternoon because I didn't read that part! (And I honestly didn't change my attitude/response because of that, well duh, I had no idea until now 😛) I need coffee ASAP!

Oh OP, just wait and see...I'm crying a little inside because I have to memorize a syllabus of about 300 pages + 10,000 powerpoint slides for next week, and that's just 3 weeks worth of material <sobbing>

Where's the thread to bitch (oops, can I say that word here?) about medschool?? I need it now! 😀

 

[Law2Doc]

Why is it that everyone is all apologetic about they're previous responses once they found out the Op is in the military?

I sure am not apologizing. I still think it's a big waste of time to try to pre-learn med school before med school. It's as big a waste of time whether you are in the army or a civilian. Spend time doing something you enjoy, whether it is something immature like partying or mature like hanging out with the family. Doesn't really matter. But make it something relaxing and nonproductive. Because you can get burnt out on the productive stuff and there is NOTHING that is going to help you in med school more than showing up fresh and ready to delve into the info.