What should I pre-study for med school?

[Chip N Sawbones]

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At the moment I'm unemployed and out of school. Until I can find a job or sell my house, I will have lots of time on my hands, and I might as well use it for something other than watching movies and losing chess games to my computer. What topics would be most useful for me to study up on before I start medical school this summer? I know I won't be mastering any subjects, but at this point low-yield studying is better than doing nothing. I took the basic prereq classes, but that's the extent of my science background.

 

[wholeheartedly]

I picked up a program called fluenz to learn Spanish. So far I like it. It was ranked better than Rosetta Stone. There was a Nontrad post on this awhile back and pretty much the only thing suggested as being worth any value was picking up an anatomy book like the anatomy coloring book. Me, if I'm lucky enough to get to that point, I'm just going to get myself into the best shape possible and read as many fun books as I can afford.

P.s. don't let pre allo see you asked this. Guy got totally bashed for it recently,although I think one person did give some suggestions.😛

 

[Law2Doc]

At the moment I'm unemployed and out of school. Until I can find a job or sell my house, I will have lots of time on my hands, and I might as well use it for something other than watching movies and losing chess games to my computer. What topics would be most useful for me to study up on before I start medical school this summer? I know I won't be mastering any subjects, but at this point low-yield studying is better than doing nothing. I took the basic prereq classes, but that's the extent of my science background.

Agree with the above. Learn Spanish. Studying the med school subjects is not advisable.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

At the moment I'm unemployed and out of school. Until I can find a job or sell my house, I will have lots of time on my hands, and I might as well use it for something other than watching movies and losing chess games to my computer. What topics would be most useful for me to study up on before I start medical school this summer? I know I won't be mastering any subjects, but at this point low-yield studying is better than doing nothing. I took the basic prereq classes, but that's the extent of my science background.

I wanted to feel that way, but you are wrong. Low-yield studying isn't better than nothing. It is completely worthless. The best advice I can give about how to properly prepare for med school is to leisure read everything that you can and everything that you want. Not because you never had time, but because the people that seem to struggle the most are the ones who can't read very fast. You don't have to read super fast, but just get in the habit of reading for very long periods of time (hour or so). Also, get your hands on audiobooks and listen to them at double speed (if your school records lectures). Because I did this, i listen to lectures at 2.5-3x speed (especially when reviewing) while others can't understand anything greater than 1.7x. This saves a ton of time.

but seriously don't study anything. and i am betting you are going to think we are crazy because and you will probably try to look at stuff anyway, but 1 week in you will be saying "that was a complete waste of time." I guarantee it. or learn another language. great idea.

 

[vc7777]

I agree - do something for yourself, like learn Spanish if you really had a yearning burning passion to do so. Better yet, go visit your grandmother. Hang out with loved ones and friends.
I made this decision tree a few years ago:

 

[Chip N Sawbones]

It's thirty below outside and tomorrow is going to get really cold, so I'm stuck inside. If I could leave town and go visit someone I already would have, but I need to stay here to try and sell my house. Besides, I don't have enough money to fly out of the state. I've done plenty of reading on my own already, and I already know Spanish. I will brush up on it a little, though, and try FrkyBgStok's audiobook trick. You're sure there's nothing I can learn now that will be even a little bit useful in medical school? I've really got nothing better to do.

 

[LUCPM]

I would try to get in the habit of exercising rather than try to study. Physical stamina can be important in med school.

 

[Law2Doc]

It's thirty below outside and tomorrow is going to get really cold, so I'm stuck inside. If I could leave town and go visit someone I already would have, but I need to stay here to try and sell my house. Besides, I don't have enough money to fly out of the state. I've done plenty of reading on my own already, and I already know Spanish. I will brush up on it a little, though, and try FrkyBgStok's audiobook trick. You're sure there's nothing I can learn now that will be even a little bit useful in medical school? I've really got nothing better to do.

No, there's nothing useful to do to prepare before you start. Just read all those leisure books and watch all those movies you always wanted to because time will be very limited once you start.

