First year of MBBS is indeed a roller coaster ride for most of us. There will be highs and lows. The trick is to not lose your composure in either.
First thing is first. Never, read again NEVER try to flaunt your AIR or NEET marks in your college. Remember, you may have been your school or district topper. However, now you’re at a place where all the toppers from all over the country are present.
Once you enter college you need to get out of your All India Rank shell. It is what you do inside the college which determines the course your future is going to take.
Do not buy every book you hear about- Besides few which are mandatory, like BDC for anatomy and Guyton for Physiology, don’t just run to the book store every time you hear about a book. Most books can be borrowed from seniors.
Want to experiment studying different topics from different authors? This is why we have libraries.
Medical books are already too expensive. It never hurts to save a little. You can have an extra burger from that next time you visit McD.
Don’t neglect studies- Many of us develop an attitude of nonchalance after we are selected for med school. The bizarre names in anatomy are enough to fry up anyone’s brain. However, the key is perseverance. Try to remain completely focused during lectures. Many times, especially during Biochemistry lessons you’ll find yourself yawning and struggling for a nap. However, the aim is to pay attention as much as you can.
Have a rough estimate of your attendance - Though its completely okay to bunk a few lectures here and there. But make sure that you don’t end up being chronically absent. Being detained in the first year itself is one risk you would never want to take.
However, don’t be adamant about maintaining a 100% attendance either. Never try to dissociate yourself from the rest of your batch by going against a mass bunk.
Stay active in DH and Laboratories- Tired after our hectic lectures, often most of us are seen slacking off in the dissection halls and Physiology labs. This is where we are committing a grave mistake. Medicine is all about practice and as long as we don’t know how to apply the knowledge we have learned, it's all a waste. Though it's always OK to have those 10 minutes of gossip in between. (You need a life too)
Always try to be on the front benches during demonstrations and dissections. Watching osteology and dissection videos on Youtube can also help for better understanding.
Learn how to use your stethoscope and sphygmomanometer ASAP. Its the first experience that will make you feel like a true doctor!
Don’t be afraid of that tiny needle while pricking your finger for hematology practicals. Trust me, you’ll get used to it in no time.
Perform each and every biochemistry practical yourself. Copying readings won’t help you during professional exams.
Maintain a good rapport with your seniors- This is probably the most important point out of all the ones written here. Trust me, they are the ones who are your guardians here. From helping you pass by telling you important questions in exams to taking care of you when you are sick, your seniors are all you can count on.
I have known seniors who have stayed by my bedside all night when I was down with a viral, even when they had their professionals on the head. I have known seniors who have fed us milk like our mother and made midnight tea or Maggi for us during our own professional exams.
All they demand is respect. A little errands you’ll run here and there for them will help you a LONG way.
Show active participation- Whether it is a cultural feast, a sports fest, a literary event, a poster making or slogan writing competition, anchoring, dissection competitions or even working as volunteers during any conference that is being hosted at your college. Considering you’re just a newbie, you may not understand everything there, but it is a great opportunity to widen your exposure, plus the free refreshments are the icing on the cake. Participate in quizzes and olympiads. Trust me, they’ll help you go a long way.
Be social and maintain contacts- A very essential part of any medico’s life is to be socially interactive and maintain as many contacts as possible. Junior residents, demonstrators, lab assistants, hostel watchmen, and caretakers are some people who can be of dire help during crucial times, especially during attendance evaluation and vivas.
Do not take everything to heart - The first-year MBBS students are the juniormost in the entire hierarchy of a medical college! There will be times when you will get an earful from the JR’s for not knowing how to hold the scalpel properly, or not being able to palpate the brachial artery. There will be times when you will be reprimanded by the professors during vivas for not knowing the drug for a patient suffering from Myasthenia Gravis.
There will be times when you will be scolded by the lab assistant because your partner’s adjacent partner broke the Neubauer’s chamber. There will be times when you will have to listen to the scoldings of your seniors because of something your batchmates did.
In fact most of the time you won’t even know why you’re being scolded. The point here is that you have to learn not to take everything to heart. You need to forget and move on.
Never stress over an exam or its result- The one thing that 1st year teaches us well is how to cope with exam stress. Remember MBBS is all about exams.
You gave an entrance for UG. You are supposed to give another for PG. You have 19 subjects throughout the course. There will be hundreds of quizzes and vivas and terminals that you will have to face.
The foremost thing to learn in 1st year is that we all can fail sometimes and that its absolutely okay to fail.
Never ever fall into despair for any exam or viva which has gone wrong. There is always another chance to prove yourself. There is no problem in the world for which a solution doesn’t exist.
Have a life outside college and books - You don’t have to be a bookworm in order to pass or even remain at the top of your class. You are not in your preparation phase anymore!
Remember, the college life you always dreamt of during preparation? It's finally here now.
So make friends, some truly genuine ones who will have your back for a lifetime. Take your time in knowing and trusting people.
Go on outings and trips. In fact, 1st year is the time to grab maximum treats and parties from your seniors! It is time for you to explore all the places around your new city.
Make some amazing memories that will last a lifetime. Try new hobbies. Experiment with new looks and styles. Get to know people from different cultures and backgrounds. Share your stories.
Most of all, don’t let MBBS kill your passions or hobbies.
All the best for your future! Stay healthy stay well :) and Enjoy!
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