Everyone should make a timetable which will suit them.
Ketki Thakekar
MIMER Medical College
III YEAR Topper
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.I am from panvel
MIMER MEDICAL final year medical student
In prefinal yearI scored 317/400
157/200 in psm
80/100 in ophthalmology
80/100 in ent
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?
Theres nothing like mastering a subject which i believe in.
I feel just it is important that your basic concepts are clear.. They help you in better understanding
Also regular studies give you better grip over the subject
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 ?
Everyone should make a timetable which will suit them.
Timetable should be something which can be easily incorporated in ur daily routine.
I have always believed in quality study than just mere quantity.
2-3hrs/day of self study is more than sufficient.
4.Is there any particular way in which you study or any special notes that you make? Maybe a different approach than what students normally do?
By this time everyone has a set method of studying which they have practised for so man 4th years. Better stick to that pattern and not follow someone else’s.
Make notes if possible.
Notes should be short and precise.something which can help you revise the topic in minutes.
5.Do you have any tips on the Do’s and Don’ts of it? How do you manage to keep yourself motivated when studies start taking a toll on you? Are there any ‘distractions’ that actually help you in the process?
stick to your schedule.
Finish the topic in estimated time.
Do not postpone. When you feel low talk to your parents, to your friends, your mentor they help you to feel relaxed abd also motivate you to keep going.
6.Also how important do you think is attending lecrures in college? Considering half of the students are either busy on their phones or sleeping, does it really help?
For me particularly, lectures have always helped. They help in forming a Concrete base about a particular topic. Also you tend to remember more what you have heard.
7.Was there any help that you acquired while preparing for the exams? 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.
Its always good to read the topic prior and discuss it with the teachers during tutorials .
Listen to their advices regarding exams keenly people neglect those thinking there are unimportant. But sometimes those advices help You get the edge over others.
To reduce stress i meditate for 5 minutes every 2 hourly. It helps me to relax my mind.
8.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?
During exams, its better to first go through the faqs and then later go through the text for mcqs.
9.Could you suggest a method of studying or kind of discipline that should be followed during exam time?
have a set timetable
Have breaks of 5 minutes every 1 hourly.
They help to refresh your minds.
Eat intermittently as we are under constant stress.
Avoid stress. Listen to good thoughts.
10.What do you do to keep yourself kinda stress free? Go for a swim, go for a walk or just wiggle under the blanket and fall asleep or what?
Stress is a part of our life. Some of it is necessary. But balance should be well maintained. To reduce stress i meditate for 5 minutes every 2 hourly.
It helps me to relax my mind.
11.Are you involved in any extracurricular activities, be it sports, cultural or academics? How do you manage it along with your routine academics?
I like dancing. i have learnt bharatnatyam.
Hobbies always help you to rejuvenate yourselves.
12.Could you give some important pointers on Exam writing skills? And also how should one prepare for a practical exam? Any special tips for the people of your college who would be reading this?
Avoid scribbling, avoid rewriting, keep sufficient space between questions.
Start new qn on a new page. Draw diagrams and labeb them well wherever possible.
For practical exams
Spend half a day reading what subheadings who would be answering the next day.
Eg. Ent viva.
Go through instruments
Procedures
Cases commonly asked
Then for the rest day. Go through your theory quickly.
And spend 30 mins prior to your practical just going through what you overlooked a day prior.
Better not read anything just before your viva.
Be confident about your answers.
And do not panic
13.What is the one major thing that you would like to change in today’s curriculum?
I feel the curriculum. is too much theory based.
When we are going to future doctors its better we have curriculum which is more practical based.
Also integrated teaching should be included
Its better to learn cvs
From anatomy physiology patho medicine surgery and pharmac point of view at once
Than learning it in different years
14.So, do you have any parting thoughts? Like disclosing that secret mantra that you chanted or that special brand of energy drink you savored? Just kidding. Seriously though. Anything at all?
I have always beleived in myself.
That if no one can do i cam do
And if every one can do i will definitely do
Nothing can ever work out if you dont see or be leive it yourself.
Trust yourself and work harder towards your goal. Every day.