Hi Friends, 

I wanted to share a great article written by Med School Bootcamp because I know Anatomy can be a pretty intimidating class. 

Enjoy - 

You need to start by first asking yourself the question “why do I need to know anatomy?” Anatomy is not like any other subject you’ll take in medical school. It involves learning new terminology to refer to specific structures within the human body - and not just knowing the names of things, but understanding what they do. In its essence, learning anatomy is like learning a new language and you have to treat it as such. That bring me to my first tip which is: 

This post was highly requested so even though I'm a little nervous to share here we go...However, please remember that what works for me may not work for you. You should never compare your progress to someone else's. That being said, I am going to share what I have been doing throughout my second year of medical school that I think helped me pass my first CBSE.

1. Anki. I know it's not for everyone but honestly I was shocked by how helpful it ended up being. I was seriously doubting Anki in the weeks leading up to the CBSE. But when it came time for the exam, I found myself thinking "this is an Anki card" SO many times. To be honest, I didn't always remember the answer...but still it helped a ton. That's all I will say for now but be on the lookout for an Anki focused post this week.

2. Do 5 random practice questions per 100 Anki cards. For me, this means I'm around 40 questions a day! I'm personally using Amboss right now (saving UWorld for dedicated). So every time I get through 100 Anki cards, I pause to do 5 random Amboss questions. I started doing this a week before the CBSE so I don't know how much it helped for that but I think it'll make a difference for my second one. Disclaimer: sometimes you will get 0/5 right lol.

3. Make an Anki card for each missed Amboss question. You don't have to be strict about this but if you miss a question because you didn't know a fact, make a card out of it!!!

4. Outside Resources. I've mostly given up on lectures and I do most of my learning from Sketchy, Boards and Beyond, and Pathoma. However, I know people that mostly use lectures who also passed the CBSE. Remember, everyone is difference. 

5. First Aid. I used to take notes on my iPad while watching outside resources but it took way too long. Instead, I read/highlight first aid throughout the video and make notes when needed.

6. Don't just aim to pass exams. Yes, C's get MDs and trust me I love that for us. But, the more you learn the material for your class exams, the better you will know it for the CBSE and eventually Step.

7. If it's in BB/First Aid, learn it. There have been times when our class doesn't cover a specific topic and so I've skipped that BB video or First Aid page. But I've realized that if it's in Boards and Beyond/First Aid then you need to know it so you might as well learn it during the relevant block. Only exception is embryology because it scares me.

8. Okay just to plug Anki again, do NOT let your bugs and drugs slip away. 

9. Remember drug mechanisms. I think most of the drug questions on the CBSE asked for the mechanism of action rather than the drug name. I definitely need to get better at this. 

10. Most Importantly: sleep 8 hours a night, go out with your friends, don't take school too seriously, find happiness outside of school, don't judge your worth by a test score.

xoxo and Happy Studying

If you've been following me for a while you know that I love to share new resources that I think could be helpful during the pre-med/medical school years! 

So, of course, I am so excited to introduce Qalbaq!! Qalbaq was created by a physician and an affordable, accessible way to network, get your questions answered and feel more secure about your career choices. On Qalbaq.com you can book sessions with one of their many consultants for a little Q&A session, a mock interview or assessment prep. Also - fun fact, I'm on their website as a consultant so you can also book a session with me (Please do that would be so fun)!

Yesterday I got a question about how to prep for an interview on short notice. THIS IS HOW FRIENDS! You can book a slot and do a mock interview ASAP so that you feel ready on interview day. Truly this is the perfect timing for this resource and I'm so happy I get to share it with you all!

One of the most difficult things about going into medicine is knowing how to navigate the truly insane standardized tests, applications, etc. Not everyone grows up in a family of doctors or lives in a big city with plenty of networking opportunities so I love the fact that this resource allows anyone to connect with physicians, medical students, employers, etc. A lot of getting into medical school is jumping through hoops and honestly those hoops can be so confusing if you don't have experience in the process. 

I'll always be here to help via insta stories, Q&As, and posts but I highly recommend you check out this resource for some one-on-one time with someone who knows the process. 

Hi friends

I’ve had a couple of people ask me what to do and how to feel better if you haven’t gotten an interview cycle so I wanted to make a post on the topic. First off, I want to just say this sucks and I’m sorry. Truly, it does not feel good, which brings me to my first piece of advice. 

Give yourself space for your feelings. You are allowed to feel shitty even if people are telling you to stay positive.

Now on how to not feel shitty… Plan something to look forward to each week. Good tip in general but extra important when you are anxious about applications.