 

[vc7777]

You have 100% absolute permission to have guilt-free time to do whatever the hell you want before medical school. Mind you - other sources of guilt likely exist in your life. Just know that your life will be consumed by learning medicine once you start and NOBODY who is past the first year of med school would advise you to pre-study. Your med school will in fact teach you enough to not have to pre-study (beyond completing pre-reqs if you still have some outstanding). Furthermore, if you bought, say, Gray's Anatomy and tried to read it like a book it would look and indeed be foolish. You wouldn't have the insight to understand what is minutiae vs. useful or relevant, and it lacks context of being in the anatomy lab, or talking to peers or your profs about what you are reading.

In short: don't bother spinning your wheels ahead of the start. You'll just waste precious free time and it will not matter in the grande scheme of things. The ONLY caveat -truly ONLY caveat is the following: If your school is like Case and requires your to pre-read or read early in your first year a book by Atul Gwande or something similar - a NYT best seller that is geared towards non-medical general audiences, then you could go ahead and knock that out. If your school has a reading list for medical humanities or something like "foundations of medicine" stuff like non-science poetry by physicians or about healthcare - you lose nothing by reading now vs. the first month of med school. You could try and find out if such a list exists for your school. Even if this list exists...there is no need to work through the reading if you don't want to ahead of the school year. I think beyond the suggestion of working on your own personal health (getting your vaccines up to date, having that physical, seeing the eye doc, and the dentist while you still have good insurance, in addition to eating and sleeping well, maybe yoga or something to help you cope with stress) - think about keeping up on current health-related topics in the news and politics, maybe reading books like "Routine Miracles" (Thank Q for this suggestion), or "House Of God", or Gwande's material. But really...really, this will only help you because it will make you a better rounded person.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

and NOBODY who is past the first year of med school would advise you to pre-study.

i would venture to say that everybody past the first week of med school knows the futility in pre-studying.

 

[cabinbuilder]

It's thirty below outside and tomorrow is going to get really cold, so I'm stuck inside. If I could leave town and go visit someone I already would have, but I need to stay here to try and sell my house. Besides, I don't have enough money to fly out of the state. I've done plenty of reading on my own already, and I already know Spanish. I will brush up on it a little, though, and try FrkyBgStok's audiobook trick. You're sure there's nothing I can learn now that will be even a little bit useful in medical school? I've really got nothing better to do.

Read books, watch movies, do needlepoint, make cookies.

 

[ChE04]

Going to echo the above posters. For gods sakes don't try to pre-study.

 

[wholeheartedly]

You know Chip, i was thinking about my trying to barter home repairs in exchange for food and with your first breakfast, second breakfast, brunch, lunch, dunch, dinner, and midneat, maybe you should pre-cook instead of pre-study

I actually know someone who did this before starting medical school. She made big batches of stews, hot dishes, etc and froze them so even when she got really busy she could eat well and fast.

 

[Chip N Sawbones]

You know Chip, i was thinking about my trying to barter home repairs in exchange for food and with your first breakfast, second breakfast, brunch, lunch, dunch, dinner, and midneat, maybe you should pre-cook instead of pre-study

I actually know someone who did this before starting medical school. She made big batches of stews, hot dishes, etc and froze them so even when she got really busy she could eat well and fast.

That is a pretty good idea. There's no way anything I cooked now would last until July, but I might have to try that later on next year.

To everyone else: I already have watched all the movies I want to, read all the books I want to, and exercised all I want to. I'm serious when I say I've got nothing better to do. I don't care how little it will actually end up helping me; I'm willing to pre-study just so I can feel like I'm doing something halfway productive. Is there anything in particular I should try to learn, or should I just concentrate on the biochem textbook that's on the way from Amazon?

 

[vc7777]

That is a pretty good idea. There's no way anything I cooked now would last until July, but I might have to try that later on next year.

To everyone else: I already have watched all the movies I want to, read all the books I want to, and exercised all I want to. I'm serious when I say I've got nothing better to do. I don't care how little it will actually end up helping me; I'm willing to pre-study just so I can feel like I'm doing something halfway productive. Is there anything in particular I should try to learn, or should I just concentrate on the biochem textbook that's on the way from Amazon?

More like 10% productive. At best. Probably less with biochem. Seriously - you can make food that'll last. Old school frontier-style: can some tomato sauce. Pickle cukes. Make jams and jellies. Skydive. Make homemade pasta that you can freeze. Make and freeze pizza dough.

