How I Study in Medical School

READ ME FOR ALL THE IMPORTANT DEETZ LISTED IN THIS VIDEO:
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My Original Study Methods

Basic Anki Tutorial

Study with Me - Pomodoro Technique

Extra Resources:
Anki - "Lightyear"
Boards & Beyond
Osmosis
YouTube- Ninja Nerd
Dr. Najeeb
SketchyMedical

Textbooks:
Physiology by Linda Costanzo
Clinically Oriented Anatomy by Keith Moore
Dead Body Book - Color Atlas of Anatomy by Johannes W. Rohen, MD
Atlas of Human Anatomy - Frank Netter, MD

If you’re still reading, I also do board style questions every single day and use 2019 First Aid.
If you are still reading, comment “savage.”

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Instagram - @rachelsouthard
#StudyMethods #MedicalSchool

[sarahpantanella]

“But i also drink 3-4 coffees per day and...it’s fine, everything is fine.”

A WHOLE VIBE 🤣

[abigailhagman]

Hi Rachel! I am almost 15 and a freshman in high school! I am aspiring to become a trauma surgeon! You inspire me so so much!! Love you

[KharmaMedic]

Really great video Rachel! The passtracker method is such a great idea, esp. the rating system after reviewing lectures. I've started using anki and I'm still trying to figure it out (SO CONFUSING lol) but I'll get there. Thanks for sharing 😊

[zantairio]

The highlight of my week. I get weirdly motivated for college when I see these videos. I can’t wait to be in your shoes Rach. Much love and support as always. Edit: savage.

[cshull]

I never went to class in medical school. Just podcast the lectures after they were over. Way more efficient use of time. I’d only go to class for anatomy lab or when I got lonely and needed to see people haha. Good luck!

[KoiAcademy]

It's nice to know that medical students from other schools also use the same resources, strangely unifying in our struggle haha. Def gave us some ideas for new videos on our channel too. Anki is the actually the best, and combines active recall + spaced repetition. If you keep it up throughout your studies, STEP 1 will kneel before you..good luck!

PS. Also cool that you use Costanzo's book because she is a faculty at my school and an absolute gem!

[milllllllllllll]

This was actually so comprehensive and informational. So many other videos glaze over/dont fully explain everything. Thank you so much Rachel!

[eshanimittal]

This motivates me so much, going to study now

[MedHead]

Wow, this is one of the best study videos out there. As an incoming MS1, I was looking for a detailed, chronological study advice video and there are not lots of them out there, but this is one of them! Great job!

[emilymcintyre]

I'm almost at the end of my first semester of 1st year Med, and with classes moving online I've found it really hard to study from home. Your video is so inspiring and motivational. Thank you very much for sharing!

[Dr.Robert]

I am currently in my first year of medical school and we have been doing things online and remotely thus far on account of COVID-19. I would just like to let you know that I think this video is superb. Many of my classmates wonder how I study "so much less" than they do and score at the top of the class. The split-screen lectures and (in my case the lecture powerpoint) while I write out my cue cards (I write mine by hand, for the same reason you handwrite things in your book) means that I am not spending another 8 hours of studying after a full day of lectures. Although I really think I should be putting in an hour or two of review after I finish this every day (I'm working on improving my study discipline), overall I am quite happy with how efficient this is. In addition, I also shrink the stacks of cue cards down as I retain material, and as exams approach the piles of cards are much smaller.

I really like your study tracker spreadsheet. I think that is a superb method of staying organized and cognizant of what you have done and what you need to do. I plan to add this to my study regimen. I also think studying for boards concurrently is a great idea. I am hoping to have accrued the discipline to start doing so by next semester.

Keep being awesome and I hope your studies remain enjoyable!


-Robert MacRae MD candidate, M.Sc. candidate, B.H.Sc. (Hons)., B.Sc.

[sweetdia_med]

I totally agree on how you regard your notebooks and notes as a piece of art. Though I bought an iPad a few weeks ago, I still organize my notes on my notebook because notes really can be a piece of art and history of my life as a med student. But at the end of the day, different people have different ways of learning🙂 wishing you the best in whatever you do :)

[Sandman]

I love that you mention about writing notes and not looking at them again, that's exactly what I do. Yesss it's so true about our brain functioning at such a high level that we just need to see it once, totally agree! I'm glad someone finally mentions this.

[yomommashaus]

And honestly, as a 4th year transitioning into residency, I realized that one of the most important things in medical school was transitioning from A) learning to pass exams to B) learning to help future patients. Still study for specific exams of course, especially early on, but start to always think about how you would approach these conditions, differentials, and patients in real life, eventually in the specialty you've chosen. It'll also make your learning come alive and it will push you to come up with practical answers to things. Cheers!

[Kaye-wp]

You seemed so happy and proud during this video, it was so enjoyable to watch ❤️ I start medical school this summer and am so exited to get a good routine down!

[melanieheleneimhof]

You might have saved my academic future. I was absolutely burning out from exams and getting so hopeless about a possible failure in an exam, and it took me an hour of tears before thinking of your channel. And found this video. You are such an angel, an example - in your studying and your humanism. Rachel thank you so much, I appreciate you so much and can’t wait for you next video.

[guiltypleasure]

When she was like 'No...just no.' I felt a bond.
Even my friends know that that is literally my catchphrase.

[loveleengilll]

you motivate me to study so much. I genuinely watch your videos to one, get more tips on how to continue my journey through school to get to where I want and two, to regain my motivations. You're incredible at motivating others and it keeps me on the right track. Thank you so much truly appreciate you taking the time to make these videos knowing you are so swamped in your own life!!!

[emanuelvazquez]

Ok but like how is she so PRETTY and SMART....
Also I can't wait for Med School, only 5 years left

[mikilikacheetah]

The excel spread sheet is such a good idea! I am implementing it in my routine to study for my pathophysio final in a month starting today! I also take my notes by hand with pens and highlighters I feel like it helps the information stick. Thank you for the video and the great tips!