Hi, I'll be starting as a 1st year in August. I've been getting email updates from the school regarding orientation week. What does that week entail?
I'm also curious to know if the simulation center is up and running yet... do you know?
Thanks for your help!
Orientation is pretty boring and not generally completely useful in terms of actual medical/knowledge prep, but you do get a chance to meet all of you new classmates. The whole week was mandatory for us and I'm assuming it still is as there are a good chunk of things you will learn that will help you, especially throughout the first 2 years. The best part of 1st year is "the harbor" which is the 1st month where you don't take quite so many classes (we had like 3 instead of the normal 5-6 classes or something like that) just to get yourself familiar with everything. GO OUT AND DO STUFF WITH PEOPLE DURING THIS TIME!!! Obviously don't forget to study, but for the most part the things you learn during the harbor time (we had histology and biochem with some other classes possibly, but I think I remember those being the big ones at the time) are probably the lowest yield information on the board tests you take after 2nd and 3rd year. Enjoy that month and just take that time to get yourself adjusted to how you are going to study/utilize notes and make sure you meet people (a lot of people really get along with their anatomy/biochem groups too as you see them all the time for the first few months of school).
I'm not sure about a sim lab at all tbh, unless they mean our OSCE center (which they might) The new OSCE center is up and running (our old one wasn't bad, but this one looks nicer and has bigger windows? lol) and is used to prep you for your level 2 PE (physical exam). You slowly ramp up throughout the first 2.5 years the number of standardized patients (SPs) you see from like 1-2 during first year to 8 your third year which prepares you insanely well for the level 2 PE. I talked with multiple students from different schools at my PE and very few of them had more than 4 SPs seen at one time (the actual PE is 12). I actually just had a few SP encounters in the new area and it looks pretty nice. But unfortunately, I don't know anything about a simulation lab for more in depth procedures (i.e. cardiac resuscitation, managing burns/seizures, etc.), although it is something our school has talked about for a while from what I know. I do think having a simulation lab in that sense is one of the least necessary things for preparing you for your clinical years, in my opinion, as there is a breadth of other knowledge that is way more necessary (i.e. board material, basic procedures learned in 2nd/3rd year labs) so I wouldn't worry too much about that.
And btw, don't worry at all about any major board stuff too early (AKA during first year). It's not worth the stress and you won't retain anything really worthwhile. The only thing you may consider doing (I kinda wished I did do this, but didn't do it) is VERY slowly read through First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 sections that correlate with your class material (there aren't too many pages that cover first year material, but there are some). This is COMPLETELY optional, but something I do wish I did to help me stay more on track for Step 1.
Sorry, another random question... I'm in desperate need of a new computer and I've been holding off on buying one until I moved to Chicago... does it matter if I get a mac or pc? When I interviewed at different med schools, I heard people talking about applications/programs you could run to learn anatomy, etc. Wasn't sure if a mac would be better for that or if it doesn't really matter. Do a lot of students bring their laptops to class?
I used a PC as I just don't like Macs too much due to unfamiliarity. You can easily use either, but if you know of some apps that may be useful on a Mac, it would probably be worthwhile getting one of those. As far as using computers in class, it really just depends on how you like to study/take notes. I preferred using paper/note packets whereas other students didn't and used their computers. A lot of students bring their laptops and use them, it just completely depends on their study habits. As for anatomy programs, I used a book the majority of the time (Netter's:
Amazon product is the one we used, but there is a newer edition out it looks like. I hate this book too much to also give you the link to the other one, plus I believe you get one at school for joining SOMA. You will learn more on that during orientation I believe), which you will learn to hate, but I found it extremely helpful. Personally, I thought the actual lab was the best way to really learn anatomy and I can still picture a lot of the muscles/bones/vessels in my head specifically from my cadaver. You will learn more about good anatomy apps as you get closer to starting, don't worry about it too much yet. Our anatomy faculty are extraordinary and won't let you slip through the cracks if you need help.
Please make sure you don't start studying stuff or looking at anything school related right now. You will get plenty of that in a few months. Relax and enjoy your summer, orientation, and the harbor; it's a long road ahead.