 

[ejw5075]

If you really want to study something before you start, http://www.firecracker.me/ sign up for this. It is intended for board review but it goes through much of what you will cover in first year and has lessons/questions.

Or, you could do what everyone else is saying and not study 🙂

 

[Chip N Sawbones]

5-10% productive is good enough for me right now. Normally I'd agree with you and call that a waste of time, but at the moment I've got time to waste.

I can make food that could last a long time, but if it's in my house it won't. Your suggestions of things to make got me hungry again. Time for second breakfast.

 

[yossarian444]

I agree with everybody else - you should do something unrelated to studying. Try training for a marathon or learning Spanish. Reading biochemistry, as you mention above, will probably just make you depressed and dread going to medical school. If you really, really must read something, try reading something a little more exciting. Here are some ideas.

1) If you've never taken anatomy before, try reading the Moore Clinically Oriented Anatomy textbook. It isn't an atlas and the pictures aren't so good, but it really does a great job describing anatomy verbally. I wish I would have had time to read this during anatomy class in med school as I'm not much of a visual person and had to spend twice the amount of time on Anatomy as most my classmates just to perform average in the class. Despite what they tell you, students who took anatomy prior to medical school have a huge advantage over people like me who never took anything remotely close to anatomy. This book is far better than most my anatomy lectures given during school. It might leave you excited for anatomy to start medical school.

2) The Costanzo Physiology textbook (+/- BRS Physiology). BRS physio is a medical school classic that you most likely will learn to love. If you have leisure time this summer, you might as well enjoy the real thing and read the textbook rather than BRS. If you're motivated, you might actually be able to read it cover-to-cover. It's a good book and an interesting topic.

3) If you're feeling really ambitious, you could read a neuroscience book. We used the Purves book. I never read a page of it, but it sure looked pretty. Neuroscience is tough but fascinating and you'll never have time during medical school to actually read a textbook on it.

If you at all need money, skip the books and focus on getting a job and saving $$ for school.

 

[QofQuimica]

Chip, the answer is no. Accept this. Embrace it. Lie in bed all day and imagine what pictures you can see in the cracks on your ceiling. Even *that* would be a better use of your time than pre-studying.

Seriously, man, don't you have any hobbies? If not, maybe you should consider developing some. Do you like to write? SDN is always looking for articles to publish on the front page, and they'll pay you if one of yours is chosen. Or it would be great if you would write some helpful posts for other premeds just to be nice. You don't have to reinvent the wheel; just add on to some of the current advice threads linked in the forum sticky. I'm sure I can think of some more "useful" things you can do around SDN if you're so inclined.

 

[gravitywave]

If you really want to study something before you start, http://www.firecracker.me/ sign up for this. It is intended for board review but it goes through much of what you will cover in first year and has lessons/questions.

Or, you could do what everyone else is saying and not study 🙂

i'd say the bolded is valid. the rest is not. in fact, telling anyone in OP's position to start using Firecracker/GT is tantamount to telling them to start reading First Aid, which is probably the worst possible advice for this guy.

OP, so you know Spanish? brush up on it. then learn another language, I suggest French or Mandarin Chinese (the latter ought to keep you busy for a while). or whatever languages you think you might run into at your specific medical school. get another job and start saving as much money as possible so you don't have to take as many loans for school. i know you said you exercise all you want - try it with a goal in mind - start training for a marathon or an ironman. write letters to everyone you care about, real ones, not emails.

do life stuff. by the sound of things, you won't have time again like you have it now.

 

[ejw5075]

i'd say the bolded is valid. the rest is not. in fact, telling anyone in OP's position to start using Firecracker/GT is tantamount to telling them to start reading First Aid, which is probably the worst possible advice for this guy.

Not at all. Now, if I told him to sign up for USMLE Rx and go through FA with that maybe you'd have a point.

Or if I had mentioned FA at all.

The ONLY thing I did with my post was actually listen to what the OP stated he wanted to do and the reasons why.

 

[gravitywave]

Not at all. Now, if I told him to sign up for USMLE Rx and go through FA with that maybe you'd have a point.

Or if I had mentioned FA at all.

