Category: NEET

Categories
MBBS NEET

MBBS Survival Guide

First Year – Embrace the frustration

I remember the day I knew I was getting admission into a medical college. I was overjoyed and overwhelmed. I couldn’t wait for the professional course to start and finally wear that apron.It was my dream since I had first thought of being a doctor.

First of all, congratulations, you made it! Cracking JEE/PMT was tough, but you somehow made it, and now you are here, so welcome to the medical college.

Being done with the intro lets come to why I am writing this topic. A few years back, I was in the same spot as you, but it took me some time to figure out things about the college all by myself, and being a science guy, it was slightly tricky for me to adjust at first to the fast pace college lectures.

If I have to be brutally honest, then I have bad news for you. You will have to work twice/thrice as hard that of your JEE preparation here to pass. There will be sleepless nights, and 1st semester will be challenging, but with the help of this little guide, I guess you will do just fine as I decided to hence in short, write how your 1st-year M.B., B.S. will be, how you will have to study and which books you can use.

Mainly in a medical college, newbies are afraid of being ragged. However, don’t worry, most colleges have powerful anti-ragging committees, and you should have proper protection against any menacing behavior. You won’t be ragged! At least physically.

However, if your seniors try to talk to you, ask your name, rank, or hometown, don’t be shy and run away. To get people talking, most seniors try to devise funny games and weird tasks. Be a sport and play along. These moments will strengthen your bond with them, and believe me; you are going to require their help, A LOT! They can advise you on which books to use, which lectures to attend, and even what clothes to wear on the day of vivas! Being a chicken will only keep you from these words of the gurus!

You are coming to academic affairs. You won’t deal with any patients this year, apart from those asking you for directions for some room.

As you may already know, you have three non-clinical subjects for your first year:

1. Anatomy
2. Physiology
3. Biochemistry

Anatomy is the study of the masterpiece. The intricate structure of the human body. In physiology, you will learn how this creation works fascinating wonders. The body processes. While Biochemistry will tell you how the tiny non-living magician molecules interact to sustain this miracle of life. (you know the Glycolysis pathway and Krebs’ cycle, right?) 

Now coming to the examination system. You will have two main semester exam one, usually in January, and another around the end of May. After passing these two exams, you will have to sit for the First Professional MBBS exam conducted by the university, which happens around the end of July a month after your second-semester exam. Apart from these big exams, you will have part completions and items throughout the year as self-assessment tests.

M.B.,B.S. is, in fact, a course of 4.5 + 1 (compulsory internship) years.

1st year – is of practically only 8 – 9 months

2nd year – is of 1 year

3rd year – is of 2 years (Don’t ask me why they call it a year then)

Now coming to the books, you will you throughout this course, and coming to books, I should mention our college’s “Cheap Store,” which has all the books and that too at a discounted price. Else you can always rely on Amazon or Flipkart to get you the best deal.

Anatomy

Anatomy is the largest and most extensive of the three, requiring intense hard work and sincere efforts. The first fear that every medical student faces is the fear of new long words; for that, you will need a dictionary, and Dorland is the best medical dictionary.

Coming to the books, and here I want to give you guys a little tip. Use one foreign author review book first to have a good grasp of the subject. Then use the Indian author book to have a good grasp of the questions asked in the exam. This will make you have a solid understanding of the subject as well as you will be able to do good in the exams. So I am going to divide the list of books under two headings for all the three subjects:

Foreign Review Authors for Anatomy:

*1. Gray’s Anatomy Student Edition – My personal favorite as this serves both the function of an Atlas(a book with many pictures) and concisely has all the essential clinically relevant points written down.

2. Clinical Anatomy by Systems (Snell) – Some people highly suggest this book.

Indian Authors for Anatomy:

1. Human Anatomy (By AKD) – commonly used by West Bengal students

*2. B.D. Chaurasia’s Human Anatomy

Well, the list goes on and on, but what I can suggest is that whatever book(series) you use for studying anatomy, stick to that don’t try to study SUPEX from both AKD as well as BDC that will just ruin things for you. Instead, what you can do is do SUPEX first from BDC and then just read the clinical correlates and X-rays from some other book, but don’t try to read the whole chapter from both!

