How to Study Medical School Anatomy
Overwhelmed by the sheer volume of new information? Feel like you are learning a new language and you can't keep up? Many students before you have learned to study for medical school anatomy effectively. You can also do well in this course.
Things You'll Need
- Illustrated anatomy atlas
- Cadaver anatomy atlas
- Dry erase markers
- White board
- Lecture notes
- White paper
- Snacks/food
Instructions
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1
Eliminate the hunger distraction. Bring some snacks. If your studying falls after a major meal, pack that meal. It's hard to study medical school anatomy on an empty stomach.
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2
Go directly from lecture or cadaver lab to the library. Be sure to bring or check out anatomy atlases.
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3
Review your med school anatomy lecture notes from that day for a set amount of time.
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4
Review with an illustrated atlas as well as a cadaver atlas while reviewing lecture notes. When you study medical school anatomy with both types of anatomy atlases, it will be easier to remember what you actually saw in cadaver lab as well as what you were supposed to see.
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5
Draw vasculature, nerve branching, etc. on a white board. If your library doesn't have white boards, use printer paper for drawing. Studying medical school anatomy through drawing is a good way to gauge whether or not you understand the material.
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6
Add new anatomy terms to a comprehensive anatomy word list. This will save you time when you need to review your medical school anatomy.
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7
Reward yourself with a ten minute break every hour. Read a magazine article, check sports, or check facebook.
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8
After reviewing that day's material, review the next day's anatomy lecture material for 5 or 10 minutes max. Include glancing over an anatomy atlas (both an illustrated and cadaver one). Your anatomy lecture will seem less overwhelming.
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9
Leave the library at 6:00 - no earlier or later. The last thing you want is to burn out midway through your medical school anatomy course.
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10
Enjoy your evenings and weekends, except for weekends preceding exams. When your day consists of studying med school anatomy, it's important to take a break.
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Tips & Warnings
Try to get as close to 8 hours of sleep the night before as possible. Part of managing medical/dental school is getting adequate sleep the night before and maximizing your time during the day.
Do not take naps.
Eat healthy meals.
If you are stuck on a particular anatomy topic, ask a professor or classmate. Don't waste valuable time stuck on that topic.
It is easy to burn yourself out learning anatomy in medical school. The best medicine is to put in a steady amount each day.
Resources
- Photo Credit © Anatoly Tiplyashin | Dreamstime.com, © Sandy Matzen | Dreamstime.com
