The basic principle of learning is the same for all of us. It is essential to understand the material and to see it repeatedly. A low college learning volume allows a pre-med to overcome weaknesses. For best pre-med students, however, studying in a medical school may not require changes in their study methods.
To become an excellent student, one must have the intangibles: a work ethic, dedication, and a sense of self-worth. It is true, however, that most medical students possess those qualities. College filters out most of the students who lack these intangibles. In this stage of medical school, having the best study methods is crucial. So, let’s dive in as you learn some of the best ways in this article.
Attend Your Classes Regularly
College exams usually cover a limited amount of information, and there are generally only a few tests per class. While cramming is not advisable, it is possible. Things are different in medical school. The frequency of exams will often be higher-generally every three or four weeks, and the amount of material covered will rival that of a college final. Because of this, you mustn’t fall behind.
Ideally, it would help if you read your notes from each lecture three times before each exam: one night after the course, one weekend later, and once in the days prior. You can master the information taught in class if you maintain this schedule. Do not wait until the days before the exam to cram your studying. In medical school, you may manage it once or twice, but there’s too much material to cover on each exam.
Take Practice Tests
You will achieve more in medical school by mastering the information in your lecture notes, but you will also benefit from testing yourself frequently. Practice questions can help you solidify essential concepts and uncover any gaps in your knowledge so you can determine how you should spend your remaining study time. You may find good questions in your institution’s external resources or old exams.
Practice questions are a great way to prepare for board exams. Make them a routine part of your study schedule. It’s best not to use board-specific study tools early in medical school. You should save those resources until you begin your board exam preparation.
Choose the Right Resources
Despite the difficulties of college, most students know what they have to study for exams. The additional outside resources you’ll encounter in medical school go beyond lectures, reading assignments, and problem sets.
Having so many resources at your disposal can make it easy to feel overwhelmed. For instance, you can find several study documents like Mark Klimek’s lectures to help you with your studies. Make sure you concentrate on lectures, readings, and problem sets while consulting outside materials when necessary. Use a few outside resources—no more than two.
Analyze the Value of Study Groups
Study groups can be a great way to clarify complex topics in college, where much of the learning is conceptual. Study groups, however, are generally less helpful in medical school because the material there necessitates more memorization than discussion.
Therefore, studying alone will probably be more efficient for you. You can still benefit from study groups regarding social support, but decide if they’re worth your time.
Know Your Faculty
When you attend a medical school with a small student-to-faculty ratio, you are more than just several professors. You can gain a great deal of knowledge from them by getting to know them personally. They’ll support you in every step through the personal attention you receive in a tight-knit community.
As you embark on a career in medicine, you should never underestimate the importance of your teachers. They can help you achieve your academic and professional goals. Take advantage of one-on-one time, ask questions, and develop a relationship with them.
Conclusion
No one-size-fits-all method of studying exists, regardless of how we recommend you learn. You must be open-minded and flexible if you switch tactics and try new things.
As a medical student, your first year is about finding out what kind of studying suits you best. A million ideas will come to you, but it’s up to you to sort through them all, succeed with some of them and pick out the best ones. So, which one will you try today?
