• Set the scene. Not necessarily in the Tumblr studying aesthetic kinda way. They’re definitely #deskgoals, but let me tell you, my desk never looked like any of the pictures you see here. What I mean, make your space a productive place to study for you. I preferred my study space to be separate from my sleep place, so my desk wasn’t in my bedroom. Not being locked up in a cave was important to me, so I put my desk by a window. Light a candle, Bath and Body Works got all my loan money. Get a natural sunlight lamp. Play some music, preferably without lyrics – classical, EDM, whatever keeps you focused without being distracting. Just make an optimal space for you. 
• Stay hydrated (and caffeinated). I’m 100% a coffee addict, but water is so incredibly important. It helps you to not feel like shit, both physically and mentally, or look like shit #skincare.  Drink your morning coffee, but chug water throughout the day. Your mind and body will love you. I discovered flavoring packets that contained caffeine (Crystal Light, Mio, etc) at the beginning of MS2, and let me tell you, life-changing for those mid-afternoon slumps. And all those pee breaks you have to take? Much needed and well-deserved! You don’t want a DVT from studying all day. 
• Sleep! I honestly cannot stress this enough. I don’t know how I ever pulled all nighters in college and I don’t know how my friends did it in medical school. It’s important for your mental health and physical health. Studies have shown sleep enhances memory retention and you’ll study more productively. I became a “my brain doesn’t function after 10pm” person in medical school, so I went to sleep early-ish and woke up early, but if you’re a night owl, then let yourself sleep in! You’re not taking away precious study time if you’re sleeping, I promise. And for that night before the test, that extra hour of sleep is way better than staying up an extra hour to read your notes one more time, I pinky promise. 
• Move, stretch, dance, anything not hunched over a desk. Sitting for 12 hours straight is simply not sustainable. Take a couple minute break every hour to give your brain a rest. A lot of people use the Pomodoro technique with success but I never got into it. I downloaded the Forest app and timed myself for an hour, then took a 5-10 minute break between study sessions. You’ll feel refreshed and rejuvenated for another round of studying! 
• Repetition, repetition, repetition. Repetition is key when it comes to learning and memorizing. Figure out your best way of learning and stick with it. Whether it be reading, re-writing notes, listening or watching lectures, recording yourself reading the notes, flashcards, etc. Find it and stick with it. Repeat it until you can do it in your sleep. I would literally wake up sometimes reciting notes in my head and I it was annoying, but it meant I had studied effectively. 
• Questions. Always reinforce your knowledge with questions. You can memorize every page of a textbook but it doesn’t mean much unless you can apply it. And the more questions you do, the faster you get at test-taking, which is key once you get into 8 hour board exams. But I digress. Take practice tests, buy review books, invest in question banks. Some professors provide old exam questions for review. Do as many as you can. And if explanations are provided, read them! They’re just as much of a learning tool as any other resource! As I reviewed the questions, I’d take notes, simple one-liner facts, for review later. 
• One pagers. This one may not be for everyone, but they came in clutch for me. My study method was a combination of re-writing notes and reciting things out loud as if I’m teaching it to a class. I talk to myself a lot. The more comfortable I got with the material, the more I condensed my notes until I had whole lectures or topics down to one page. This page would contain things that I thought were super important that I needed to make sure I knew, or those pesky facts that would not commit themselves to my memory. Because I’m a firm believe in not re-reading something you know you already know. This also held me accountable to always be actively studying. Then I would review these pages the day before and the morning of exams. 