3. High Yield Gross Anatomy – Another excellent book for revision before the exams!

Another small tip is that don’t waste much time taking pictures of corpses instead practice regularly with your friends the structures shown the previous day it is more useful than H.D. videos of the teacher showing structures.

*are the must-have books!

Physiology

Well, you will love this subject as it is the only subject that makes proper sense and giving it a little time each day will bring you fruitful results, but you will need concepts to ace physiology and to do that your primary selection of book should be perfect!

Foreign Review Authors for Physiology:

1. Ganong’s Review of Medical Physiology

*2. Guyton’s Textbook of Medical Physiology

*3. BRS Physiology (by Linda S Costanzo)

It would help if you bought Guyton which is better than Ganong, but my personal favorite is BRS Physiology where they provide all the facts from each chapter in a nutshell, and it’s concise, so after buying Guyton or Ganong but BRS

Indian Authors for Physiology:

1. Principles of Physiology (By Debasish Pramanik) – commonly used by West Bengal students

*2. Essentials of Medical Physiology – Sembulingam

Well all of you would need “D.P.” before the exam to prepare for semesters but if you have bought something else then that will work too, but still I suggest you get a “D.P.” and do all the topics from it.

*are the must-have books!

Biochemistry

The subject which you will ignore for most of the year is Biochemistry and since you will only study this before the exam so your choice of books should be right to aid you before the exam.

Foreign Review Authors for Biochemistry:

*1. Lippincott Illustrated Reviews: Biochemistry – This is the religious textbook of biochemistry, you study this you understand biochemistry, no other book is better than this!

2. Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry – Although you will hear many recommending this book, it’s pretty much useless at our level. It’s a book for post-graduate biochem students. Don’t buy it.

Indian Authors for Biochemistry:

1. Textbook of Biochemistry for Medical Students (by Vasudevan)

*2. Biochemistry (by Satyanarayana)

Everyone recommends you buy Vasudevan but belive me, Satyanarayana nails it by being to the point and precise, and it’s just invaluable to those who won’t touch this subject throughout the year but will only sit with biochem when it comes to the exam!

Second Year – Taste of Medicine

While surviving the first year is a herculean task. Second-year, especially 3rd semester, should be used to its maximum potential. 

In the video, I discuss in detail the resources to use, and the ones to avoid.

While you think of relaxing after your first year is over. This is the ideal time to put the pedal to the metal. While many of your peers will be go clubbing on almost every weekend, unless you use your time wisely this year, you won’t be able to shine during your post-graduate examinations.

Free video resource which I suggest you use – https://onlinemeded.org/spa/basic-sciences

Books which I recommend:

Pathology: Big Robbins (Reference); Goljan (Reading); Pathoma (Revision/Reading)

Pharmacology: Katzung (Reference); Lippincott (Reading); Kaplan Lecture Notes (any edition) (Revision/Reading)

Microbiology: Clinical microbiology made ridiculously simple (best resource)

Immunology: Levinson

Link to my 2nd MBBS Resource (specific to colleges in West Bengal/ you may find something useful here) – https://mega.nz/folder/W8YGHSoC#SAkWW3ZN0KEXnbvw9C9o_w/folder/ftg3jA6S

Final Year (MBBS Part 1 and 2) – Why is my hair falling out?

The final year is considered one of the cruelest years in MBBS. I clubbed part 1 and part 2 during my prep and would ask you to do the same. While these two are treated as sperate years, unless and until you start reading about medicine and the other final year subjects from Day 1 of Part 1, you won’t be able to keep up with the college or your over-achieving peers. Below listed are the resources which I had used to ace my final year examinations.

Free Video Resources:

OnlinemedED – https://onlinemeded.org

Paul Bolin’s Channel – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyaG5WliXdoVSC-yh5iDk8Q

Books which I recommend:

ENT: Dhingra 

EYE: Khurana, Sure Success Ophthalmology (practical)

Community Medicine: Park (reference), Maiti (exam prep)

FMT: Ask your seniors!

