So, you're a medical student, huh? That rare breed that thrives on caffeine survives on minimal sleep and somehow manages to cram an entire textbook into their brain in one night and then do it again the next day over and over and over again. I'm about to share how I survived my medical exams with some tried-and-true study techniques. Spoiler alert: these tips might prevent you from sobbing into your anatomy textbook at ungodly hours.
1.ANKI: The Ultimate Study Tool
First and foremost, let’s talk about ANKI. If you don’t know what ANKI is, do you even study, bro? ANKI is a flashcard app that uses spaced repetition to help you memorize information effectively. Think of it as your digital brain supplement. Create cards for everything—pathology, pharmacology, anatomy—and review them daily. When I was a Medical student, ANKI was my go-to tool for both medical school exams and licensing exams.
2. Mnemonics: The Memory Lifesavers
Ah, mnemonics. These magical phrases turn convoluted medical concepts into something your sleep-deprived brain can remember. My personal favorite? "Some Say Marry Money, But My Brother Says Big Brains Matter Most!" used for the cranial nerve functions. Look at the provided table for the power of grouping multiple items into a mnemonic.
Trust me, silly as they may be, these little tricks will stick in your head longer than that song you can’t get out of your mind.
3. Youtube: Your Virtual Classroom
YouTube is a goldmine for medical students. Whether you're looking up a medical procedure, anatomy lectures, or case studies, there's a video for that. Channels like Armando Hasudungan, Ninja Nerd, and Osmosis are lifesavers. Watching these videos can give you a visual understanding of complex concepts, and let's face it, sometimes you need someone to explain the Circle of Willis to you… again.
4. Study Groups: A Mixed Blessing
Study groups can be a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, you get to share knowledge, quiz each other, and realize that you're not the only one who hated the Krebs cycle and thought of it as a form of medieval torture. On the other hand, they can easily turn into social gatherings where very little studying gets done. Pro tip: find a group as dedicated (or desperate) as you are.
5.The Pomodoro Technique:
The Pomodoro Technique is a game-changer. Study for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. Repeat this four times, and then take a more extended break. It's like interval training but for your brain. During those 5-minute breaks, do something completely different—dance around, grab a snack, or stare blankly at the wall wondering why you chose this path.
6. Teach What You Learn
There's no better way to master a topic than to teach it. Whether it's explaining the clotting cascade to your cat or running a mock tutorial with your friends, teaching forces you to understand the material deeply. Just be prepared for your friends to get annoyed with your constant quizzing.
7. Practice Exams: The Real Deal
Doing practice exams is like preparing for a boxing match. It's not enough to just read about it; you have to step into the ring. Find old exams, time yourself, and get used to the pressure. When you finally sit for the real exam, it will feel like just another practice round—minus the adrenaline sweats and existential dread. This is especially important for board licensing exams; test bank companies like UWORLD are necessary, and the earlier you do the questions, the better. Start as early as you can to redo the questions as many times as possible. Seeing something more than once makes you more likely to remember it.
8. Sleep: The Often Ignored Miracle
Finally, let's talk about sleep—the thing you will probably miss the most. Contrary to popular belief, pulling all-nighters isn't the hallmark of a successful med student. Your brain needs time to consolidate information, and that happens during sleep. So, try to get at least six hours of shut-eye. Your future self will thank you.
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