The First of Many No’s

Life as a second-year medical student (MS-2) has been just as busy, exciting, and exhausting as expected. Transitioning into organ blocks– learning medicine in the context of physiology, pathology, and disease process, as opposed to basic science courses– has been a relief for me, as I was never a huge fan of the monotony of basic science class structure. In other ways, however, second year has been difficult. There is this understanding that, along with learning disease comes the responsibility of learning for the purposes of truly knowing: what we learn now will be the knowledge we use to help and heal.

That’s a lot of pressure. But it is also incredibly exciting.

The joy that comes along with learning about the amazing human body, finding your niche in research and extracurriculars, and engaging with patients, is coupled with a sort of loss. The journey to and within medicine is truly about sacrifice. Within the last couple of weeks, I have heard med school peers lament about how their friends from home seem to all be moving forward with life, and that we are somewhat stuck.

Stuck in lecture. Stuck in the library. Stuck looking at all of the life everyone else is having through our computer and phone screens.

There is a heap of truth to this. Medical school is a major sacrifice, requiring hours, time, money, emotions, sleep… the list could go on. This weekend, I was reminded of my chosen sacrifice when I sat in the library, catching a glimpse of one of the most beautiful weddings ever, via FaceTime. My dear “aunt”, an incredible woman and anesthesiologist, found love and life in her new husband, an orthopedic surgeon. After more than 25 years of practice, she has continuously defined medical excellence, care for others, and strive for betterment. The summer before I started medical school, I was able to visit with her and her then fiancé. I asked them, if they could go back and do anything different from their time in medical school, what would it be. She responded, I would have studied more.

This highly accomplished, brilliant, life-saving medical doctor thinks that there was even more to learn following her Columbia and Harvard education and training. More to have studied after all this time! While her husband thinks quite differently (we happened to both look at her in amazement, and he said the really?! that I was thinking), I know we can both appreciate what was really underneath her statement.

In medicine, you are a forever-student. Learning never ends, and it remains rigorous throughout your career. With that, there comes the acknowledgement that you will not be able to do everything you want to do, whenever you want to do it. Weekends free from work are not guaranteed, nights are long, and downtime is often spent wondering if there was some other work you should be doing. There will be many no’s. Many occasions you will miss and a number of declined invitations.

However, the reward is worth the disciplined time. All of those hours will translate into competency and creativity on the wards. As tired as I am, I look forward to the light at the end of the tunnel. That light isn’t a finish line to learning, but rather an attainment of the fervor for continued discovery. Someday I hope to fully embrace my aunty’s mindset. At this particular moment, I am knee-deep in flashcards. But at least laying on my couch to do them is something I can say yes to.

 

Hey, chill.

For the recipe only, click here.

It’s summer.

My first year of medical school has been OVER, and I have been on a glorious hiatus.

But as many medical students know, breaks are not really for relaxing, right? We’re supposed to be jamming our free time with research, studying, shadowing, volunteering, studying, reading journals, prepping for the next year, studying etc. Right?!

On the quest to do everything right, just like everyone else, I took on multiple research projects, created a study prep schedule, and set up a multitude of meetings with faculty. For the most part, I would like to think I did a decent job of accomplishing most of what I wanted to do, academically. I did my best. As soon as I turned in my final exam of MS-1 and hopped in my car to head home, I couldn’t help but feel like I was on true vacation mode. I wanted to travel as much as possible, laze around at any given moment, and eat all of the good foods I could get my hands on. This was my last summer vacation in all of life, after all! Why was I feeling this tension between my expectations and desires?

If there is anything I truly learned this summer, it was that sometimes you really have to just chill. I have two full weeks left before the abrupt start of MS-2, arguably the hardest academic year of medical school. And while there is still so much to get done, I will be sure to make room for the most important things: family, friends, food, and love. Summer weather wanes quickly in the midwest. And so too does the time we have to soak in the ability to sleep late, drink adult beverages any day, and just waste time. Time waits for no one– especially not the medical student. So while we are using these last opportunities to squeeze in some of the work we wish we had more time for, and pushing down the nerves of starting up classes again, I urge that we try to be a bit selfish with our free time for just the little bit of time we have left.

Im going to travel a little bit more, procrastinate a little bit longer, and laugh with more freedom for the couple of days I have.

Sweet, sweet summer. I am going to miss you. But I used your time well, and enjoyed you. For the last one off ever, not too shabby.

No-Sugar Berry Popsicles

• Servings: 4 popsicles
• Time: 15 mins
• Print

Ingredients:

• your choice of fresh berries, one package each

Directions:

1. Rinse berries.
2. Blend one of the fruit varieties in your favorite blender
3. Divide and pour into popsicles molds
4. Repeat steps 2 & 3 for the remaining fruits.
5. Freeze and enjoy!

 

The BEST Study Tools for MS-1!

Every medical school has different required readings, methods of teaching, and course schedules. My school taught us in basic science blocks during our first year, and moved us into organ system blocks by the end of the year. Therefore, each course was taken independently of the other major courses– taught in a condensed period of time and with school-constructed syllabi. Students are advised to use the syllabus to learn from, but use other materials that they find best aid their learning. I have listed my favorite resources from MS-1, which is of course not comprehensive of all the tools out there. My favorites are listed first, with others listed after.

