Let me provide an example from my own medical school experience:Ĭystic fibrosis was a disease presented to us many times in the first few months of medical school. So, how do you conceptualize instead of memorize? You use flashcards and visualize bits of information as an interconnected web. This is why memorization alone is not an effective learning tool it is working against the natural inclination of your brain!
Similarly, as you come across familiar information, it should resonate with other interconnected pieces of your memory. When something touches a spider’s web, vibrations are sent rippling through the cords, notifying the spider of activity. The details we learn are naturally linked to memories, senses, and emotions. Our minds don't place pieces of information in isolation. Your brain creates memories like a spider web. With that in mind, I'd like to recommend a method that will allow you to never cram again-including for your board exams! This has been crucial for my well-being and allowed me to score in the top 5% of my class. While you could continue like this in medical school and likely pass your smaller examinations, doing this for cumulative finals and board exams is next to impossible, there’s simply too much information to retain. While this obviously worked and you made it into medical school, I’m sure it was often stressful. Conceptualize, don't memorizeĭuring your undergraduate degree (or back in high school), it’s likely that you, along with everyone else, fell into a routine of cramming for your exams. Now, let’s dive into my top three tips that will help you excel in medical school. Amongst medical students, I’m better known as The AnKing. If that doesn’t sound convincing yet, ask your friends and mentors about me. As a third-year medical student, I have been in your shoes! The methods that allowed me to succeed are not outdated and directly apply to you.
MED SCHOOL ANKI HOW TO
How to retain the information you learn.My goal with this article is to help you navigate the challenge of information overload efficiently so you can get ahead and focus on excelling in school rather than merely surviving. Not only are you required to retain countless facts in a very limited time, but you also have to sift through hundreds of resources to help you learn them all. Looking back on my experience, I have found that the greatest challenge of medical school is, unquestionably, information overload. Congratulations on your acceptance to medical school! You’re about to embark on an incredible journey and I’m excited to share a few tips that will help you through your first year and beyond.