1.Congratulations on achieving such an amazing feat. Tell us a bit about yourself. Please also tell us your individual marks in each subject.
Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity… My name is Shraddha Rathi. I study in Government Medical College, Latur Maharashtra. I got 401/600 in anatomy physiology and biochemistry. Sorry, I dont remember individual marks as its been almost 2 yrs. In Anatomy I got 141 and rest I don’t remember. I just gave 2nd MBBS exam and am waiting for results.
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?
There is nothing like mastering the syllabus. If I didn’t understand a particular topic of any subject I just read it many a times, we discussed among our friends and finally I understood.
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 ?
There was a schedule. My method is I don’t change subjects.. I study one subject the whole day in fact 2-3 days I can study the same subject. I do this because later when you revise it’s easy to remember moreover confusion is avoided, mind doesn’t get diverted, so according to me its better to study one subject than switching over to others every 3-4 hours.
4.Did you have a different methodology of tackling the subjects? Any special notes that you prepared?
My method was just I prepared mnemonics. I also prepared notes for some subjects. These let me remember the topics for a much longer period of time.
5.Do you have any special pointers for specific subjects? The do’s and don’ts of it?
For anatomy I must say repeated revision is very necessary because it is the subject which is important for the study of pathology, surgery, ENT, ophthalmology etc.
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.
Only the tactics of learning the subjects are important.. Only bull work won’t help, also you can take the help of some videos which you get online for better results.
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?
Question bank is important during exams but you cannot totally depend on it. My advice is to read thoroughly the whole context as it will not only help u in getting good percentage but also will help for PG preparation.
8.How do you propose the students study and what kind of discipline should be followed during exam time?
A complete discipline should be maintained during exams as this is expected from the future doctors.
9.Could you give some important pointers on Exam writing skills? And also how should one prepare for a practical exam?
While exam writing its necessary to cover all the points than writing only one thing thousand times. For practicals its better to discuss and study this will help you remember.
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?
Nothing like any mantra and all, it’s just regularity and honesty towards the subject and yourself 🙂 Thank you.
INTERVIEWER: Ananya Mathur