Will reading all these textbooks really help me on the boards?

[amx29]

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So I'm now over 3 months into my first yr of med school. And I see everyone in class has formed academic cliques according to how they study, and somehow I have come to be a part of the "do everything in order to do above avg in class, worry bout the boards later, stay in shape, go out on weekends, and laugh at the gunners" group of kids. But bc I don't know what specialty I wanna be of course, I want to do as well as I can on the boards. Few kids (obv not in my academic clique) read all the assigned pages of some HEFTY freakin books (like our physio book), sometimes twice over. However, for most class tests, reading the scribes and lecture notes are sufficient. These kids don't necessarily do outstanding of course since the insane detail of the textbook isn't on the exams. But my question is, should I start reading some textbooks in order to prepare me for the boards, or will passing classes with notes now (and maybe reading some BRS books on the side) and hardcore reading review books later be sufficient to do well enough on step 1 (COMLEX and/or USMLE) to land a competitive residency?
For instance, my current studying sources: Anatomy- BRS, Netter's, Before We Are Born; Biochem- notes (should start reading Lippincott though); Histology- Read some, but mostly notes and lookin at slides a lot; Physiology- Our text is Medical Physiology by Boron and it is a freakin BEAST, I didn't read it past the 1st page and I did fine on my 1st exam...plus I'm trying to supplment it with BRS physio but I might order the bigger version of Costanzo's cuz I know physio is big on the boards; Public Health- notes; Physical Diagnosis- notes and live practice; OMM- notes and live practice of course.
So should I start reading some Biochem, Genetics, Physiology, Public Health, Physical Diagnosis and/or OMM? (lol this makes me look like such a slacker, but I'm doing fine in school). I know OMM is big on the COMLEX too, and I feel like I have no idea of any clinical knowledge for these techniques except basic random stuff like "helps lymphatic flow" or "used for fascial restriction." And Public Health is absolutely flying over my head; I study for the test with powerpoints and knowledge is gone the day after the exam.

 

[theserbatron]

i'm in the same position, trying to read as much as i can but can't help but give more focus to what's being lectured. a friend of mine who went to Loma Linda told me that the first two years of medical school is all about regurgitation -- taking it in, spitting it out when necessary -- but that when you start studying for boards and eventually go into rotations, things start to click.

i'm holding onto his words for dear life.

 

[cyclohexanol]

To answer your question - In my experience, reading texts did not help me on the boards. What helps is learning the material well the first time through, then spending a good chunk of time at the end of 2nd year doing Q-bank qs, reading FA 4 times, etc...

If FOR YOU, learning the material well means reading the textbook, then do it. If not, don't.

Also, the OMM on COMLEX is a joke. It isn't about practical or clinical applications. It's about memorizing ****ing viscerosomatic reflexes and Chapman's points. Don't waste your time on extra study time for OMM outside of your regular classes/tests. I spent all of a day or so studying OMM for COMLEX and scored the highest you can for that section. Additionally, I studied for like 4 hours for the OMM shelf-exam and scored >700 on it. Coming from someone who hates OMM and studies it as little as possible, that should tell you something.

So I'm now over 3 months into my first yr of med school. And I see everyone in class has formed academic cliques according to how they study, and somehow I have come to be a part of the "do everything in order to do above avg in class, worry bout the boards later, stay in shape, go out on weekends, and laugh at the gunners" group of kids. But bc I don't know what specialty I wanna be of course, I want to do as well as I can on the boards. Few kids (obv not in my academic clique) read all the assigned pages of some HEFTY freakin books (like our physio book), sometimes twice over. However, for most class tests, reading the scribes and lecture notes are sufficient. These kids don't necessarily do outstanding of course since the insane detail of the textbook isn't on the exams. But my question is, should I start reading some textbooks in order to prepare me for the boards, or will passing classes with notes now (and maybe reading some BRS books on the side) and hardcore reading review books later be sufficient to do well enough on step 1 (COMLEX and/or USMLE) to land a competitive residency?
For instance, my current studying sources: Anatomy- BRS, Netter's, Before We Are Born; Biochem- notes (should start reading Lippincott though); Histology- Read some, but mostly notes and lookin at slides a lot; Physiology- Our text is Medical Physiology by Boron and it is a freakin BEAST, I didn't read it past the 1st page and I did fine on my 1st exam...plus I'm trying to supplment it with BRS physio but I might order the bigger version of Costanzo's cuz I know physio is big on the boards; Public Health- notes; Physical Diagnosis- notes and live practice; OMM- notes and live practice of course.
So should I start reading some Biochem, Genetics, Physiology, Public Health, Physical Diagnosis and/or OMM? (lol this makes me look like such a slacker, but I'm doing fine in school). I know OMM is big on the COMLEX too, and I feel like I have no idea of any clinical knowledge for these techniques except basic random stuff like "helps lymphatic flow" or "used for fascial restriction." And Public Health is absolutely flying over my head; I study for the test with powerpoints and knowledge is gone the day after the exam.

 

[Redrox]

Don't worry about going overkill on textbooks, just learn what is emphasized in class and learn it cold. Its better to be solid on basics than shaky on everything one year later.

Other than that, just be sure to enjoy your free time. Drink beer and make friends. Second year's a bitch so you'll be needing a strong liver and some damn good people.