The key to this is that you have to do active learning, not passive. Unfortunately, taking hand-written notes is scientifically the best way to do this. However, you can type, as long as you don’t type word-for-word. You have to send a second, process the information and re-write it in your own words. Does that make sense?
What you will need:
- A blank notebook,Sketchy has a pretty good Micro workbook where you can fill in your own notes next to the pictures.
- (Optional) Subscription to some sort of Micro resource like Sketchy Micro, Picmonic, etc. I personally prefer Picmonic, but it doesn’t matter.
- Commit to some sort of primary resource.
- Whether this is SketchyMicro, Picmonic, First Aid, Medscape, Up-To-Date, whatever works for you. It’s all the same information just delivered slightly differently, so don’t stress about which one you choose, just pick one and stick to it. Micro isn’t something that you can do 2-3 times and it sticks. It’s something that you have to continually revisit before it becomes helpful. This is how you do Sketchy correctly.
- Absorb the information covered in the primary resource
- The first time you watch the video don’t take any notes and don’t pause. Try to really absorb the information.
- Physically write your own notes on the second pass.
- Watch the video and pause to physically write down what each component means. Do not use the workbook where someone has already filled out the information. This is passive learning and a no-go.
- Double-check another resource (Medscape, my notes here) to add any information that your primary resource didn’t cover to make sure that everything is in your notes.
- You can type if you absolutely have to, but you have to make sure that you don’t just re-type word-for-word every thought. You have to make an effort to absorb, process, and synthesize the information. The best way to do this is to try to write as few words as possible to get the same thought out.
- Review the next day.
- The next day when it’s “Micro time,” pull the agent out from yesterday, and walk through each component from memory, then move on to the new infectious agent of the day.
- Solidify the information. While you are taking practice board-style questions, every time you come across an infectious agent, write it down on a list. Then once a week, pull out the picture for that agent and walk through each component from memory.
I *know* that this sounds like a lot of work and too much time, but if you’re struggling you need to put in the time and the effort to catch up. I wish I had a magical method to make it easier for everyone, but unfortunately, this is one of those subjects where things are either easy for you or they aren’t.
I can promise that if you do this method starting right now, by the time Block 8 comes around and it’s time for a full micro review, you’ll be doing much better.
The Bradley Lab 