Archive for 'Study Tips' Category

How to Avoid the Survivalist Mindset Throughout Medical School

when you go through life thinking “if I can make it through this, things will be better later,” you eventually forget what “better” means. the despair that accompanies the perpetual postponement of an enjoyable life has a way of making its presence known. I spent the last decade researching and writing books about students who [...]

Learning Information Faster via Connected Thinking

Scott Young discusses the 5 steps of the successful learning process and the secret to faster learning: Smart people don’t memorize things. Smart people don’t need to memorize, because they connect ideas together. Because we can form connections and recognize patterns far more effectively than we can memorize information, why not use that to learn? [...]

Highly Effective Study Habits of Successful Medical Students

In recent years, cognitive scientists have shown that a few simple techniques can reliably improve what matters most: how much a student learns from studying. instead of sticking to one study location, simply alternating the room where a person studies improves retention. So does studying distinct but related skills or concepts in one sitting, rather [...]

Rapid Learning Strategies for Medical School

#2 – Metaphor Here’s a quick way to separate the rapid learners from the average learners. Ask them to give you an analogy for whatever they are learning. The rapid learners probably have already thought of at least one analogy, application or metaphor. Slower learners usually are baffled by the question. Linking ideas allows you [...]

Essence of Medical Training – Everybody is My Teacher

Everybody is my teacher – I think I held this idealistic view prior to entering medicine, though my belief in this has only strengthened with time. Sure, professors, attendings, senior residents, and other “formal” authority figures taught me a lot of stuff. Patients—people—often were (are) the best instructors of all. Example: I had learned about [...]

Improve Focus with SimplyNoise

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Basic Study Strategies for First Year Medical Students

1. Find some peace and quiet. Studies have shown that just 20 minutes of highly focused, quiet time can help you learn and remember more than hours of working with distractions and while multi-tasking. So, to get the most out of your study time retreat to a place where you won’t be bothered by loud [...]

Secrets to Medical School's First Year

1. Figure out your learning style and figure it out fast… sometimes students find out that their way of studying isn’t working and instead of changing their approach, they go at it harder. 2. Seek help. Students who make it into medical school are used to being near, if not at, the top of their [...]

How to Avoid Procrastination

What will happen if you don’t progress? It won’t hurt to scare yourself a little… Develop your plan, list.. Major, realistic steps – A project is easier when it is built in stages; How much time each will take – A schedule helps you keep a progress chart and reinforce that there are way-stations on [...]

Three Timeless Study Tips

You can prepare yourself to succeed in your studies. Try to develop and appreciate the following habits: Put first things first – Follow up on the priorities you have set for yourself, and don’t let others, or other interests, distract you from your goals Discover your key productivity periods and places – Morning, afternoon, or [...]