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-NEVER be embarrassed to say you don't know something. Remember, you are there to learn. if you knew everything, you wouldn't have to go to medical school. In that same vain: if you don't understand something, ask someone to explain it.
This is really good advice. A lot of people seem to think that they need to walk into med school knowing how to be a doctor already. It's okay - you'll learn it soon enough.
Some more things that I'd like to share:
* Don't let the "anxious mob" of other med students frustrate or worry you too much. Your classmates, once they calm down, will be useful sources of info, but in the first few weeks of school, they're just full of crazy, weird assumptions and assertions. They often just do not know enough to realize what crappy advice they're doling out.
* Don't rely TOO much on other people's experiences. Everyone's path through med school is a little different. Listen to what they have to say, digest it, and decide if it's useful to you or not.
* "Sontimeter" = centimeter, just pronounced oddly.
* Some of your classmates will already have had careers in other health professions - nurses, PAs, lab techs, resp. therapists, EMTs, etc. They will know a lot of clinical jargon and "lingo." Don't let this intimidate or annoy you. It can be irritating at times, but just ignore it. It doesn't mean that they are at an advantage - trust me, for the first two years, they're not.
* Don't assume that you're the only one who is struggling or who doesn't "get it" right away. For some reason, it amazed me to realize that my deans and professors, who look so calm and poised now, had to overcome many obstacles and hurdles to successfully get through med school and residency. If they can do it, so can you.
* Don't be afraid to share stories of your struggles with next year's class. It can be encouraging to realize that you're not alone, and that there are people who DO understand and aren't judging/criticizing you.
* If your stomach can stand it, eat something before anatomy lab. You'll probably get ravenously hungry. No one really knows why, but it's common to hear your stomach start rumbling halfway through.
* Don't feel like you MUST wear scrubs to anatomy lab. Unless your school mandates it, you can wear clothes that you're going to throw away. I actually hated wearing scrubs to lab, because the material is so darn thin.
Also, don't feel like you must wear scrub tops to lab. The sleeves are so short, and labs are often very cold. And you'll be there for 4-5 hours at a time.
Good luck to everyone!