Set a limit on how often you can check your email. If you open your email every 2 minutes you will lose your mind. I let myself check every hour which is probably too much but it’s what worked for me.

STAY OFF SDN AND REDDITT

If you do want to feel productive, you can write some letters of interest or update letters. Honestly, I only did this for a school after I was waitlisted so I’m not sure what the success rate really is. However, if you have something new (new job, new paper, new volunteering thing, etc) to tell them, definitely send the letter!!

Talk to someone who gets it. Hopefully everyone in your life is being supportive, but sometimes it really helps to talk to someone who went through the application cycle because they actually get it.

Know that there is 100% nothing wrong with you or your application. You did your best and I am so proud of you.

Xoxo

It's getting close to that time of year again. I am starting my second year of medical school in just a week and a half. And even more exciting, new first years will be starting in a few months. I remember being so nervous the summer before my first year of medical school so I wanted to share some things I wish I could've told myself back then. To all the incoming first years, congrats on your acceptance!! To all the premeds, keep this post in the back of your mind for later or for motivation.

What You Should Do Before Medical School Starts: 

1. ENJOY YOUR SUMMER. Get enough sleep, see your friends, spend time with your family, take your doggo on a ton of walks and spend time enjoying yourself. You deserve it. You've worked SO hard to get into medical school and you're going to work so hard during school. Use this time to relax and refresh.

2. If you want to feel productive, you can learn how to use Anki. Notice how I said learn how to use it, NOT start using it. There are some youtube videos and reels that you can look at just so you understand how it works. It can be confusing at first so downloading the app and getting a feel for it can be helpful.

3. Find ways to make your study space more enjoyable. You are going to spend a lot of time studying, either at home or on campus. Get ready for that by creating a study space that you love at home or buying things to make study days on campus more enjoyable.

4. Read posts made by older students at your school. There is likely a Facebook page with your classmates and older students, join it!

What you SHOULD NOT Do Before Medical School Starts.

1. Study. DON'T DO IT. There is nothing to study. Do not let anyone in your class or online tell you that you have to start Anki before school starts. You haven't learned anything. Why would you study...? Relax instead. There is plenty of time to study later, trust me.

2. Worry yourself to death. It will all be okay. When the time comes, you will figure everything out. Again, just relax and all will fall into place.

Welp, I hope that was helpful!!! I'm so proud of you for your acceptance and I hope you are enjoying your summer.

Xoxo and Happy Relaxing

Now that my first year of medical school is over, I wanted to sit down and reflect. This year was undoubtably different than I expected. I didn't expect to start medical school in the midst of a global pandemic... but I did.

I started school in a new city and I couldn't explore or even meet my classmates. It definitely wasn't ideal but I don't think I ever let myself realize how difficult of a year it really was for me. To be completely honest it wasn't the actual school part that was so difficult. I've always been good at school and studying is kind of my thing so exams weren't so bad. That was not everyone's experience and that is okay, but I am just being truthful about my own experiences. I spent most of my time studying, going on walks or going back home. I never really felt like my new home was home. I counted down the days until I could go back to my parents house. I was just generally unhappy in my new space. Over time, our class dynamics got shockingly bad, as everyone tried to cope with the stress of school and the world. We didn't know each other as humans, just as someone on the other side of the screen. The respect wasn't there and it showed. Our school switched systems in the middle of the year and we had no idea what was going on. To say it was kind of a mess is an understatement. I struggled a lot to find happiness in my new life for a while. I share all of this not because I want to scare incoming first years or make anyone feel sad for me... but to say that you can have a rough start and it can still turn out okay. Pro tip: Find a couple dog rescues in the area and help them out with dog transfers and short term fostering... it makes a HUGE difference for them and your mental health.

Though there are a lot of things about my first year that I am less than thrilled with, there were bright moments as well. I became co-president of our neurology student interest group, shadowed a few different pediatric neurologists (and LOVED every second of it) and eventually met people that are truly amazing. A year later and I can confidently say that next year will be better and I might even be looking forward to it. As this school year comes to a close, I have a lot of work to do on myself. This past year brought with it personal challenges that showed me that there are things about myself that I want to change. But it also showed me that I can go through some pretty awful times and come out okay. I'm proud that I did really well in school my first year despite these challenges. I say that because we should celebrate our wins instead of hiding them.

If you've gotten this far, thank you for reading. If you're going through a tough time with a new school or job just know that it will get better (cliche I know sorry). If you're going into your first year of medical school, be excited! But also be prepared for it to be less butterflies and rainbows than you might want. That's okay because you'll be okay.

