Blair Book said:
Hey everyone,
I finally start to take my classess next semester. It has been awhile since I have been in this situation, and I was wondering if anyone had some tried and true study methods or tips? Anything would be greatly appreciated, and to those of us in the midst of applying, GOOD LUCK!
Hi there,
For undergraduate classes: You need to make sure that you are prepared before you go to class. This means that you review your syllabus, read the assigned readings and review the previous class notes. You need to allow at least one hour of study for each 1/2 hour of class each day (this does not apply to lab). In general, this rule applies to your pre-med classes.
In classes such as English or literature, your lecture material focuses more on analysis and critical thinking about the works that you are reading. You should read the works assigned (keeping up) and make notes of your analysis and impressions as you go. In composition classes, you need to learn proper usage, clear logical analytical and expository writing and critical thinking. You need to be able to articulate your thoughts in logical systemic manner.
Turn off the telly. If you are addicted to a show, tape it or TIVO it and watch when you have recreation time.
For organic chemistry: You need to thoroughly understand the concepts and work plenty of problems. As you are working the problems, try to understand the concept that is being utilized here. For synthetic schemes, outline the steps to the end by working backwards from the finished product. Organic requires lots of memorization and understanding but it is a good course to prepare you for the kind of thinking that will help you in medical school.
For general chemistry and physics: You need to have a solid and practical knowledge of trig and algebra. If your math is weak, get it up to speed. Do beware that some medical schools require calculus and make sure the you master this important course. Math is a wonderful tool for complete understanding of chemistry and physics. Make sure that yours is up to speed BEFORE tackling these courses.
Have a constant place for study and a study schedule. Do not schedule yourself too tight but leave some time for emergencies. Your studies are your job. Keep up with your work. If you find that you are behind, go to where the rest of the class is and catch up immediately on the weekend.
If you know that you have a short attention span: Set a kitchen timer for 50 minutes. Study for 50 minutes and break for 10 minutes. You will come back your studies refreshed and ready to hone in. If something is worrying you, write it on an index card and think about it on your 10-minute break.
Learn how to read a text. Preview the chapter looking at the subject headings and bold print. Look at the illustrations and tables. If there are questions at the end of the chapter, review these before you read the chapter so you can be alert to the important topics.
After you preview, read the chapter, again paying attention to how charts and illustrations demonstrate what is presented in the text. If there is a term that you do not understand, look it up, write down the definition and keep a running list. At the end of the chapter, try to answer the study questions. Make notes in the margin as you read. Do not underline but use your highlighter to circle key terms or place arrows in the margin. Again, read BEFORE lecture and not after lecture.
In lecture: Do not attempt to write down every word but jot down the key concepts presented. If you have reviewed the syllabus and read the text, you should have a very good idea of what the lecturer will present. Pay attention to what the lecturer presents and put a small question mark next to things that are unclear. Go to office hours and get concepts explained that you do not understand. Test your understanding of concepts by discussion with the professor during office hours.
For any lab: Review the experiment and understand what you are doing. Review the learning concepts for the lab and make sure that you master them. Never go into any lab cold because you cannot catch up. Answer lab questions at the end of the lab right after you have done your experiements. Learn how to do a logical, precise lab report that is neat and correct.
Finally: Make index cards of things that have to be purely memorized and drop them in your purse or gym bag to memorize while you are standing in line, on the bus or working out. Do not try to listen to tapes of lectures over and over as this is counterproductive and time consuming. Re-writing your notes is too time-consuming. It is far better to make your own review tapes of important concepts and listen to them.
Learn how to concept map: Take a huge white board and put down a concept. Fill in details as to how things lead into this concept and lead out. This helps to give you the big picture. Look up concept mapping on the internet or purchase John Pelley's book (Do a Google search) and learn this powerful study technique that can take you through medical school.
If you are keeping your study schedule, you can review on weekends and have some free time for family and recreation. Do not attempt to study during family and rec time. If you preview, listen to lecture, review then you should not have to cram the night before an exam.
Finally, do not try to project your feelings about the professor or what you perceive is your professor's feelings about you. Believe me, as a professor, I only cared about imparting as much information to my students as possible. I neither liked or disliked any of my students. In undergraduate as in medical school, it does not matter if the devil himself is your instructor as long as you learn the material. Learn the material and ignore the presentor's quirks and personality. I have seen too many undergraduates get caught up in "good professor" versus "bad professor". Don't waste valuable learning time on this stuff.
Good luck!
njbmd
🙂
