Studying for A's

[ztaw15]

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So I don't want to come off as a tool or anything, but I just had my first round of exams and ended up with all B's. I am happy with that, it definitely makes me less nervous about being in med-school. The thing is, I felt like I really knew the material backwards and forwards, and I missed making an A on the exams by only one or two questions. So I feel like I am really close to where I want to be, I just am not sure how I can get over that extra little hump, and I am wondering if anyone has any advice?

To give you a little background, I pretty much studied just from the notes/books, and did a lot of practice questions. I didn't really spend any time in the gross lab outside of class, but I honestly don't feel like I missed anything because of that.

 

[njbmd]

Since you say that you are "close" to being where you want to be, then figure out what you didn't take advantage of and do that. If there are things that you didn't utilize, then utilize them and see what happens otherwise, you will stay at your present level.


Also keep in mind that most medical students are constantly "tweaking" their study habits (even if they are getting all As) to try for more efficiency. It's not unusual to change a few things and experiment as long as you don't wind up hurting yourself.

 

[WellWornLad]

Just look at the questions you missed. There's only so many ways to miss a question.

1) Misconstrued/misunderstood the question

- go slower/read more carefully during exams
- go over old exams to get a feel for examiner's style

2) Narrowed it down, but wasn't sure

- not studying enough, or studying too passively

3) Had no idea whatsoever

- stop skipping lecture/chapters, or take a serious look to how you're studying, concentration-wise

 

[halekulani]

i'm in the same boat in that i got all b's, but i don't know the information backwards/forwards

how do you manage to handle the information overload and yet retain it?

 

[Jolie South]

i'm in the same boat in that i got all b's, but i don't know the information backwards/forwards

how do you manage to handle the information overload and yet retain it?

Knowing it backwards and forwards is what leads to As.

In a sea of ridiculously detailed info, I ask myself if anything is intuitive, able to be figured out, or a part of a pattern, then I look for exceptions. I always memorize all the exceptions to rules. Those are the "gunner" questions that will get you the extra points.

Then, I think it's just repetition to get it all in there. I go over things several times. Lectures/topics that are harder or not intuitive get more attention.