What kind of studying is recommended in the few months prior to starting?

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Toadesque

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Since I never took anatomy in undergrad I am a bit nervous about just jumping straight into it when school starts. How do you guys recommend I get started? I don't plan to read Gray's cover to cover or anything but I definitely would feel more comfortable if I wasn't totally unprepared by the time school rolls around
 
I recommend studying the psychoactive properties of this, first-hand:

jd.jpg


Not kidding.
 
Do a search. This topic has been answered ad nauseum.

Abridged version: no studying
Version that will satisfy you slightly more: if you're hell bent on doing something, learn the basic terminology and become facile with it (proximal/distal, cranial/caudal, etc).
 
Toadesque said:
Since I never took anatomy in undergrad I am a bit nervous about just jumping straight into it when school starts. How do you guys recommend I get started? I don't plan to read Gray's cover to cover or anything but I definitely would feel more comfortable if I wasn't totally unprepared by the time school rolls around
Click to expand...

It begins.

Seriously though, don't study. Be fresh and ready and eager for classes.
 
Do whatever you want. Enjoy the free time you have before school starts. If you have stuff on your bucket list, try to get some of those items crossed off.
 
Do don't any studying. As discussed in other threads, you could study for 2 weeks and waste 2 weeks of your summer... then you go over all of that in 1-2 days in med school. Bottom line is you will learn way more efficiently when your actually in school.

Just have fun and come in fresh and ready to study.
 
That's what I figured heh. Wish you guys could tell my parents the same, they are being ridiculous and think I should be making some sort of study schedule.
 
Toadesque said:
That's what I figured heh. Wish you guys could tell my parents the same, they are being ridiculous and think I should be making some sort of study schedule.
Click to expand...

They'll be wishing you weren't studying so much before too long. 😉
 
Toadesque said:
That's what I figured heh. Wish you guys could tell my parents the same, they are being ridiculous and think I should be making some sort of study schedule.
Click to expand...

Just pull up the 50 odd similar threads and send them to your parents. They do realize you're an adult now, and will soon hold peoples' lives in your hands, right?
 
Don't listen to these people (i.e., gunners). They're just trying to sabotage you. I read Gray's cover to cover right before starting med school, and it helped a lot. I thought it gave me a pretty good idea of what to expect in anatomy. The front cover had a really cool picture, and the back cover was blank. Took me a while to turn the book over, but it was well worth the read.
 
boogaloo said:
Don't listen to these people (i.e., gunners). They're just trying to sabotage you. I read Gray's cover to cover right before starting med school, and it helped a lot. I thought it gave me a pretty good idea of what to expect in anatomy. The front cover had a really cool picture, and the back cover was blank. Took me a while to turn the book over, but it was well worth the read.
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All you did was read Gray's? Pseudogunner.. I finished Robbin's before orientation. How did you make any sense of of first year without knowing pathology?
 
OP my dad thinks I should be reading through the books and doing lots of highlighting, not to mention the Netter's flashcards he already bought me. Just say, "OK sure pops."

I will read the occasional journal article in certain fields and refresh my terminology now and then.
 
Toadesque said:
That's what I figured heh. Wish you guys could tell my parents the same, they are being ridiculous and think I should be making some sort of study schedule.
Click to expand...

It's probably a good time to tell your parents that they will never understand what medical school is like (unless they experienced it firsthand). Oh it reminds me of the phone conversation I just had with my mom.

Mom: what are you doing?
Me: what would I be doing at 8PM the day before my test, mom?
Mom: Oh I thought you just took a test last week.
Me: yes, I know that.
Mom: so what are you doing?
Me: I AM STUDYING!
Mom: When's your next test?
Me: tomorrow.
Mom: Oh I thought you just took a test last week.
Me: …
 
GuyWhoDoesStuff said:
Do a search. This topic has been answered ad nauseum.

Abridged version: no studying
Version that will satisfy you slightly more: if you're hell bent on doing something, learn the basic terminology and become facile with it (proximal/distal, cranial/caudal, etc).
Click to expand...
^^^^THIS.

I recommend using the Netter's Anatomy Flash Cards app to get used to the names: http://www.maclife.com/article/iphone/netters_anatomy_flashcards

To the OP, about doing a study schedule? No.
 
Try this study schedule:
8am: wake up, eat breakfast
8:30am: enjoy coffee with your favorite magazine, website (not SDN), or morning news.
9am: get in car, drive to friends house, continue to store
9:17am: buy 12pk of Oberon, some food, proceed to beach.
9:30am-6pm: enjoy beach, eat all food, drink all beer. Call other friend or parents for ride home.
6:30pm: start charcoal, open beer
7pm: grill something on charcoal, drink more beer
9pm: wonder how to get your car back from the beach, fail, drink more beer.
--Repeat until orientation--
*note, if not close to beach, substitute for a desirable pool, or camping area. May also use bicycle for transportation if applicable.
 
mrbobian said:
Try this study schedule:
8am: wake up, eat breakfast
8:30am: enjoy coffee with your favorite magazine, website (not SDN), or morning news.
9am: get in car, drive to friends house, continue to store
9:17am: buy 12pk of Oberon, some food, proceed to beach.
9:30am-6pm: enjoy beach, eat all food, drink all beer. Call other friend or parents for ride home.
6:30pm: start charcoal, open beer
7pm: grill something on charcoal, drink more beer
9pm: wonder how to get your car back from the beach, fail, drink more beer.
--Repeat until orientation--
*note, if not close to beach, substitute for a desirable pool, or camping area. May also use bicycle for transportation if applicable.
Click to expand...

