Should I treat recommended/mandatory books in medical school the same way as I treated them in undergrad, in which I used the slides more often, then if I was still confused, the internet, then office hours, and finally I would go to the library and open up the recommended book.
Utilization of books in medical school?
- Thread starter Onigiri
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Depends on your school. My school gave us spiral bound books of all the lecture notes for each course, so that was essentially our textbook for the course and we didn't really need extra stuff. The exception is that pretty much everyone gets Netter's Atlas for Anatomy. If you don't want to lug the book and have a tablet, I used the iPad app and it was great.
Board study is a different question. You'll want Pathoma and First Aid at the very least.
Then for clerkships, there are a number of good books to use for studying and extra questions.
Often you'll be able to buy books for a low price from upperclassmen trying to unload them.
Board study is a different question. You'll want Pathoma and First Aid at the very least.
Then for clerkships, there are a number of good books to use for studying and extra questions.
Often you'll be able to buy books for a low price from upperclassmen trying to unload them.
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As mentioned above, it depends on your school. It is a very good idea to ask those in the class above you before you buy ANY books! One of my professors told the class that the textbook was mandatory, but an M2 told me that the book didn't add anything that wasn't already covered in lecture. I didn't buy it, and I didn't regret it.
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Depends on your school and how their tests are. At a minimum, I would not recommend spending money on anything before asking upperclassmen at your school if the textbooks are (a) necessary and (b) available somewhere for free. At my school, you basically don't need to buy books except whatever you want for board review.
Yep, find an upperclassman and ask. We got tested on powerpoint and on reading. We all basically bought the books, and they were helpful but expensive. The library had multiple books, but they were always checked out. It's a game: where do the professors hide the answers to their questions?
It also depends on how you learn, and your approach. If you like books and learn well by them, buy 'em. If books are not your thing, but profs test out of them, read them in the library before the test. I think most schools are going to power-point-heavy-content-rich approaches with textbook recommendations (i.e. read in the library ahead of time.)
Yep, find an upperclassman and ask. We got tested on powerpoint and on reading. We all basically bought the books, and they were helpful but expensive. The library had multiple books, but they were always checked out. It's a game: where do the professors hide the answers to their questions?
It also depends on how you learn, and your approach. If you like books and learn well by them, buy 'em. If books are not your thing, but profs test out of them, read them in the library before the test. I think most schools are going to power-point-heavy-content-rich approaches with textbook recommendations (i.e. read in the library ahead of time.)
