So, everyone has its own techniques of studying or conquering medicine. I just want to share mine, maybe these things are not applicable to some people but really, it helped me a lot through my clinical years.
Many people think that medicine is all about books and readings, so those who are bookworm are likely to excel in medicine. Is it right? Of course not. For me, medicine is about all; not just reading, but talking, writing, communicating, and so on. You have to make yourself skillful and creative in other to become a good medical student.
READING IS ENOUGH? This is the misunderstanding that many people have. Reading is NOT enough. What's the use of reading if you are not going to memorize it? Many people asked me, "How can you memorize this?" Especially when I can answer the doctor's questions. Some people said, "You're gifted!" Does that mean I didn't have my own struggle to achieve that?
I have my own style which doesn't suit many people. For me, if you want to memorize something, you have to create event, and this will make you keep the information in your head forever.
I taught people the things I learnt especially for my non-medical friend, that I can explain thoroughly to make sure I understand everything perfectly. For this, you don't need to have specific time. You can do this during cooking or having lunch and dinner together. Easy right? That's why I love having friends or housemates from other courses.
I didn't open the book during my public holiday, instead I went to the hospital to meet my patient. They are my textbook, I learnt many things from them and because we met them in person, so it gave me both knowledge and empathy. So, look at this, I see more patient, of course I will remember more!
I appreciated my ward round so much, that I'll try to memorize everything that doctor taught us. Some people tend to write notes of every words that come out from doctor, but what I did was staring attentively at doctor, and hearing carefully every words with my mind worked harder. I'll imagine every single information giving by doctor and create formula to remember it right away in my mind. I'll write and draw everything myself after round, if I felt that I was lacking in the information, then I will ask my friend which fast in writing the notes just now.
Simple right? Be fast, imaginative and creative. It will help you a lot in memorization. Study and search the information that you lack in understanding right after round. It's good to have motivated study mates that you can discuss together everything about the round right after finishing it.
In medicine, you'll have a lot of books, a lot of information and guidelines which some times you'll get confused which one you get to use. Look! Medicine is not about reading. So, here you have to check with your doctor. Ask them everything. If you feel like you are not a person who good in asking question, or you have no idea what to ask, then that's your real problem. Really. If I felt like that, I always blame myself for not studying before round or classes. Study more make you having more question in your head actually, except if you are studying by just reading through not analyzing and understanding it well.
It's okay if the question's not good enough for you to looked clever. Just improve slowly, but seriously, do appreciate your doctor by asking and discussing, because they will stress more on practicality, which is difficult for you to get it in the textbooks.
Finally, if I want to memorize some facts about certain diseases but couldn't found it in my patient's list, then I'll search it on Youtube. Just want to create event by hearing their story. Then, the information will stay for a longer period in my mind, instead of vanishing right away after finishing reading. Do watch videos for certain subjects that are difficult to understand and memorize because it will help a lot.
Finally, please don't assume that I never read books or I just read a little or whatsoever. Seriously, I read. I read to gather information to ask the doctor and involve more in ward round. I also read after rounds and lectures, so that I can arrange the notes well.
Hope you enjoy reading it!
Many people think that medicine is all about books and readings, so those who are bookworm are likely to excel in medicine. Is it right? Of course not. For me, medicine is about all; not just reading, but talking, writing, communicating, and so on. You have to make yourself skillful and creative in other to become a good medical student.
READING IS ENOUGH? This is the misunderstanding that many people have. Reading is NOT enough. What's the use of reading if you are not going to memorize it? Many people asked me, "How can you memorize this?" Especially when I can answer the doctor's questions. Some people said, "You're gifted!" Does that mean I didn't have my own struggle to achieve that?
I have my own style which doesn't suit many people. For me, if you want to memorize something, you have to create event, and this will make you keep the information in your head forever.
I taught people the things I learnt especially for my non-medical friend, that I can explain thoroughly to make sure I understand everything perfectly. For this, you don't need to have specific time. You can do this during cooking or having lunch and dinner together. Easy right? That's why I love having friends or housemates from other courses.
I didn't open the book during my public holiday, instead I went to the hospital to meet my patient. They are my textbook, I learnt many things from them and because we met them in person, so it gave me both knowledge and empathy. So, look at this, I see more patient, of course I will remember more!
I appreciated my ward round so much, that I'll try to memorize everything that doctor taught us. Some people tend to write notes of every words that come out from doctor, but what I did was staring attentively at doctor, and hearing carefully every words with my mind worked harder. I'll imagine every single information giving by doctor and create formula to remember it right away in my mind. I'll write and draw everything myself after round, if I felt that I was lacking in the information, then I will ask my friend which fast in writing the notes just now.
Simple right? Be fast, imaginative and creative. It will help you a lot in memorization. Study and search the information that you lack in understanding right after round. It's good to have motivated study mates that you can discuss together everything about the round right after finishing it.
In medicine, you'll have a lot of books, a lot of information and guidelines which some times you'll get confused which one you get to use. Look! Medicine is not about reading. So, here you have to check with your doctor. Ask them everything. If you feel like you are not a person who good in asking question, or you have no idea what to ask, then that's your real problem. Really. If I felt like that, I always blame myself for not studying before round or classes. Study more make you having more question in your head actually, except if you are studying by just reading through not analyzing and understanding it well.
It's okay if the question's not good enough for you to looked clever. Just improve slowly, but seriously, do appreciate your doctor by asking and discussing, because they will stress more on practicality, which is difficult for you to get it in the textbooks.
Finally, if I want to memorize some facts about certain diseases but couldn't found it in my patient's list, then I'll search it on Youtube. Just want to create event by hearing their story. Then, the information will stay for a longer period in my mind, instead of vanishing right away after finishing reading. Do watch videos for certain subjects that are difficult to understand and memorize because it will help a lot.
Finally, please don't assume that I never read books or I just read a little or whatsoever. Seriously, I read. I read to gather information to ask the doctor and involve more in ward round. I also read after rounds and lectures, so that I can arrange the notes well.
Hope you enjoy reading it!