- Glutamate (E) Glu, and Aspartate (D) Asp

- Lysine (K) Lye, Arginine ® Arg 

• Behavioral Sciences Review
• Biochemistry Review
• Biology Review
• Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills Review
• General Chemistry Review
• Organic Chemistry Review
• Physics and Math Review

• Molecular Biology; Cellular Respiration
• Genes
• Microbiology
• The Eukaryotic Cell; The Nervous System
• The Endocrine System
• The Digestive and Excretory Systems
• The Cardiovascular System; The Respiratory System
• Muscle, Bone and Skin
• Populations
• The Berkeley MCAT Review - Biology Part 1 (2011)
• The Berkeley MCAT Review - Biology Part 2 (2011)

• Lab Techniques

• Atoms, Molecules and Quantum Mechanics
• Gases, Kinetics, and Chemical Equilibrium
• Thermodynamics
• Solutions
• Heat Capacity/Phase Change/Colligative Properties
• Acids & Bases
• Electrochemistry
• Intro to Chemistry
• Electrostatics
• Gases
• Thermodynamics and Thermochemistry
• The Berkeley MCAT Review - General Chemistry Part 1 (2011)

• Molecular Structure
• Hydrocarbons, Alcohols, Substitutions
• Carbonyls and Amines

• MCAT Physics Book (2015)
• Translation Motion
• Force
• Equilibrium, Torque and Energy
• Momentum, Machines, and Radioactive Decay
• Fluids and Solids
• Waves
• Electricity and Magnetism
• Light & Optics
• Linear Momentum

• Practice Tests
• Solutions

• Well differentiated cells // Often become poorly differentiated 
• Slow growing // Rapid rate of growth 
• Proscribed regular border // Irregular border 
• Little or no necrosis // Frequently show necrosis 
• Easily removed // Difficult to remove 
• Usually encapsulated // Not encapsulated 
• No metastatic spread // Metastasis possible 
• Grow by expansion // Grow by infiltration 
• No recurrence after removal // May recur after removal 
• Not invasive // Invasive 
• Rarely fatal // Often cause death 

1. Initiation – an event that alters the genome 
2. Promotion – an event that causes proliferation of the transformed cell, giving rise to a neoplasm 
3. Progression – new genetic mutations occur, with development of sub-clones of cells 

• Caused by the emergence of sub-populations of cells with new genetic abnormalities 
• Any large tumour is composed of slightly different cells (tumour heterogeneity) - result of different mutations 
• Any mutations that favour tumour survival or spread are chosen by a form of natural selection 

“Anyone whose goal is ‘something higher’ must expect someday to suffer vertigo. What is vertigo? Fear of falling? No, Vertigo is something other than fear of falling. It is the voice of the emptiness below us which tempts and lures us, it is the desire to fall, against which, terrified, we defend ourselves.”

• Published short fiction stories for anthology collection
• Able to write short fiction within a designated word count for layout purposes (900-1500 words, 1500-2000, 3000-5000)
• Wrote short articles for independent publication
• Assisted with editing short stories for publication
• Able to reduce or expand written content based on layout needs
• Able to check for basic spelling, grammar and syntax
• Familiar with Microsoft Office and Google docs

• Produced full-colour digital illustration for independent magazine
• Able to produce digital illustrations optimized for both online and print display
• Produced full-colour 2-page spread for art anthology
• Published 4-page short comic in anthology collection for charity
• Able to transfer traditional art to digital illustration
• Illustrated the cover (always brag if you’re on the cover) of an independent art publication
• Familiar with professional illustration tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Clip Studio Paint and stylus tablet

• Designed 2″ clear decorative double-sided keychain charm as bonus sale item
• Designed 5″ x 6″ sheet of graphic stickers included in art anthology
• Able to design bold graphics that are measured for laser cutting production
• Designed layouts for 65-page art and writing magazine, focusing on (art placement, text layout, etc)
• Able to keep layout design simple and in accordance with the project director’s chosen theme
• Created promotional art, icons and banners tailored for social media sites like Twitter, Tumblr, Facebook, etc
• Familiar with professional layout and design software such as Adobe Illustrator and InDesign