The ONLY thing I did with my post was actually listen to what the OP stated he wanted to do and the reasons why.

agree to disagree, then.

i too read the OP's posts and decided that the best help i could be was to help come up with more and better ideas for how to spend his time, seeing as the best idea he could come up with was prestudying. which is a terrible idea. many of us in this thread are trying to help him understand that 😀

 

[Law2Doc]

agree to disagree, then.

i too read the OP's posts and decided that the best help i could be was to help come up with more and better ideas for how to spend his time, seeing as the best idea he could come up with was prestudying. which is a terrible idea. many of us in this thread are trying to help him understand that 😀

Agreed.

 

[TwinsFan]

If you are trying to do something productive for school, consider taking a course on speed reading. That could be pretty high yield...

 

[Chip N Sawbones]

I agree with everybody else - you should do something unrelated to studying. Try training for a marathon or learning Spanish. Reading biochemistry, as you mention above, will probably just make you depressed and dread going to medical school. If you really, really must read something, try reading something a little more exciting. Here are some ideas.

1) If you've never taken anatomy before, try reading the Moore Clinically Oriented Anatomy textbook. It isn't an atlas and the pictures aren't so good, but it really does a great job describing anatomy verbally. I wish I would have had time to read this during anatomy class in med school as I'm not much of a visual person and had to spend twice the amount of time on Anatomy as most my classmates just to perform average in the class. Despite what they tell you, students who took anatomy prior to medical school have a huge advantage over people like me who never took anything remotely close to anatomy. This book is far better than most my anatomy lectures given during school. It might leave you excited for anatomy to start medical school.

2) The Costanzo Physiology textbook (+/- BRS Physiology). BRS physio is a medical school classic that you most likely will learn to love. If you have leisure time this summer, you might as well enjoy the real thing and read the textbook rather than BRS. If you're motivated, you might actually be able to read it cover-to-cover. It's a good book and an interesting topic.

3) If you're feeling really ambitious, you could read a neuroscience book. We used the Purves book. I never read a page of it, but it sure looked pretty. Neuroscience is tough but fascinating and you'll never have time during medical school to actually read a textbook on it.

If you at all need money, skip the books and focus on getting a job and saving $$ for school.

Thank you. That's the kind of thing I was looking for. I do have some hobbies, but not enough to stay busy all day every day. Reading history books is a hobby for me, so why can't reading anatomy books be one too? I promise I won't read textbooks at the expense of doing anything else, and I promise I'll stop the day my house sells and I get to pack up and find another house to remodel.

 

[QofQuimica]

Thank you. That's the kind of thing I was looking for. I do have some hobbies, but not enough to stay busy all day every day. Reading history books is a hobby for me, so why can't reading anatomy books be one too? I promise I won't read textbooks at the expense of doing anything else, and I promise I'll stop the day my house sells and I get to pack up and find another house to remodel.

If you seriously think that reading an anatomy book is a fun hobby, I'm so going to ban your SDN account. We don't allow bots to join this website. 😛

 

[alpinism]

I agree with everybody else - you should do something unrelated to studying. Try training for a marathon or learning Spanish. Reading biochemistry, as you mention above, will probably just make you depressed and dread going to medical school. If you really, really must read something, try reading something a little more exciting. Here are some ideas.

1) If you've never taken anatomy before, try reading the Moore Clinically Oriented Anatomy textbook. It isn't an atlas and the pictures aren't so good, but it really does a great job describing anatomy verbally. I wish I would have had time to read this during anatomy class in med school as I'm not much of a visual person and had to spend twice the amount of time on Anatomy as most my classmates just to perform average in the class. Despite what they tell you, students who took anatomy prior to medical school have a huge advantage over people like me who never took anything remotely close to anatomy. This book is far better than most my anatomy lectures given during school. It might leave you excited for anatomy to start medical school.

2) The Costanzo Physiology textbook (+/- BRS Physiology). BRS physio is a medical school classic that you most likely will learn to love. If you have leisure time this summer, you might as well enjoy the real thing and read the textbook rather than BRS. If you're motivated, you might actually be able to read it cover-to-cover. It's a good book and an interesting topic.

3) If you're feeling really ambitious, you could read a neuroscience book. We used the Purves book. I never read a page of it, but it sure looked pretty. Neuroscience is tough but fascinating and you'll never have time during medical school to actually read a textbook on it.

If you at all need money, skip the books and focus on getting a job and saving $$ for school.

