It is an incredible achievement to be accepted into an MD Program. It’s a grand celebration, but it’s essential to consider how to prepare for residency and licensing exams.
Here are some tips from practicing doctors about studying in medical school.
Ten tips from a doctor for medical school students
The following list will help you find the best ways to study in medical school and the ones that will allow you to retain the most information.
Regularly review material
Every doctor will tell you that it is important to study regularly. Dr. Inna Husain is a Rush University Medical Center assistant residency program director for simulative education. She encourages you to develop a habit of diligent study and daily study practice as soon as possible.
Dr. Husain states, “I quickly realized that daily review was required to keep up with this volume of information.” It’s not worth trying to catch up or scramble at the last moment.
It is essential to write it down.
Although reading the assigned text is essential, it could be more realistic to expect to be able to recall everything. Dr. Malini Reddy was an internist at Reddy Medical Group. Writing down information was essential.
She says, “I made a lot more note-taking than I realized.” Another insight she had was that flashcard were a great way to remember what stood out while you study.
Take a test!
To prepare for the United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1, it is important to test yourself regularly. You can do this individually or in a group. But, it would be best if you also considered question banks. Dr. Husain suggests that question banks can help you familiarize yourself with the USMLE format. There are many ways to test your knowledge with the same questions.
Dr. Reddy explains, “When I was studying, especially for board exams, I would go ahead to see the answer before I moved on to the next question.” It just made it stick for me a little more.
You can create an effective learning environment.
Identifying a supportive learning environment is critical to learning how to study in medical school.
Dr. Husain says, “I found private study cubicles at the library most helpful because ambient noise was reduced. Distractions were minimized.”
Dr. Reddy reviewed material both at home and in the library. Although both were effective, Dr. Reddy preferred the efficiency of studying in the library.
She says, “I think that the library’s an excellent place to go so you are not distracted by TV or other distractions.”
Mnemonics can improve memorization.
To remember the order of colors in a rainbow’s colors, elementary students use the mnemonic acronym “Roy G. Biv,” which can also be used in medical school. Some medical residency programs employ a helpful approach to retaining crucial knowledge.
Both Drs. Husain and Reddy used mnemonics to recall information. Dr. Reddy says that mnemonics are a great way to retain information, especially when remembering nerves and other things.
Visuals are a great way to communicate your ideas.
Visual learners can take advantage of the opportunities to create sketches that help them understand complex medical material.
Dr. Husain states that diagrams help review drug metabolism or organ systems. The chart reinforced the information.
Auditory methods should be incorporated.
Hearing information can help people recall more information. Goljan audio is a favorite lecture series that Dr. Reddy and others recommend. It includes more than 30 lectures.
She says, “I would listen if I were exercising or driving.” “It’s an alternative way to get information.” It’s also one of the most efficient ways of studying in medical school.
Consider forming a study club.
Although it is impossible to review material with others, study groups can be an excellent option for students who learn best when collaborating with other students. Dr. Husain states that study groups are particularly useful for reviewing clinical scenarios or answering practice quiz questions.
There are many things she can recommend to help you form a group.
* Limit study groups to four students
* Create a group of students with similar goals
* Work equally
To minimize distractions, avoid studying with your regular social circle.
Your school can help you form a group. St. George’s University (SGU) incorporates collaborative review sessions into its programs along with other support services.
It’s important to seek help whenever you need it because there is so much to learn in medical school.
Dr. Husain warns that you could quickly fall behind. She suggests asking for help as soon as possible.
Good study habits are essential, but you should also include regular breaks to recharge your brain.
Dr. Husain suggests that you schedule some time for exercise or free time to have something to look forward to.