• Produced an independent art and writing collection for sale / for charity
• Managed (10, 20, 30) independent artists and writers out of over 500 applicants to create a short-run independent magazine
• Worked in online sales and social media promotion selling an independent comics anthology
• If it’s really spectacular you can brag about specific numbers
• Our book raised over $4,000 for charity in under six months of production
• We sold over 750 copies in two weeks of online sales
• Produced a digital PDF and printed version of anthology, mailing to recipients all over the world
• Communicated with printers and manufacturers of plastic accessories and paper goods, assembling professional packages of our merchandise for mailing.
• Built a custom digital storefront and navigated professional market and payment systems including Paypal and Tictail / Bigcartel / Wix etc
• Created promotional events to boost sales, including raffles and giveaways over social media
• Organized participants through mass emails and use of social media posts on tumblr and twitter
• Familiar with organizational software such as Microsoft Excel, Google spreadsheets and Trello

• This is hardest you will have ever done. So far. – At this point in my life, yes, the first year of medical school tore me apart. But it put me back together, in way. 
• Even though it seems like you have no time, you really do. Now is the time to go to social events and make friends. – Part of the whole process is finding companionship in commiseration.
• Take pictures with everyone at your white coat ceremony. – So I ended up not being able to do this the way I wanted to back then, but you can bet your asses I’ve got this down for graduation.
• Anatomy has three types of people on the first day; the people who are way too fascinated, the ones who cry because they are cutting open a person, and the people who throw up into the slop bucket. – No one threw up or passed out but it was A Thing no doubt about it.
• Always flip the body slowly and with precision. Unless you want a formaldehyde and fat shower. – It was me. I got the shower. I had to throw away my shoes.
• You might fail your first test. Cry a lot then get over it. – I didn’t, but that doesn’t mean I never did.
• Even though you know everyone has to be smart on some level, all the drama and nonsense you still see is a little disappointing. – It made things more interesting. Kinda like reality TV.
• You will spend your loan money on non-school items. Because you have no money. – Thank you, Amazon.
• Invest in focus factor. – Never did, never needed it. Anxiety is a strong motivator y’all.
• Sleep is for the weak. Caffeine is for the strong. – Wrong, I need sleep so badly all the time. Please sleep.
• You’ll get really good at scheduling. MAKE yourself good at it. – I got really good the first few years. Like creepy good. But that only lasts so long.
• Studying is completely different. If you undergrad it, you’re in trouble. – Too many of my classmates learned that IMMEDIATELY. I, on the other hand, always struggled so it was just the same but A LOT MORE.
• You will completely lose track of time, days and pretty much the outside world. – I still don’t know what day it is.
• You will horribly mess up at least once during standardized patient care practice. It will be hilarious for everyone except you. – More than once even.
• This year will mark your very last real summer vacation. Use wisely. – Kind of, but not really. It’s the last significant one (if your school is kind) but there are plenty of other opportunities to live life.

• Tears will be shed because you didn’t realize how good you had it in first year. – Not until January. That’s when you start missing first year. At least I did.
• Every first year will somehow look like babies, no matter their age. – Very much yes. All so young, and full of hope.
• At this point they want you to do other things. Like volunteering, research and be involved on campus. Do them and know that you can sleep when you’re dead. – They as in residencies. They do want fluff, good, passionate fluff. But please sleep.
• If you chose to be a TA for a first year class be ready to have to restudy the subject so you can actually be helpful. – Um, yes?
• You should know your perfect study nirvana by this point. – Sorry, that answer is incorrect. Thanks for playing.
• You will have multiple complete mental breakdowns ranging between “why did I do this to myself?” and realizing you know how to kill yourself far too many ways. – Oh second year. Never again.
• Never make definitive plans. Non-meds just don’t seem to understand why you can’t just study later. – Or just don’t make plans at all. Show up when you want. Live on the edge of acceptability. 
• Try your best to keep contact with a few people from the outside world. Try. – There will be a lot of contact with the boards crazy. You need the support.
• Most schools end their MS2 years early to allow time to study for the boards. – Mine kinda did? I was going to fight my faculty about it, no joke.
• Say good riddance to lectures! – In class lectures, anyways.
• Studying for boards is your new job. – Is it even a job? It’s more like being in hell, but hey your friends are there.
• After you get through boards you will sleep, party, then sleep some more. – I literally have no recollection of the week after step 1. None. I repressed it.

