Supplemental materials for MS1

[reapplicanthelpme2014]

Hey everyone! I'm an incoming medical student starting in August and I was curious as to what current medical students find helpful when studying for classes and exams in terms of medical apps, supplemental books, websites, etc. What resources help with studying and understanding the material better? For instance, I've heard a lot of students use First Aid to supplement their lecture notes. Is this something important to do in MS1? Thanks in advance for the help!

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[Mr. Vandemar]

I know how you feel. I remember wanting to ask this last year. But if you search, you'll find tons of similar threads with all the info you need.

 

[Jabbed]

First Aid, pathoma, sketchy micro, Kaplan videos, BRS physio, RR pathology, Lipincott Biochem, Lilly's Pathophysiology of Heart Disease, Blumenfeld's Neuroanatomy through Clinical Cases.

Anki.

 

[TheShaker]

Jabbed pretty much named most of them. A lot of people in my class found Clinical Microbiology Made Ridiculously Simple helpful, I found it kinda helpful. It helps you get the basics down when you're memorizing that long list of microbes, but it's not detailed enough to pass the class.

 

[DoctorLacrosse]

subscribed lol, totally wanted to start this thread also

how important is following first aid in MS1 to prep for step 1?

 

[Pacna]

First Aid, pathoma, sketchy micro, Kaplan videos, BRS physio, RR pathology, Lipincott Biochem, Lilly's Pathophysiology of Heart Disease, Blumenfeld's Neuroanatomy through Clinical Cases.

Anki.

^

All of that other stuff is available on Anki anyways.

 

[JP2740]

For MS1? All you need is a lot of motivation.

 

[xffan624]

subscribed lol, totally wanted to start this thread also

how important is following first aid in MS1 to prep for step 1?

Not extremely. I usually only looked at it around exam time and not all the time. I also used it to clean up my anki decks from the more esoteric topics that were covered in lecture (the funny thing is, when I got closer to my step 1 study period, some of the cards I thought were too nitpicky, I ended up activating again when they came up in UWORLD questions).

 

[reapplicanthelpme2014]

^

All of that other stuff is available on Anki anyways.

Like people created Anki decks using the material in those books?

 

[NickNaylor]

Ask older students in your school - they will provide you with information that will be specifically useful in your courses. You really don't need much for M1 anyway (assuming you're at a traditional school). M2 is when that info starts becoming important as you ramp up for step 1 studying.

 

[DoctorLacrosse]

Not extremely. I usually only looked at it around exam time and not all the time. I also used it to clean up my anki decks from the more esoteric topics that were covered in lecture (the funny thing is, when I got closer to my step 1 study period, some of the cards I thought were too nitpicky, I ended up activating again when they came up in UWORLD questions).

looks like I'm making it my goal to master how to use anki before school starts. thank you

 

[TwinsFan]

BRS physio is excellent, also anki for things that are rote memorization. I liked to read the corresponding first aid sections (not path) with each class once through (2-3 hrs per chapter) just to get an idea of potential high yield material and have a concise source for review. It took less than an hour a week averaged out. BRS in general is decent and have review questions if that helps you study.

 

[andrews1989]

First Aid, pathoma, sketchy micro, Kaplan videos, BRS physio, RR pathology, Lipincott Biochem, Lilly's Pathophysiology of Heart Disease, Blumenfeld's Neuroanatomy through Clinical Cases.

Anki.

Why is anki so much better than quizlet? Just curious- the anki app is like 25 dollars.

 

[ChEMD]

Why is anki so much better than quizlet? Just curious- the anki app is like 25 dollars.

Spaced repetition. Also, $25 is nothing when it comes to your education. I've never understood why people are so hesitant to shell out money for things that are going to be beneficial to their learning, but they have no problem going and blowing even more money at a restaurant or bar. I say why not do both, but if anything, cut out the latter.

 

[pathologyDO]

Not sure if mentioned already but Picmonic is really good if you like visual learning. Their microbio cards are very helpful for me because I hate brute force momorization, with picmonic you get a nice cartoon and a story behind it to give you a memorable basis for each bug. They also have pathology cards and drug cards and they're just as good, I especially have found the Lymphoma/Leukemia cards to be very helpful for board studying.

 

[Redpancreas]

Hey everyone! I'm an incoming medical student starting in August and I was curious as to what current medical students find helpful when studying for classes and exams in terms of medical apps, supplemental books, websites, etc. What resources help with studying and understanding the material better? For instance, I've heard a lot of students use First Aid to supplement their lecture notes. Is this something important to do in MS1? Thanks in advance for the help!

Good question! Look up other threads. For the most part, my school kept me busy with the course pack they provided itself.


