STUDYING TO ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND - BIG PICTURE

[Sp4537]

Hi all-

I'm the type of learner that needs to actually understand the base principle or concept in order to remember any detailed facts. I learn through understanding not memorizing (which I know I won't be able to completely avoid).

I like to learn from a tree perspective - understand the trunk, and learn the branches from there - it's how my brain has always worked - I need to fully understand how to organize things in my head, I can't just learn a series of facts. First Aid seems to be just a series of facts to memorize. Is there a better source that gives me the whole story/a narrative, and goes into the details from there, like a big picture approach? Thanks!

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[dfib slim]

Hi all-

I'm the type of learner that needs to actually understand the base principle or concept in order to remember any detailed facts. I learn through understanding not memorizing (which I know I won't be able to completely avoid).

I like to learn from a tree perspective - understand the trunk, and learn the branches from there - it's how my brain has always worked - I need to fully understand how to organize things in my head, I can't just learn a series of facts. First Aid seems to be just a series of facts to memorize. Is there a better source that gives me the whole story/a narrative, and goes into the details from there, like a big picture approach? Thanks!

Dude, that's what the first two years of medical school are for. First Aid is just to jog your memory.

Although I haven't used them, maybe something like DIT, sketchy micro, picmonic is something you're looking for.

 

[stevesteve123]

lets just be real man. When it comes to bio related topics, it IS mostly about memorization. a good portion of the questions/concepts you cannot simply "deduce". ie. even if you are Steven Hawkings chances are that you wont automatically make the connection that excessive amyloid deposition/ guy with alzhimers would lead to infarcts in the parietal lobe of the brain.

probly best way is to get a decent understanding of the systems and metabolic pathways and fill in the gaps with memorization of facts. if there is a way around having to memorize, i'd love to hear anyone's opinion

 

[mcloaf]

Dude, that's what the first two years of medical school are for. First Aid is just to jog your memory.

Although I haven't used them, maybe something like DIT, sketchy micro, picmonic is something you're looking for.

Yeah if you're at the point where you're using FA as a primary learning resource you have taken a very wrong turn somewhere along the way.

 

[Sp4537]

Yeah if you're at the point where you're using FA as a primary learning resource you have taken a very wrong turn somewhere along the way.

Course not - I've actually only done first year. But I know when I study for step1 I want to do so in a manner that I learn best - which is focusing on the concepts and an overarching understanding. Looking for sources that focus on that as opposed to just listing out things to memorize. Sure, I'll have to do that, but I'm wondering if there are sources that use concepts/narratives to organize those facts a bit better than FA. Cheers.

 

[jshei0625]

Course not - I've actually only done first year. But I know when I study for step1 I want to do so in a manner that I learn best - which is focusing on the concepts and an overarching understanding. Looking for sources that focus on that as opposed to just listing out things to memorize. Sure, I'll have to do that, but I'm wondering if there are sources that use concepts/narratives to organize those facts a bit better than FA. Cheers.

Obviously there will be aspects that will require straight memorization no matter what source you use but there are a few resources that might be more geared toward your style:

1) Physiology: BRS textbook (if you have not taken Physiology) or BRS review (for Step 1)
2) Microbiology: Microbiology made ridiculously simple/sketchymicro
3) Pharmacology: Katzung pharmacology (only the basic principles/autonomics sections)
4) Pathology: Pathoma
5) Immunology: Levinson's review of microbiology and immunology (immuno section/questions)
6) Systems: Boards and Beyond website

 

[nds86]

If you're asking for a textbook similar to FA but that demonstrates a bigger picture...then I'm afraid there isn't any (you can try step up and crush step 1, etc.). But it all comes down to working hard during MS1+2 (using the lecture notes + the best book for that subject i.e. Costanzo for Physio) and then following what everyone else has done in the last decade that is to evolve around FA. The goal of taking notes from Qbanks and other sources like pathoma is to get that "BIG" picture you're asking and although there isn't one textbook that shows this big picture, I believe after all the note taking, your FA eventually becomes that book. Cheers!!

 

[McNCheese]

Hi all-

I'm the type of learner that needs to actually understand the base principle or concept in order to remember any detailed facts. I learn through understanding not memorizing (which I know I won't be able to completely avoid).

I like to learn from a tree perspective - understand the trunk, and learn the branches from there - it's how my brain has always worked - I need to fully understand how to organize things in my head, I can't just learn a series of facts. First Aid seems to be just a series of facts to memorize. Is there a better source that gives me the whole story/a narrative, and goes into the details from there, like a big picture approach? Thanks!

As you said - you won't be able to completely avoid memorizing. I suggest that you start working on this weakness now so that it doesn't end up holding you back. I say this because I have a similar learning style and started addressing it halfway through second year with great success (and I wish I had confronted it earlier, but better late than never).

Once you get through second year, First Aid's format will make more sense, especially if you start looking through it alongside your course material. I used many of the books jshei listed, and I also used Step 1 Secrets a little bit. Although I love the story/narrative format, First Aid was still the core of my Step 1 study and these other sources were supplementary.