• Being yelled at will be normal. – Most of the time it’s a stern tone with impending disappointment.
• Being told you’re an idiot is also normal. – While it did happen, much less than anticipated which was nice.
• Find a place to cry where no one can see you. – Bathrooms, cars, student areas, public areas. Whatever. 
• You will do a comprehensive session with a patient only to find out they lied to you for 30 minutes when the doctor asks them the same questions. – Stare at patient while doctor speaks to them. Assert dominance. You know. They know. 
• Be nice to the nurses. They know all secrets. – Absolutely true.
• You will put on the spot all the time. Don’t worry; you’ll stop flinching every time anyone asks you a question. Eventually. – It’s more just acceptance that this is how it is. You won’t flinch because the apathy to being pimped is so strong.
• How long can you go without sleep? Find out in third year! – 29 hours is my current record.
• Learn to impress. You need LORs for residency programs. Asking a lot of questions helps you do this. – Honestly, being the best version of you helps you with this. The people who get you will be the people who stand for you.
• Something at some point will make you pass out/throw up/cringe so hard you reconsider your entire life. – Wound care.
• At some point, a patient will throw up/excrete something/have an mass explode all over you. And your reaction will be the essence of perfection. – This was literally just live birth for me. A human exploding into existence covered in every juice. That’s why I will never do OB.
• The end of written exams! (Besides the boards, obviously). – Nope. Somehow they manage to sneak in just a few more here and there.
• You will figure out what kind of physician YOU NEVER WANT TO BE. – Yes.
• And you’ll figure what you actually like and what you could see yourself doing as a doctor. – You get there. There is still some wiggle room but there usually is direction you can feel.

• Boards AGAIN. – Back again, but with less gusto.
• This will be your most relaxed, easy year of medical school. Comparatively. – In terms of studying yes, in terms of anxiety not so much.
• You get to pick rotation sites! Do your best to get them to match up to the places you interview at because you’re already strapped for cash. – Only if you’re lucky really. It’s so much more random and complicated than people made it seem.
• There are dinners the night before interviews.  GO TO THESE. – Yes! Go if can! Very important to see how the residents coexist!
• Make ALL the connections! And not just with the doctors! Get in with the residents. – Residents have the secret power. They may not get you in but oh boy can they get you out.
• Match is confusing and stressful, but it’s actually applicant oriented. So that’s nice. – I mean. That’s what we’re told. We’re told a lot of things.
• The only people who say match day isn’t bad are the people who matched. – It was still pretty awful waiting around until 12 PM. It just ended well for me, somehow. 
• Now is your chance to reconnect with people. A lot goes by in 4 years. – Well considering I’m having a huge wedding, yeah. But that’s just me. 
• If you make it through the most amazing hell journey, you are award with your degree and become a real to life Doctor. – I’m just a dork with a doctoral degree. 
• Getting out of medical school doesn’t mean you actually know anything though. You got years to go kid. – Amen. 

• Follow the routine given below for 30 days (no issues if you miss, I’m gonna miss somedays too)
• Post a pic of your work space (no aesthetic required, just a little feel good thing for you so that you actually want to get more ish done)
• Mention your goal for the study session
• Have fun and be productive :)

• Begin at : 9:30pm
• Study session #1 : 9:30pm to 10:15pm
• Mini break : 10:15pm to 10:25pm
• Study session #2 : 10:25pm to 11:00pm
• Break : 11:00pm to 11:05pm
• Final study session : 11:05pm to 11:30pm
• Bedtime :11:30pm to 7:30am?

• Study session 1 : 7:00pm to 7:40pm
• Major Break : 7:40 to 7:50pm
• Study session 2 : 7:50pm to 8:30pm
• Break : 8:30pm to 8:35pm
• Study session 3 : 8:35pm to 9:00pm