Memory Tricks For Medical Students

1. Write it down. It can be during a lecture or while reading a text. Don’t try to copy the entire paragraph from a book. Write short notes- simple, easy to understand, and straightforward. You can even use flashcards or website like Quizlet. Outlines, pens with different colors, drawings, or even highlighters can also help. This can help you create “cheat sheets” that you can easily recreate from memory during exams. 
2. Experience it. Why do you need to go into a lab and dissect a cadaver for anatomy class? Why must you go through clinical rotations before graduation? It is because you best remember what you learn through an experience. When you are confuse about definitions like adduction and abduction, just do those actions while recalling the terms until you are confident. 
3. Watch it. There are many videos that were created to help medical student memorize textbook information. Yes, they can be corny and horrible but they can also work wonder. Have you tried singing those medical songs?  There are places such as Nucleus Medical Media and ORLive too. If your professors do not teach in a way that suits your style, you can listen into lectures of the same subjects from different school too on YouTube Education or the school’s website. iTunes may even have their podcasts. 
4. Roman room system. It is similar to drawing a mind map where you draw the main subject in the center and branches of associated information. Instead, you are using a room or a house. Then you put various objects and associate those with information you want to remember. Afterwards, you can imagine yourself trying to find those objects to retrieve the information. Takes practice but it can be quite helpful.
5. Mnemonics. Initials can either help you or hurt you. Sometimes, people will end up remembering the initials but not their actual meaning. Some Lovers Try Position They Cannot Handle, for example. Try to come up with your own or the ones that work best for you. You may also substitute stories with mnemonics instead. 
6. Repetition. Sometimes, you may just have to shove that information forcefully through repetition. There can be no other way around it. You need a routine. You want it to be in your long time memory, not a short one. You can even try teaching it to others.
7. Organization. You need to be able to organize your notes (handwriting!), thoughts, study breaks, study spaces, and even relationships. You only have to be organize to yourself. Make you sure you can explain to others so they too can understand you, especially in relationships. If you have a horrible illegible handwriting, practice calligraphy before going into clinical portions…for the patients’ safety.
8. Application of knowledge. Before taking board exams, professors and other medical students recommend doing LOTS of practice questions (USMLEWorld or Kaplan) so you can practice, know what to expect and work on your weaknesses. They will also make you do physical examinations on each other for the same reason. It is part of the experiential learning style.
9. Play brain games. I highly recommend Lumosity. But you can also play other games that will help you expand your ability to memorize and remember other things unrelated to your study. They are fun and entertaining. They may even help you relax and release your stress.
10. Rest well. Sleep helps improve your memory. Period. Try not to cram the night before, if you can.

These tricks may work for some and not for others. I didn’t learn some of the tricks until after I finished basic sciences. The important thing is to search for techniques that work for you and keep it. What are some of the memory tricks you use for yourself?

Advice to Med Students: How To Impress a Resident/Attending (The Patient Care Episode)

Since a lot of you are about to start the clinical part of your training, and I’m about to get med students for the first time, I figured I’d put together a little how-to (in 3 episodes) with the help of my fellow residents.

• Take initiative with your patients. Know all their info: what meds they’re on, their labs, their histories, etc.
• Check back on your patients in the afternoon. Follow their labs or tests done during the day and think about what needs to be done about them. Otherwise you’ll find that a ton of stuff has happened the next day and you’ll be out of the loop. 

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• Have your notes written before the resident rounds so they can read them and hopefully give you feedback on them.
• Always attempt to write an assessment and plan on your notes, no matter how simple it is. “Continue current management” is usually not an acceptable plan. What needs to be done before this patient can go home? 

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• In surgery, always ask permission (preferably from the attending) to scrub in. I do this still as a resident. If they say yes, get your gloves and gown for the scrub tech because they’re probably not prepared for you. 
• Ask to do procedures, but don’t expect to get them. The residents are always first in line. If it’s a procedure they’re confident doing and they have time to teach you, they’ll probably let you do it. 

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• If we ask if you want to do a procedure, always say yes. Even if you don’t want to. 
• In the outpatient setting, always offer to help write the note. Rarely will a resident turn you down, and you will really help them out. They will still review and change it, but it will definitely help.
• Be available. You don’t have to be a shadow, but don’t expect your resident to call you for admissions/procedures/check out, because she will forget. If you haven’t heard from the resident in a while, check back in with them. She may have forgotten you were around and might send you home early!

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Anon Question: Being 'Good Enough' for Medicine

Hi Anon!

The answer is complex. 

To me, you can never give enough or be good enough for medicine. It wants all of you. There is a strong “Keeping Up with the Jones’” attitude that pervades many medical attitudes and minds. You can let that drive you crazy or find a way to be okay with that. It is unfortunately ‘normal’ that people doubt themselves or find themselves in endless competition with their peers. A little healthy competition is fine, but it shouldn’t drive anyone crazy. So I have a different way of thinking about it: 

I have learned to see medicine as not a symbol of perfected self, but as a calling. You don’t asked to be called. Something happened to you that made you susceptible to hearing it. It’s better than comparing yourself to some idol or vision of perfection in a white coat that you will never, ever be. A calling is for people who have a story to tell, a mission in life. And I think that’s something we should all have.

When you think of medicine as a calling, all you can do is give it your best shot. Sometimes you screw up and you want to stop. Some days you win life’s jackpot and nothing brings you down. Some days you are brought to your knees, humbled by what you have seen or experienced. Some days you fall to the ground and you feel like you can’t get up. 

I’m not good enough for a lot of things; I don’t know if I’m good enough for medicine. In that way, I can’t answer your question and I apologize for that.

But what I do know? Everything that has happened to me has led me to medicine. It gives meaning to my experiences and ignites my passion. It gives me the tools to help those who need help. If I can take away a little pain and replace it with something better? I’m enough for myself and maybe enough for medicine. 

My answer is way off the beaten path, I know. Thank you for your question!

md-a