Medicine: Harissons (Reference); Step up to Medicine (Reading); Matthews (Revision/Reading)

Surgery: Pestana’s surgery notes (best resource), Bailey and Love (reference), SRB (exam prep) 

Gynae and Obs: DC Dutta (ref), Aftab sir’s book (reading), Exam prep manual (Bhojani – reading)

Pediatrics: Ghai (reference + reading)

Link to my Final MBBS Resource (may be specific to colleges in West Bengal) – 

https://mega.nz/folder/W8YGHSoC#SAkWW3ZN0KEXnbvw9C9o_w

Well, with this Gyan, I would like to conclude this post. I hope this helps you in some way, and also, feel free to contact me in the Youtube comment section/ Facebook messenger/ Instagram/ Twitter or comment here if you need help with anything.

About the author – Dr. Arjun Chatterjee

“ I want to thank Dr. Rohit Nathani for allowing me to write this article for his blog. I have made a few videos on my YouTube Channel going over the highlights from this post, which I will be attaching to the article. Hopefully, you’ll find this helpful.

I completed my MBBS and internship from Calcutta National Medical College. Having taken all steps and done my clinical electives, I plan to apply for residency in the United States of America (Match 2021). Right now, I am working as a Research Trainee in the Dept of GI at Mayo Clinic, my research interest being pancreatic cancer.”

Ask the author your questions using the comments section below.

Liked this post ? Share it with your friends on social media!


This blog is made by imgs for imgs, so help out your friends by sharing your USMLE experiences. You can fill out the form on the Contribute Page or email us at theindianmedicalstudent@gmail.com.

Get more USMLE articles directly to your inbox!

* indicates required
Categories
Internship NEET

How to study for NEET – NEET 2018 Experience by Dr. Vaibhav Nagpal

We have Dr. Vaibhav Nagpal sharing his NEET 2018 experience with us. In this article he shares his tips on how to study for NEET. This is how he secured All India Rank 33 in NEET 2018.

(I am writing this article with the motive of helping students in NEET preparation. I will stress more on the approach of studying rather than what to study.)

NEET is neither a war nor is it the end of life. It marks the first few steps of our journey as a doctor. Do not consider this as a difficult task; like reaching the summit of Mount Everest, instead, take it as a stepping stone.

Building a castle requires a strong foundation, thus developing a good base plays an important role in the process.

It is not mandatory for you to become a bookworm, but then again you should not become super and chill and  take everything casually.

During the first year the initial period is lost in getting accustomed to the new college, new environment. Having a basic idea in this year about anatomy and physiology will suffice, but do not neglect biochemistry.

The second year includes a golden time filled with fun, along with it has two golden subjects, Pharmacology and Pathology. You should treat K.D. Tripathi and Robbins with utmost respect because they form the foundation of almost everything.

Defer doing MCQs to third minor, study concepts and have fun in the meanwhile.

The third year has a lot of potential time. Complete the three subjects properly especially Community medicine which should be done twice. At the same time try to finish MCQs of important topics like Concept of health, Epidemiology, Health programs, etc.

Try to start Ophthalmology early on, because it being a conceptual subject and gets neglected in the end Otorhinolaryngology is a pretty  interesting, easy subject which can be completed in this year itself.

Third year is the most appropriate time to attend coaching classes because not only do they give you an overall idea about the 19 subjects but also give a basic approach.

Making good quality completed notes is very important.

There will be times when in the evening (4-5pm) you are not able to understand whatever is being taught, it’s important not to leave the class then. Instead, write whatever is being said and complete your notes because these topics are covered by Faculty who have been observing the trend over the years.

Neglecting clinical postings should be a strict no no because not only it hones your clinical and communication skills but also becomes valuable in solving image based questions, which have become a frequent.

Being well versed with final year helps a lot because the knowledge remains fresh for NEET. By the time we reach final year we tend to forget the basics, so this is the time to strengthen our foundation as well as get a better understanding.

This can be done by integrating Final year subjects with 1st and 2nd year subjects. For example: Reading required Anatomy before General Surgery/Obstetrics and Gynaecology, reading related Physiology and Pathology before reading Medicine.