Throw casual sex in there somewhere and this schedule is good for use.
 
you should probably master the theory behind the hyperosmolarity of the kidney's deep interstitium.
 
Ya really learn the counter-current multiplier of the kidney; its the difference between a mediocre doctor and House.
 
I don't know what these guys are talking about. Almost every new MS1 has become familiar with ~75% of First Aid, both the 2013 and 2014 editions. You should have more clinical knowledge than those obtuse MS3's you'll see when you walk a blood sample to the lab and they're getting pimped during your pre-med volunteering. The only thing you need to learn while actually in medical school is how to find room for your massive intellect within the halls of the hospital without crushing the common folk surrounding you.
 
DON'T DO IT.

ABORT. DON'T DO IT. NO STUDYING.
 
Toadesque said:
Since I never took anatomy in undergrad I am a bit nervous about just jumping straight into it when school starts. How do you guys recommend I get started? I don't plan to read Gray's cover to cover or anything but I definitely would feel more comfortable if I wasn't totally unprepared by the time school rolls around
Click to expand...

Everybody's nervous. It'll be fine, just show up fresh, ready, and eager to get started. Seriously don't study.
 
LostinLift said:
OP my dad thinks I should be reading through the books and doing lots of highlighting, not to mention the Netter's flashcards he already bought me. Just say, "OK sure pops."

I will read the occasional journal article in certain fields and refresh my terminology now and then.
Click to expand...
Reading and highlighting. NO. Flipping thru cards just to get used to terminology? Yes.
 
Southplains said:
Meh, structure A talks to structure B who talks to structure C. Sometimes C tells A to shut up. Basic handle done.
Click to expand...

That literally is the whole of endocrine physiology I don't get why people think its hard.
 
GangaMaster said:
That literally is the whole of endocrine physiology I don't get why people think its hard.
Click to expand...

Don't worry, even Step 1 finds a way to muddy that up. Things can't be that simple in the USMLE realm. Gotta trick people to answer questions wrong after all.
 
Echoing others: DONT PRE STUDY.

You will forget anything you study at this point and have to relearn it again later anyhow. You'll actually probably forget things you learn during the first week by the time you get to your first exam. This is why pre-studying this kind of material is a complete waste of time.

Things TO DO summer before that will actually help you:
1) Exercise and get in the best shape you can
2) Optimize your diet
3) Take care of logistical things like where you'll live, finances, etc.
4) Relax a lot.

Don't underestimate the power of burn out. It hits everyone at one point or another - I know it hit me pretty hard during MS2. If I had M1/M2 to do over, I would try to relax more and not overdo it. Before school I never thought I'd feel burned out because I was so excited about going. Don't get me wrong, I've loved med school so far and have done really well at it, but I've definitely had times where I felt burned out (thankfully they pass). Everyone has a limit of how much they can do before feeling this way; don't waste any of that on studying that won't really get you anywhere.
 
I disagree. Look at kaplan anatomy lecture series book. It won't take you much time yet it's a good preparation for medical school

I think it's a worthwhile investment to purchase all the Kaplan Lecture notes, Kaplan medessentials, and first aid. Use this in conjunction with med school studying
 
Toadesque said:
Since I never took anatomy in undergrad I am a bit nervous about just jumping straight into it when school starts. How do you guys recommend I get started? I don't plan to read Gray's cover to cover or anything but I definitely would feel more comfortable if I wasn't totally unprepared by the time school rolls around
Click to expand...

Lol it's 1:12 am on a Friday night and I spent the entire day studying for an exam on Monday. Saturday and Sunday aren't shaping up to be a lot of fun either. Granted this is not a typical day but good God, Jack Daniel's guy is right.
 
As has been said, not much you can actually study in this time that would really help. Anatomy seems the closest to possible, though you'd likely forget most of it by the time you needed it. After logistical thing like having your move all set up, as has been mentioned, I think there is one thing you could "study" that would be significantly more helpful, and that's spending time getting yourself situated to studying large amounts of material for extended periods of time. Figure out what works for you and what doesn't - and don't just assume that because you got by with something in the past means it will work going forward, if what you were doing wasn't 6 hours of dedicated and focused studying in a day on any kind of regular basis. I had to make a lot of changes through trial and error, and that was definitely difficult to work through, as med school cuts you no slack in terms of being pressed for time. If you have issues focusing, address them now. Having all this taken care of ahead of time could save you a lot of stress if it's something that could be a problem.
 
Toadesque said:
Since I never took anatomy in undergrad I am a bit nervous about just jumping straight into it when school starts. How do you guys recommend I get started? I don't plan to read Gray's cover to cover or anything but I definitely would feel more comfortable if I wasn't totally unprepared by the time school rolls around
Click to expand...

So I always thought pre-studying might help but it is a waste of time for most. There is plenty of time to study if you can dedicate yourself when classes start
 
If you start with upper limb anatomy you could learn the brachial plexus before starting. 🙂
 
Kapooya said:
If you start with upper limb anatomy you could learn the brachial plexus before starting. 🙂
Click to expand...

That might be a good one to learn before starting (serious). HATED the Brachial Plexus.
 
Last edited:
You really want to hear of a fun, yet useful, way to spend your summer? Read up on medical ethics and behavioral science-- that's the best part of all MS1 year. Really, you're in for a treat.
 
DermViser said:
That might be a good one to learn before starting (serious). HATED the Brachial Plexus.
Click to expand...

Not to mention, if you understand it, then you could work your way through 9/10 of the lesion questions (which was the majority of our test).
 
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