Advice for first year medical students

1. Thank you for filling out this questionnaire. Now that you’ve completed the first year of medical school, what advice would you give the incoming MS1s who are about to start this year? You can fill out this survey as many times as you wish, so come back often to share your piece of advice!

Try to keep balance in your life. Don’t overload yourself on electives. Try to build some time into your schedule every day that is just for you to relax, watch TV, read a book for fun, etc.

2. What is your Myers-Briggs personality type? Extroverted vs Introverted Sensing vs Intuitive Thinking vs Feeling Judging vs Perceiving Ex. ENFP

EIFJ

3. What equipment did you purchase? Eg. stethoscope, sphygmamometer, tuning fork, etc.

Stethoscope Sphygmamonometer (the cheapest kind, mostly for practice) Tuning fork (need it for B&B) Reflex hammer (need it for B&B) Opthalmascope/Otoscope (you definitely don’t need to buy one of these, but its nice for practice.)

4. What do you wish someone had told you when you first started your first year? What would you do differently if you could do it all over again?

Don’t feel pressured to change your learning/studying style. (i.e. If you never liked making flashcards in the past, you don’t need to start using them now!) Stick with the routine and techniques that got you here!

5. Please comment on each topic below:

Whom to go to if you need help – MSP teachers (second year med students), your big sib, your College Advisor, Dean Loeser

Managing extracurricular activities and academics – Don’t sign up for TOO many electives. 1-2 per quarter is plenty.

Research in medical school – Good for the summer, but I think doing research while in class would be very hard.

Summer activities – Going abroad is great, as is the Curriculum Ambassador program. Build in some time when you can totally relax too.

6. How did you study for small group? What’s the best way to prepare for small group and to do well in small group?

Work through the questions in advance. If you get really stuck, there’s no need to obsess over it — your questions will be answered during the small group.

7. What resources (books, websites, etc) did you use for:

Anatomy – Netter’s, Syllabus

Physiology – Syllabus

Pathology – Syllabus, online modules

Histology – Syllabus, online slides

Biochemistry – Syllabus

Pharmacology – Syllabus

Neurology – Blumenfeld (get this book!), Syllabus

Respiratory system – Syllabus

Cardiovascular system – Syllabus

Gastrointestinal system – Syllabus

Muskuloskeletal system – Syllabus, Netter’s

Advice for first year medical students