Few Golden points which made a huge contribution in my success:

  1. Stop studying for marks in university exams (Build concepts and have a good base). Changing your approach while studying helps in the long run.
  2. Listen to the advice of sensible seniors (Learn from their mistakes and don’t repeat them).
  3. Know your body and mind well (How much you can stretch beyond your comfort zone) and make goals accordingly.
  4. Never compare yourself with anyone. You may be a slow reader but have a better retention with few revisions and others may require multiple readings for the same amount of retention, so always know the pattern which suits you and follow it religiously.
  5. Never change books in between your internship because reading from different books dilutes your memory. Trust your choices and don’t get carried away.

NEET and Internship

Now let’s focus on NEET preparation during internship. NEET is a Mind game. If you are strong till the end and never give up, you will get through the drill well.

Balancing internship with studies is the most crucial part which everyone finds difficult. Total Number of hours of study is not the only thing which will help you crack NEET.

Smart and organized study differentiates you from the ordinary.

Internship provides necessary pressure because if you have too much time you tend to waste it and lose focus resulting in failure.

Giving a slow start in internship is fundamental. You can’t afford to burn out in the first few months. Don’t be under the pressure that if you have light postings initially you need to study 10-12hrs a day. This is counterproductive and will lead to exhaustion. Instead of studying 10-12hrs a day start studying early.

Taking rest/doing recreational activities (Sports or music) for at least 1 hour after your work has a vital role in keeping your mind fresh. Consider it as an investment for the rest of the day.

Take daily breaks for 1-2 hours, weekly half-day breaks on Sundays. A break of 2-3 days every 3 months is very crucial for people living in the hostel, go home and unwind and give a fresh start. We are not machines, can’t work endlessly.

The more stress you take, the lesser is the retention. Don’t turn into a pressure cooker which may burst at an inappropriate moment.

One thing which helped me the most is:

Planning → Analysis → Re-planning

Making a schedule is very essential for a productive outcome. While making the schedule following things should be kept in mind:

  • Clinical posting (heavy light)
  • Test and discussion timetable (if joined)
  • Weak/strong subjects

Whenever assigning days to a particular subject always keep your emergency duty in mind. Making a schedule wisely and following it sincerely can do wonders.

The schedule should be tailored according to your pattern and never copied from anyone else. Always have a deadline for your schedule. If they are crossed, you have to leave that part and pick it up during revision. By extending you are unknowingly stealing the time allotted to another subject.

A simple trick which may help in Wards is, try to solve questions and not read subjects.

Reading a new topic requires a greater amount of concentration, which is not required for solving MCQs of a topic which is previously studied. This gives a lot of satisfaction and keeps you connected to the subject.

How to study?

Minimum 3-4 readings are required for an average person to score well in NEET. Since the questions of NEET are based on factual information, repeated revisions from the same source is the key for better retention.

Notes play a principal role in pacing up things. Notes can be used only if they are complete, which requires sincerity in the 3rd year during classes.

Never consider notes to be insufficient, rather it is an assorted collection of information made by experienced teachers who have carefully observed the pattern of exam.

Do not have a misunderstanding that notes made in earlier years get outdated by the time you reach internship. The important topics in the NEET exam remain the same.

The depth of knowledge required to solve them increases because they have to judge 1.25 lakh people with just 300 questions.

Start your first reading with notes as well as MCQ books. Read the same topic first from the notes and then go through the same topic from MCQ book, marking only that point u feel is important and missing from the notes.

You have to be very selective while marking in your book. Make a single source (Notes/MCQ book) from where you are going to read that topic for the next 2-3 revisions.

Do not change your source in the last few months.

While reading focus on things which have two similar/confusing answers. For example – In Galactosemia, most common enzyme involved is not galactokinase. Focus more on the questions in which your concept is wrong because all the connected questions will go wrong.

Narrowing down your information with your successive revisions is the most essential thing. You cannot read everything which you have read over 5 months in 2 months and then 1 month and later in just 15 days.

We need to have a marking scheme in such a way that we mark only those things which we need to read in the next revision. Use whatever way u want to separate the information marked in different readings. For example: Use different color pens and highlighters.

