Study Skills and Test-Taking Strategies for Medical Students: Find and Use Your Personal Learning Style (Oklahoma Notes)

Rating:
Summary: Very informative
Review: I will be starting med school this fall and I'm trying to prepare myself for the overload of information as best as possible. This book was very informative but a bit long (easy to loose focus at times) and I'm not sure how helpful the section on the boards (the USMLE) is since the test has changed from a two day paper-and-pencil exam to an 8 hour computer-based test (Everyone has told me that the First Aid for the USMLE series are the best books for board prep). In the Oklahoma notes, you start out by taking a modified version of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (a psychological instrument). The results of this test went a long way towards explaining my personality and what my previous study skills where lacking. I discovered how to study better, take better notes and problem-solve based on my type. Next were different strategies for learning and retaining information for the long haul-from the next exam, to the boards, to residency and beyond. I learned terrific ways of taking notes, annotating text books, pre-reading for class and condensing the large amount of information from lectures and books. The time management sections offered very easy and realistic advise. All in all, I'm glad I bought this book because I learned many new things. However, I would strongly recommend the following book over this one if one had to choose: How to Excel in Medical School. It is easier to follow, a faster read and takes you subject by subject. If you have enough time and money, buy both!