Keep in mind that your medical school may instruct differently, and so my course breakdown may appear unfamiliar or incongruent to what your school calendar says. Don’t freak out. Every school is different. You can take as much or as little of my advice as you wish. These are resources I found most useful. For others the list may be flipped. And thats ok!

I hope this is helpful for someone. And it might help in narrowing down which books and programs to invest in, or borrow, from your peers. We spend enough money in this process. Keeping it simple is always best.

 

Anatomy:

*Gray’s Clinical Photographic Dissector*

When you’re in anatomy lab– cold and somewhat overwhelmed– Gray’s is a lifesaver. Being able to study the actual anatomical images (as opposed to drawings) helps make the body map in your mind more realistic. And when you’re hunched over a numbered pin, stuck into a very small muscle that could very well be one of two things in your practical exam, you want the practice of having looked at unclear, but real, images in this helpful book.

There are often Gray’s books in lab… but they get greasy with– well, you’ll see.

Netter’s Atlas of Human Anatomy

I found Netter’s to be most helpful in understanding the concepts of anatomy, and where things lie in the body, ideally. I used this book most when studying and thinking of the answers to practice problems.

Essential Anatomy 3

If you like computer or phone apps, this program may be for you. One thing I really liked is that it allows you to rotate the animated body and zoom in on points of interest if you need more clarification on how a system is configured.

Color Atlas of Anatomy

Honestly, between Gray’s and this Rohan’s book, I used Gray’s much more frequently because lab was so intriguing to me. But this book is so nicely packed with real anatomical photographs, and a great tool for general studying. Many of my peers relied solely on this book.

Netter’s Anatomy Flash Cards

If you like flashcards, I would suggest using these. While I didn’t use them as much as I initially thought I would (because I am a flashcard person), they are nice to have and study while on the go. While certainly not a necessity, they can be helpful for some learners.

Genetics:

BRS Genetics

When talking to my peers, this book was the main supplemental resource they used during genetics. Plain and simple, it was useful.

 

Pharmacology:

*Sketchy Pharm*

I found Sketchy to be one of the FAVORITE tools during my first year of medical school. I am incredibly visual, so there was truly no better way for me to learn thousands of facts and tongue-twisting words then with pictures and funny stories. I honestly can’t say enough about it, but if there was one resource I enjoyed using the most, it was Sketchy. I highly recommend.

 

Pathology:

*Pathoma*

I think almost every medical student, from every medical school, everywhere, will tell you to get Pathoma and study it. Plain and simple, its packed with the vital info, and the videos help break everything down. Im still clutching tightly to this one as I enter MS-2. Highly suggest.

Pathologic Basis of Disease

I have to admit that I haven’t really opened this book (yet?). But almost every resident physician that lead our small groups during Pathology and Immunology asked if we had the book, and encouraged us to use it because it is so good. I remember at least one noting that he uses it even now, as a doctor. So, I haven’t sold mine yet. I’ll get around to opening it…

Sketchy Path

Apparently, there’s a pathology portion of Sketchy that was just recently released. I’ll be checking this out for sure. But I have no idea how good it is. Just figured I would share.

Microbiology:

Sketchy Micro

Should I say it again? I don’t think so. I really enjoyed Sketchy for my learning style. Ok! Im done!

 

General:

*Anki*

I figured out this year that I am a flashcard learner. Straight up. I tried straying from Anki right after finishing anatomy, and it was a huge mistake. I love learning with repetition and constant memorization. If you are like me, or at all interested in flashcards, I would suggest Anki. Honestly, this may be an unpopular opinion because it sort of has a steep learning curve. Its not aesthetic, its not fancy, its just… functional. But I like it. It doesn’t distract me with colors and rating cards and all that jazz. So if you can figure it out, try Anki. But if another program works for you, by all means try that too. I will be sticking to this tool all throughout my second year and into Step 1 studying.

First Aid for the USMLE Step 1

Ok, so here are my thoughts on this one. I know a handful of people who started studying from this book immediately. But the way our exams (pass/fail) and our course schedule is set up, I didn’t find the need to start studying from First Aid right away. I will say, I think it helps prioritize your studying, and it makes larger bodies of information, much more condensed. I find it critical at the stage I am in right now, the transition from MS-1 to MS-2, where there is review of old material and introduction of new information. I think it will become my holy grail, but I didn’t find it an absolute necessity in my first year. I will not discourage using it or even just keeping in on your bookshelf throughout the first year. But keep in mind, there is time.

Practice Questions

If your school or peers provide you with practice questions, take them and learn them. Do them over and over. Practice questions are so critical for the way you learn in medical school. Repetition and example. Over and over.

 

As a general rule, I would encourage you to keep it simple, and recognize what doesn’t work for you. The sheer amount of resources was so overwhelming to me when I first started MS-1. I was thinking, I must read everything! I must have all the books! But I quickly recognized how unrealistic and ridiculous that was, especially since my learning style does not involve reading textbooks and miraculously knowing the information.

Less is more. Find a resource. Use it. Learn the information really well. And do your best on your exam. Do not go overboard with materials that will confuse you.

Stop when things aren’t working. During some courses, I found myself soldiering through methods of learning that were absolutely not working for me. But I figured, well, Im already doing it, so I guess I’ll just keeping doing it, because it has to click at some point, right? Wrong. Abandon what isn’t working, even if it works for everyone else. Find what works for you, and use that to do your best.