Start giving Grand tests (300 questions) from July because even if all the subjects are not covered it gives an overall analysis. Don’t be afraid of the score or the negative marking. Giving grand tests has the following benefits:

  1. It tells you where you stand
  2. Detailed analysis of each subject
  3. Hang of giving test with full concentration for 3hrs
  4. Shows the trend of questions of each subject

At the end of 10-12 Grand tests, we get a collection of 180-200 questions for each subject which are most commonly asked. Analyse these questions in detail and make a list of topics and put them under two categories High yielding topics (most commonly repeated) and Weak topics.

This helps in covering all the subjects in 20-30 days. This should be done before starting your second revision (3rd reading). For everyone their weak points are different, realising this and making your own list helps you in the future.

You should solve 80-100 questions (Past 6-7 years only) daily and not more than that because reading explanation is equally important

. In your successive readings only marked questions which you answered wrong or you found difficult should be revised. There is no need of seeing all the questions.

NEET and a Gap year?

Few tips for those who take a break from studies in internship and appear for NEET next year. A lot of people are not able to concentrate on two things simultaneously.

Some people need a break because they are exhausted, starting when you are already tired is of no use. There is nothing wrong in this approach.

While preparing you should always have an activity to de-stress and take your mind off from studies for a while. Playing a sport or listening to music are one of the commonest and most effective ways to relax.

Having an organised and planned study time table is very important. Most essential part is having a good peer group who are sailing in the same boat as you.

Having good people around helps you manage many stressors easily and increase your productivity. Remaining emotionally and mentally strong is the most crucial part.

I would like to conclude here with an emphasis on two qualities which will lead you to success in anything in life.

 

Being honest to yourself

Never giving up

Dr. Vaibhav Amar Nagpal is currently pursuing his residency in Ophthalmology (MS) at Maulana Azad Medical College. You can ask questions to the author in the comments section below.

Check out more articles on NEET here.

[jetpack_subscription_form title=”Like this article?” subscribe_text=”Subscribe for FREE and get articles directly to your inbox. Never miss an update” subscribe_button=”Subscribe FREE”]

Categories
NEET

How to get a Great NEET rank while doing Internship [NEET 2018 experience]

NEET 2018 Experience

Juggling internship and studies can be a task but is it impossible? No. Dr. Ankita Das, AIR 52, was just another ordinary intern, making it extraordinary. Here is her NEET 2018 experience!

WHY CAN’T YOU?

“Internship AND NEET ? Hah, long shot, so not gonna happen” says the fresh final year pass out.  And that’s where half the battle is lost.

Every year, a new batch of students, protected by the walls of the college building and naive, are thrown into the life that is internship. Was it only for internship, it would have been the best phase of life.



The number of times I have wondered what if all I had to worry about in the day is how I’m going to make the collections before the labs shut, life would have been so much simpler. I wouldn’t complain about the extra Foley’s or IV or the sudden “accompanying a patient” tasks falling into my lap.

I would gladly even have stayed back longer than warranted just to learn a little bit of something more than I am “supposed” to do.

But that’s the harsh reality of NEET. We don’t do justice to either. 

And there’s really no solution to this situation but one, and that’s FIRE. All we need, is the “fire” to learn, to do new things, to work, to give it our all, and most of all, to get that seat.

The fire to NOT have to do it again. To do it once, and do it well. To not be bogged down by “yeh humare bas ki baat nahi hai” and give in to that feeling of doubt.

One thing that I realised a little later in the year than I should have, but what was golden and what kept me working till my maximum, was “Why NOT me?” Do I lack the brains? Do I lack the amenities? Or is it just a matter of my effort?

Be the one that everyone fears. Be that person that the others would look at and be intimidated “arrey iska toh ho jayega yaar”. And that doesn’t come with a stellar track record or any amount of brilliance, but only and only with effort. A smart, consistent, and sincere effort.

To do your best, to do justice to yourself, so that when you have the result in your hand you will never have to say “arrey I could have put in more yaar”. All you have to do is believe that you are one of those people who are going to sail through. You must believe in yourself.

