How to Conquer 1st Year Block Test
Tips and advices from Laaika Amod on how to conquer 1st year block test.
Get to know Laaika: University Experience & Worst Mark
Hey, there! My name is Laaika Amod and my feature in this newsletter is to provide tips on how to conquer 1st year block test based on my experience. This post is directed towards first year medical students who have no idea how to prepare for the block test but there are also helpful tips that can aid seniors which is more reason to continue reading on.
By now many of you may know me as the very loud tutor who attempted to make histology a bit less gross for you - if you are a first year medical student at UP. In case you don’t know me, I am a second-year medical student and previously a nursing student. Having already spent many years at university (and still have many more to go), I myself am still slowly navigating the world of campus, so I can imagine how strange and difficult this may all seem right now.
As I look back at the past two years, I still have PTSD from first year chemistry and the horrors that held; and by horrors, I mean my 37% for chemistry test two. Don’t get despondent though, it gets so much better, much more difficult but better. Along with the trauma, I’ve also made some great memories that I am sure I’ll remember long after medical school. That’s the first bit of advice I have to offer: nobody remembers the long hours of intense studying or the exams you wrote, but you’ll always remember the fun days with friends, the outings, and nights you spent making memories. Make the most of the free time you have, you’ll never be this free again.
Don’t get despondent though, it gets so much better, much more difficult but better.
Say Bye to Cramming and Master the Art of Studying
Let’s cut to the chase, the main point of medical school is the work. So, how do you actually conquer the block test? The first and most integral step is finding a study method that works best for you. Look back to your matric year or previous years of study and see what went right and what went wrong. Did you spend hours studying a topic and making notes and yet somehow still not know anything at the end? Did you leave your studying for the last minute and then panic the night before? Did you just rewrite slides and call it studying? If so, then congrats you’re exactly like me but we need to move past this.
The first subject test I wrote went confidently horrible. I barely remembered much, and most of what I actually focused on wasn’t of much worth. I would hate for that to happen to you too especially in the block test. So, what did I do to change my marks from barely passing to a promotion and eventually a distinction? The answer is simple: Ask for help. Luckily, I made this step for you by telling you exactly what I did. I asked a very clever, high-achieving friend about her approach, and her response was remarkably straightforward: active recall.
The answer is simple: Ask for help.
Active Recall
To effectively commit information to memory, start by teaching or verbalizing it. Thereafter, challenge yourself to recall what you've learned, either by recitation or writing down everything you remember about the topic. Repeat this process several times for each section, spanning a couple of days. I assure you, this method will firmly anchor the information in your long-term memory, making it readily accessible the next time you face a challenging exam.
Cramming
Let's address cramming. While it might provide short-term relief, believe me, it's detrimental in the long run. I understand that active recall requires time, which is why it's crucial to start preparing for the block test well time and leave the notion of cramming at the door of Prinshof Campus. It might seem passable for the initial tests, but it becomes challenging once the block test and exam come around. I realize this might sound like overly dramatic advice at the moment, but trust me, I wish someone had emphasized this before my exams.
Practical Tip: Actively recall what you've learned. Teach, read aloud, and then challenge yourself to retrieve the information. Repeat this process over several days for it to firmly take root in your long-term memory. Start early, give concepts time to settle, and watch your understanding deepen.
Your Study Style Matters
Finding a study method that aligns with your individual learning style is essential for achieving success in exams. We all have unique ways of processing and retaining information, and recognizing what resonates with us can make a significant difference in our academic performance.
Basically, find what works for you. We are all very different and while reciting and memorizing works for some, others may require colors and drawings or even mnemonics to assist them in memorizing information. I always thought I wasn’t a mnemonics girly, but boy did I find them extremely helpful in block one. Off the top of my head, I still remember PVT TIM HALL for essential amino acids or “Some Say Money Matters, But My Big Brother Says Big Bums Matter Most” for the functions of cranial nerves. Yes, these are quite quirky sometimes, but the weirder they are, the better they’ll stick in your brain.
The weirder the [mnemonics] are, the better they’ll stick in your brain.
To add, experimenting with different methods allows you to pinpoint what truly works best for you. This personalized approach not only enhances comprehension but also promotes effective retention, ultimately leading to improved performance come exam time. Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all solution, so invest the time to discover your most favorable study strategy – it's an investment in your academic success.
Practical Tip: You can browse YouTube to find videos that explain the different study techniques and you might come across one that works best for you. Or you can try creating quirky mnemonics as mentioned above - they might just be the key to unlocking complex concepts.
The Power of Lectures: Attendance and Preparation
Beyond this, your attendance and preparation for lectures are equally important – if not more. Nothing makes a large amount of content easier to memorize than remembering from a lecture. Yes, there will be med students who will advise you to skip lectures, and definitely it works for some students, but unless you are sure you have the dedication to study everything by yourself without external explanations, I would suggest not risk skipping lectures. You have put too much time and effort into getting in to risk being academically excluded because you simply weren’t dedicated enough.
Unless you are sure you have the dedication to study everything by yourself without external explanations, I would suggest not risk skipping lectures.
In terms of what I found to be useful to prepare for the block test and exam, I found the lecture notes to be sufficient and rarely used a prescribed textbook because the lecturer that sets the paper also makes the slides, so they know what to include and what not to for assessments. I also relied on tutorials and occasional YouTube videos to enhance my understanding or clear up any confusion.
Practical Tip: Lecture slides often suffice in preparation for the tests and exams. Supplement with tutorials and select YouTube videos for enhanced understanding.
Group Study or Solo Riding?
Beyond study materials, a great support network is crucial. Medical school is impossible to survive without a support system around you. It may be friends or family or even your therapist, you will require them. However, when it came to studying, I preferred to be alone, especially before exams because I have the habit of becoming a hermit before tests so sitting alone and studying is my go-to tactic to ensure that I remain focused.
Medical school is impossible to survive without a support system around you.
Experiment and find out what works for you. Are your friends the type to remain focused or to distract you? Do you prefer your home or a somewhat noisier environment such as a coffee shop or even campus? Personally, I love campus, and you'll often find me sitting alone with a cup of coffee and my iPad, getting some studying done.
Practical Tip: Identify your ideal study environment, whether it's a quiet corner at home, the vibrant buzz of a coffee shop or the discussion rooms in the library where you can study with friends.
To conclude, we are all very different in our study approach and it takes some experimentation to find what works but remember, all of us were in high school at some point and we’ve all made it out alive and sane (well most of us). So, keep going, give it your all and most importantly don’t let the imposter syndrome bugs bite.
All the best for the block test and exams!