How to Study in Medical School
To study in medical school, make sure to review your notes after each class for 10 minutes to help you connect new information with what you've already learned. Additionally, study the key terms at the beginning or end of each chapter so you fully understand each lesson. Then, take the self-assessments in your book so you know what you still need to work on. You can also download study materials from the NBME and USMLE websites to help you become more comfortable with the information and structure of the exam.
Find a peaceful, quiet place to study. Whether you study in your room or in the library, make sure you choose a place where you will not be disturbed. Your study area should be free from distractions like loud noises or people coming and going frequently. In addition, you should keep your study area free from clutter and you should have enough room to spread out your books and notes. Match your study habits to your learning style. Everyone learns differently. You should know whether you learn best by studying in a visual, auditory, or hands-on style, or whether you do best by reading and rewriting information. If you learn best in a visual style, make sure to draw diagrams and use pathways to connect ideas in your notes. If your strength is auditory learning, record the lectures that you go to and listen to them while you read through your notes. If you prefer hands-on learning, consider keeping models of the organ systems so you can hold them as you read about their different functions and diseases. Study the information until you really understand it. Don't rely on memorization. It's important to fully understand the material, rather than just to memorize it long enough to pass the test. Both block exams and the USMLE are conceptual in nature, meaning you have to take the information and understand how to apply it. Find tutors and study groups to help you test your knowledge. Sometimes hearing something from another person's perspective can help you understand it in a new way. In addition, having another person ask you questions will help you determine where your weaker areas are, and you'll know to spend more time studying these. Create an organized schedule and stick to it. A thorough, well-organized schedule can help you study by keeping you on task. First, write down all of your classes. Next, plan your study times, and assign a specific topic to each day's study session. You can break the session into two subjects if they don't cover as much information. Include any scheduled study groups, and don't forget to leave time for meals, exercise, and sleep. Update your schedule at the start of each week. This way you can adjust how long you spend on each subject, allowing you to spend a little more time on areas where you're less confident. Take care of yourself by getting plenty of exercise and rest when you have time. Medical school can be really stressful, and many students experience burnout. Do your best to take care of yourself. Try breaking your studying into smaller, more manageable chunks, and schedule time for eating healthy, getting plenty of rest, and exercising regularly. Try scheduling a 15-minute break into a long studying session to take a walk outside and get some fresh air. If you can, plan to stop studying 30 minutes early each day so you can go for a run or stop by the gym on your way home. Keep fruits, nuts, and raw veggies on hand for a healthy way to snack while you're studying. Treat your weekly self-assessments as though they are real exams. Each week, you will have the opportunity to take a self-assessment to test your comprehension of the material you have learned. Take these seriously, as they can show you the areas where you need to improve. Identify which information is the most important. There's no way to memorize every single thing you'll read in medical school. To help you determine which facts are the most important, ask your instructors, tutors, or older students what information is most important to the test. Also pay special attention to what your instructor emphasizes in class. Study notes or reading material for about 10-15 minutes before class. You don't have to get a full understanding of the lecture material before class, but if you have study notes or a summary, take the time to read it before your lecture starts. If not, skim through the assigned reading to find any main points. This will help you have a much deeper understanding when your lecturer is explaining the text. Practice active note taking during lectures. Take detailed notes in your own words during the lecture and while reading your textbook. Try to capture the big picture as well as anything your instructor seems to think is important. Organize your note-taking in a way that makes sense to you, since these notes will become your study guide. Dedicating a column down the page for questions and cross-reference information. If you cross-reference something in your earlier notes, make sure to write down the cross-reference in both your old and new notes to help you connect ideas when you're studying. After class, use your textbook to go back and fill in any important details you missed during class. Using a different color pen, circle key terms and their definitions. This will help you easily refer back to them when you are studying. Spend 5-10 minutes each day reviewing lecture notes. First, re-read the previous day's notes, then your new notes. This will help you connect what you learn each day to what you have already learned. Take a week at the end of each block to study for your block exams. If you've been studying regularly throughout the term, this week will help you to assimilate everything you've learned. Spend the first day organizing your notes, then use study tools like flashcards and online quizzes for the next several days. Once you've determined where you need the most help, meet with your tutors or study groups. If you have spent enough time preparing, you should be able to take the last day of this week to rest. This will help you to feel relaxed as you go into your exam. Spend about 4-6 dedicated weeks studying for the USMLE. Step 1 of the USMLE is administered after the second year of medical school, and Step 2 is required after year 3. These are required in order to graduate. Most medical schools offer students a month to prepare for their board exams , so make sure you take advantage of this. Download test materials from the NBME or USMLE website. The NBME, or National Board of Medical Examiners, is the organization which administers the USMLE. Downloading the study materials they have available will help you become comfortable with the structure of the exam. These materials will not cover everything that will be on the exam, but they can give you an idea of how the test will be laid out. Do not try to prepare for the test by simply studying the old test. New information is added to the test each year. Study the basic terms and information. In order to fully understand what you are reading, you have to comprehend the terms that are being used. Study the key terms which are found at the beginning or end of the chapter in your textbook as well as any words your instructor might have introduced in lecture. This is where you will take in the big, overarching themes of the chapter. Study the major chapter headings, then move on to more detailed information. Once you feel confident with the big picture, start focusing on how the information all ties together. Read through the chapter, focusing on the major headings. Each time you re-read, focus on more and more detailed information. Try to tie in what you are reading to what you have already learned. Focus more on meaning than just information. The USMLE seeks to test whether or not you can apply your textbook knowledge to real-world situations. Try to find connections between what you learn and what you already know. Emphasize integrating your knowledge. Organize information into different organ systems or find other ways to group subjects together. Try doing this with other people so you can work together to find connections between what you have learned. Apply what you are learning to real-world situations. Once you have mastered the big picture and most of the details, start thinking about the clinical applications of what you are learning. How might a certain disorder present in a patient? What complications might occur as the result of a condition? Think about the way questions might be phrased on your exam. Use a question bank to help you prepare. Commercial question banks are lists of around 2000 sample questions designed to help you prepare for the USMLE. The two most popular question banks are Kaplan and UWorld. These question banks will allow you to see what your strengths and weaknesses are as well as to become familiar with the software the USMLE uses. Take the USMLE when you are ready. Steps 1 and 2 of the USMLE are offered 6 days a week (every day except Sunday) throughout most of the year, so take the test when you feel you are prepared. Don't wait too long or you'll forget what you've already learned, but don't rush to take it before you are ready. The USMLE is a computer-based test that takes about 8 hours. It's divided into 7 blocks of 1 hour each, with breaks between each block and a lunch break. 
Find a peaceful, quiet place to study. Match your study habits to your learning style. Study the information until you really understand it. Find tutors and study groups to help you test your knowledge. Create an organized schedule and stick to it. Take care of yourself by getting plenty of exercise and rest when you have time. Treat your weekly self-assessments as though they are real exams. Identify which information is the most important. Study notes or reading material for about 10-15 minutes before class. Practice active note taking during lectures. Spend 5-10 minutes each day reviewing lecture notes. Take a week at the end of each block to study for your block exams. Spend about 4-6 dedicated weeks studying for the USMLE. Download test materials from the NBME or USMLE website. Study the basic terms and information. Study the major chapter headings, then move on to more detailed information. Focus more on meaning than just information. Emphasize integrating your knowledge. Apply what you are learning to real-world situations. Use a question bank to help you prepare. Take the USMLE when you are ready. 