Effectively Using the Thread Material (Part 1)
1. Start with the PMDC Syllabus outline. It also includes the exam marks distribution and study duration as well. Then read the UHS syllabus too. Notice that MBBS syllabus outline in PMDC, UHS and HEC is similar. The main difference in all of these is that PMDC is most detailed, UHS and HEC state recommended books. Pay attention to the stated objectives of some subjects given in PMDC syllabus. My guess is exam and viva voce questions will test whether students fulfills the stated objectives or not.
2. Take a look at the exam papers as posted by member H.a. (
http://medstudentz.com/medical-stud...istan-professional-exam-sample-questions.html) You will get an idea about the exam format and questions types. Try to classify the question so that you can prepare accordingly for the exam. Keep them in mind while studying think of other similar questions too and mark them in the book. This is an effective studying strategy, which will improve your result. When classes start, get hold of the old papers too.
3. Come to the PDF versions of available recommended books. Read the first 6-10 pages of the books and figure out which books work for you and you understand easily. Concentrate more on Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry because they are the main subjects followed by Histology and Embryology for 1st Professional.
4. On completing this task, you?ll probably make estimates about time needed to allot to each subject. This requires an effective studying strategy that should resolve the two critical problems most medical freshmen meet: (1) Time management and (2) Effective Studying Plan. For this, read the articles on studying effectively, followed by the book. Do not read the whole book, just go through the different strategies discussed. These will give you new ideas for studying and might possibly improve you study method as well (if needed). Having an effective studying strategy and plan is mandatory for Medical college because it?ll play a great role in your performance. (e.g. In medical college, students are required to process lot?s of information i.e. an estimated 270-300pgs per subject a month compared to 300pgs for one FSc subject a year)
5. Since now, you are familiar with the syllabus, exam format, books and studying strategies, come to the study plan. (P.S. I?ll make another post in about two weeks. Personally a little unsatisfied with this)
6. Always start with the basics. Understanding the medical test really well requires a good understanding of medical terms. One solution is to get a medical terms dictionary and use it as you study. The second is to understand the Latin and Greek prefixes, suffixes, roots and stems and basic word parts that make up medical terms. Start with Basic Medical Terminologies. Knowing what the word part means will help a lot in understanding the text better and also in the exam. However, if it still seems hard, stick to the dictionary then. Next, read the introduction material for Anatomy, Histology, Physiology, Embryology and Behavioral Sciences. This will give you a picture of the importance and objectives to keep in mind while actually studying the subjects. In addition (optional), giving a single read to the books, ?Human Physiology? and ?Anatomy and Physiology made Incredibly Visual? will prove beneficial because they include the basic facts and glossaries for all systems (sort of like quick preview tools)
7. Now, come the actual course books. Begin from the three major subjects i.e. first chapters of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry followed by Embryology and Histology. Surely, half the course of all subjects cannot be studied effectively in one month, However, doing first one to two topics (as stated in the syllabus outline) in the major three or all subjects is possible. Start with Snell?s Anatomy, Guyton, Lippincott?s Biochemistry and either Langman or KLM for Embryology. Still working on Histology and Behavioral Sciences
Well friends, we?re finally on our way to Medical college. As a thousand miles journey starts form a single step, the time for us to take that step is real close. However, till then do not let the grass grow under your feet, and make the most of this one month window- a golden opportunity- and get a head start. We cannot go back and make a new beginning, but can start today and make a new ending. Because in the end, it will be the individual , his hard work & strenuous efforts, determination, confidence that will lead to success, not the institution. The institution plays a minute role. In this regard, let?s begin by studying the first chapters of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry for starters.
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@Arshman, I also have no ideas about P.S. and Islamiat. Yeah, you're right, is sort of absurd. Students say it's simple. And I'm not sure about language. I'll try to meet up with medical students and let you know what they tell me. And the course seems sort of long. We have to study both in second semester (after June, I think). I have always liked P.S. This is what I do; make a chronology list of all the events stated in the whole book on some pages or small notepad. Read and memorize them whenever you have some spare time. This way, you will remember the dates better. And only do the main things that we've already studied in matric and fsc.