As far as the technicalities of managing internship with NEET go, just remember one thing, that time is everything. Whether it’s in June or in November, an hour is an hour. It’s tough to live by the clock for months on end, but it’s only about a few months.

Yes, you will be slow initially, it will be difficult to pick up pace, but whether you do it out of consistent effort or with last minute panic studies, this way or that, you MUST finish your first reading somewhere in early September.

Make a rough timetable for the entire year. And you will know exactly how less the buffer time is. First revision starts somewhere in September, ideally 1st September. Second revision must be somewhere in end October. That gives time for a third revision upto the exam.

But the REAL trick and the best revision is the FOURTH one. The one that you do alongside your first, second and third one, every single day, for an hour or two everyday. That’s the one that’s going to set you apart and take you miles ahead of the competition. The one that you will set aside time for everyday no matter how much you’re lagging behind your schedule.

One hour, every day, of some subject unrelated to what you’ve studied that day. Some topic it’s been a couple of weeks/months since you’ve read and you have completely forgotten. Do that much, and you will see how things slowly start seeming familiar.



The second reading will still feel like it’s a blank slate and you only remember bits and pieces. But the third one, after you’ve spent months reading random topics every day along with the routine subjects scheduled, is where you will realise you suddenly remember things.

Another piece of advice, flashcards. They are extremely important. Make written notes/e notes/ use an app but you must jot down things that you are finding impossible to learn. Facts, numbers, important one liners should be at the tips of your fingers and that only comes by reading those particular things not 3, 4 times but 20, 30 times. And of course you won’t come across any topic 20-30 times, unless you make a note out of it and keep going through it.

Just keep at it, put your head down, use the time that you do have on your hands, set goals and do whatever it takes to complete them.

Even when it seems impossible, even if it’s been a long day and it’s easier to just call it a day, don’t.

It’s only about a few more months and then all you have to worry about is which branch and which college to pick, if you haven’t already. Keep at it, and best of luck!

For more NEET articles click here!

To submit your own experience, head to our contribute page.

For daily NEET Questions, follow us on Instagram

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Indian Medical Student (@theindianmedico) on

This article has been written by Dr. Ankita Das who is a 1st year Surgery resident at KEM Hospital, Mumbai. If you would like to ask any questions to the author, use the comments section below.

[jetpack_subscription_form title=”Like this article?” subscribe_text=”Subscribe for FREE and get articles directly to your inbox. Never miss an update” subscribe_button=”Subscribe FREE”]

Categories
Experiences NEET Post Graduation

Why I decided to pursue an unusual branch at an unusual Hospital – Family Medicine in India

Family Medicine in India

Dr. Janhavi Shah is a Second Year Family Medicine Resident at Jan Swasthya Sahyog (JSS), Ganiyari. In this article, she shares with us why she decided to pursue family medicine that too at an unusual hospital in Chhattisgarh. She talks about family medicine in India, the pros, and cons as well as the scope of family medicine in India.

“Chhattisgarh? Dude, Naxalites live there!!”

“Family Medicine! But you’re so smart! You should do ObGyn!”

“But ghar se itna door why you want to go? Opt for a hospital in Mumbai only na.”

“Repeat na. Agle saal kuch better mil jayega”

2 years ago whilst in my internship, I decided to do Family Medicine. A year ago I decided I wanted to do Family Medicine at JSS. I looked up Chhattisgarh on the map, Aaaah-ed at the location staring at me, and told everyone back home what I wanted to do. Half of my family was thrilled and the other half wasn’t.

Family Medicine isn’t a glamorous urban branch! So I get it when people are apprehensive or have concerns.My father is a general practitioner and without realizing it, I fell in love with general practice before I fell in love with Medicine.



I stumbled upon the existence of JSS whilst skimming through an online blog. Then I stalked the website and then the founders. All these years of stalking crushes and their ex-girlfriends and their bua ke dost ka beta with Avanti and Jo (my friends from undergrad at BJ Medical College, Pune) finally paid off!

