(Med anon here) I wanted to know about the way you study, tips on subjects like anatomy and physiology, how to balance studying and having free time, dealing with exam anxiety, making new friends being an introvert...
hi! this is a lot to answer but I’ll do my best! :D
I take notes on my laptop during lectures, and make notes on any pre-reading or e-learning we are set. For tutorials I do a lot of reading before writing an essay. I usually make structured notes on the topic, then try and work these into an essay-structure before making a ‘proper’ plan and then writing it up.
For exams, I will turn my lecture notes and notes from essays into “essay plans”. These plans are extensive, they are notes on the topic broadly (e.g. smooth muscle) and then I will use the relevant bits of that plan in a more specific question in the exam. I do this because the majority of my exams are essay-based for the first 3 years.
For my MCQ exams I use Anki(flashcard app) to make flashcards on common questions. This year my medic group also had a joint quizlet page and all added flashcards/questions to this bank for us all to use.
I also like to use a range of studying methods: I will make notes, posters, mind-maps, flashcards.
I really like to condense and summarise my notes as well: I will take a 4 page essay plan and try and summarise it onto 2 sides, then 1 A4, then 1 flashcard etc. I find that this really helps solidify the information in my head.
Here’s a link to a post I did about different ways to study
Learning anatomy is a bore! I have no quick fix to be honest with you. You just have to be consistent with it and don’t le it slip. I think with anatomy it is best to study little and often - read about a topic 10mins every day and that will do a lot if you keep it up!
There are anatomy flashcards you can get and use, as well as many other apps that you can get.
The website: teachmeanatomy is really good and I used that quite a lot in my first 2 years
I find that diagrams help me loads in physiology - e.g. drawing out cells in the nephron when studying ion/electrolyte balance and ultrafiltration/reabsorption.
How to balance studying and time off:
It is so important to work on your time management! It can be a good idea to schedule in time off into your planner to make sure that you don’t end up just working all day!
Make plans with friends. If your time off is just for you to be alone in your room then you may end up working just to fill the time you have available. If you make plans to meet X at Y and do Z, then you have to stick with that - plus you get to socialise and do nice things like go for coffee/to the cinema etc. too!
Joining societies can be a really good way to make sure you take time off. Sports training or orchestra rehearsals or committee meetings are all ‘commitments’ but are also time off (they should be fun anyway!) and time to socialise. There’s also the perk of the socials that societies put on.
Here’s a post I did on time management
Dealing with exam anxiety:
I have found that having a routine for the morning of an exam helps to calm me down. Doing the same thing can be cathartic - and it can make you a lot calmer going into the exam.
Rationalise yourself - this is easier said than done! But it is so so important to remember that academics and exams are not the be all and end all.
You still need down time during revision season, so make sure to schedule time-off. In exam season I will organise things to do with friends, as this distracts me most, not giving me the opportunity to get anxious (my friends really help with any anxiety I have - but you do what’s best for you - this might be sitting reading in a relaxing bath!)
Here’s a post I did on dealing with exam stress and anxiety
Here’s a post I did on what to do the night before an exam
Making new friends (while being an introvert):
This is really daunting - especially if you are a quiet and introverted person. I wouldn’t call myself an introvert (nor an extrovert) but I do find new environments and loads of new people pretty intimidating. I think the important thing is to force yourself out of your comfort zone, really make the extra effort to talk to people even if it feels awkward - they’re probably as nervous and awkward as you are!
When starting med school take comfort in the fact that everyone is in the same boat and they are all new to this too, and most likely know no-one else. You know that everyone in your med year has a common interest of enjoying learning about medicine - so that’s an easy conversation starter, then all the basics about where people are from etc. etc. and you’ll be chatting and making friends in no-time
Joining societies is a brill way to make friends - again you will all have a shared interest - so talk about that, and if it’s an activity then you will bond while doing that! I’d recommend giving anything you’re interested in a go, at least for a few sessions - worst comes to worst you can quit and there’s no repercussions of that so you might as well give it a go!
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