What would you tell your MS1 self?

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YLFounder

YLFounder

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Hey everyone,

I've looked around, but can't find any relevant threads. I'm starting medical school this fall and wanted to know: What would you, if anything, say to yourself back in MS1 or wished you had known when starting medical school?

Thanks!
 
Do as well as you can. The minutia that people say they use to answer random step questions isn't the minutia at your school, don't sweat it. Exercise more
 
Honestly, I'm not trying to be bitter. But I truly would say "find something else to pursue." Do I enjoy medicine? Yeah, sure. I just don't think it's worth the sacrifices. I'm sure most people think it's worth it, and that's fine. To each his own. You really won't know until you're in it though, in my opinion.
 
1) first semester, don't get fancy. Don't open step 1.. Do your best in courses.
2) do USMLE-RX and Sketchymedical with systems
3) not much else. I'm an average B student with a robust family/exercise/interests life outside school and I have not killed myself trying to boost class rank or anything. Done well on practice exams so far.
 
I would honestly tell myself (as a current rising M2) - " Self, you must understand, medical school is not supposed to be fun." You can have fun during med school, but the purpose is to study, learn, and pass tests. Anything that is great, but not the point of why I'm here.
 
Figure out your study system and stick to it. The worst sections during most of med school were when I tried to change up how I studied because I didn't think what I was doing would work or I just wanted to do better. Tweak stuff as needed, but don't overhaul your study methods unless you absolutely need to.
 
YLFounder said:
Hey everyone,

I've looked around, but can't find any relevant threads. I'm starting medical school this fall and wanted to know: What would you, if anything, say to yourself back in MS1 or wished you had known when starting medical school?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Study more. Study consistently. It all adds up. The specific grades do actually matter. It will translate into a better step score. You will have more options - there is a big difference between deciding to do a specialty and having to do a specialty. Focus on test questions especially for step 1. Smoke less weed. Actually smoke a lot less weed. Maybe consider not smoking weed at all. Sleep more. Don't just date the slutty girls. Play less video games. Get outside more.
 
As a current resident I would tell my MS1 self to pay more attention during the physical exam course.

This is the most 1 on 1 attention you will get performing every aspect of the physical exam for the rest of your career. After that people just expect you to know it.
 
1. Remember that you're not the only one experiencing stress and to seek help for any destructive behaviors before they get out of hand.
2. Enjoy getting to know others but don't let excessive drama keep you from rocking your studies.
3. You'll watch friend after friend get married, have children, buy houses, all before you're out of residency. Remember that there is no Shangri-la. We all reach our goals in different ways at different rates.
4. Find a few songs that calm you and keep them handy for stressful days.
5. By and large you are worth the investment you made.
6. Don't be preoccupied with specialty until you have to pick one. Go with something you can do forever regardless of notoriety or popular opinion.
7. I agree with everyone on here to exercise more, keeping your health is essential!
 
PrettyLadyDoc24 said:
1. Remember that you're not the only one experiencing stress and to seek help for any destructive behaviors before they get out of hand.
2. Enjoy getting to know others but don't let excessive drama keep you from rocking your studies.
3. You'll watch friend after friend get married, have children, buy houses, all before you're out of residency. Remember that there is no Shangri-la. We all reach our goals in different ways at different rates.
4. Find a few songs that calm you and keep them handy for stressful days.
5. By and large you are worth the investment you made.
6. Don't be preoccupied with specialty until you have to pick one. Go with something you can do forever regardless of notoriety or popular opinion.
7. I agree with everyone on here to exercise more, keeping your health is essential!
Click to expand...
Absolutely agree with this one.
 
Figure out the best way to optimize your time as soon as possible then fit in time on your calendar for the gym
First semester I went to class, studied all day, didn't work out much and spent most weekends working.
Second semester I stopped going to class and started watching online lecture, went to the gym 5 times a week, took on leadership activities, watched netflix again, and began volunteering.... oh and all my block grades went up too somehow.

Depends on what works for you... so try out different things early on so your not stuck in a rut for a whole semester like I was. It was lame.
 
Take biochem seriously. And if I could do it again, I'd get some notable review book to work along side classes with.
It's my worst subject, and I basically have to relearn it now - with no familiar text to aid in the process :smack:
 
1. Eat better. I gained a lot of weight.
2. Pay attention to your mental health. Every medical student has doubts and problems, if you think you need help, get help. Ive had classmates drop because they cracked and couldn't handle the pressure.
3. Keep binders of all subjects for step 1 studying.
4. Obtain the trifecta of step 1: First Aid, Pathoma, Uworld.
5. BRS physio might help with classes
 
jdh71 said:
Study more. Study consistently. It all adds up. The specific grades do actually matter. It will translate into a better step score. You will have more options - there is a big difference between deciding to do a specialty and having to do a specialty. Focus on test questions especially for step 1. Smoke less weed. Actually smoke a lot less weed. Maybe consider not smoking weed at all. Sleep more. Don't just date the slutty girls. Play less video games. Get outside more.
Click to expand...

Lol, did you ever actually go to medschool?
 
This isn't going to appeal to everybody, but I'd consider pre-reading for a lot of subjects you are completely unfamiliar with. You can't always do this, since one has to juggle time constraints and prioritize exams, but it seemed like I got a lot more out of lecture when I read ahead. I find that information that is presented in a lecture format makes more sense if I can assimilate it into some existing body of knowledge, however incomplete it may be. Everyone is different, but that seemed to work for me. A lot of subjects I encountered just by showing up to lecture I pretty much had to teach to myself at a later date, when reviewing for boards, or preparing for wards.
 
Brick Majors said:
This isn't going to appeal to everybody, but I'd consider pre-reading for a lot of subjects you are completely unfamiliar with. You can't always do this, since one has to juggle time constraints and prioritize exams, but it seemed like I got a lot more out of lecture when I read ahead. I find that information that is presented in a lecture format makes more sense if I can assimilate it into some existing body of knowledge, however incomplete it may be. Everyone is different, but that seemed to work for me. A lot of subjects I encountered just by showing up to lecture I pretty much had to teach to myself at a later date, when reviewing for boards, or preparing for wards.
Click to expand...
Thanks for being so honest.
 
Shadow more in the hospital and maybe go on rounds 2-3 times/year and practice presenting.

I didn't understand how to third year when I started and it has been rough.
 
NWwildcat2013 said:
Shadow more in the hospital and maybe go on rounds 2-3 times/year and practice presenting.

I didn't understand how to third year when I started and it has been rough.
Click to expand...

Do you think they will let you go on rounds as a hospital volunteer?
 
YLFounder said:
Do you think they will let you go on rounds as a hospital volunteer?
Click to expand...

No need to do it that early. Wait for med school and don't go overboard. I'm just suggesting gaining more familiarity with the logistics of rounding and see a med students role.


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Knock on each study room before you enter. you never know who you catch making out


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
 
Oh here's another one.

If you find research or a specialty you have a baseline interest in then pursue it. Don't be crippled by indecision like me. I didn't act because "How can I know if that research will end up being in the field I enter". Stupid move.


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