Here's a list of books that I think would go well with the first year classes as supplement (IF YOUR CURRICULUM IS TRADITIONAL/Block-scheduling...IF INTEGRATED DISREGARD):


Anatomy: Absolutely buy Netter's Atlas. There's an IPad app for $80.00 which wouldn't be a bad idea either. Don't waste your time with BRS Anatomy and it's not high yield on step apparently, so ya. You probably won't have time.

Histology: Note sure, just focus on what the class gives you. BRS Cell Biology may help but it's not just histology in there.

Biochemistry: Rapid Review Biochemistry by Goljian is short, concise, and nearly comprehensive.

Physiology: Physiology, by Costanzo (NOT BRS) is AN AMAZING resource mostly because she explains the CONCEPTS of physiology in paragraph/prose form. It's very easy to read and serves as an excellent review. If there's one book to buy, it's this.

Neuroanatomy: HY Neuro gets lots of positive reviews. I never used it.

First Aid for Step 1: There's no shame in at least owning this and referring to it in M1. If you're school has NBME subject exams as part of your grade, you'll find value going through it for Biochemistry and Neuroanatomy in particular.

 

[Redpancreas]

Ask older students in your school - they will provide you with information that will be specifically useful in your courses. You really don't need much for M1 anyway (assuming you're at a traditional school). M2 is when that info starts becoming important as you ramp up for step 1 studying.

I completely agree with @NickNaylor on this one. I never used Anki/PicMonic/FireCracker in first year because there was so much being thrown at me that I didn't have time to use anything besides the coursepack with the exception of NBME subject exam review and light post M1 summer review. Spaced repetition is science...and it is gold, but I'd wait until second year to start implementing that. This is assuming your curriculum is traditional.

 

[Redpancreas]

First Aid, pathoma, sketchy micro, Kaplan videos, BRS physio, RR pathology, Lipincott Biochem, Lilly's Pathophysiology of Heart Disease, Blumenfeld's Neuroanatomy through Clinical Cases.

Anki.

This would probably be a better resource list than mine if your curriculum is integrated. Best you find that out first OP (if you haven't already). Also, I didn't have patience for Neuroanatomy through Clinical Cases because the class just kept loading information on me continuously. I'd say that book's best for if you're doing some reading ahead.

 

[Mr. Vandemar]

Spaced repetition is science...and it is gold, but I'd wait until second year to start implementing that. This is assuming your curriculum is traditional.

Why? I found Anki to be the perfect way to study, well, everything in my first year traditional curriculum. You're essentially converting info from lecture into cards, which is similar to note taking, and then reviewing your "notes" via the SRS algorithm.

 

[Pacna]

Like people created Anki decks using the material in those books?

Yes.

 

[Kelevra]

Incoming M1, but recently spoke with a current student who suggest:

Biochem: Rapid Review Goljan
Path: Pathoma, Rapid Review Goljan, Robbins (NOT big robbins, but the more medium-sized one), and possibly Robbins Review Questions
Physiology: Costanzo, BRS Physiology
Neuro: High Yield Neuro
Histo: BRS cell bio and histo
Micro Bio: Clinical Microbio made ridiculously simple

I'm not sure what I'm going to grab from this list, but I've heard good things about most of these sources. Anki just uses up too much time, and firecracker may be a better use of my time. Although, since I have zero experience in medical school, it's really difficult to fathom studying lecture notes, reviews books, AND another source (firecracker, anki, whatever). Doesn't seem like there're enough hours in the day...any input from current students?

 

[xffan624]

Why is anki so much better than quizlet? Just curious- the anki app is like 25 dollars.

It's free for Droid users.

 

[Dr.Jekyll75]

Out of curiosity does anyone recommend any book or app for biochem that is actual problems instead of Straight up information ?

 

[Psai]

i don't see what's wrong with looking at powerpoint slides and trying to memorize as much as possible by reading and rereading them
wtf is all this nonsense with anki and all that

 

[Ace Khalifa]

i don't see what's wrong with looking at powerpoint slides and trying to memorize as much as possible by reading and rereading them
wtf is all this nonsense with anki and all that

It's because active studying is better than passive studying for actual retention of what you learn. That's what I was told, anyway.

 

[Redpancreas]

i don't see what's wrong with looking at powerpoint slides and trying to memorize as much as possible by reading and rereading them
wtf is all this nonsense with anki and all that

It's because it's too much passive learning. Like i need some way to quiz myself. My biggest question is how do I quiz myself after reading if I just stick to looking at powerpoijts.

The best solutions I've come up with thus far are writing questions in the margins (where the answers are on the same slide, but I don't look at them while quizzing myself) ..the other is looking at every header and trying to recall the main points after reading.

