AQP said:
... and take some time off to relax (i.e. take a vacation).
I can't recall anything right now off the top of my head that I wish I knew before hand, but I will say that going to the pre-orientation meeting, called QUEST, was pretty good for me because I got to meet a large number of my classmates.
And don't forget the swanky Galveston College blanket you won!
One thing that may help some people who feel like they have to do SOMETHING before classes start (or go insane - like me) is to go used books shopping for some needed med school books. Some people like all their books new, but I still derive intense pleasure from telling people that the book they paid $50 new for, I got off half.com or half priced books for ~$10.
😉
Numero uno book:
First Aid for the USMLE. You might want to wait until you get a shot at a used 2006 version, because I hear that one is revamped to be organ-based (like our curriculum). Take it to office max/ depot and get it spirally bound so that you can have more flexibility.
** In fact, when you get the c/o 2009's scribes (which are spectacular, especially AQP's
😉 ), get those spirally bound too - the desks in Levin Hall are too tiny to bring a binder or some other clunky thing). **
Also get
Lippincott's Biochemistry (newer version has an extra diabetes chapter, but 2nd edition is fine too).
Other good books to find used:
BRS (board review series) Gross Anatomy
clinical microbiology made ridiculously simple
A Pocket Manual of Differential Diagnosis by Stephen N. Adle (you will look like a genius in PBL with this)
Pocket Companion to Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease (you'll want to buy the Big Robbins new b/c you get internet access with it, but carry the pocket guide to pbl and the gym)
Resolving Ethical Dilemmas: A Guide for Clinicians (Paperback)
by Bernard, MD Lo
Behavioral Medicine in Primary Care: A Practical Guide by Feldman, Mitchell (POM book you will need for the 2nd module and on)
Bates' Guide to Physical Examination & History Taking (get the "baby" version and borrow someone else's to look up specifics before your clinical skills tests).
Color Atlas of Anatomy: A Photographic Study of the Human Body by Rohen (I liked that it showed real anatomy without spending hours in the gross lab, but you MUST have either Grants or Netter's Atlas to find the stuff the first time)
Clinically Oriented Anatomy by Moore
You're not going to use a dissector outside of lab, so don't bother buying one.
I also picked up any used "Clinical Vignette" books I found (they're fun to read), as well as any BRS or high yield books dealing with gross anatomy, biochem, physiology, pathology, cell bio, histology, immunology, embryology (HY embryo or BRS embryo are just as good at the "required" embryo book they want you to get, so use those instead), etc. I didn't feel as guilty getting all these, because I spent less than $10 each at half priced books, but if you want them new you shouldn't buy every book you see.
Furthermore, if you'd rather have any of these books new, just wait until you can buy them at the bookstore (which is "conveniently" open the same day as your white coat ceremony, in case you'd like to drag your parents there ;-) ), because the bookstore will pay you a 20% on all receipts from them at the end of the school year.
So anyways, I agree with AQP - enjoy your freedom! You're not going to remember anything you "learned" before classes start, if you get a chance to do the prematric it's a great opportunity but not essential for success, and if you HAVE to do something to keep yourself distracted until classes start, buying used required books isn't that bad an idea.
😎