Jan Swasthya Sahyog

The hospital seemed like a happy place for the sick, the founders couldn’t have better credentials. Best of all, the administration was super supportive and non-toxic and all departments helped each other with a common aim of healing the sick.Jan Swasthya Sahyog

I’ve been here for over a year now and the consultants, senior residents, and even my co-residents are the nicest people ever. I haven’t come across a more skilled set of nurses. The locals here are simple grounded people.

It feels like a eutopic hospital in a dystopic world.

Family Medicine is a combination of all clinical branches and aims at addressing the most common health care needs of the community.

The doctor ideally knows about the entire family’s health status and refers them to another specialist as and when required. This requirement predominantly (and inversely) depends on the expertise of the physician.

For example, Dr. X has insufficient experience dealing with a migraine and would refer to a neurologist for the same; alternatively, Dr. Y is confident and competent to manage the patient at the primary level.

The advantage is the patient convenience, a reduced burden on the specialists and health care costs (especially in public health systems).

From the rural perspective, where the doctor-patient ratios are abysmal, FamMed is the Batman that Gotham needed. In cities, where specialists are easily available, FamMeds may have to make their space.

The upper hand here is that you are the entire Family’s doctor and you don’t burn a hole in anyone’s pockets.

Given the diversity and vastness of the field, it is extremely important that one chooses a good programme for residency.

Choose a hospital which gives enough exposure in all clinical fields. Avoid hospitals where you’d be fillers used for doing most of the paperwork or as floor RMOs in 7-star hospitals. Not the best place to learn!

3 years of residency is the base for the rest of your life; keep it strong. Small locational sacrifices may go a long way in the future.

Currently, there are no super specialty courses designed for FamMed (a generalist super specializing doesn’t make much sense to me!) There are many fellowships one can pursue as per individual interests.



Lastly, about the scope of family medicine.

It can be as vast or as narrow, as high or as low and as gratifying or as bitter as you want it to be.

One may choose it because they like all clinical subjects and don’t want to commit to only one (which a lot of young doctors feel but they eventually settle for a pure specialty) or, one may choose it because they wanted Internal Med and this seems to be the closest 2nd option.

If it’s the former, yay! I hope it brings you immense joy and gratification too. If it’s the latter, I hope you fall in love with the branch eventually (most people I know, did!)

If you would like to interact with the author, you can do so in the comments section below.

Still confused about what you want to do after MBBS? Check out our article The Renaissance Man, MBBS and Beyond.

Share your experience!

We would love to hear your story and tell it to medical students all over the country! Head to our Contribute page to know more!

[jetpack_subscription_form title=”Like this article?” subscribe_text=”Subscribe for FREE and get articles directly to your inbox. Never miss an update” subscribe_button=”Subscribe FREE”]

Categories
NEET

5 Lessons I learnt from NEET (PG)

NEET 5 lessons experience

Today we have with us Dr. Pooja Pande, giving us her 2 cents (or maybe 5) on the lessons she learnt while studying for NEET (PG). Having done her MBBS from BJ Medical College, Pune, Dr. Pande took a drop year and studied for her exam. She performed exceptionally well with an All India Rank of 366 and a Maharashtra state rank of 54. She is now pursuing MD (Radiology) at TATA Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.

This article is especially relevant for those of you going through Internship as well as those who have taken a drop year studying for NEET. Today I am going to share with you “The 5 Lessons I learnt from NEET”. Hope it helps you too!

Too many cooks spoil the broth.

In the initial days of preparation, your anxiety and excitement work together to create a mental blueprint of your steps ahead into the year. The first question that comes to your mind  when you start preparing this blueprint is,  “What books should I be reading?” Just like the assorted basket of breads in an “all you can eat” spread, you land up with an assortment of study materials.

  • Your class notes
  • The topper’s notes
  • Your friend’s notes
  • Your Ex’s notes
  • A collection of guidebooks and what not!

To add to all of this, you have limited time. Congratulations! you have the perfect recipe for disaster.

Many study resources + Limited time =  DISASTER!

The syllabus of MBBS and NEET is limitless. The NBE (National Board of Examinations) that conducts NEET has the capability of crossing that limitless limit to ask you questions.