Next block is Neurology and Psychiatry and I am SO excited. I know that is an unpopular opinion because it will be a difficult block. But, my passion is in neurology and psychiatry so I know that it'll be fun for me. I'm excited to see what the next year of school brings. I'm hoping for more substantial research experience, more shadowing opportunities and maybe even getting to know my classmates a bit better.

When Can I Start? - 

As early as you want! Some hospitals require you to be 18 years old but you can always start in clinic if that is the case. You should definitely start as soon as possible if you already know you are interested in medicine!

How Can I Shadow? How Do I ask?

Reach out to doctors you know, cold email doctors in your area or find shadowing programs online! Check out my instagram for an email template to ask for shadowing. 

What Do I Bring -

1. A small notebook and a pen so that you can take notes! Shadowing is a valuable experience and you should be taking some notes throughout the day.

2. If you have a name tag or ID badge, I would definitely wear it!

3. Water bottle and a snack! It might be a long day and you'll be on your feet a bunch.

What Do I Wear? - 

Dress business casual unless the doctor specifically tells you to wear scrubs! If you are shadowing in surgery they will usually give you hospital scrubs to change into but you can always pack a pair just in case! Wear comfortable but professional shoes! Ladies - I would seriously avoid wearing heels because you will be on your feet all day. Trust me, you need comfortable and supportive flats. If you are a medical student, you should wear your white coat!

How Long Should I Stay?

You can ask beforehand. The doctor might leave it up to you in which case you can leave at the lunch break or at the end of the day! Make sure to bring snacks either way though, just in case.

Is There Something I Should Have Prepared Besides Questions? What Should I Learn Beforehand?

Having questions in mind before you go in is great! You typically don't have to know much to shadow but if you want to be proactive you can do a little google search into the doctor and the specialty! 

What Should I Expect My First Time Shadowing?

It really depends on the doctor and the specialty. But, in general expect to follow the doctor around and just listen for the most part. You won't be expected to participate, especially if you aren't a medical student. Hopefully, the doctor will take time to teach you in between patients so be ready to take some notes!

How Do You Organize a Time to Shadow with a Busy Med School Schedule?

So far it hasn't been too difficult. It really depends on the doctor's schedule, especially because some doctors are only on inpatient service one week out of the month. I typically find a morning that doesn't have any required lectures and pick that day. If i miss other lectures I will watch the recordings later. Finding a full free day can be difficult but I consider a free day any day that doesn't have a specifically required session since I can always watch recorded lectures later on.

Any General Tips?

1. If you ever feel light-headed or like you are going to pass out, quietly excuse yourself and sit down immediately. You really don't want to pass out in the OR or in a patient room so it's best to excuse yourself and sit down! If this does happen, do not stress about it. Plenty of medical students end up having to excuse themselves on their surgery rotation. It happens and it's totally okay but just be honest with yourself if you need a break.

2. I will say it one more time...bring snacks, drink water and wear comfortable shoes!!!!!

As a first year medical student, I am so eager to make connections with pediatric neurologists both at my school and at other California schools. At first, I didn’t really know where to start or what to say but I knew I wanted to introduce myself.

It can be nerve-racking to cold-email someone who you aspire to be one day. So, here are some tips for reaching out, asking for shadowing or research ideas and finding a mentor!

1. Research the person you are emailing! If they have a specific area of research you are in, read the abstracts (or even better, whole papers) of their most recent publications. Mention specifics in your email or later meetings to show your interest and commitment.
2. Have a goal in mind! This one I learned recently because I was caught off guard with this question. If you are looking for research, what are you hoping to get out of it? Do you want to create your own project? Do you want to get to know the lab and what research is like? Etc. It doesn’t have to be super specific but have an idea of what your end goal is.
3. Respect their time but DO NOT be afraid to follow up! People are busy and sometimes they forget to respond to emails. I usually give it a week before I send a short and very respectful follow-up email. Anytime I’ve done this the person has always thanked me for reminding them that they forgot about my first email! Do not be afraid to follow up.
4. Have some questions ready for them if you do get a chance to meet in person or over the phone. This is especially important if you are looking for a mentor in general. You want to show interest and also learn something if you are going to be taking up their time!
5. Don’t be afraid to reach out! This is honestly the most important thing. Cold emailing is scary but can lead to so many exciting opportunities. The worst thing that can happen is they say no or don’t respond and you move on to the next opportunity.

I hope this was helpful! Be on the lookout for an email template on my instagram soon!

