TAKE A DEEP BREATH & REMEMBER.. EVERYONE FEELS OVERWHELMED DURING THE FIRST FEW MONTHS.

This is my opinion, so please take your own situation, learning style, and medical program into consideration when determining what is most appropriate for you. I am not endorsing any products listed below for profit. However, I found them to be incredibly useful while studying during my first year of medical school.

Study Resources

to find out what kind of learner you are click here. I am a visual learner, so my method of writing things down may not be the most effective way for you to learn. 

• FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE STEP 1: Almost every medical student (D.O. and M.D.) will tell you that this is the number one resource for students. It is by no means the only tool you should utilize, but it is wonderful for keeping organized. After I have studied the lecture material presented in class by professors, I use First Aid to review and "test myself" on what each graph, table, or list is describing. I write in my own notes, so later on while reviewing I can remember in "basic terms" what each page is telling me. I took my book to Office Max and had the binding cut off, three-hole-punched, and placed into a binder along with my Pathoma book (see next bullet). This method of organization allowed me to remove chapters and bring them to campus without all the weight of the entire First Aid book. You can browse through Amazon here.

• FUNDAMENTALS OF PATHOLOGY aka "PATHOMA": Dr. Sattar is brilliant and wonderfully easy to understand. He breaks down pathology in a way that makes sense. I also had this book binding removed, three-hole-punched, and placed into a binder (along with my First Aid). As stated with my First Aid book, I remove chapters and bring them to campus with me (ex: Cardiac Pathology). Additionally, I write in my own notes in the margins while listening to the online videos. I highly suggest purchasing "Pathoma Pro" and use their online videos which supplement the book. It is absolutely worth the money. Check out Pathoma here

• HARRISON'S MANUAL OF MEDICINE: This the "pocket-sized" version of Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. My medical program provided each student with the entire, large book, but I found this smaller, paper version to be helpful for a quick reference. For example, after lectures I would quickly look up the medical diagnosis and/or symptoms in "pocket Harrison's", read up on it, then proceed to review lectures notes supplemented by First Aid and Pathoma. This technique created an overall understanding of a disease or symptom before diving in to look over smaller details. This resource can be found on Amazon here.

• SKETCHY MEDICAL: I am a visual learner. Therefore, this resource has served me well. They have multiple courses to choose from, or you can purchase the entire package. The courses are: SketchyMicro, SketchyPharm, and SketchyPath. I only purchased SketchyPharm. However, I do wish I would have also used SketchyMicro in the beginning of my first year, since it is heavy on microbiology. Their pathology portion recently became available for purchase, and I do not have any experience with it. Per the SketchyMedical website, "Our comprehensive videos cover medical school microbiology, pharmacology, and pathology through illustrations of unique and unforgettable scenes. These guided sketches help you create a memory palace by associating medical topics with memorable visual elements." Check out SketchyMedical here

• NETTER'S ANATOMY FLASH CARDS: My medical program provided the Netter's Atlas of Human Anatomy book for each student, and I loved using these cards as a way to supplement the lecture material. A common theme with the resources I use is the fact that they are easily accessible and not heavy. These flash cards are sectioned by body region. This allowed me to easily remove a section and place it in my book bag. I would head to the park or walk by the river to get fresh air with these flash cards in hand. It was a perfect way to study anatomy while outside. You can find Netter's products on Amazon here or ask other medical students if they are selling their flash cards, since most medical programs only use them for first year.

• BOARDS AND BEYOND: I used this online resource once we got into our systems courses during first year. It is a website which contains a large video library on medical diagnoses organized by system. There are also USMLE-style quizzes after each video to test your understanding. Similar to Harrison's Manual of Medicine, it was a quick and easy way for me to review the subject matter before diving deeper into the details provided by lecture material. Check out Boards and Beyond here

• PORTABLE LAPTOP TABLE STAND: This is a random one, but I loved it too much to not include it here. My sister gifted me with a stand similar to this one. There comes a time when your "study neck" is too painful to avoid, and you need to switch up your study posture. This stand is great, because it's fully adjustable and can be used on a desk, couch, bed, floor, etc.

• WHITEBOARD: Get yourself a big wall whiteboard as well as a "lap version". As stated previously, I am a visual learner and benefit from writing things down and seeing them in my own handwriting as well. I loved having a large whiteboard to spread out my drawings and lists. Having a smaller version to hold in your lap is great too, because you can quickly test your brain while studying without wasting paper.

That's it! 

What is most important is not what resources you have, but your desire to learn. You must have discipline to stay organized and push yourself when it's way too easy to stop. If a study strategy or resource is not working for you then do not be hesitant to switch it up! I had to study differently depending on the subject/system. I highly suggest using Free Trials to test out how these resources work with your own study strategy before committing to them. The expense of medicine is high, so only purchasing what is most beneficial to you is key. Also, ask other students their opinion on these resources and how they associate with your medical program to ensure that your study time is used wisely.

GOOD LUCK!

Questions? Contact me.