Out of the 300 questions asked, you are never going to be prepared enough to answer more than 70% of the questions. And that is perfectly normal. But the game is to answer those 70% correctly.

So I recommend that you use your own handwritten notes and one guidebook per subject. That is it. Period.

 

First Read reveals art, Revision reveals artist!

This is probably the most difficult step for someone preparing for a competitive exam. You have a vast syllabus (19 subjects) and very little time. Yes, you will never get enough time to read all the little details of the 19 subjects. Confused how to start?

Take a paper. Note down the total time you have from this point on. Divide that time according to each subject. Take into account your strengths and weaknesses too.

The first read will take time. Roughly a little more than a week for major subjects and around 5 days for the minor ones. Divide the subject into topics (example Medicine into CVS, CNS, GI, etc). Read your notes on the particular topic and simultaneously read the guide book if you feel you can add something to your knowledge. Immediately add extra points to your class notes!

The next step is to solve MCQs. Highlight the ones you got wrong as well as the ones you guessed right and the ones you think are really important. By the time you finish with a particular topic in this sequence, you should feel confident that you will not have to open the guidebook again (except maybe for the marked question topics).

Plan ⇒ First Read ⇒ MCQs ⇒ REPEAT

Trust me, that repeat is very crucial. By the end of your First Read, you should have with you:

  • Your complete class notes
  • Circled MCQs
  • Basic idea of the trend of exam questions

These 3 things are what you will be revising in the future. When exams come close, not only will you gain weight, you will also have a very good cushion of FAT : Frequently Asked Topics.

 


Practice Tests. You can never take enough of them!

We style our preparation in a “one subject at a time” way. This gives us a false belief that things are totally under control. The truth is you will forget the stuff you have read a month before if you do not keep revising. the only way to prevent this is by giving Grand Tests regularly. They have mixed sets of questions that stimulate those precious gray matter neurons that have synapsed together to make you remember the things that you have learnt throughout your MBBS. You will be stoked at the amount of information you already have stored in your head from all those years of studying. This gives you a strong guessing ability that is super important while solving MCQs.

The more tests you solve, the more you come to know about important topics, the more grounded you become as you realize that you still have a long way ahead. You get to keep a track of your progress and appropriately change your study pattern. These tests will help you reassess your study blue print.

Discipline yourself and give tests. Stay Fresh, stay alert and advisably simulate exam conditions.

Good table, chair, laptops (not cell pones), timers and a well lit room.

 

Because all of us need parasitology charts on our toilet doors!

Yes! we do. You are going to realize the need for short and concise FATs (Frequently Asked Topics). CD markers, culture media, interleukins, most commons, life cycles, etc, etc, etc. Make them while revising and revise them close to exams. They are going to be your best friends close to the exam date.

 

A walk to remember.

You cannot measure your preparation by the amount of hours you put into study. If you are a post intern, you need to make sure you dedicate time to a physical activity that you like. Or, just head out for a walk! You are going to need that rush of endorphins. You cannot just sit in the captivity of your room or library. You do NOT have to sacrifice sleep or your health. After all this exam tests your presence of mind more than your memory.

Have the conviction that you are going to crack it.

There are going to be tough days. You are going to have a million breakdowns. But, you are going to get stronger with each passing day if you do not give up! Discipline yourself. Consistence matters in this rat race.

P.S. Point

There is no fixed formula that separates toppers from the rest. All that matters in the end is that you structure the year in a way that brings out the best in you. Home or library? Group studies or solo? 6 hours or 12 hours studying? Only You can answer these questions. Stay away from negativity even if the source of it is you. Stay away from people who constantly make you question your decision to do MBBS, the education system, time shortage, engineer Dinesh’s 9 lakh package , etc. Make yourself comfortable, have all the confidence you need and above all stay happy and enjoy the journey.

-Pooja Pande

 

[jetpack_subscription_form title=”Like this article?” subscribe_text=”Subscribe for FREE and get more of such articles directly to your inbox. Never miss an update” subscribe_button=”Subscribe FREE”]

 

If you have such experiences and content you would like to share with others, look at our Contribute Page.

Like this article? Share it with your friends!