Much Love Always

It's that time of year again and I imagine that many of you are so overwhelmed thinking about finals. My own finals start in a week from yesterday and so I completely understand the panic. These tips are meant to help you through studying for finals in undergrad (especially as a pre-med). I am definitely using some of these tips as I study for my medical school finals but I don't want to pretend like I know the best way to go about medical school finals. I'm truly just rolling with it and hoping that I study the right way, but I guess we will see! Here are some things that worked for me when I was in undergrad:

1. Make a to-do list for each final. Include all the lectures/practice questions/etc that you want to get through. Having a list always makes me feel more in control! It is also great to be able to check things off as you go so that you can see the progress you are making. 

2. Schedule your time. I say this on my blog/instagram a lot but it really works. Schedule each day with exactly what you want to accomplish. Some people prefer to study each class for a few days before switching. I personally prefer to study for multiple classes a day. Pick which works for you and make a schedule.

3. GET ENOUGH SLEEP. Do not pull all-nighters. Really don't. It is not sustainable considering you are probably studying for a week or more and it is not going to help you learn material.  Also, fun fact, you consolidate your memories while you sleep so you need to sleep in order to remember what you learned!! 

4. Try to avoid junk food/fast food. I am in FULL support of chocolate while you study or ice cream every night as a reward. This is not me telling you to "eat healthy". I say this only because fast food and junk food can make you sluggish and tired.

5. Remember that coffee is not a meal. Another fun fact, your brain is picky when it comes to fuel. It requires glucose to work at its best so it is important that you remember to eat real meals while you're studying.

6. The library is not for everyone. Some people thrive in the library but it is okay if you don't! You shouldn't feel pressure to live in the library just because that is what people around you are doing. I hate the library and much prefer to study at home!

7. Let your meal times be a break! You don't need to study while you eat dinner, I promise. Use the time to decompress.

8. Study by yourself before you study with peers. As much as I love studying with friends, it is only helpful if you all know the material. It is very difficult to go over content or do practice questions as a group if you didn't study first. 

9. Carefully choose your study partners. Throughout undergrad I had 3 people that I consistently studied with. We worked well together, supported each other, learned the same ways and all stayed on top of the material. It was amazing and we really helped one another. Find your people and stick to them. Large study groups often turn into social hour and that isn't the best during finals week. Also, make sure to avoid people that insist on comparing themselves to you. You don't need to compare your study habits to anyone else's and you shouldn't allow others to make you.

10. Remember that it will be over soon and you will be okay. 

Happy Studying

xoxo

With the holidays coming up I thought I would share some things I have loved having during my first year so that you can use them as gift ideas! I'm a medical student but I would imagine that these gifts would be perfect for anyone pursuing healthcare. Quick disclaimer: make sure to check that the person you are buying for doesn't already have some of these items - they are pretty common but most first years don't get them right away so they can still be great gifts!

1. Comfy and Cute Scrubs: I am a big fan of Jaanuu Scrubs ( https://www.jaanuu.com )! They have so many styles and colors to choose from! Some schools require that students wear a specific color so you may want to check with the student you are buying for to see if that is the case! However, even if the hospital requires a certain color, most clinics and outpatient facilities don't have a set color so it shouldn't be a problem in those settings! Jannuu is currently having a Black Friday sale but if you miss out on that you can use the code NUUXJORDAN at checkout for 20% off your order. 

2. Littmann Stethoscope ( https://www.littmann.com/3M/en_US/littmann-stethoscopes/ ): Many schools give their students a free stethoscope but it isn't always the best quality. Littman stethoscopes come highly recommended and I was actually gifted one before I went to medical school! I have the Littman Classic II but many people also get the Classic III. Either one is great for students and high quality (There is no need to get the Cardiology IV). They come in many colors but black and silver is always a good choice if you are giving a gift. However, you can always ask the student you are buying for if they want to spice it up with a different color!

3. Tote Bag: I use mine when I go to the hospital, clinic or to campus to study and love it! Important things to look for before you buy: Laptop pocket?, Big enough to fit a water bottle, stethoscope, computer, etc? Durable? I have one from Kate Spade that I got during one of their surprise sales (otherwise they can be very expensive) but I am going to link some more options below. 

https://surprise.katespade.com/products/staci-laptop-tote/WKRU7099.html?dwvar_WKRU7099_color=129

https://www.macys.com/shop/product/samsonite-mobile-solution-classic-convertible-carryall?ID=10204222&CategoryID=47417&swatchColor=Black

https://tjmaxx.tjx.com/store/jump/product/women-handbags-tote-bags/Day-And-Night-2pc-Tote-And-Crossbody-Set/1000621128?colorId=NS1091110&pos=1:32&N=2969138428

4. Ugg Slippers: They are perfect for study days at home!

5. Candles: Lately, I have been lighting my candles while studying at night and it is so nice. It really does help me feel a little calmer while I spend a million hours studying! 

