since I don't feel like studying anymore for our Micro shelf tomorrow...I will answer (or try) to answer some of y'alls questions...
1.As far as physio slides- They were on a site called Blackboard that we have which has 3 of our classes and all the documents for them. Blackboard is used for our Anatomy, Physiology, and On Becoming a Doctor classes. It is also where they post (most) of the answer keys from our tests...and by answer key I mean just the multiple choice answer (letter)...they don't post the tests. You can easily download and print all of the physio slides when they become available...a lot of times the night before or morning of class.
3. You will get your Cd's when you pick up your syllabi for the first time (after you have paid for them). I copied all of them onto my laptop and never had a problem.
2. sorry I did these out of order....Ok the desks in the MS1 and MS2 lecture halls are not actually individual desks, but long tables that extend from one side of the room to the other. The first couple weeks when everyone is showing up to class it may be tight...but soon after you will have multiple seats free next to you if you choose. An external mouse would be fine.
4. I don't know...whatever you are comfortable with. Both my laptop and desktop have 15" screens. On a side note- I did not purchase a new computer for med school. I have a cheap laptop, and my fiance built my desktop....I have had no problems whatsoever. I also never bring my laptop to school...they have computers you can use in the library and that is all I have ever needed...
Ok onto the schedule.
This is something I definately had to adjust to in med school...You are right- the schedule is unconventional. Every day is different pretty much. You need to either print out the schedule they put up or write the entire thing in a planner b/c you can't predict what the next day has in store. The exception to this is anatomy and anatomy lab. You will have this on Monday and Thursday....then it will pick up a little bit in Jan/Feb. Usually....if you go to class then you will be there on average till ~ 3 or 4. I did not go to every class and my grades do not suffer....pick what you like/ and are comfortable with.
The typical day goes like this:
Class begins at 8 or 9....I am usually at least 15 minutes late no matter what..
You have 50 minutes of class with 10 minute breaks up until lunch at 12
lunch from 12 to 1...this is when all the interest groups meet in various places
Class from 1 to 3 or 4 (50 min with 10 minute breaks)
Ok so the other thing I had to adjust to is you will have multiple lectures in the same subject back to back on any given day. Usually it will only be 2 back to back lectures...sometimes 3.
Every class is taught by multiple people. This was very strange to me. Exam questions will be written differently according to who taught the lecture. Anatomy and Histo would be the exception to this too....even though they are taught by multiple people, all the test questions are similar. If this is not making sense now...it will...and I am sorry for my horrible explanations I am tired
As far as studying goes...it is completely individual. There is no "set" way of how to study....you will have to figure it out on your own! It also depends on what your goals are....do you want A's....just to pass.....that will greatly influence your study time.
As far as going to class goes....again that is individual. People go to every class, no class, or a mixture. I have had second years tell me - oh you absolutely have to go to this class....well I wouldn't go and still did great. It just depends on how you individually learn best.
You will be able to have a life! Don't freak out about this...At first it may be overwhelming, but as soon as you get through the "newness" of everything and get a routine....it will be fine! I go out to eat with my parents and grandma almost every Sunday....that is including the weekend before tests...and I frequently go visit my fiance (3 hours away)
Ok thats all I have for now...I hope it helps!!!
