Hi Everyone! Hope everyone's summer is going well! N and J completed Term 1 (yay!!!) and are back in the states for the summer before they start Term 2.
Although we both went through the same courses, same labs, and same curriculum, N and J managed Term 1 differently. There is no right or wrong way of handling the material in Term 1. Each student needs to determine what works best for them. So, this post focuses on N's perspective of Term 1!
Anatomy:
To be completely honest, my number 1 academic concern was passing anatomy. Before I started Term 1, my questions were how do I study for anatomy? How do I prepare for the practical? These questions were answered as the term progressed. Majority of students alter their study methods after Unified exams (an exam taken 3 weeks after the start of the term) or after midterms. Personally, I realized that I had to become more efficient after midterms.
Here are a few methods I used my time more efficiently after midterms:
1) completed labeling and studying images for weekly imaging quiz while reviewing imaging lecture for anatomy.
2) wet lab images: We were assigned quite a few images to know during some lab weeks. So, I divided the total number of wet lab images into 2-3 days. This way I understood the image better and performed well on quizzes.
3) found an awesome clinical tutor in wet lab which helped me prepare for the practical!!
4) did grays questions after I had reviewed the material for the 2nd time over the weekends
5) made a huge table for cranial nerves, which helped me immensely during the head and neck portion of the class
6) made a chart of blood vessels to help me remember the interconnected nature.
Yes, anatomy is an 8 credit class and yes, it occupied a lot of my time, but I enjoyed the class. Also, to future students, don't forget to do the weekly quiz. Those quizzes will count!
Histology:
I had minimal exposure to Histology prior to Term 1. Because it is a 4 credit class, Histology is considered to be the blow-off class of Term 1. However, I do not think this is true at all. Term 1 students will have Histology lab about once a week for 2 hours.
As I started term 1, I attended histology lectures, reviewed the lectures, and prepared for lab just a few days before attending my lab session. Some of my friends followed this pattern and it worked out well for them. Personally, however, I felt unprepared for lab presentations because I only had enough time to look at lab once before attending lab and taking the lab quiz. I had to become more efficient after midterms. So, here is how I studied histology post-midterm:
1) Pre-read: Flip through lab associated with lecture topic (typically done while I ate lunch before lecture)
2) Attend lecture and annotate
3) Review lecture and prepare for lab (typically done in the evening after lecture or over the following weekend)
4) attend an open DES session
5) Review lecture and lab one day before lab.
This pattern helped me improve my performance in the class. I had the chance to review the material and lab about 2-3 times before lab. It also made studying for finals a lot easier as well!
Biochemistry:
My favorite 1st term class!!! Great teaching staff, very organized, and clear small group discussions!!! I had previously taken biochemistry in college and during my master's program, but that doesn't mean this course was easy. It just means that I had a previous exposure to the material.
Here are a few studying techniques that worked for me:
1) I made a big chart of the coenzymes and cofactors during the term. Every time the coenzyme or cofactor was used in a reaction, I wrote down the reaction.
2) I made a chart of the vitamins and minerals. This came into use when I was studying for the final.
3) wrote pathways over and over and over... :)
4) Put effort into the small group discussion. I think I remember the material covered during the small group discussion most.
I have a rule of 4-5. That means that I try my very best to review a lecture/lab at least 4-5 times before I walk into the test room for midterms/finals.
I'm not going to sugar coat it, Term 1 was not easy. However, it is manageable. There is no recipe for success because every student is different. I take medical school one day at a time and wish the best of luck to future SGU students. If you have any questions and comments, please let me know.
Thank you for reading and have a great rest of your day! :)
~N
Although we both went through the same courses, same labs, and same curriculum, N and J managed Term 1 differently. There is no right or wrong way of handling the material in Term 1. Each student needs to determine what works best for them. So, this post focuses on N's perspective of Term 1!
Anatomy:
To be completely honest, my number 1 academic concern was passing anatomy. Before I started Term 1, my questions were how do I study for anatomy? How do I prepare for the practical? These questions were answered as the term progressed. Majority of students alter their study methods after Unified exams (an exam taken 3 weeks after the start of the term) or after midterms. Personally, I realized that I had to become more efficient after midterms.
Here are a few methods I used my time more efficiently after midterms:
1) completed labeling and studying images for weekly imaging quiz while reviewing imaging lecture for anatomy.
2) wet lab images: We were assigned quite a few images to know during some lab weeks. So, I divided the total number of wet lab images into 2-3 days. This way I understood the image better and performed well on quizzes.
3) found an awesome clinical tutor in wet lab which helped me prepare for the practical!!
4) did grays questions after I had reviewed the material for the 2nd time over the weekends
5) made a huge table for cranial nerves, which helped me immensely during the head and neck portion of the class
6) made a chart of blood vessels to help me remember the interconnected nature.
Yes, anatomy is an 8 credit class and yes, it occupied a lot of my time, but I enjoyed the class. Also, to future students, don't forget to do the weekly quiz. Those quizzes will count!
Histology:
I had minimal exposure to Histology prior to Term 1. Because it is a 4 credit class, Histology is considered to be the blow-off class of Term 1. However, I do not think this is true at all. Term 1 students will have Histology lab about once a week for 2 hours.
As I started term 1, I attended histology lectures, reviewed the lectures, and prepared for lab just a few days before attending my lab session. Some of my friends followed this pattern and it worked out well for them. Personally, however, I felt unprepared for lab presentations because I only had enough time to look at lab once before attending lab and taking the lab quiz. I had to become more efficient after midterms. So, here is how I studied histology post-midterm:
1) Pre-read: Flip through lab associated with lecture topic (typically done while I ate lunch before lecture)
2) Attend lecture and annotate
3) Review lecture and prepare for lab (typically done in the evening after lecture or over the following weekend)
4) attend an open DES session
5) Review lecture and lab one day before lab.
This pattern helped me improve my performance in the class. I had the chance to review the material and lab about 2-3 times before lab. It also made studying for finals a lot easier as well!
Biochemistry:
My favorite 1st term class!!! Great teaching staff, very organized, and clear small group discussions!!! I had previously taken biochemistry in college and during my master's program, but that doesn't mean this course was easy. It just means that I had a previous exposure to the material.
Here are a few studying techniques that worked for me:
1) I made a big chart of the coenzymes and cofactors during the term. Every time the coenzyme or cofactor was used in a reaction, I wrote down the reaction.
2) I made a chart of the vitamins and minerals. This came into use when I was studying for the final.
3) wrote pathways over and over and over... :)
4) Put effort into the small group discussion. I think I remember the material covered during the small group discussion most.
I have a rule of 4-5. That means that I try my very best to review a lecture/lab at least 4-5 times before I walk into the test room for midterms/finals.
I'm not going to sugar coat it, Term 1 was not easy. However, it is manageable. There is no recipe for success because every student is different. I take medical school one day at a time and wish the best of luck to future SGU students. If you have any questions and comments, please let me know.
Thank you for reading and have a great rest of your day! :)
~N
I truly appreciate your blog! It has given me more confidence as I preparing to start my 1st term in January. I had a question regarding professors? Who were your favorite? And do you have any suggestions about what to maybe look over before coming down to the island? -Thank you so much!!!
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