When does it get better?

[yeeseng]

---

Members don't see this ad.

M1 right now and I'm wondering when does rote memorization stop or relax a bit? Third year? forth? residency? Basically when will learning be more practical, conceptual rather than swallowing info, regurgitate during exam and forget the next day to allow more room for other stuff? I'm starting to feel the pressure of cramming so much stuff into my 1400 cc brain (probably smaller).

 

[MadameLULU]

There is a similar thread here.
In general, the memorization never really stops because you should always be reading at some point and expanding your knowledge base. First and second year can be frustrating for some because you're constantly being tested about material and for many students there may be limited time patient interaction time (depending on the school you attend) to actually apply the material. There's a lot of minutiae and the important stuff will be repeated over and over again. So don't worry, you'll forget things, but it'll be easier to recall the info the second time around. Additionally, it's important to learn the material well now because it'll help when you take the step 1. As a third year and beyond (residency) you won't be tested as often as you are now, but you'll be expected to utilize the pathophys that you're learned during first and 2nd to come up with management plans. So in that respect, it may be easier because it's not sheer memorization, but it's difficult in the sense that you're basically responsible for your patients.
My advice for you right now is to take things in stride. You can do it. You've obviously been accepted to medical school, so you are definitely capable of learning the material. I think everyone goes through this phase where they question their ability to retain all the information, but it gets easier with time. Also, you may want to look into your study habits if you think you arent using your time effectively....

 

[werd]

to be honest, M1 is usually considered a "better" year.

M2 holds a lot more information to memorize, but you might find eat easier to tolerate bc it's more clinically (medically?) relevant.

M3 has less information to memorize, although you still will probably have shelf exams to study for each clerkship and have assignments from your attendings; the emphasis is on your clinical work though, and it's usually the hours (not the information load) that has people complaining.

M4 is the best year for most. the expectations are lower, the hours are better, you usually don't have shelf exams and aren't expected to study as much. if rotations have nothing to do with the residency you're applying for, the expectations are sometimes even lower. it's a year of taking your steps, applying, and travelling for interviews.

basically, the memorization backs off in MS3 year but the 2nd and 3rd years are probably the toughest overall.

 

[EM_Rebuilder]

I heard the best part is when you retire from being a doctor...

 

[SomeDoc]

I heard the best part is when you retire from being a doctor...

This made me laugh out loud

 

[Ashers]

I heard the best part is when you retire from being a doctor...

That's what my dad's looking forward to right now, after about 27 years in practice.

 

[TheMightyAngus]

Most of medicine is based on empiric evidence, so rote memorization is actually more common the further you advance.

 

[GuzzyRon]

I heard the best part is when you retire from being a doctor...

Lol