6. Starbucks Giftcard: This probably doesn't need any explanation...

7. Codexanatomy Prints ( https://codexanatomy.com/ ): These are such a perfect way for pre-meds or medical students to decorate their study space. Be on the lookout for a Codexanatomy giving coming soon on my insta :) 

8. Kurig Coffee Maker: This is such a good thing to buy while Black Friday sales are happening!! I seriously don't think I could make it through school without my coffer maker! If the student you are shopping for already has a coffee maker go ahead and get them a ton of pods. Coffee is ALWAYS welcome among medical students. 

I hope this list helps you find the perfect gift for the student you are shopping for!

xoxo and Happy Shopping!!

All medical schools have different curriculum designs, but many schools opt to give quizzes/exams every other week during block 1 to keep students accountable! However, this definitely is not unique to medical schools. I took classes in undergrad that gave small quizzes every other week or chose to give unit exams rather than one midterm. I personally like this method of testing because there is less material and less at stake for each quiz. But, with a quiz and an anatomy practical happening every 10-14 days, I ALWAYS feel like I'm in exam study mode. This makes it difficult to sustain focus and avoid falling behind. I want to share what I've been doing to survive and maybe even thrive with exams every other week. 

As with everything else, Anatomy Lab is a bit different this semester. At my school, we are only doing 1/3 of the dissections (because we are split into 3 groups to keep room capacity down) and we are not allowed in the lab for "open lab" study hours. Obviously, this makes lab practicals and quizzes kind of difficult to study for. These are some of the resources I am using to keep on top of the material! I hope it's helpful to those of you struggling to study for anatomy during the pandemic (or anytime). 

• Anatomy lab is split into 2 groups - each anatomy table (aka cadaver) has 5-6 people but we are split into two days. So for example, I have anatomy on Tuesdays with two of my lab partners while the rest of our group has lab on Thursdays. On Friday, the five of us will be in lab together. In order to keep room capacity low enough on Fridays, half the lab tables come in the morning and the other half comes in the afternoon. I know this is confusing but basically - anatomy lab is split into two groups.

• We each only do ~half of the anatomy labs. To be honest, I am kind of worried about this because we will still be tested on the entire body during practical exams. Basically, the Tuesday group will do one dissection and the Thursday group will do another so that we can still finish the whole body by November. We will, of course, have an opportunity to see exactly what the other group did but it won’t be the same as doing the lab ourselves.

• Almost all of our classes are online! Some classes are live-zoom sessions (aka we have to be there and participate at a specific time) while others are pre-recorded lectures. This honestly does not really bother me, except in the case of Clinical Skills. I feel like it is going to be so difficult to learn to do a physician exam over Zoom? I have my first class on physical exams on Wednesday, so I’ll let you guys know how it goes.

• We have to buy more equipment ourselves. Many of the MS2’s told us not to worry about buying BP cuffs and other physical exam equipment because we would be able to use the ones in the classrooms… but obviously that isn’t the case right now. Not the biggest deal because hopefully we only need a few extra lower cost items but it is definitely making med school a tad more expensive. We also aren’t allowed to bring iPads into lab and have to buy a physical copy of the dissector (again not super expensive but still more than the free PDF).

• Pretty much all extracurricular activities have paused. This isn’t a huge deal since most students suggest giving yourself time to adjust to medical school classes before jumping into extracurriculars. However, it is likely going to effect our ability to get involved in student-run clinics (which are huge at my school) before the new year. Super unfortunate but again, not the end of the world.

• Our white coat ceremony was via Zoom. This made me sad because I was so excited for my family and boyfriend to come to my white coat ceremony. But, in the end, they got to watch via Zoom and I still felt so loved and supported.

COVID has definitely shaken up the world. I am NOT saying it has affected my life in any significant way compared to the patients and families affected by the disease, the physicians working on sick patients, or the individuals who have lost their jobs/food security/safety. I feel incredibly lucky to be able to list the small ways COVID will affect my education and hopefully that list does not grow. I’ve been asked how medical school will differ this year and I wanted to share some ways I’ve seen the effects of the pandemic on my education. Again, if you can write a list of the ways COVID has affected you, looked at it and felt okay, then count your blessings. The lovely @bri taught me a long time ago that being positive is so important for your mental health and I will never forget that. Positivity in this time is more important than ever. Maybe I’ll even do a post on this at a later date… stay tuned. This is truly a crazy world we live in and I’m just lucky to have the opportunity to enter the medical profession at such a pivotal point.