+1

No matter where you go to school you'll still need to know the same anatomy/physiology. Its the basis of medicine. Biochem/genetics/neuro/histo/microbio/immuno are much more variable between schools and have a lot more minutiae.

Other ideas:

-Get a subscription to NEJM/JAMA and maybe another leading journal in a specialty you're considering. Great habit to start early.
-Shadow in some fields you've never experienced. The more clinical exposure the better, get comfortable around patients and using medical terminology.

As others have said, don't "pre-study." Spend some time learning a subject you find to be interesting and enjoyable (Whether that entails a new language, hobby, art form, or even...medicine).

If you seriously think that reading an anatomy book is a fun hobby, I'm so going to ban your SDN account. We don't allow bots to join this website. 😛

Lol I used to read Gray's for fun. Still think its really cool/interesting.

 

[Chip N Sawbones]

If you seriously think that reading an anatomy book is a fun hobby, I'm so going to ban your SDN account. We don't allow bots to join this website. 😛

Strong words from someone who once said

I loved my organic chemistry classes so much that I went to grad school and got a PhD. 🙂

I'm sure the book isn't as interesting as anatomy lab, but I'll have to wait until July until I get to do that. I'm not a bot, just crazy. Almost everyone here in Fairbanks, Alaska has had their brain frozen at least once, and it makes people do things like want to read anatomy books. The severe cases of brain freeze are able to convince themselves that Fairbanks is a great place to live and that -40 degree winters aren't so bad. Luckily I'm not that crazy yet.

 

[QofQuimica]

Ah, but I didn't ever read chemistry textbooks for fun. Chemistry, like anatomy, is a discipline that is best learned by doing. Trying to learn chemistry by reading a textbook is like trying to experience what it's like to have sex by reading a textbook. You may get the general concept, but the practice is nothing like the theory. 😉

 

[n3xa]

Ah, but I didn't ever read chemistry textbooks for fun. Chemistry, like anatomy, is a discipline that is best learned by doing. Trying to learn chemistry by reading a textbook is like trying to experience what it's like to have sex by reading a textbook. You may get the general concept, but the practice is nothing like the theory. 😉

OP: Go outside, exercise, and enjoy the darn sunshine as often as you can from now til the first day.

 

[cabinbuilder]

Strong words from someone who once said



I'm sure the book isn't as interesting as anatomy lab, but I'll have to wait until July until I get to do that. I'm not a bot, just crazy. Almost everyone here in Fairbanks, Alaska has had their brain frozen at least once, and it makes people do things like want to read anatomy books. The severe cases of brain freeze are able to convince themselves that Fairbanks is a great place to live and that -40 degree winters aren't so bad. Luckily I'm not that crazy yet.

OMG, I'm from Fairbanks and I tell you I found way more fun stuff to do besides studying anatomy.

 

[jjbodean]

At the moment I'm unemployed and out of school. Until I can find a job or sell my house, I will have lots of time on my hands, and I might as well use it for something other than watching movies and losing chess games to my computer. What topics would be most useful for me to study up on before I start medical school this summer? I know I won't be mastering any subjects, but at this point low-yield studying is better than doing nothing. I took the basic prereq classes, but that's the extent of my science background.

i'm so glad you asked this cause i have a similar quandary. the dean of my local med school suggested taking a physiology course as well as a biochem course in order to prep, but now i am obviously having second thoughts...

 

[Chip N Sawbones]

Ah, but I didn't ever read chemistry textbooks for fun. Chemistry, like anatomy, is a discipline that is best learned by doing. Trying to learn chemistry by reading a textbook is like trying to experience what it's like to have sex by reading a textbook. You may get the general concept, but the practice is nothing like the theory. 😉

True, but with both sex and anatomy, my only option now is read the books and imagine the practice. I had a lot of fun practicing chemistry, but after the incident with the second batch of thermite I had to go back to the books.

 

[Innokus]

i'm so glad you asked this cause i have a similar quandary. the dean of my local med school suggested taking a physiology course as well as a biochem course in order to prep, but now i am obviously having second thoughts...

