How to survive your first year of medical school
Five tips for making it through the exciting yet daunting world of medical school
Medical school can seem intimidating — there’s so much to learn, so many new faces, and plenty of important decisions ahead. Here are five tips for those starting their first year.
1. Start with the bare bones
When it comes to studying the structures of the human body, who better to take advice from than the Editor-in-Chief of Gray’s Anatomy?
Dr. Susan Standring, lead editor of the renowned anatomy textbook, shared some words of wisdom in a Q&A with the Figure 1 community. One medical student asked for tips on studying anatomy and said that it seems difficult to “remember it all.”
Dr. Standring replied, “Don’t try to learn it all — it’s impossible! Learn the basics and understand how systems such as the ANS [autonomic nervous system] are laid out. Use the bones as much as you can, try to work through case histories with an anatomical basis, and make sure you can interpret some standard images.”
Read more tips for medical students from Dr. Standring»
2. Don’t be a dead shark
Dr. Nick Fulton, better known as @pheo on Figure 1, is currently Chief Resident of Diagnostic Radiology at University Hospitals Case Medical Center. His words of wisdom come from an old Hollywood classic:
“To quote one of my favorite movies, Annie Hall, ‘A relationship, I think, is like a shark. You know? It has to constantly move forward or it dies.’ Medical education is the same way. Keep learning. Don’t be a dead shark.”
3. Ask for help
“Never be afraid to say ‘I don’t know.’ And if you don’t know — ASK!” says Dr. Tony Margiotta, a family physician known as @dottore on Figure 1.
While the general sentiment is to seek help from others, also make sure you’re asking the right questions. When you have the opportunity to work with residents and staff physicians in clinic, come prepared.
“Don’t expect attendings and seniors to ‘transfer’ information and experience onto you. You need to read and formulate clinical questions based on new knowledge,” adds @bruno-pedsurgeon, a general surgeon on Figure 1.
4. Make it stick
“When you’re learning about something new, think about when you might use a new fact that you’ve just learned,” says Dr. Joshua Landy, Figure 1 co-founder. “That will help you contextualize and retain the information.”
For more words of wisdom from Dr. Landy, read his Q&A»
5. Attitude beats aptitude
“Remember to be kind and considerate to everyone, from your attending and the rest of the healthcare team to the janitor and the parking staff,” says Dr. Corey Orton, also known as @penguinophile, one of the top radiologists on Figure 1.
“Learn the names of everyone you come in contact with on a daily basis and you will have a wealth of resources at your disposal no matter what you need,” Dr. Orton adds. “A good attitude will take you much farther than knowing Harrison’s inside and out.”
More than 70% of medical students in North America are on Figure 1. Join them.
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