1.Congratulations on achieving such an amazing feat. Tell us a bit about yourself. Please also tell us your individual marks in each subject.
1) Thank you. I’m Sanika Joshi from SKNMC Pune currently in 3rd minor.
I got 133 in anatomy 154 in physiology and 167 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?
2) I started reading from day one whatever is started in the lectures and tried to correlate it with the
text. Even if you don't understand anything in the beginning be peculiar in reading..later you start
understanding.
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 ?
3) I had prepared a schedule and tried to follow it in which each day I studied 2 subjects in
combinations. I studied everyday for minimum 2 hrs in first month after which I increased the span
gradually.
4.Did you have a different methodology of tackling the subjects? Any special notes that you prepared?
4) Not a different methodology but I’ll put it as‘I had my own way of studying.’ I always felt I don’t need to follow anyone’s study schedule. My way of studying for instance –
I used to prepare postit notes for every small chapter for example small chapters in Guyton in each
section and stick it there itself for referring it during revisions.
5.Do you have any special pointers for specific subjects? The do’s and don’ts of it?
5) For Anatomy I created my own diagrams in a simple way which you can just see before exam even
highlighting important points also helps…
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.
6) For physiology and biochemistry as I said I revised with the help of notes I prepared and for Anatomy I
used atlas and diagrams which helps us remember rather than reading especially before exam.
Preparing mnemonics also helps a lot and conceptual teaching during lectures helps a lot rather than
cramming up things.
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?
7) I personally did not refer any question bank like Bhalani…I definitely rely more upon reading the text
thoroughly and clearing up to the basics.
8.How do you propose the students study and what kind of discipline should be followed during exam time?
8) I think reading everyday with thorough interest in subject we are doing is essential as it stimulates
our reward center in brain and helps us in remembering more whatever we have read. During exams
just recollect the important points to remember while writting the answers as reading everything day
before the exam is not possible.
9.Could you give some important pointers on Exam writing skills? And also how should one prepare for a practical exam?
9) For writing skills I would suggest to cover everything what is expected to written for that question
irrespective of marks allotted for the question. Elaboration of each point depends on marks it Carries.
For practicals thorough reading of journal is necessary along with the knowledge of theory related to the
particular practical for the purpose of viva.
10.Any special tricks and tacts for the students of your college who would be reading this?
10) For students of our college.. I would just recommend to attend all lectures attend regularly as it
really helps alot.
11.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?
11) Nothing much but just using mnemonics and diagrams for remembering and also trying to stay cool
which is also is necessary…