1.Congratulations on achieving such an amazing feat. Tell us a bit about yourself. Please also tell us your individual marks in each subject.
Hello
I am Sakshath Shetty from TOPIWALA NATIONAL MEDICAL COLLEGE Mumbai
I am a 2nd 1st student. I passed 1st yr Mbbs with an aggregate of 78.33% scoring 75.5% in physiology 79% in anatomy and 80.5% in biochemistry.
2.So, when all of this is new and the rest of us are still busy figuring the head and tail of the subject, how did you tackle and master the syllabus?
Well basically even I had faced the same difficulty initially. Not knowing how to to about things. Which subjects to emphasize on? How to memorize things? And also most importantly how to reproduce what u study in the major exams which in itself is another task.
Well firstly I would like to give half the credits to my seniors who explained me how to go about each subject.
And moreover its all about giving time to the subjects, sooner or later you realise how things work.
Moreover it is this factor that makes you the standout from the normal crowd right?
3.Did you have a set schedule, a time table that you stuck to? What were the daily hours that you put in self study ?
Yes it is my genuine belief that if u want to reach your goal then you need to make a proper plan. And your plans need to be dynamic as well, by this I mean that you have to come up with better strategies each time you realise your plan has become obsolete or inefficient.
I didn’t have some particular number of hours for self study. But I ensure that whatever time I put for my studies they are well accounted for with some learning.
4.Did you have a different methodology of tackling the subjects? Any special notes that you prepared?
Speaking from exam point of view, I made my own answers for anatomy especially for the laqs.
There are two important benefits of doing such a thing:
1. My revision became quicker allowing me to complete maximum portion in short period of time especially few days before exams.
2. They helped me know what all to write in a specific question saving me the time and stress during exams to think what all needs to be included in my answer.
Such a habit helped me score an 88/100 in the theory paper of university
5.Do you have any special pointers for specific subjects? The do’s and don’ts of it?
Speaking of Anatomy I believe that you shouldn’t stick completely to the imps nor go on reading the entire book. U must know to strike a balance between what need to be known and what should be only read and what not to try and learn.
And make your own ready made answers as much as possible, you would be surprised to find out that how each of us have to potential to even write our own books forget answers.
For physiology have a thorough synchronised reading of the Guyton and then you may go to the shorter books for an overview or maybe exam purposes.
I have not much to say about biochemistry coz I myself haven’t been able to decode it but I can say that although it’s the most ignored subject in 1st year towards the end I found it quite interesting and sensible and it’s the most scoring as well :p
6.Was there any help that you acquired while exam preparation? Like any visual aids any professional guidance? Or those little tit bits that the professors tell us but none other than the toppers pay attention to? Please share with us.
What professors tell are obviously useful. But I had failed to pay attention, so it’s highly probable that I too might have missed such tiny details.
I agree that it is very difficult to pay attention to what your teachers say in the class especially on an Monday morning but if u pay attention here then it reduces your load back at home
7.How vital is the Question bank during exams? Does it come highly recommended or you advice thorough reading of the text and having confound knowledge of the subject?
A full knowledge about any topic is highly useful and should be aimed at by every child, but one thing medical science has taught me is that successful are only those who know what to do when to do.
It’s about applying your own brain. You think you have enough time then go for knowledge but exams are nearby and you’re doing a thorough reading yet then I believe it’s foolishness.
8.How do you propose the students study and what kind of discipline should be followed during exam time?
I think your exam time is long before the exam time.
The preparations such be simple but consistent. The say your teacher has taught something you are supposed to read and finish it don’t wait for your exams. As I mentioned earlier a proper planning is required.
Daily finish off a quota of studies and you don’t have to worry about anything during exam time.
Yes a discipline surely needs to be followed during the exams. You need to give proper time to studies and become less flexible during exam time.
You’re extra curriculum should become secondary.
A proper amount if portion needs to be finished time to time
9.Could you give some important pointers on Exam writing skills? And also how should one prepare for a practical exam?
Exam writing skills are also important for scoring good marks.
First of all you should always organize your answer based on specific points.
Learn to write headings for each Paragraph
A long answer with no headings becomes boring for the examiner to read
Use as much illustrations as possible either in the diagram form or as flowcharts
Write whatever is asked beating about the bush won’t help as teachers give marks to specific points if those are absent you won’t be awarded any marks
Well practical exams require wider knowledge than your theory exams as it is upon your examiner’s wish to go wherever he wants.
Use terms that you are fully aware of and that you have complete knowledge of
Use of unknown or less known terms would land you in self created traps
10.So, do you have any parting thoughts? Like disclosing that secret mantra that you chanted or that special brand of energy drink you savoured? Just seriously though..anything at all?
Haha I do say this a lot of times ‘ I can and I will’