The biggest problem with both of these is what I call sequence bias (probably a better term for this) where you train yourself to think and memorize in the sequence of the notes. Really, you'll need some scrambling to succeed. This is why I think people use ANKI but I liked your post because I admire everyone who can simply read the notes and do what is necessary.

 

[Psai]

why can't you quiz yourself by looking at powerpoints and then quizzing yourself about what you just read

 

[Merely]

^

 

[On Eagle's Wings]

Gray's anatomy, Netter's Atlas of anatomy, and Essential Anatomy app. Almost everyone at my school uses these.

 

[masaraksh]

Gray's anatomy, Netter's Atlas of anatomy, and Essential Anatomy app. Almost everyone at my school uses these.

Good to hear everyone at your school likes to burn money

 

[sloop]

Good to hear everyone at your school likes to burn money

Netter's is the best of these, IMO, and it was my only atlas. Even so, I think all of these were either available online or from the library at my school.

For the first two years, I bought almost nothing in the way of books. I literally only bought Netter's, First Aid and Pathoma my first two years, and only used the latter two in MS2. Everything else I ever used was mainly for reference and was available online through my library.

I've bought far more books already in MS3 than I ever did during preclinicals.

 

[Toasty1]

Yes.

^

All of that other stuff is available on Anki anyways.

Are these decks available on the internet anywhere? Thanks.

 

[Pacna]

Are these decks available on the internet anywhere? Thanks.

I'm using the Brosencephalon deck(s), available here. They include info from First Aid and Pathoma. I've found a good amount of errata not listed as known by the others in that linked thread, so just always be skeptical of the cards. Look up anything that sounds fishy. I don't have information on decks made of other resources, though I know many for UWorld exist.

 

[Jabbed]

I'm using the Brosencephalon deck(s), available here. They include info from First Aid and Pathoma. I've found a good amount of errata not listed as known by the others in that linked thread, so just always be skeptical of the cards. Look up anything that sounds fishy. I don't have information on decks made of other resources, though I know many for UWorld exist.

I have spent hours and hours looking for the infamous UWorld anki decks. I'm convinced that they don't exist.

 

[Pacna]

I have spent hours and hours looking for the infamous UWorld anki decks. I'm convinced that they don't exist.

I spent a couple hours looking as well a few weeks ago, and I came to the conclusion that UWorld does a decent enough job presenting the questions that I don't need a deck. I DON'T screencap objectives I need to study for later.

 

[xClashx]

anyone know what the best comprehensive textbook for physiology is?

Not looking for a rapid review book. I feel like I need to go into more detail in things we are learning.

 

[FindMeOnTheLinks]

anyone know what the best comprehensive textbook for physiology is?

Not looking for a rapid review book. I feel like I need to go into more detail in things we are learning.

Costanzo physiology. 10/10 would recommend

 

[xClashx]

Costanzo physiology. 10/10 would recommend

Is it a textbook that covers everything that we would need to know for the 2 years? I want like everything, organ systems, basic principles and all.

I am willing to get more than 1 book if it doesnt cover everything. I have first aid books (organs and general principles), but i regret buying them since they arent detailed enough and have so many mistakes that you have to keep checking errata.

 

[Jabbed]

Is it a textbook that covers everything that we would need to know for the 2 years? I want like everything, organ systems, basic principles and all.

I am willing to get more than 1 book if it doesnt cover everything. I have first aid books (organs and general principles), but i regret buying them since they arent detailed enough and have so many mistakes that you have to keep checking errata.

Unfortunately there is no one-stop physio book on the market, but here's my opinion of the ones that I've used extensively:

• Costanzo is a good starter book for physio, but it is fairly basic. Complements well with BRS physio and I'd wholeheartedly recommend this as your first textbook unless you have an extensive physio background. 52o pages
• Guyton is a classic. At the very least it's worth reading the cardio/renal sections as the author provided much of the seminal knowledge on these topics. Great text, but be warned that it can be confusing/contradictory at times as it explains several possible mechanisms for a given phenomenon and incorporates animal experiment data. Not recommended unless you've got a strong background in physio already or are a glutton for pain. The pocket guide is fairly salient and much more readable. 1168 pages.
• Boron is probably the most comprehensive, but damn is it thick with sub-clinical physiology. Illustrations are great though and supplement the weaker areas of Guyton very well. 1352 pages.
• Rapid Review Physio and BRS Physio together are fairly comprehensive as far as "what you need to know".

Costanzo/BRS physio is good enough for 90% of medical students. Costanzo/BRS and RR/Pocket Guyton is good enough for 98% of medical students. 2% of medical students are insane.

 

[xClashx]

Hmm, I looked at BRS and it didnt have what I wanted. I wanted like how bone formation fractures and all that work (since we just finished it)

but I will get Costanzo too, though i don't think it has that either.