I took both courses in undergrad. Didn't help. The biochem course in undergrad was an accelerated, meaning condensed into 1 semester, and I'd say all of that was covered in about 3 weeks. As for physio, maybe it was my school but it was pretty much memorization. Now you have to memorize more and be able to manipulate the information. Sometimes with limited information like in real life. I had to relearn everything because the volume and understanding of the material isn't even close to undergrad.

The best thing to do is get in shape and get into the habit of exercising. You'll get out of shape real quick from sitting all day.

 

[cabinbuilder]

I would be working and banking my money since it costs about $5000 to move out of Fairbanks to wherever, especially if you move your whole household like I did. Be sure to leave enough time when you go to school to set up your place, figure out where the store, bank, and post office are. Stock your house, cook meals ahead. be ready for the **** to hit the fan on the first week of medical school when you have OMG moment and realize that your free time is over and the volume unfathomable.

 

[Chip N Sawbones]

I would be working and banking my money since it costs about $5000 to move out of Fairbanks to wherever, especially if you move your whole household like I did. Be sure to leave enough time when you go to school to set up your place, figure out where the store, bank, and post office are. Stock your house, cook meals ahead. be ready for the **** to hit the fan on the first week of medical school when you have OMG moment and realize that your free time is over and the volume unfathomable.

I'm looking for work. If I had a job I wouldn't consider reading ahead for medical school. As you know there aren't many construction jobs here in the winter. Most likely I'll be broke and unemployed until March or April when the housing market picks up enough that I can sell my house and move out.

 

[cabinbuilder]

I'm looking for work. If I had a job I wouldn't consider reading ahead for medical school. As you know there aren't many construction jobs here in the winter. Most likely I'll be broke and unemployed until March or April when the housing market picks up enough that I can sell my house and move out.

You and I both know there's no construction job in Fairbanks in the winter. Think outside the box. There's Fred Meyer, Walmart, Sam's, Home depot, Safeway. etc. Heck there's plenty of gas stations, bars, and other places always looking for help. You just need to get through til the move to medical school. My ex and I always worked 2 jobs in Fairbanks, you just have to get out there and do it.

 

[Chip N Sawbones]

I'm not quite that desperate yet. I sent off applications to Home Despot and Lowes, but it'll be a few more weeks before the other stores start to sound worthwhile.

 

[Law2Doc]

I'm not quite that desperate yet. I sent off applications to Home Despot and Lowes, but it'll be a few more weeks before the other stores start to sound worthwhile.

Trying to preread biochem for med school after everyone who has gone that path has already you it's useless is more of a desperation play than a job at Walmart, I'm afraid.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

In addition to prestudying being a waste, we all know how it is. You will start reading anatomy, get overwhelmed because you don't understand it and read more. And then come summer you will freak because you think you don't know anything and read even more. The problem is that you will burnout and hopefully that burnout isn't before the winter break. And you will say that you won't be like that, but everyone always is. Not to mention getting books will likely be a waste of money.

 

[CorgiDoctor]

So does everyone think taking Biochem is just a total waste of time too then? My advisor has told me I should take it this spring to prepare for med school.

 

[SOML]

despite what most people say/think, I'm a huge proponent of pre-exposure.

I say Histology and Biochemistry. I wish I had a handle of those before beginning med.

 

[SOML]

Grab Junqueira Histology, great book, simple to read. With biochem.. taking a class would be best.

Things like anatomy.. require the most comprehensive approach and I can't see anything you do on your own yielding actual results.. since interacting with classmates, physically holding bones and models is the best way.. maybe you could take an anatomy class at a local college.. if you hope for any real pre-exposure.

Pretty much that. Histo and Biochem, I think, you could establish a "working skeletal structure" of on your own.. anatomy, not so much- need a class

 

[theWhat]

What about doing some volunteering?

 

[Gfliptastic]

What about doing some volunteering?

LIKE this one!

When the storm that is medschool hits, you will wish you did everything EXCEPT study! If I had to do basic sciences all over again, I would have definitely tried to lose a few lbs. So if you absolutely want to help yourself before the maelstrom begins, go to the gym.

When you're on your duff 8-10 hrs/day 6 or 7 days/week, you might put on some weight. And snacking definitely helps the tedious hours of studying.

I maintained staying svelte in MS1, by hitting the gym and watching what I ate. MS2 became a whole new story! Studying needs heighten. Pharm and Patho will destroy a lot of your "mojo". You'll find less time in the gym and less time prepping nice food. More seat time, more fast-food that was MS2 for me. So I gained 7 lbs.

It might be wise to get into the habit of using your crockpot to make dinner. That is a big relief and nice to hit the books, and get a delicious homemade hot meal!

Studying anything science-y does NOT help. All of the suggestions in this thread that don't involve science is good. No need for any MCAT stuff at all. No need to get an anatomy book, cuz in the grand scheme of things, anatomy isn't very high yield for the Step. Just the class.

Congrats on your acceptance, and good luck in med school! 👍

 

[ERPCT]

5-10% productive is good enough for me right now. Normally I'd agree with you and call that a waste of time, but at the moment I've got time to waste.

I can make food that could last a long time, but if it's in my house it won't. Your suggestions of things to make got me hungry again. Time for second breakfast.

Can I ask you a question? Why, after every medical student who has seen your post has told you that you will not be able to achieve even a 5-10% level of productivity, are you so set on this? I was a non-trad English major with next to no science background. Guess what? By the end of the first week, I was at the same level as everyone else in my class. You cannot learn medicine outside of medical school. It is impossible. That is why medical school exists. Learn a musical instrument in your time off. Not only is it a good way to expand your mind, but the chicks dig it. Volunteer, like someone already said. If you already know Spanish, learn French. The reason that we tell you this is not just because pre-studying is a waste of time, it is because once you start you will seriously regret every second you spent doing anything medical school related.

 

[Waywoe]

If you have time to relax before med school starts, for God's sake relax! I never had enough time in med school (granted I was working part-time too) and even less in residency. I would kill for some time to chill. .

 

[yossarian444]

Can I ask you a question? Why, after every medical student who has seen your post has told you that you will not be able to achieve even a 5-10% level of productivity, are you so set on this? I was a non-trad English major with next to no science background. Guess what? By the end of the first week, I was at the same level as everyone else in my class. You cannot learn medicine outside of medical school. It is impossible. That is why medical school exists. Learn a musical instrument in your time off. Not only is it a good way to expand your mind, but the chicks dig it. Volunteer, like someone already said. If you already know Spanish, learn French. The reason that we tell you this is not just because pre-studying is a waste of time, it is because once you start you will seriously regret every second you spent doing anything medical school related.

I disagree. So much learning in med school and residency is more or less self-taught. Reading the books/notes/lecture videos can happen at home just as much as in the classroom/hospital. There is nothing magical about med school.

I took all of 8 science classes before med school and I was most certainly not anywhere close to my science-y classmates after 1 week...but maybe I'm just dumb (in sdn standards). Or maybe I should have been going to class more often after all! haha.. For what it's worth, I eventually caught up to my peers after about 52 weeks and even did very well on the steps.

 

[ERPCT]

I disagree. So much learning in med school and residency is more or less self-taught. Reading the books/notes/lecture videos can happen at home just as much as in the classroom/hospital. There is nothing magical about med school.

I took all of 8 science classes before med school and I was most certainly not anywhere close to my science-y classmates after 1 week...but maybe I'm just dumb (in sdn standards). Or maybe I should have been going to class more often after all! haha.. For what it's worth, I eventually caught up to my peers after about 52 weeks and even did very well on the steps.

Of course it is self taught, but you need the context that the entire curriculum provides to make sense of most all of it. Reading an anatomy or biochem textbook prior to starting is not a good use of time, because as someone already pointed out, that information is only useful insofar as it can be connected to the other subjects, which I don't believe one can do on their own prior to starting school.

 

[Belle Melodie]

At the moment I'm unemployed and out of school. Until I can find a job or sell my house, I will have lots of time on my hands, and I might as well use it for something other than watching movies and losing chess games to my computer. What topics would be most useful for me to study up on before I start medical school this summer? I know I won't be mastering any subjects, but at this point low-yield studying is better than doing nothing. I took the basic prereq classes, but that's the extent of my science background.

Read the book "White Coat" By Dr. Ellen Lerner, (That will be my next book purchase), volunteer some where doing something you actually enjoy, Read all the posts on SDN, google random stuff, Watch "House", "Scrubs", "Grey's Anatomy", "Private Practice" (lol). Im running out of ideas.. You get the point..

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